cs@vt 2014

cs@vt 2014Welcome to Graduate School.

cs@vt Graduate ProgramDr. Ryder Dr. Ribbens

Sharon Kinder-Potter

Dr. ArthurDr. Cameron

Associate Dept. Head for Graduate Studies

Dept. Head Assoc. Dept. Head

Grad. Coord. Init. Grad. Advisor

Dr. Perez

Dept. Approval Day-to-day AdviceTeaching Assts.

What we will do today• Intro to the Department• Brief intro to Graduate School• Classes (and how to register)• Programs of study (MS and PhD)• Student progress• Research• Other topics• Reception

cs@vt by the numbers

• Tied in rankings with Dartmouth, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Texas A&M• 39 faculty (35 Bburg, 4 NCR); • + senior instructors, academic advisors, staff• 750++ students in cs@vt

• CS Undergrads FY15 (550++) – 150++ BS’s awarded annually• CS MS students (60+) – ~35 MS’s awarded annually• CS PHD students (160++) – ~18 PHD’s awarded annually

• Fall 2014 Grad admissions• 800++ applications, ~12% accept rate, ~8% admitted (~50 PHD, ~25 MS)

• FY14 research expenditures ~$12.2M• About $3.4M in new grants in FY14 • 90+ industrial partner companies in CSRC

Ranked #40 among the best U.S. Graduate Computer Science Programs

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cs@vt Recent Grads in Labs/Industry

8/20/2014 CS@VT Retreat

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cs@vt Recent Grads in Academia• Dong Li, U Cal Merced (1/2015)

• Alex Endert at Georgia Tech (8/2014)

• Young-Woo Kwon at Utah State (7/2014)

• Kevin Buffardi, Chico State, CA (8/2014)

• Christopher Andrews, Middlebury College, VT (2013)

• Shahriar Hossain at U Texas El Paso (9/2013)

• Monika Akbar (Research Asst Prof) at U Texas, El Paso (8/2014)

• Feng Chen, SUNY Albany, (1/2014)

• Hussain Almohri, Kuwait U (2013)

• Joon Suk Lee, VA State U (2012?)

• Chao Peng, Southern Polytechnic State U (2012?)8/20/2014 CS@VT Retreat

Where to find us…• Knowledge Works II (KWII) – where you are right now

• Main CS Office, Primarily HCI (downstairs) and Systems/SE (upstairs)• Dept Head (Ryder), Assoc. Dept. Head (Ribbens), Grad Coord (Kinder-Potter)• Assoc. Dept. Head Graduate (Cameron) upstairs• Ping Pong Table (upstairs)

• McBryde (MCB) – on campus• Mostly undergraduate facilities• Classes might be there, your TA job might be there• CS Undergraduate Learning Center (Basement floor MCB)

• Torgerson Hall – on campus• CS Seminar Class, other CS labs and centers

• Moss Center for the Arts• ICAT – Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology

Your new best friend…

Graduate Handbookhttps://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate/handbook

Main points of contact (KWII)Dr. Cameron

Associate Dept. Head for Graduate Studies

All admin Advisor for nowTeaching Assts.

Dr. RibbensSharon Kinder-Potter

Dr. Arthur

Assoc. Dept. Head

Grad. Coord. Init. Grad. Advisor

[email protected] [email protected]@vt.edu

[email protected] floor KWII

1st floor KWII 1st floor KWII 2nd floor KWII

Graduate Handbook

YOU

Policy questions

https://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate/handbook

University Identification• Two flavors: PID and Hokie Passport identification number

• PID is a string of characters (PUBLIC)• Will also be your [email protected] and [email protected] email address• Example: PID=cameron, [email protected], [email protected]

• Student ID or Hokie Passport has a 9-digit code (PRIVATE)• It is a unique number that identifies your records at the university• Example: 9051-xxxxx

IMPORTANT: DO NOT SEND YOURS OR ANYONE ELSE’S ID # VIA EMAIL!!!

Email• In addition to your @vt.edu account (PID, CAS

Account)• Get your @cs.vt.edu account at

https://admin.cs.vt.edu• Create an account using your CAS Account information• Most people will assume that you read email at both

[email protected] and [email protected]• Have one forward to the other (or both to somewhere

else)

Listservs• You will be automatically subscribed to some listservs;

you are welcome to use them appropriately...• [email protected], Menastudents,

bburg-gradstudents, kw2gradstudents• VT CS Graduate Students on Facebook• http://www.facebook.com/groups/2444792373/

• LinkedIn Group• http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3691280

• Watch for free food and other events!

