2012 - 2013

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Degree Programs
• 3. Application to Major
• 4. CSci Undergraduate D/D Plus Policy
• 5. Upper Division Track
• 6. Suggested 4 Year Plan
• 7. CS Requirements
• 8. Course Descriptions
• 9. Honors Program
• 10. Advising and APAS Reports
• 11. Closed Classes/First Day Policies
• 12. Academic Integrity
• 13. Disability Services
• 14. Academic Help and Survival Tips
• 15. Laboratory Policy
• 16. Student Opportunities
• 17. Graduation and Beyond
• 18. CSci Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions
  • 18.1. Degree Requirements
  • 18.2. Jobs
  • 18.3. Courses and Credit
  • 18.4. Computing
  • 18.5. Special Opportunities
• 19. Contact Information
• 20. Appendix

18.5. Special Opportunities

Where can I get information about graduate school?

See the Graduate School Information section for more information, or talk to the Graduate Secretary in the CS&E department.

Talk to a CS&E advisor or another faculty member about various graduate programs and emphases.

Look for WWW sites (some links are listed in the Graduate School Information section of this guide). Most good schools (including ours) have lots of information on faculty, courses, projects, etc. on-line.

Look through Peterson's Guide.

What can I do to strengthen my graduate school application?

• Plan a course of action at least a year before graduation.
• Participate in a UROP or undergraduate RA or TA position.
• Take the GRE seriously and prepare for this test for more than a weekend. Sample tests are available from ETS or try one of the many study guides available at bookstores. You may want to take the test during your junior year so that you would have the option to retake the test before graduate school application deadlines. More information is available from the Counseling Center in 109 Eddy Hall (624-3323). Information about GRE preparation courses at the University of Minnesota is available at 624-8880.
• Consider taking the Computer Science subject test. Many of the top programs do require the subject test. You will want to plan your courses carefully so that you cover a majority of the material that will be covered on the exam.
• Ask faculty members whom you know well (and who hopefully like you!) to write letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of advance notice and include a copy of your resume with the recommendation form to remind them of all the great things you have been involved with.

I've heard that there is a Computer Engineering program at the U. Where can I get more information?

Information about the Computer Engineering degree is online on the ECE Advising Site.

I'd like to get involved in research. How do I learn about undergraduate research possibilities?

There are many different CS-related undergraduate research opportunities, so there is no single way to learn about them. Here are some suggestions to try:

Ask other students you know whether they're involved in any research opportunities and if so, how they learned about them. Word of mouth is often how people learn about undergraduate research opportunities.

If you have a class you really like or are doing really well in, ask the professor if they have any research opportunities or know of any.

Check professors' web pages. If someone is doing work you are really interested in, stop by their office hours or send them an email and see if they have any research opportunities available.

If you have a high GPA (> 3.5) check with the department honors faculty advisor about joining the upper division honors program. One possibility in that program is doing an honors thesis, which involves research.