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New CS/CIS Master Student Orientation Spring 2009. University of Houston - Clear Lake. Presented by: Dr. Bun Yue Chair, Division of Computing and Mathematics January 22, 2009 (Thursday) 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Table of Contents. Welcome! Opportunities Resources Foundation Courses - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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New CS/CIS Master Student OrientationSpring 2009
Presented by:
Dr. Bun YueChair, Division of Computing and Mathematics
January 22, 2009 (Thursday)4:00pm to 5:30pm
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Table of Contents
Welcome! Opportunities Resources Foundation Courses Advising and CPS Planning your study Research and Capstone Projects Controlled and Full Courses Academic Honesty TA Applications Questions and Answers
Welcome!
Welcome aboard! UHCL: four schools School of Science and Computer
Engineering (SCE): three divisions. Division of Computing and Mathematics
(DCM): four programs. Computer Science (CS) Computer Information Systems (CIS) Mathematics Statistics
Opportunities: UHCL CS/CIS Programs
ABET Accredited! Small class sizes Friendly faculty and staff Teaching-oriented faculty Student research High tech environment Close ties with surrounding high tech
industry Balance between theory and practice
Opportunities: Some Goals
Better study Better career preparation Better professionalism Better networking
Resources: Personnel
SCE: Dean: Dr. Sadegh Davari Associate Dean: Dr. Dennis Casserly
Academic Advisors: Ms. Barbara Coleman Ms. Dorothy Hogg
DCM: Division Chair: Dr. Bun Yue
Personnel
Program Chairs: CS: Dr. Sharon Hall CIS: Dr. Andrew Yang
DCM secretaries Ms. Janet Brecheen (division’s
secretaries): Delta building access pan code
Personnel
Faculty suite secretaries: Ms. Kim Edwards: D161 (all other
CS/CIS faculty members) TA applications Control courses Waiting list for courses
Ms. Jeanne Leslie: D101 (Drs. Yang, Hall and Giarratano)
Faculty
Faculty members Ms. Krishani Abeysekera Dr. Hisham Al-Mubaid Dr. Said Bettayeb Dr. Gary Boetticher Dr. Sadegh Davari Dr. Terry Feagin Dr. Joseph Giarratano
Faculty
Dr. Sharon Perkins Hall Dr. Dan Kim Dr. Morris Liaw Dr. Perez Perez-Davila Dr. Andrew Yang Dr. Bun Yue
Faculty
Staff
Technology Specialist: Mr. David Webb Academic software purchase Laboratories
Systems Administrator: DCM and SCE accounts DCM laboratories Unix server and laboratories
Some Resources
SCE/DCM Accounts: SCE Web server DCM laboratory accounts
UHCL Neumann Library UHCL Writing Center Low cost academic software: contact Mr.
David Webb CS/CIS Blog: http://sce.uhcl.edu/cs/blog/
Scholarship and Work
Be aggressive and try hard. UHCL:
http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/FAO/FAO_New/Scholarship
SCE specific: http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/FAO/Scholarships/Scholarship_Schools/SCE
Campus jobs
Foundation Courses
Required to fulfill background for the Master program.
Listed explicitly in the admission letter.
Example of An Admission Letter
An Admission Letter
Foundation Courses
They should be taken as soon as possible.
Dangling foundation courses: May not be able to enroll in some
courses, especially controlled courses. May adversely affect your TA and RA
applications. May make your study harder.
Foundation Courses
Two kinds: Technical courses: CSCI, MATH, CENG,
etc. Writing courses: WRIT 3035, WRIT
3135. Must be completed before
graduation.
Foundation Courses
May request wavering. There is a waiver committee. To apply:
Submit completed waiver request form. Consult advice from the faculty advisor. Submit as much evidence as possible. Burden of proof on students.
Foundation Courses
Waiver requests should be made as soon as possible: Take time to process.
Completing a course with the foundation course as a prerequisite is not a valid reason for waiving the foundation course.
Writing foundation courses were usually not waived.
Advising and CPS
Each student has two advisors: Academic Advisor: general issues. Faculty Advisor: subject matter issues.
They are your coaches!
Persons to contact (admission letter)
Faculty Advisors
Help you to Set up your candidate plan of study. Provide advice on your study plan. Provide help to prepare for your future
career. Approve electives.
Candidate Plan of Study
Your study plan ‘contract’. Clarify what is needed to achieve
your degrees. Protect you from future changes. Should be set up as soon as
possible.
CPS (admission letter)
CPS Process
Contact your faculty advisor after you arrive and seek advice.
Schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor at the middle of your first semester.
Before the appointment, construct an initial list of elective courses you want to take.
You may send this information and other personal information (name, student id, email, phone, address) to the faculty member before the meeting.
CPS Process
Good opportunity to develop a study plan (when to take what courses).
Your faculty member can set up a draft CPS with both of you signed.
The school will set up a formal CPS for you to sign later.
Sample Draft CPS: Foundation Requirements
Sample Draft CPS: Electives
Sample Draft CPS: Thesis or Capstone
Planning Your Study
Devise a study schedule as early as possible: Realistic Helpful to your established career goal Adapted if necessary. Work with your advisors along the way.
Planning your study
What courses to take first? Foundation courses (must be taken
care of as soon as possible) Courses in the critical path (such as
prerequisites of other desirable courses.)
Core courses (you have no flexibility here).
Courses that are not offered frequently.
Planning your study
Do not over-commit. Do not take too many courses in
your last semester. Capstone or thesis are demanding. Need effort for graduation and job
hunting.
Thesis and Capstone
Thesis A two semester sequence. 33 hours instead of 36 hours Learnt a lot!
Innovative work in your future career is like research.
May take an independent study first. Need to plan for it in the first semester.
Thesis and Capstone
Capstone Real world team projects mentored by
industrial partners. Viewed as very useful in career
preparation. Demanding and very different. Must not miss the first class. Consider attending capstone project
presentations
Controlled Courses
Need approval before registration. CSCI 6530 Research Methods
Completed all writing requirements Taken enough computer science courses.
CSCI 6838 Capstone Projects Within last 12 hours of study (including
foundation courses)
Return application forms to Ms. Kim Edwards.
Full Courses
May need override approval to register Considered in a case by case manner
Look for more information for a new procedure next semester.
Academic Honesty
UHCL has strict academic honesty standards.
UHCL has well defined academic honesty violation (AHV) policy and procedure.
AHV due process will be followed by the division.
Academic Honesty Violation
Cheating is simply not worth it. It is costly!
AHV: Appear in student records Will not be hired by the programs in any
capacity (e.g. TA) Impact scholarship opportunities
2 AHV may result in suspension from the university, or even expulsion.
Academic Honesty
Check class policy and instructions carefully.
Do not fall for peer pressure. May have cultural difference. Use common sense. In case of doubt, check!
TA
Excellent opportunity to improve yourself!
You are encouraged to apply.
TA Applications
GPA is not the only consideration factor.
Much more complicated than most can imagine. Scheduling is NP-complete!
Many factors considered.
TA Applications
Is competitive. To improve your chance:
Let the faculty members know your ability and work ethics
Have good faculty recommendations (not generic one)
Differentiate yourself! Make yourself ‘useful’!
TA Applications
Deadline: April 23rd. Ensure eligibility. Eg.
CPS formally filed. Must be able to start working on day
one. Must be able to attend TA orientation. No AHV
Fill application form carefully
Questions?
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