Graduate Program/Students Frequently Ask Questions

Prepared By
Professor G. Alaghband

Where can I get more information about the graduate program?

My undergraduate degree was not computer science. What undergraduate courses do I need to take before I am admitted to the graduate program?

A formal evaluation is only done after student has submitted an application for admission. However, the MS Handbook gives a list of the required course that we expect students to have to enter the graduate program. The requirements are as follows:
Admission Requirements
 
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution comparable to the University of Colorado. They need to have sufficient programming experience and mathematical maturity to understand advanced courses.
Prerequisites
Applicants should have had the equivalent of the following University of Colorado courses:
 
 
In addition, applicants should have had at least three upper-division computer science courses, such as the following courses:
 
 
Additional requirements include:
 
 
Students lacking some of these courses, whose background is otherwise satisfactory, might be
admitted with the understanding that the courses would have to be completed after admission.

The Graduate Committee will evaluate your academic credentials based on the material you submit with your application. Their decision is based on the UCDHSC computer science program. Once you receive your admission letter, you must complete all your course work in the Computer Science program at UCDHSC. Prior to applying, however, you may take courses from other institutions and submit your additional transcript for evaluation. It is highly advised that you review the course contents for equivalency.

What is the minimum GPA requirements for admission to graduate program?

Applicants should have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75. If the GPA is below 2.75 but above 2.50, and/or some prerequisites are lacking, applicants may be accepted as” provisional degree students.”

Do I need to take the GRE?

Applicants whose GPA is below 2.75 must submit GRE results of 1000 Verbal + Math, and 3.0 Written. The other option is to take four CSE undergraduate courses in computer science, to betaken at UCDHSC, as a non-degree student and receive at least a B in all of them; the student must contact CSE Graduate Advisor to learn which courses are applicable.

I am a foreign student. What are the language proficiency requirements?

International students must take TOEFL English proficiency exam and score at least 500 on the paper based exam or 173 on the computer based exam or 61 in Internet based test.

Can I transfer courses from my previous institution?

A maximum of nine semester hours of graduate course work may be transferred into the program based on department approval. In principle, core courses must be taken from CSE department at UCDHSC Transfer forms are available on-line at CS Graduate Program.

What are the MS program requirements?

For the complete program description, requirements, total credit hours, etc. see the MS Handbook.

I am interested in doing a thesis project. What are the research areas of the faculty that I may work under?

The MS Handbook, provides  the list of our Department faculty along with their overall area of interest. You may visit each faculty’s websites and/or contact them directly with your questions.

How do I make an appointment with a graduate advisor?

Please call Ms. Francis Moore at the Computer Science and Engineering Office at:  303-556-4314

Can I meet with an advisor to discuss admission criteria?

If you would like to meet with an advisor for an informal evaluation, please call the CSE office for an appointment and make sure to bring the required background document. Evaluation of your background for admission is handled formally by the admission advisor when they have your submitted material.

Can I take courses from School of Business and apply them toward MS. Degree in Computer Science?

The general answer is no. Students are encouraged to follow the MS. Handbook very carefully. CS courses are designed for the computer science degree. Similar (titled) courses from other schools normally have a different area of emphasis than computer science. Petitions submitted for approval of such a course must provide detailed justification for the request.

Will I be admitted for next semester if I apply now?

The process for application review does not start until your application packet has been completely received by the CSE Department. Once the application is complete, the graduate committee will review it and makes a recommendation. The Committee review normally takes between two to three weeks during academic year. Summer advising and reviews are handled somewhat different. Official deadline to receive completed application for admission consideration for the following semester is as follows:
          Fall admission          Applications must be completed by April 15 of the previous semester
            Spring admission      Applications must be completed by November 5 of the previous semester

I have had some industry experience in certain area(s), but my letter of admission indicates that I must take certain courses in that area. How can I request to waive these prerequisite courses?

The University cannot give Academic credit for industrial experience. If you believe you have had academic courses that satisfy certain prerequisites, then you need to submit a formal petition, with supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, course description,..) to the Computer Science and Engineering office. A graduate advisor will examine your petition and will make a recommendation accordingly.

How and where do I submit petitions?

You can submit a petition on-line from the following website: CS Graduate Program
Be sure to submit the supporting document. You can submit the hard copies ate the CSE office located in NC2605.

Who do I contact if I need information regarding the contents and/or syllabus of specific courses?

You need to contact the professor in charge of teaching the course.

What should I do about courses with prerequisites that I have not formally taken and my admission letter did not require me to take?

In general you are responsible to take all prerequisite courses for a course prior to being allowed to take the course in question. However, if you can present a special argument then the professor in charge of teaching each course will be the person to waive the prerequisites for you. Present your case to the professor and if permitted you may take the course.

My letter of admission indicates that I must take several undergraduate courses as prerequisite to the graduate program. Can I wave some of these course?

In order to wave a required undergraduate prerequisite course, you must file a formal petition. You must also provide documentation such as (course descriptions, transcripts, etc.) that will support your argument for having studied the material in other academic courses. A graduate advisor will review your petition and once a final decision is made you will be notified.

Please see the list of Full-Time Faculty in  MS Handbook.

Only full-time faculty of the Computer Science Department can be major advisor on Independent Study and Thesis projects. This means that they must sign off on your paper work and will be your major advisors. You may collaborate with a faculty with graduate faculty appointment under the supervision and agreement of your major advisor.

What can I do if I receive a B- or lower grade in a core course?