1. CSE Colloquium
The CS 287 course (Colloquium in Computer Science and Engineering) is a series of lectures on a broad variety of research topics, typically given by invited speakers from other institutions. Many of these speakers are distinguished scholars and leaders in their fields. These talks are regularly attended by CSE faculty. They serve to broaden the horizons of our graduate students and familiarize them with cutting-edge developments in computer science research. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to attend the colloquium regularly, even if they have already attended the number of lectures required by their degree program.
Attendance in CS 287 is part of the graduate degree requirements. MS students must satisfactorily complete one of the following courses: one quarter of CS 287, GDIV 301, GDIV 403 or at least one unit of CS 298I. Other professional development courses may be used to satisfy this requirement if approved by the Graduate Program Director. PhD students must satisfactorily complete six quarters of CS287.
Graduate students who have scheduling conflicts with the regular colloquium time slot need to contact the CS 287 instructor, to request an attendance waiver for that quarter. Students that receive a ‘NC’ in the course must meet with the CS 287 instructor to arrange an alternative plan to receive credit for that course.
2. Satisfactory Progress
All graduate students must be enrolled as full-time students (12 units or more) per quarter, unless otherwise approved for half-time status, leave of absence or filing fee status (see below).
All graduate students must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 are subject to academic disqualification. All grades in CS core courses may not be lower than a B- to satisfy the degree requirement; a 3.0 average must be maintained in core courses. Grades in all other CS degree requirement courses may not be lower than a C-. Courses in which a student receives a grade of D+ or lower may be repeated.
In courses where S/NC grading is allowed, graduate students must be doing work equivalent to letter grading of B to be given an S grade in a class.
PhD students who receive a fellowship must maintain a 3.5 GPA in each quarter of enrollment, or the fellowship award may be revoked.
3. Course Transfers
Graduate students are allowed to transfer a certain number of courses taken at other institutions. The procedure for transferring courses taken prior to enrolling in the CS graduate program is described in the New Students section of this handbook. Students are also allowed to take up to three courses at other University of California campuses while they are enrolled at UCR. This is done through Inter-campus Exchange Program.
Under some circumstances it may also be possible to transfer courses taken through the Education Abroad Program or through the UCR Extension. For more information about course transfers, please also refer to the Graduate Division website.
4. Academic Integrity
At UCR, honesty and integrity are fundamental values that guide and inform us as individuals and as a community. Students must represent themselves truthfully, claim only work that is their own, acknowledge their use of others’ words, research results, and ideas, using the methods accepted by the appropriate academic disciplines, and engage honestly in all academic assignments. Both students and faculty are responsible for ensuring the academic integrity of the University.
The concept of academic misconduct is defined by the UCR's Student Conduct office as follows: "Academic misconduct is any act that does or could improperly distort student grades or other student academic records. Examples include: cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, facilitating academic dishonesty, interference or sabotage, fabrication, retaliation, and failure to comply with research regulations".
The CSE Department enforces zero-tolerance policy against academic misconduct. Students that violate the principles of academic integrity will be reported to the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Office and to the Graduate Division. This may lead to a failing grade on the affected assignment or in the class, suspension, and even dismissal.
5. Normative Time
The University of California has adopted a policy on the normative time, which is the time period in which students are expected to complete the requirements of their degree. The normative time for graduation for students pursuing an MS degree is two years. The normative time for graduation for students pursuing a PhD degree is five years. In addition, PhD students are expected to advance to candidacy no later than in their 3rd year in the program. For PhD students, time spent in the MS program at UCR is normally counted against the normative time.
The normative time for any particular degree program is intended as a guideline; some students may finish in less than the normative time. Normative time serves as the basis for determining whether or not students are making acceptable progress toward attaining their degree.
6. Annual Evaluations
All CS graduate students are required to undergo an annual evaluation of their progress towards the degree. Each year, the students are responsible for having these evaluations completed over the summer.
PhD students, after receiving their evaluation forms, need to complete the first section themselves. The second section is completed by their faculty advisor. The students are responsible for arranging an appointment with their advisor, to discuss their performance to date and to determine the goals for the following year. The form needs to be signed both by the student and the advisor, and submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator before the specified deadline. PhD students who do not have an advisor are evaluated by the Graduate Program Director.
These evaluations are reviewed by the Graduate Program Committee. Students whose evaluations raise concerns will be requested to meet with the Graduate Program Director to discuss these concerns and possible corrective steps.
7. Filing Fee Status
Students nearing completion of their degree may petition to be on Filing Fee Status for one quarter. During this quarter they are restricted to 12 hours of faculty time per week. Filing Fee is to be used only for students with manuscript drafts that require only minor adjustments prior to the final submission.
Students are required to submit their petition, and include the draft of their MS thesis, MS project or PhD dissertation, prior to the start of the quarter. Graduate Students on Filing Fee status only pay one-half the registration fee, are not permitted to enroll in courses and may not work as a TA or GSR. (They can only be employed as a Student Assistant.) Students on filing fee status only retain library privileges and will need to purchase health insurance separately through the Campus Health Center.
Additional regulations regarding the filing fee status can be found on the Graduate Division website.
8. Half-Time Status
Half-time status (quarterly registration for 6 units or less) is rare and is approved on a case-by-case basis, and only for students who cannot attend full-time for reasons of occupation, extenuating family responsibilities, or health. Half-time students are not eligible for fellowships, GSR, or TA appointments.
The Department of Homeland Security requires international students with F and J immigration status to complete a full course of study every quarter (12 units), with possible exception of their final quarter in the program.
For complete information and instructions, please refer to the Graduate Division website.
9. Leave of Absence
A graduate student is expected to enroll for each regular academic session unless a formal Leave of Absence is granted. To be eligible for a Leave of Absence, students must be in good standing and have been enrolled for at least one quarter. Graduate students granted a Leave of Absence forfeit the use of University facilities and faculty time, and cannot take any examinations or receive academic credit for work done during the Leave period. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are not normally granted for more than one year.
The immigration status of foreign students might be affected by a Leave of Absence, depending on circumstances and whether they are staying in the U.S. or returning to their own country.
More information about the regulations pertaining to the Leave of Absence can be found on the Graduate Division website.