Role playing games

TeachingAdvising

Supervising researchLocal requirements

AdmissionsPolicies

Minimum requirementsAward Degrees

Graduate School CS Department

Main Points of Contact (GLC)• Cranwell International Center• for international students

• Cook Counseling Center• for wellness

• Graduate Student Ombudsperson• Ennis McCrery• For a safe place to be heard (confidential)

• Plenty of other administrative offices throughout the university (check the website)

Graduate Life Center (GLC)• http://www.graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/• Great location next to Squires on campus• Location of Graduate School Offices• Lots of spaces for graduate students use only• Au Bon Pain - sale late at night, before closing! Don’t

tell anyone, it is a secret. See MPQ for details!• Computer Lab, reading lounge, etc.• Offices for Graduate Student Association

Signing up for classes• Course Number vs Course Request Number (CRN)• “CS 5204” vs “91860”• CRN identifies the particular section• http://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate/courses - listing of courses

• Timetable of Classes• http://www.registrar.vt.edu/• Not all courses on timetable are available to you, i.e.,

Blacksburg students (see https://hosting.cs.vt.edu/gpcstudents/2014Fall/GradCourseOfferings.pdf)

IMPORTANT: Do this tonight!• Fill out course request survey (online) by Friday 8am• Course Request at (on the right side)

http://hosting.cs.vt.edu/gpcstudents• Friday we will assign students to classes• We will do our best to give you what you want• You will be registered automagically• Check online late Friday to see your program of

classes (http://hokiespa.vt.edu)

Force Adds• What if a course is full? You may still be able to get a

slot.• Attend first day of classes and see if professor will

allow force-add.• Be prepared for a “no” answer for “popular” classes• Respect professor’s wishes, if they say no, then it is

no; don’t try to change their minds• Trust me when I say: I have heard all the reasons why

you “must be in my class”

• Classes start on Monday!

How many courses?• Full time status

• >=9 hrs; >=12 hrs (if funded)• Use padding (CS 5994/CS 7994: research credits)

• MS students• ≤ three 3-credit courses generally• + CS 5944: Graduate Seminar (1 credit)• + CS 5994: MS Thesis Credits (padded)

• PhD students• ≤ 2 3-credit courses• + CS 5944: Graduate Seminar (1 credit)• + CS 7994: PhD Thesis Credits (padded)


Which courses?• Follow your Plan of Study (PoS)• No Core Courses!• Satisfy• Number of courses• Breadth

• 4 different areas for M.S. thesis• 5 different areas for M.S. coursework/Ph.D.• Min and max constraints• Cognate courses


Sample M.S./Ph.D. Semester 1• CS 5xxx (3) [Breadth area 1]• CS 5xxx (3) [Breadth area 2]• CS 5944 (1) Graduate Seminar• [Optional :CS xxxx (3)]• [Optional: Pad with CS 5994 / CS7994]

• We recommend thesis students take CS 5014 Research Methods in Computer Science as early as possible.

• You can take up to one 4xxx course for credit; use to address any deficiencies

• Start talking to students and faculty throughout semester to identify potential research groups.


Course sampling…

Research Methods in CSAlgorithms and TheorySystemsProgramming Languages and CompilersNumerical and Scientific ComputingComputer NetworksData and InformationSoftware EngineeringHuman-computer InteractionUser Interface SoftwareIntelligent SystemsComputational Biology and Bioinformatics

Computational Cell BiologyProgramming Massively Parallel HardwareVideo GamesAdvanced Distributed SystemsAlgorithm VisualizationSoftware Systems EvolutionEmbodied InteractionDistributed Coordinated BehaviorMedia SpacesGenome Bioinformatics

(see https://hosting.cs.vt.edu/gpcstudents/2014Fall/GradCourseOfferings.pdf)

Ph.D. and M.S. Programs• You are admitted to a specific degree program• Degree programs and classification• M.S. Thesis• M.S. Coursework option - typically “along the way for phds”

• Ph.D.• Dissertation (only option)


Requirements• M.S. Thesis option• 30 credit hours = 7 courses (21) + research (9)• 3 credit hours = 3 CS 5944 (seminars)

• M.S. Coursework option• 33 credit hours = 11 courses (33)• 3 credit hours = 3 CS 5944 (seminars)

• Ph.D.• 90 credit hours = 11 courses (33) + research (57)• 3 credit hours = 3 CS 5944 (seminars)


Typical Duration• If you are fresh out of a BS• M.S: typically 2 years• Ph.D: average 4-5 years

• If you already have a Masters• Ph.D: can chop off 2 years (if you are aggressive)• Sometimes market dependent

M.S. Thesis• Advanced coursework with guided research depth

component• 30 credits = 7 courses (21) + research (9)• Typical• 3 + 2 + 2 courses across three semesters, thesis exclusively

in fourth• Pick advisor before end of first year• Use in-between summer to focus research topic• if you do internship, you will take longer to graduate

• Last semester: thesis defense/final examGraduate Handbookhttps://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate/handbook

M.S. Coursework• Advanced coursework beyond B.S.• 33 credits = 11 courses• 3 + 3 + 3 + 2 courses over 4 semesters

