1. Graduate Student Advising
CISE Department
New Graduate Student Orientation
17 August 2016

2. Graduate Programs through CISE
Computer Science/Engineering
Master of Science through:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering
Master of Engineering through:
Doctor of Philosophy
Computer Engineering- CEN
Computer Science- CSE
Human-Centered Computing-HCC
Digital Arts and Sciences

3. MS students – the packet you received has all degree requirements
Ph.D. Students-the packet you received has all degree requirements

4. M.S./M.E. and Ph.D. Registration STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS
First Term
One core course -    
Two elective courses
Core courses typically have a heavier workload than elective courses.
Students tend to have greater success their first semester if they take only one core course.
Second Term
One or two core courses (Ph.D. students should consider two core –
One or two electives
Total = 3 courses [9 credits=full-time]

5. Transfer of Credit M.S. students can transfer up to nine hours.
Ph.D. students with master’s can transfer up to 30 credits from M.S., plus an additional 15 credits from post-M.S. work.
Ph.D. students without master’s can transfer in 15 hours of graduate coursework.
Transferred courses (specific) cannot have been counted toward another degree.
Transfer credit does not satisfy course requirements in M.S. and Ph.D. programs. It only adds to hours earned.
Transfer should be done during the first semester.
Bring copy of complete transcript to the SSC to apply for transfer early in your first semester.

6. Core Course Equivalency - 1
If you believe that you have taken a course (or courses), including undergraduate course(s), that is equivalent to a core course in our department, you will need to take the following steps:
Obtain a copy of your finalized transcript from your prior institution.
Prepare a copy of the course syllabus and catalog description of the equivalent course(s) as well as any supporting material such as exams, projects, and homework.

7. Core Course Equivalency - 2
Bring these items, along with the equivalency form, to the instructor who teaches the core course for determining whether the course can be waived.
Remember: This is a different process than transferring prior credits, a process which should be handled, with the help of your grad advisor early in your first semester.

9. Elective coursework outside the CISE Department
M.S. students Consult your specific degree program for electives.
MUST obtain Advisor permission before taking the course.
CPT (internship) credits are included in this category, however only 3 credits CPT may count toward graduation.
NOTE: Announcements about other departments’ courses may appear routinely via – this does NOT indicate departmental approval as an elective.

10. Supervisory Committees - 1
M.S. and M.E. Thesis Option:
3 members, two must be from CISE
M.S. and M.E. Non-Thesis Option:
No supervisory member needed
Default status
Ph.D.:
4 members, three from CISE and one external
Please note: Some faculty in other departments hold appointments in CISE – these faculty members cannot be external committee members.

11. Supervisory Committees - 2
Committees must be formed no later than the end of the second semester
Committees cannot be changed in the final term, but can be adjusted at any time until the final term.

13. Thesis/Dissertation: The Process
Locate a committee chairperson
Agree on a topic
Organize your committee
Complete the required research
Apply for graduation at the beginning of last term and complete exit process
Attend graduation meeting at beginning of semester you plan to graduate.
Write thesis/dissertation
Schedule your defense
Defend and submit thesis/dissertation to graduate school

14. About the Ph.D. Dissertation
About the M.S. Thesis
Plan on at least the last two semesters to complete
Thesis must be defended prior to the final defense date
About the Ph.D. Dissertation
Most finish in 5-7 years

15. M.S. Non-Thesis: The Process
Complete required coursework
Apply for graduation at the beginning of last term and complete the exit process (watch for notification)
Attend graduation meeting at beginning of semester you plan to graduate

17. Grade Issues
You must have a 3.0 overall grade point average and a 3.0 major GPA to graduate
Students with less than a 3.0 are not considered in good standing
Students with GPAs below a 3.0 will be reviewed by the Graduate Affairs Committee for further action (including possible dismissal) at the end of each semester.

18. Grade Issues – 2
ANY grade < C (e.g. C-, D+, etc.) will NOT count toward graduation
A comment on repeating coursework
This is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED
Undergraduate coursework does not count toward graduation

19. “I” Grades
If a student fails to complete all of a course’s requirements, the instructor has the option to give a grade of “I” (incomplete)
Most instructors will use this option only if there are extenuating circumstances (family emergency, medical situation, etc.)
An “I” must be made up the following term.
Students cannot sit in on a course to make up an “I” grade
Failure to correct an “I” will result in the grade being calculated as an E for the GPA.
Students are not allowed to graduate with an “I”, “H”, “J”, or “N” on their record.

