Introduction to CSE PhD Program

Prof. Gagan Agrawal

Grad Studies Chair

Degree Programs

Masters non-thesis / coursework Masters thesis / research Ph.D

Admitted Groups

Masters non-thesis / unspecified Research Masters Direct Ph.D track

Type Conversions

Masters non-thesis students can switch to thesis option by finding an advisor for masters thesis

Masters students become Ph.D students if they take and pass Ph.D qualifying examination

Research masters students cannot switch to non-thesis option

– petition to grad studies in truly exceptional circumstances

Ph.D students cannot switch to masters program– petition to grad studies in truly exceptional circumstances

PhD Program

Three Stages – Qualification Process

Quals or Acceleration Optioin

– Post-quals – Pre-candidacy Research and Coursework

– Post-candidacy Dissertation Research

First Stage

Focus on breadth in core CS areas Demonstrate Suitability for PhD

– Master Core Topics – Show promise of doing research

The Graduate (Foundational) Core

5 classes form the graduate core – 725 (Theory of Computation) – 755 (Programming Languages) – 760 (Advanced Operating Systems) – 775 (Computer Architecture) – 780 (Algorithms)

3 credits each, each offered 2-3 times a year – 725 in Wi and Sp, all others in 3 quarters for 2011-2012

Corresponding undergrad core classes– 625, 655, 660, 675, and 680 – Prereqs – take if you don’t have the background

Ph.D: Core/Qualifying

Qualifying examination – Offered twice a year, September and March – 4 1.5 hr exams based upon the 4 out of core areas (780 required)– A max of two attempts are allowed – Direct Ph.D track students are normally expected to take it after the first

year – Must pass within your second year to be eligible for support later

Acceleration Option – Take 4/5core classes for credit within first three quarters (780 required)– Have a 3.6 average in these classes

Can count best 4 – but must include 780

More Details of Acceleration

If you take multiple tries in a course – We will count the first attempt only

Conditional pass only – Need to finish a research piece in second year!

Types of Classes (Ph.D students)

Core Classes Pre-core Classes – 625, 655, 660, 675, and 680 – can’t count

for any of the requirements Other 600 / 700 / 800 level graded classes

– Includes 788 – Graded A, A-, B+, …

Research Credits – 793, 888, 999 – Graded S/U only

CSE 885 – 1 credit, S/U, offered only in Fall and required for all PhD students

Stage 2 - Ph.D Coursework Requirements

One major and two minors Major:

– 15 graded credits, not including core

Minor: – 9 credits in each, not including core – A total of 3 credits across 2 minors could be non-

graded: 793/888

Stage 2 – Beyond Coursework

Candidacy Examination – Typically after 2.5 – 4 years in the program – Involves a thesis proposal and written and oral

examinations demonstrating knowledge of major area

– A clear research plan and substantial research progress required

– Most students have several publications at this stage

Stage 3 - ABD

Work on research, publications etc. Finish writing dissertation Oral Examination based on dissertation Submission of final approved dissertation

Research Progress Evaluation

Conducted every spring, for Ph.D students finishing two or more years in the program

Requires clear research plan and established relationship with an advisor

Expect research involvement and paper submissions after year 2, publications after year 3, …

A satisfactory rating is key for future funding

Normal Support Policies

Initial support for 2 years – Requires satisfactory GPA – Requires good performance on TA/RA duties – International students must pass the spoken English test to

be eligible for year 2 support

Third and Fourth Years – Must have passed the Ph.D qualifying examination – Satisfactory research progress, as judged by grad studies

committee – In most cases, as RA only

Normal Support Policies

Years 5 and 6 – Must have passed Ph.D candidacy examination – Satisfactory or better research progress– In most cases, as RA only

Limit on TA support – 6 academic year quarters over the length of your stay – Exception: 1 per advisor allowed as exception at anytime

All of the above entering the department guaranteed support

– If you are entering w/o support, case-by-case after passing quals

Strategy for Finding Support

Find an advisor soon (within 1 year) who will `own’ you – Support as RA, or – Count you for their 1 per advisor limit

Don’t plan on first exhausting your TA eligibility – Try and have 1 year TA support for the end if RA

funds run out

Requirements for Year 1- Ph.D

12 credits each quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring) – 1st quarter TAs may take only 9 – Fellows/RAs: 15 credits

At least three credits of research (788/888/793/999) each quarter starting your second quarter

885 required for all students in Fall

Goals for First Year Ph.D students

Take core classes to be prepared for Ph.D qualifying examination or qualify for acceleration option

Start establishing a research relationship with an advisor (take 788/888/793/999 credits)

– Advisor input a factor in Ph.D qualifying examination decisions

– Need research progress if you qualify for acceleration option

Take classes for major area (preparation for research)

Complete written/spoken English requirements

Some Other Tips

Focus on excellence, rather than meeting minimum requirements

Create good impression during any of your interactions – Graded classes, research credits, TAship duties

Show initiative, prove yourself to be reliable and capable

Semester Conversion

Ohio State is changing to semester system starting Summer 2012

Will Impact PhD students starting in Fall 2011– Detailed conversion plans already worked out– An information session later in Fall 2011

Transfer Credits

Only for graduate credits taken as a graduate student

Different rules for different requirements – 4 core classes for acceleration

Cannot count courses/grades taken elsewhere `Fifth’ core class is OK

– PhD Major and Minor Flexibly with major and minor advisors

More Information

Documents: People

– Your academic advisor – Grad studies committee

Wednesday 1:00 – 2:00, DL 781 for questions

– Ms. Lynn – for graduate program matters – Ms. Catrena – for payroll issues