Welcome to Computer Science at
Stanford University!
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Reminders:
• Pick up keys for Gates
building at Rm 176.
• If you have not taken
a picture yet, please
come to Rm 196 by
the end of the day.
• Complete the
Emergency Health
and Safety training
online. EHS-4200
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Overview of Academic Requirements for the PhD
Year
One:
• CS 300
• Rotation program, choosing a permanent
research advisor
Two:
• Completing Breadth requirements
• 3 units of coursework from at least 4 different
faculty members
• Filing for Candidacy
Three:
• Quals
• Teaching requirement
Four:
• Reading committee Form and thesis proposal
Five, Six: • Complete 135 units
• Orals
• Dissertation
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CS 300
• Faculty speak about research
• Must attend 2/3 of sessions
• Record attendance online
Rotation
• Option to rotate with three different professors
• Goal: find a permanent advisor by the end of Spring
quarter
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Courses
• Must take 3units of coursework from 4 different
professors
• Must take CS 300 fall quarter
• 135 total units to graduate
• Very few restrictions on classes
• Classes can be taken across the university, but
please talk about your plan with your advisor
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Breadth Requirements:
• Goal is to give students an understanding of the core
areas in CS
• Must be completed in your first two years of the
program
• Requirements can be waived by previous coursework
taken. Review details online at
https://cs.stanford.edu/content/academicrequirements
• Get your classes waived ASAP, don’t let it go!
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Candidacy:
• Contract between student and university; requirement
to file form after the end of your second year.
• Breadth requirements must be completed to file for
candidacy.
• Candidacy starts your 5 year clock for completing the
PhD
• Form must be signed by your permanent research
advisor
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Teaching requirement
Must complete at least 4 units as a course assistant (CA)
or teaching fellow (TF) for courses in Computer Science
that are numbered 100 or above (with the exception of
freshman seminars, which do not count toward meeting
the CA requirement). Earning one unit means working
10 hours per week for one quarter.
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Assistantships
CA: “Course Assistant”
• Like a “Teaching Assistant”
• Works for a particular course
• Responsibilities include: grading, office hours,
contributing to assignments/exams, teaching
sections, occasional guest lectures, etc.
RA: “Research Assistant”
• Works with a particular faculty member
• Responsibilities include: conducting research,
supporting research project, etc.
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Teaching Assistantship/Course Assistantship
50% Support
•
•
•
•
8, 9, or 10 units of tuition remission
Must take at least 8 and no more than 10 units
Stipend (~$8800 for quarter)
Expectation of 20 hours/week of work
25% Support
•
•
•
•
5 units of tuition remission
Only subject to university unit range (min: 8, max: 20)
Stipend (~$4400 for quarter)
Expectation of 10 hours/week of work
PhD Students must have equivalent of two 50% CAships to graduate
Can mix 50% and 25% appointments as long as the equivalent of 100%
(= 2 x 50%) total is satisfied
PhD students have priority in CA assignment process
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Quals:
• Tests your knowledge in your specialization
• Must be completed by the end of your third year
• Only allowed to take the quals twice
Reading Committee Form and Thesis proposal
• Typically one year after quals
• Goal is to enable students to get better formative feedback
from their Reading Committee on what directions to take
to successfully complete a quality dissertation.
• Reading Committee composed of the principal dissertation
advisor and at least two additional readers
• At least two committee members must be CS professors or
joint CS professors.
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Orals or Defense of the Dissertation:
• A public presentation lasting approximately one hour,
followed by questions from the examining committee in
a private session.
• Schedule your orals during the quarter preceding the
one in which you intend to submit the final draft of your
dissertation.
• Submit a University Oral Exam Schedule form at least
two weeks before the proposed Orals date
Dissertation
• Reading committee must approve of dissertation
• Submitted online or in person at registrar
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Important Dates
Sept 21
Sept 21
Oct 9
Oct 25
First day of Autumn Quarter; instruction begins
Preliminary Study List deadline
(Must be enrolled in at least 8 units to avoid late fee)
Final Study List deadline
(All course enrollment, units, grading basis must be
finalized)
Axess opens for Winter Quarter course enrollment
*Please review your academic calendar for more!
http://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/academiccalendar
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