• Candidacy options:• Take the Qualifying Exam meant for Ph.D. students and pass

it at the M.S. level. • Make one of the 11 courses to be CS 5974 (Independent

Study) and use the report of that course to fulfill the requirement, XOR


M.S. Thesis vs. Coursework• One approach• Register for an independent study (CS 5974) in second (or

first) semester• Use that experience to decide track

• Caveats• Cannot use CS 5974 (independent study) for credit towards

your degree for M.S. thesis option

Ph.D.• Depth and breadth beyond B.S. and M.S.;

apprenticeship to become an independent researcher• 90 credit hours with at least 11*3cr (courses)• 2 courses + 2 courses + 2 + …

• Structured program• Qualifying process: classes && (exam || research)• Preliminary proposal• Research defense• Final defense

Ph.D. Decisions• IMPORTANT: Single Most Important Decision in Grad School for

Ph.D.• SELECT AN ADVISOR• Why? 3-6 years, working closely, they shape many things for you from your

thesis topic to your POS to your internships to your graduation date to your marketability upon graduation.

• How? Ask around: How long do students take to graduate for certain advisors? Where do the students end up after? Are they a seasoned veteran or a sparky upstart? Are they very active or semi-retired from research?

• Consider a trial period with a group. If it works, fine. If not, keep looking. Join reading groups or take a class from someone you are leaning towards.

• Once you sign up for an advisor, you are kind of stuck with them for a while at least. Changing advisors is costly in time and may limit your options later.

Consider these steps…• Semester 1:• Visit research groups, get to know advisors and their areas

• End of semester 1:• Take qualifier (Feb) or plan for next year

• Semester 2:• Select advisor

• Semester 3: • Work with advisor to set milestones, file PoS

Do I need M.S. (for Ph.D.)?• No. But, …• Ph.D. requirements ⊃ M.S. requirements• So can get M.S. free, “on the way”

• Some advisors will suggest you to do an M.S. thesis before embarking on a Ph.D.• If you already have an M.S.• Can transfer up to 3 courses (9 credits) toward an M.S. • Can transfer up to 5 courses (15 credits) toward a Ph.D.

What can I transfer?• Specific courses (e.g., CS 5804)• IF equivalent to an existing CS course• IF equivalent to an existing non-CS course• if it “sort of” looks like a grad course that we might

offer if we had the right faculty in that area (general electives)

Who decides on transfers?• When transferring as specific courses• Any faculty member who teaches that course here on a

periodic basis

• When transferring as generic courses• Any faculty member who has some expertise in that area

• What do faculty members look for?• Web sites, homeworks, textbook, whatever you can lay your

hands on• The more the better here.

When to transfer?• Earlier is better…but,• Not right now! Not next week either!• Give the faculty a chance to get the semester rolling.• Consider Halloween time frame.• Consider that this will go on your Plan of Study and you

won’t file that till second semester

Did I mention?


AND… https://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate/

Student Progress• 12 credits/semester (if full time)• More than 3 courses is brutal!

• Ph.D. students can take at most 2 courses• Maintain overall GPA of 3.0• Remove incomplete grades• File plan of study (PoS) before end of first year

• You can update later if you change your plans

• File SAR every year and receive positive evaluation

Look online: e.g., http://www.psywww.com/careers/suprstar.htm

Green Thursday• Student Activity Report (SARs) = Annual evaluation• Due in March of every year• You provide info about your progress (publications, courses,

other activities)• Your advisor makes an assessment of your progress (very

good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, lack of minimal progress)

• GPC meets on Green Thursday (typically late April, early May)• Results are used to determine status in program• Students not making progress may suffer consequences

• E.g., loss of TA or RA funding, probation, expulsion from program.How to manage your time: http://www.alice.org/Randy/timetalk.htm

Research• “Basic research [...] expands the knowledge base of

the field” • Why do it? How do I get involved?• Where is it done?• What is the output of research?

First steps…• Don’t just take classes!• Talk to faculty!

• Example: Ask a faculty about where they went to school, how they got into research, what they do now, how their group dynamics work…

• CS 5944 (Research Seminar) is a window, not a jail cell• Start digging deeper on specific topics, get a feel for what research is.

• Get your hands dirty• Get involved in research projects• Attend research seminars• Talk to current graduate students• Browse faculty websites• Checkout project group meetings

Picking an advisor• Did I mention? MOST IMPORTANT DECISION YOU’LL MAKE• Determine what you want from an advisor• Multiple factors interplay

• Advising/Mentoring style• Research area• Availability of projects• Peer student research group

• Talk to A LOT of people• Faculty• Current students

Look online: e.g., http://www.cc.gatech.edu/faculty/ashwin/wisdom/how-to-choose-an-advisor.html

Some resources• Take CS 5014 (Research Methods in CS)• Take special topics courses (CS 6XXX or CS 59XX level)• Pick courses that suit potential interests• Work class projects around topics that interest you• Subscribe to http://phdcomics.com

A great overall resource for grad students: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~jasonh/advice.html

Ethics• Great research is built upon truth and moral principals (ethics).• Violating ethics in research can:

• Embarrass you, your advisor, your department, your university• In severe cases, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are withdrawn years after

completion.

