15
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→FAQs
; Department
; Department
# [[#Ans_Dept_Q1|How do we use the Computer Science Library?]]
# [[#Ans_Dept_Q1|Is there any way to get around the mandatory fees?]]
# [[#Ans_Dept_Q2|What resources does the department provide to students?]]
# [[#Ans_Dept_Q2|What resources does the department provide to students?]]
; Courses / Degree Requirements
; Courses / Degree Requirements
#<span id="Ans_Courses_Q1">Does course XYZ count for MS/PhD credit?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Courses_Q1">Does course XYZ count for MS/PhD credit?</span>
#: ''A list of qualifying courses, and what makes a course qualify for MS/PhD credit can be found in the [http://www.cs.umd.edu/grad/policy-manual graduate policy manual]. Specifically in section 6. If you are interested in a course that is not listed there, you should contact the instructor and if they are unsure, you should contact Jenny Story (jenny@cs).''
#: ''A list of qualifying courses, and what makes a course qualify for MS/PhD credit can be found in the [http://www.cs.umd.edu/grad/policy-manual graduate policy manual]. Specifically in section 6. If you are interested in a course that is not listed there, you should contact the instructor and if they are unsure, you should contact Tom Hurst (thurst@umd).''
#<span id="Ans_Courses_Q2">Is course XYZ hard/easy/worthwhile?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Courses_Q2">Is course XYZ hard/easy/worthwhile?</span>
#: ''Generally during the Graduate Student Panel portion of Visit Day, current graduate students answer questions about specific courses and professors. If you were not able to attend visit day, or your graduate panel did not discuss this, the best thing to do is to contact current graduate students who have previously taken the course. For example, if you're interested in a Programming Languages course, you should contact a graduate student working in Programming Languages."
#: ''Generally during the Graduate Student Panel portion of Visit Day, current graduate students answer questions about specific courses and professors. If you were not able to attend visit day, or your graduate panel did not discuss this, the best thing to do is to contact current graduate students who have previously taken the course. For example, if you're interested in a Programming Languages course, you should contact a graduate student working in Programming Languages.''
#<span id="Ans_Courses_Q3">What are the course requirements for a Masters? a PhD?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Courses_Q3">What are the course requirements for a Masters? a PhD?</span>
#: ''The official requirements are provided in the [http://www.cs.umd.edu/grad/policy-manual department policy manual]. Graduate students do not have qualifying exams at UMD. Instead, graduate students are required to satisfy a breadth requirement when completing coursework. All of the up-to-date information on this can be found in the policy manual."
#: ''The official requirements are provided in the [http://www.cs.umd.edu/grad/policy-manual department policy manual]. Graduate students do not have qualifying exams at UMD. Instead, graduate students are required to satisfy a breadth requirement when completing coursework. All of the up-to-date information on this can be found in the policy manual.''
; Research
; Research
; Department
; Department
#<span id="Ans_Dept_Q1">How do we use the Computer Science Library?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Dept_Q1">Is there any way to get around the mandatory fees?</span>
#: ''Answer...''
#: ''Unfortunately, mandatory fees (between $4-600 a semester) cannot be covered as part of tuition remission. These fees do provide services: for example, by paying them you are allowed to use ShuttleUM and the gym for free. However, it is important to remember that you will have to cover these yourself and budget accordingly. The Terrapin Payment Plan offers a way to pay fees gradually throughout the semester. This will allow you to pay your student fees gradually over the semester rather than in one (expensive) sum right now. You can enroll in the program and get more information here: [http://www.bursar.umd.edu/TPP.php]''
#<span id="Ans_Dept_Q2">What resources does the department provide to students?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Dept_Q2">What resources does the department provide to students?</span>
#: ''Answer...''
#: ''There are many computing resources available to graduate students. You can get help setting up servers, you have access to computing clusters, access to the VR equipment and lab, access to an eye scanner and other HCI equipment, and access to hardware rental (including VR headsets). At the university level, there are many resources for students. You have access to courses at other universities [http://www.registrar.umd.edu/current/registration/consortium.html]. The university provides students with access to adobe creative suite and other expensive software tools, such as Matlab. Eppley Recreation Center is amazing. There are tons of cardio and weight machines, basketball, and squash courts, and there are many classes including dance fitness, weight training, and yoga that you can take for free. The Arts and Learning Center (ALC) has classes every semester for a small fee (usually less than $100) and they're generally weekly or twice per week. Classes include pottery, dance, drawing, intro to guitar, etc.''
; Other
; Other
#<span id="Ans_Misc_Q1">How safe is College Park?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Misc_Q1">How safe is College Park?</span>
#: ''The College Park area is known for being a rather rough area at night, and it is not uncommon to hear of robberies, particularly between the hours of midnight and 4am. Your best bet is to stick to well-lighted and populated areas and never travel alone after dark. The UMD Department of Public Safety has a [http://www.orientation.umd.edu/VirtualFolder/Safety.ppt safety presentation] that details their efforts to keep you safe and provides tips for maximizing your security. Generally the unsafe parts of College Park are around Knox Road and Fraternity Row, so if you are looking for housing, avoid those areas. The Campus is very well lit at night and there are Nite Ride vans that take students around campus when it gets late.''
#: ''The College Park area is known for being a rather rough area at night, and it is not uncommon to hear of robberies, particularly between the hours of midnight and 4am. Your best bet is to stick to well-lighted and populated areas and never travel alone after dark. Generally the unsafe parts of College Park are around Knox Road and Fraternity Row, so if you are looking for housing, avoid those areas. The Campus is very well lit at night and there are Nite Ride vans that take students around campus when it gets late.''
#<span id="Ans_Misc_Q2">How do I balance coursework with research/teaching?</span>
#<span id="Ans_Misc_Q2">How do I balance coursework with research/teaching?</span>
#: ''Managing your time as a graduate student is something many people struggle with. One piece of advice would be to have dedicated hours for each responsibility. If you are taking two courses, they're likely on two days. Use those two days, and those two days only for coursework. Don't do research, or teaching on those two days. Generally as a TA you won't be doing more than 1 session of teaching per week. Try to schedule all of your TA responsibilities for one day. Hold your office hours and your teaching session on that day, and use that day for grading/prepping for the next week. If your coursework or teaching load is light then you can do both of those things on the same days. The rest of your time can be used for research. This is a very general example, and should obviously be adapted to meet your specific needs.''
#: ''Managing your time as a graduate student is something many people struggle with. One piece of advice would be to have dedicated hours for each responsibility. If you are taking two courses, they're likely on two days. Use those two days, and those two days only for coursework. Don't do research, or teaching on those two days. Generally as a TA you won't be doing more than 1 session of teaching per week. Try to schedule all of your TA responsibilities for one day. Hold your office hours and your teaching session on that day, and use that day for grading/prepping for the next week. If your coursework or teaching load is light then you can do both of those things on the same days. The rest of your time can be used for research. This is a very general example, and should obviously be adapted to meet your specific needs.''