Graduate Studies in CSE
Murat Yuksel
Associate Professor and Graduate Director
Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering
University of Nevada, Reno
yuksem@cse.unr.edu
1
Outline
 FACULTY and STAFF
 RESEARCH
 GRADUATE PROGRAMS


M.S. in CSE: Options A and B
Ph.D. in CSE
 RULES
 OTHER INFO
2
Graduate Faculty
George Bebis
Dwight Egbert
computer vision, image processing,
pattern recognition, machine learning
embedded systems, microprocessors,
computer game engineering
Bobby Bryant
Eelke Folmer
artificial intelligence,
neuro-evolution,
computer game engineering
human-computer interaction,
virtual worlds, accessibility
Sergiu Dascalu
David Feil-Seifer
software engineering
Robotics, assistive robotics
3
Graduate Faculty
Mehmet H. Gunes
Mircea Nicolescu
computer networks, communications,
internet measurements, network security,
biological networks
computer vision, image processing,
pattern recognition, machine learning
Fred C. Harris Jr.
Monica Nicolescu
parallel processing, computer graphics,
virtual reality
robotics, artificial intelligence,
human-robot interaction
Sushil Louis
genetic algorithms, artificial
intelligence
Shamik Sengupta
wireless networks, cognitive radio,
network security, network economics
4
Graduate Faculty
Yaakov Varol
Murat Yuksel
parallel computing, algorithms,
data fusion, theory of computing
computer networks, mobile ad-hoc
systems, network economics, free-spaceoptical networks
5
Research Professors
Richard Kelley
robotics, machine learning,
data science
Chris Miles
evolutionary computation,
artificial intelligence
6
Lecturers
Nancy LaTourette
programming and problem solving,
discrete mathematics
Michael Leverington
education, problem solving
7
Staff
System Admin:
Duane Wiley (dwiley@unr.edu)
CSE Secretary:
Lisa Cody (lacody@unr.edu)
Student Office Assistants: one
8
Research Areas
Computer and Network
Systems
Computer Networks
Embedded Systems
Parallel Distributed Processing

Intelligent Systems
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Vision
Robotics

Software Systems
Software Engineering
Human-Computer Interaction
Visualization and Virtual Reality

Games and Simulation
Digital Interactive Games
Agent Modeling
Motion Planning

9
Research Labs







Computer Networking Lab (CNL)
Computer Vision Lab (CVL)
Evolutionary Computing Systems Lab (ECSL)
Neuro-Evolution and Behavior Lab (NEBL)
Robotics Research Lab (RRL)
Software Engineering Lab (SOELA)
High Performance Computation and
Visualization Lab
10
MS Degree – Thesis Option
31 credits (8 courses + 6 credits of thesis + 1 credit of graduate seminar)
No core courses requirement
At least one theory course from the following list of courses (satisfied if passed
at the undergrad level with B or better)
a.CS 677 Analysis of Algorithms
b.CS 656 Automata and Formal Languages
c.CS 763 Computability and Formal Languages
At least one course from at least two of the following four areas:
a.Computer and Network Systems
b.Software Systems
c.Intelligent Systems
d.Games and Simulations
One credit of CS792 Graduate Seminar
At least four 7xx courses
One independent study allowed
11
MS Degree - “Courses
Only” Option
36 credits (12 courses)
No core courses or professional paper requirement
At least one theory course from the following list of courses (satisfied if passed at
the undergrad level with B or better)
a.CS 677 Analysis of Algorithms
b.CS 656 Automata and Formal Languages
c.CS 763 Computability and Formal Languages
At least one course from at least three of the following four areas:
a.Computer and Network Systems
b.Software Systems
c.Intelligent Systems
d.Games and Simulations
At least five 7xx courses
No independent studies allowed
12
Accelerated Bachelor/Master
Program (5 years)
 Admission requirements




Must have completed 75 credits towards BS
degree
At least 3.2 GPA (UNR courses)
Must have completed Basic Science courses and
at least 30 credits of Engineering Science or
Design courses.
Student must select a faculty advisor
13
Ph.D. Program
 Complete 72 credits beyond BS degree

48 credits of course work is required

24 dissertation credits
Two independent studies are allowed

 A maximum of 24 credits from MS program can be
transferred (with grades B or better)
 At least 30 credits of 700-level courses (18 of them
could be from MS program)
 3 credits of CS 792 Graduate Seminar
14
Ph.D. Program

Students must show that they have taken at least
one course in each of the areas below at the 400
level or above, earning at least a B.