• Compliance with the Graduate Honor Code requires that all graduate students exercise honesty and ethical behavior in all their academic pursuits here at Virginia Tech, whether these undertakings pertain to study, course work, research, extension, or teaching• See more at:

http://ghs.graduateschool.vt.edu/#sthash.cNhaeypz.dpuf

IMPORTANT: Ethics Requirement I• ETHICS PART I: RCR Training [REQUIRED]• Required **PRIOR** to obtaining GRA funding• Therefore, Increases your chances of obtaining a research

assistantship• One-time training course that is transferable across

semesters• Scope will extend beyond assistantships: to user studies,

course projects, etc. • Excellent preparation for your academic career @ VT• http://www.research.vt.edu/era/rcr-training-tracker/home

IMPORTANT: Ethics Requirement II• ETHICS PART II: COI Training [REQUIRED]• Required **PRIOR** to obtaining GRA funding• Therefore, Increases your chances of obtaining a research

assistantship• One-time training course that is transferable across

semesters• Scope will extend beyond assistantships: to user studies,

course projects, etc. • Excellent preparation for your academic career @ VT• http://www.research.vt.edu/conflict-of-interest/training

Funding Opportunities (GTA/GRA)• Graduate Teaching Assistantships are offered by the Department. • We both want you to move from GTAs to GRAs

• GRAs offer you time to focus on your research• GTAs are recruiting tools necessary to keep finding great people like you!

• GRAs or Graduate Research Assistantships• Offered by individual faculty members • The sources of funding vary

• Best sources: Independent fellowships from external source (NSF, NIH, IBM, LLNL, etc)• Good sources: Basic research (e.g., NSF, NIH), usually tightly aligned to thesis• Other sources: Government or corporate contract, not always tightly aligned

• New additions Fall 2014: about 30 TA’s (various 1, 2, 4 year), about 3 GRA’s• PhD students and research-active MS students are given priority.• Assistantships from other departments: watch your email!

Beware of Culture Shock I• <Indian grad student meets professor>• Student: You are taking CS 6604, right?• Professor: <confused>• Student: I mean CS 6604: Data Mining?• Professor: <realizes what’s going on> “No, I am giving

it, YOU are taking it.”

Beware of Culture Shock II• <Student 3 sits in corner working, overhears students

1&2>• Student 1: Yeah, I’m just back from CHI.• Student 2: How did it go?• Student 1: Man, 2 papers in 3 days. Whew. I’m

exhausted.• Student 2: Yeah, I was tired when we won best paper

last year too.• Student 1: Yeah, sucks being so successful so early in

our careers.• Student 2: Yep.• <Student 3 begins to quietly weep.>

Things you should know…• DO NOT:• Collaborate/exchange solutions in assignments/homeworks• Send unsolicited emails reg. assistantships/other favors• Reuse text/graphics/anything from other published work

(plagiarism)• Attempt to game the system

• DO:• Exhibit professionalism, ethics at all times• Focusing on learning the material more than the grades• Do quality research that gets published and noticed• Make friends, take advantage of living here.

Grad Council Role• Student representatives at faculty meetings• Provide thoughts and argue for student opinions about

the program• Examples:• Program requirements• Qualification process• Workspace and equipment issues• PING PONG!

• Also represent CS within the Graduate Student Assembly

Grad Council Services• Travel Funding• Apply for funding for conferences, up to $400 once a year• See http://gradcouncil.cs.vt.edu/travel/ for more information

• Social• Get to know your fellow students and their research• Relax and have fun, Free food

Get involved!• A student-run organization needs student volunteers• Students can be elected for official positions

http://gradcouncil.cs.vt.edu/members/• Anyone can help out with general tasks or events

(without positions)• Some meetings are open to all students• <Looks great on your CV.>

Quality of Life

Drink on the plane…

Closing Reminders & Thoughts• http://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate• http://csgrad.cs.vt.edu (Graduate Council)• http://www.graduateschool.vt.edu (Graduate School)• http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu (Grad Student Assembly)


YOUR TO DO LIST:• Today: Signup sheet & Confidentiality Waiver• Get your cs.vt.edu account:• https://admin.cs.vt.edu

• Give us your info and tell us the courses you want:• https://hosting.cs.vt.edu/gpcstudents/

• Begin memorizing the grad handbook• http://www.cs.vt.edu/graduate/handbook

• Complete RCR & COI training

cs@vt 2014

Documents

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