Download Philosophy of Computer Science

Graduate Student Orientation
Fall 2008
Dr. Jan Chomicki
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~chomicki
[email protected]
Graduate Secretary
• Ms. Elizabeth (Liz) Lesny
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[email protected]
Bell 233 or 234
645-3180 x 119 or 102
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/staff/elesny/
Important Things to Do
• Read the (new) Grad Handbook
– dated August 2008
– handed out today
– http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/graduate/handbooks/grad-handbook.pdf
• Make (and keep) an appointment with your
academic advisor
– Discuss your coursework
• Should do this at least each semester, or more often!
– Can change advisors
– Advisor will automatically change when:
• you do a master’s project or thesis
• you choose a major professor for your Ph.D.
More Things to Do
• Attend CSE colloquia
• Be sure that you are on the grad Listserv
– Should be automatic
• Read your “@cse.buffalo.edu” email
– and your “@buffalo.edu” email
– or else be sure that email sent there is forwarded to
where you really read email!
M.S. Requirements: 31-33 credits
• CSE 501 — Intro to Grad Studies in CSE
• 4 core courses:
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1 Theory/Algorithms core course
1 Artificial Intelligence core course
1 Software and Information Systems core course
1 Hardware and Networked Systems core course
• 3 other CSE courses:
– 2 core area courses:
• 1 CSE 500- or 600-level course from any core area
• 1 CSE 600-level course from that core area
– 1 CSE 500- or 600-level course (free elective)
• 1 CSE seminar (1, 2, or 3 credits)
• 2 free electives (6 credits)
– Can be any UB grad course,
if approved by your advisor & Grad Studies Committee
M.S. Requirements (cont’d)
• Do a project or a thesis
– Project can be from a CSE 600-level course that offers
this option
• not all do; check with instructor
• grade has to be at least B+
• Maintain a 3.00 GPA
• There are certain other restrictions
– GPA requirements
– certain courses can’t be used
– see the Grad Handbook
M.S. Requirements (cont’d)
• What are the “core courses” & “core areas”?
– see the Grad Handbook
• How to waive a requirement or transfer a course?
– see the Grad Handbook!
• Can apply to Ph.D. program from M.S. program?
– for details, see the Grad Handbook
• Other questions?
– see the Grad Handbook!! :-)
Ph.D. Requirements
• Ph.D. Qualifying Process (24 credits)
– 3 required courses:
• CSE 501 — Intro to Grad Studies in CSE
• CSE 531 — Analysis of Algorithms
• CSE 596 — Intro to Theory of Computation
– 4 core courses, at least 1 each from:
• AI
• Software and Information Systems
• Hardware and Networked Systems
– 1 CSE 600-level course in your dissertation area
• Other requirements:
– 2nd CSE 600-level course (3 credits)
– 1 CSE seminar (1,2, or 3 credits)
• total = 28-30 credits so far
– Dissertation proposal + dissertation + oral defense
• typically 36 credits (Ph.D. is 72 credits total; 36 can be transferred in)
• can take other courses!
Ph.D. Requirements (cont’d)
• Maintain 3.00 GPA
• Restrictions, waiving, transferring credits,
other questions?
– see
– the
– Grad
–Handbook!!!!!!!
Forms and petitions
• Discuss the issue with your academic
advisor, fill out an appropriate form and
obtain the advisor’s signature
• Leave the form with Liz Lesny: she will
forward it to me
• Forms can be found opposite Liz’s office
Useful Websites
• CSE:
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/
• Grad handbook:
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/graduate/handbooks/grad-handbook-2008.pdf
• CSE grad programs:
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/graduate/index.php
• Grad course list (to be updated):
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/shared/courses_description.php
• Fall 2008 course description list:
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/graduate/courses_current.php
Useful graduate resources
(maintained by Bill Rapaport)
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Grad Studies
– http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/GRAD/
– info on:
• current & upcoming courses
• CSE computing facilities
• UB Grad School links & how to succeed in grad school
• academic integrity (don’t cheat, don’t plagiarize!)
• research, teaching, writing hints
• Buffalo & WNY
• language (oral presentation hints, ESL hints)
• cultural differences
• beyond grad school
• PHD comics!!
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How to Study
– http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html