Operating Systems
Computer Architecture
Computer Networks
Artificial Intelligence
Analysis of Algorithms
Software Engineering
Theory of Computing
15
Ph.D. Program –
Comprehensive Exam
Must enroll in CPE 795 (3 credits)
 Written Requirement



Thorough review of the literature from the student’s
research area.
Research proposal (goals, methodology, research plan).
Work in progress.
16
Ph.D. Program –
Comprehensive Exam
 Oral Requirement


Public colloquium covering the written exam.
Q&A from the student’s dissertation committee,
covering the written exam.
17
Ph.D. Program
 Dissertation committee must be formed within a
year of admission to the PhD program.
 Committee is responsible for:



Program of study
Directing the student towards the written and oral requirement of
their comprehensive exam and advancement to candidacy.
Direction of student’s research
18
Graduate Program
 Other requirements



Attend colloquia (more on this shortly)
Give presentations of your research within the
department and at conferences
Help your advisor with paper and proposal writing
 Untold expectations



Publish well
Do good research
Be nice and hardworking!
19
Graduate Seminar
 CS 792 Graduate Seminar





Attending each talk (a defense or a colloquium)
earns a “token”
12 tokens for 1 credit
MS students need 1 credit
PhD students need 3 credits
http://www.cse.unr.edu/~yuksem/teaching/CS792-Fall-2010.htm
20
RULES
 If GPA drops below 3.0, students are either
put on probation (for one semester) or
dismissed.
 Your advisor must approve all your courses
http://www.unr.edu/grad
21
Default Advise
 Sample:


Take wide variety of courses in the first 2 semesters
Take courses from different graduate faculty
 Mix theory with programming courses
 Talk to students about advisors/courses
 Talk to faculty and colleagues


Picnics
Research group meetings
 Find a research advisor quickly!!
22
Continuous Enrollment
 To maintain “good standing”, all graduate
students are required to enroll in a minimum
of 3 graduate credits each semester till
graduation.
 9 credits for international students
 6 credits for TAs/RAs
23
Leave of Absence
 Students in good standing may request a
leave of absence for 1-2 semesters
 Continuous enrollment is not required during
leave of absence.
 Should not have any “incomplete” grades.
 Need to be “reinstated” upon completion of
leave of absence.
24
Time Limitations
 PhD degree

All course work must be completed within 8 years.
 MS degree

All course work must be completed within 6 years.
25
Academic Dishonesty
 Academic dishonesty is defined as:



Cheating
Plagiarism
Obtaining grades under false pretenses
 Students enrolled at UNR, agree to bide by,
and make every effort to meet, the academic
and behavioral standards of the university.

see http://www.unr.edu/stsv/acdispol.html
26
Assistantships
 Teaching Assistantship (TA)




Help with teaching and grading
Must submit a TA application
Most TA openings are in the Fall semester
Deadlines: January 15 (Fall), August15 (Spring)
 Research Assistantship (RA)


Get involved in research
Talk to faculty who have research projects and
funding
27
Graduate Student Club
Erin Keith
Mehmet B. Akgun
President
Treasurer
ekeith@cse.unr.edu mburakgun@gmail.com
Halim C. Ates
Vice President
hcagri@gmail.com
Devyani Tanna
Secretary
chinutanna@gmail.com
28
Get Involved!
 Get to know the CSE faculty and other students.
 Join a student organization




Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Women Into Computer Science and Engineering (WICSE)
 Check the College’s EngiNews blog or the CSE
Department blog for updated information, events
and deadlines.


http://engineering.blogs.unr.edu
http://cse.blogs.unr.edu
29
Useful Resources
 Graduate Student Resources

http://www.cse.unr.edu/academics/graduate/resources.html

Graduate Student Handbook


Grad School Tips


http://www.cse.unr.edu/students/forms/grad-student-handbook.pdf
http://www.gradschooltips.com
How to get an MS in Computer Science

http://www.cse.unr.edu/academics/graduate/how-to.html
 Typical layout of a Thesis/Professional Paper

http://www.cse.unr.edu/~bebis/thesis_help.html
30
Questions?
Thank you!
31
National Science Foundation GK‐12 E‐Fellowship Program
Are you a graduate student in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) degree?
Could you use a $30K annual stipend, free full‐time tuition and health insurance? If the answer to both questions is YES, then apply NOW! The GK‐12 E‐Fellowship program is soliciting for the 2014/2015 cohort of E‐Fellows. To learn more about this program and
apply to become an E‐Fellow, go to our website at unr‐gk12.org/applications.html.
Applications and all materials are due by midnight on March 14, 2014. 32