20. Dropping a Course (withdrawal)
Graduate students can drop a maximum of two courses during their entire enrollment. (int’ls must file UFIC RCL form)
If you have an assistantship you must maintain 9 enrolled hours (fall & spring). This means that dropping a course is not an option.
Students are NOT ALLOWED to adjust schedules after the official drop/add period.

21. Campus Resources UF Counseling Center – 301 Peabody Hall - 392-1575
Student Mental Health – Infirmary Building hour helpline
Student Healthcare Center – Infirmary Building –
University Police Department – Building 51, Museum Rd Call 911 for emergencies.
Dean of Students Office – 202 Peabody Hall
Disability Resource Center
Judicial Affairs
Multicultural Affairs
Student Legal Services

22. Registration DO NOT REGISTER FOR MORE THAN 9 CREDITS!
Make sure there are no holds on your record
(ISIS, insurance, financial, credentials, etc.)
Look at the schedule of courses at
Go to the “Register for Classes menu
Enter your selections by course section number
Register for 9 (nine) credits. This is a full-time load for graduate students.
Register for AT LEAST one course by 5 p.m. on Friday, 19 August, to avoid the late registration fee ($100).

23. Fall Deadlines Classes begin 22 August 2016 (MONDAY.).
Drop/Add is Monday, 22 August, through 11:59 pm, Friday, August 26.
Your schedule needs to be set by the end of drop/add (severe $$ consequences otherwise)
Fees for courses are due by 3:30p.m. on 2 September. (late = $100 late payment fee)
Students with Achievement Award pay total amount shown on fees due statement LESS $1500 in any semester registered for 9 credits.

24. Fall Dates to Remember (https://catalog. ufl
Classes end on 7 December 2016.
Holidays (no classes, UF is closed)
5 September—Labor Day
14-15 October—Homecoming
11 November—Veterans Day
23-26—Thanksgiving Break

25. FULL COURSE LOAD 9 credits in fall/spring, 6 in summer
CPT is considered “outside”, and only 3 CPT credits may count toward any grad degree (you may take more, but they won’t count toward graduation)

26. Summer Courses
Except for independent study and/or thesis/dissertation research courses, beginning Summer 2009 all summer coursework will be offered only in EDGE format.
What this means for grad assistants.
What this means for those with the Achievement Award.

27. Suggested possible 2-year plans for M.S. students
SEMESTER
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
SCHEDULE 4
SCHEDULE 5
No CPT
Standard, with 1 sem CPT
As Sch #2, but lighter last semester
As Sch #2, but more CPT, one additional semester
More EDGE courses, light last semester
Fall 1
1 core
2 other courses
Spring 1
2 core
1 other course
Summer 1
---
1 CPT
1 core (EDGE)
Fall 2
Spring 2
NOTES
Fast track, v.1
Fast track, v. 2
2nd CPT not counted toward graduation

28. Student Services Center
The SSC provides assistance for students in the CISE department for academic and personal issues.
The SSC is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
The SSC is located in CSE E405.
Sign in at the computer kiosk to see an advisor.

29. SSC - 2 The SSC provides help with:
Course scheduling
Adding and dropping courses
Withdrawing from a semester
Petitions
Supervisory committees
Academic problems
Graduation
Exam sign-up
Internships
And tons of other things!
Come see us if you have questions about ANYTHING – squelch a crisis before it grows unmanageable!!

30. E-mail See more on e-mail set-up at: http://www.isis.ufl.edu/
As a courtesy, when ing SSC, PLEASE include your UFID number.

31. More help. . . International Friendship
an organization that exists to befriend
and assist international students and
their families during their transition
and stay in America – free English
classes every week, plus more. . .

32. Additional Notes
Degree/credential verification
A hold on your record for this reason will keep you from registering!
Other holds that may appear
Emergency contact (every 4 months)
Immunization Hold
Registration prep (each semester)
Local address information
Student insurance
Financial etc.
CPT meetings every semester – see UFIC website: ufic.ufl.edu

33. SPEAK
You must score 45 or more on this test to apply in any semester as a “regular” TA
SPEAK test dates this semester can be found at the following URL:
See for more info