Incoming Students FAQ

Peer-Counseling Session (Fall 2010 Orientation)

Please feel free to contact us with additional questions... if we don't know the answer we'll help you find someone who does!

Name	Research Area(s)	Email
Ryan Farrell [1]	Vision	farrell@cs
Sam Huang [2]		srhuang@cs
Mike Lam [3]	Systems	lam@cs
Vanina Martinez [4]		mvm@cs
Megan Monroe		madeyjay@cs
Rahul Guerra		rguerra@cs

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

Official Graduate Program Policy Manual

Courses / Degree Requirements

1. Does course XYZ count for MS/PhD credit?
2. Is course XYZ hard/easy/worthwhile?
3. What are the course requirements for a Masters? a PhD?

Research

1. How do I find an advisor?
2. How much time do other students spend on research?

Teaching

1. Which courses require light/heavy time commitments for TAs?

Department

1. How do we use the Computer Science Library?
2. What resources does the department provide to students?

General/Other

1. How safe is College Park?
2. How do I balance coursework with research/teaching?

Courses / Degree Requirements

1. Does course XYZ count for MS/PhD credit?

   The way to find out whether or not a course counts for credit toward the MS or PhD programs is to either contact the instructor, contact Jenny (jenny@cs) or check the list provided each semester here.

2. Is course XYZ hard/easy/worthwhile?

   During the Peer-Counseling Panel, we fielded questions sharing our respective experience in a given course or with a given professor. Your best bet outside of the panel is to contact current students who have taken a particular course previously (google is your friend here).

3. 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.

Research

1. How do I find an advisor?

   Answer...

2. How much time do other students spend on research?

   Answer...

Teaching

1. Which courses require light/heavy time commitments for TAs?

   Answer...

Department

1. How do we use the Computer Science Library?

   Answer...

2. What resources does the department provide to students?

   Answer...

Other

1. 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.

2. How do I balance coursework with research/teaching?

   Answer...

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