Utah School of Computing Graduate FAQ

This is a set of commonly asked questions and answers. Please note that this is an informal document. Official policies and requirements can be found in the Graduate Handbook.

What is this "Program of Study" thing? The Program of Study (POS) is a list of classes that you and your committee agree will satisfy the class requirements for your degree program, as well as being educationally appropriate. You can think of it as a "class contract" that specifies a list of classes both the student and committee agree will satisfy the course requirements of the degree for that student. The POS should be done early in a graduate career as the committee can ask for more specific classes than the general requirements and thus a late POS may result in having to take extra classes.

I've taken a course before on the same subject as a required course, so can I skip it? Only if the instructor certifies that the course is equivalent. For PhD Computer Science students, they cannot skip a course in this manner but they can satisfy required courses by taking a more advanced course on the approved list without having the instructor certify equivalence.

Can I change between programs in the SoC? Only if you officially apply for transfer and that transfer is approved. Each student is in exactly one degree program. These are:

An official transfer is needed to go between any of these programs. An official transfer is not needed to change from thesis MS to non-thesis MS within the same program. Changing tracks within a Computing degree program requires changing a program of study which in effect requires permission of the Track Faculty Committee. Applications to transfer between degree programs will typically only be considered between semesters (i.e., winter and summer breaks).

How do I get TA funding? TA funding is primarily for first year students. When funds are available, students making due degree progress may be given TAs after their first year, but this will likely be unusual.

How do I get my own desk in one of the labs? Lab space is assigned to individual faculty and they decide what students sit in that space. All students have access to the "bullpen" labs. These labs do not have assigned seating, and students should not lock screens or leave themselves logged in when using those labs. Personal possesions can be left in the student lockers.

How do I get RA funding? RA funding is usually controlled by individual faculty. Typically any RAs professors have will be used to fund their own students, so acquiring an advisor with available funding is key. Some types of funding have development requirements and are sometimes used to fund students without it involving an advisor/advisee relationship. These are usually advertised on campus, but some legwork is required to find some of these opportunities.

As a Computer Science MS student, do I need to do a thesis? The Computer Science MS does not require a thesis, but there is a thesis option that replaces approximately 3 courses. A project can be done by taking 3 hours of independent study, or all courses can be done.

How do I find an advisor? Finding an advisor is somewhat like finding a spouse, with courtship a key component, and divorce not unheard of. One good way to find an advisor is to take classes from professors in your areas of interest, find out if you are likely to be compatible in interests and personality, and to impress them with your performance. If you need funding, make sure you frankly discuss funding prospects.

How do I know when my thesis is finished? There is no set definition of what constitutes a finished thesis. In practice faculty have different ideas about this. An almost universal belief is that to be a thesis, the research community has to hold the work worthy of publication, with at least one paper common for a MS thesis, and several for a PhD dissertation. It is important that a student talk to all members of the committee to make sure mutual expectations are clear. The student should view the proposal defense as a good time to come to an understanding of the committee's expectations.

Is there any difference in graduate requirements for MS vs BS/MS students? Ony one: a BS/MS student can only pursue the thesis option for the MS if they also pursue the thesis option for the BS.

Can I take the 5XXX and 6XXX versions of a cross-listed course? Normally no. If the courses are substantially different due to a change in syllabus or instructor then approval from DGS will be required to get credit for both.

Should I take a job before I finish my thesis or dissertation? See "should I attack Russia in winter?"

Should PhD students focus more on classes or research? Good class performance can impress potential advisors so can be highly beneficial. However, the well-published student will probably never be asked about GPA, and the 4.0 student with no publications is likely to have trouble in the increasingly competitive job market.

Can I change advisors? It is not in a student's or advisor's interest to work together if the relationship is not productive because of incompatible personalities or research interests. Professors understand that students needs to manage their careers carefully, and the best course is to have an open discussion if a switch is planned.

As a PhD student, do I have to take the Written Qual before the Oral Qual? Yes.