FAQs

Does course XYZ count for MS/PhD credit?
A list of qualifying courses, and what makes a course qualify for MS/PhD credit can be found in the 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).
Is course XYZ hard/easy/worthwhile?
Generally during the Graduate Student Panel portion of Visit Day, we 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."
What are the course requirements for a Masters? a PhD?
The official requirements are provided in the department policy manual. Check here for Master's and PhD requirements.

How safe is College Park?
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 safety presentation that details their efforts to keep you safe and provides tips for maximizing your security.
How do I balance coursework with research/teaching?
Prof. Emily Bneder has written a great slides on Balancing Teaching and Research. Please read the slides. In a nutshell, procrastinate teaching, track your hours, and don’t give teaching your best hours.

Links

How to Succeed in Grad School - presentation by Mike Lam (08/26/2010)

Official Graduate Program Policy Manual