Master of Science in Computer Science Student Handbook, Study notes of Chemistry

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Carnegie Mellon University Master of Science in Computer Science Student Handbook 2022–2023 Revised August 22, 2022 Contents Director’s Welcome 6 Program History 7 Program Overview 8 Program Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Program Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Selecting and Registering for Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Primary Contacts for the MSCS Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Other Leadership Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Curriculum 12 Breadth Areas: AI, Systems, Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Qualifying Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Courses Without Prescribed Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MSCS Elective Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Degree Variants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Applied Study Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Foundational Studies Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Participation in Research and the Thesis Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Practicum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 University Policies and Guidelines 19 The Carnegie Mellon Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Academic Policies 21 Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Academic Advising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Satisfying Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Registration; Adding and Dropping Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Overlapping Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 2 / 54 Contents Appendix 52 Systems Courses, Pre-Approved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Theoretical Foundations Courses, Pre-Approved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Artificial Intelligence Courses, Pre-Approved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Outside of CSD, Pre-approved as Qualifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Graduate Courses Within CSD, Frequently Offered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Contents 5 / 54 Director’s Welcome David R. O’Hallaron, Director As the Director of the Master of Science in Computer Science program (MSCS), I am excited to welcome each of you. When you graduate, you will be recognized as one among the finest computer scientists in the world. You will be part of the elite network of Carnegie Mellon computer science alumni dating back to our first gradu- ate program in 1965. We have designed theMSCS curriculum to be as flex- ible as possible. Within broad guidelines, you and your advisor will design your own course of study. There are thesis and non-thesis options, as well as three-semester and four-semester tracks. So whether you are here to pivot to computer science, to springboard to a Ph.D. program, or simply to extend your reach as a computer scientist, the MSCS cur- riculum can accommodate you. Our goal is to help you become a world-class technical leader. You will attend compelling lectures by top researchers and experts, and undertake projects of scale and complexity. You may have the opportunity to do a summer internship with leaders in industry or top-flight research groups on and off campus. By graduation you will have a mature understanding of computer science that will serve you for the rest of your career. Throughout the program, you won’t be alone. You’ll be supported by academic and career advisors, engaged faculty members, dedicated teaching assistants, and your talented peers. You’ll find that the best part of the MSCS program is the tremendous group of people that it brings together. If you are new to Pittsburgh, you’ll find it to be a wonderful place to live. As a collection of neighborhoods, hosting world-class industries, medical centers, and institutions of higher learning, Pittsburgh offers the convenience of small-town liv- ing with the richness and diversity of an international city. If I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me at droh@cs.cmu.edu. Welcome! 6 / 54 Director’s Welcome Program History “Computing at Carnegie Mellon evolved the way it should everywhere but doesn’t. There was a confluence of minds, tools and problems...and an appreciation of potential and consequences that spread far...” —Alan Perlis, first department head Led by a group of visionary enthusiasts, including Allen Newell, Herbert Simon, and Alan Perlis, the Department of Computer Science was formed in July 1965, with Alan Perlis as its head. As one of the first such departments in the United States, its creation was what now seems an inevitable step. From the very beginning, Com- puter Science at Carnegie Mellon was interdisciplinary and, in fact, drew its early strength from thismeshing of students and faculty from the component disciplines. It was clear that an expansive approach to the field, fueled with solid science and a focus on the training of a new generation of scientists, would best serve the pur- pose of our campus and the industrial/academic community at large. This was a budding field, and Carnegie Mellon would be serving a critical role in populating the discipline with “trained professionals”whowould be able to expand the parameters of what a computer could do and be used for. Since its founding in 1965, the original department grew to form the School of Computer Science (SCS), which blossomed to encompass seven diverse units: the Computer Science Department (CSD), The Robotics Institute (RI), The Human- Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), The Language Technologies Institute (LTI), the Machine Learning Department (MLD), the Institute for Software Research (ISR), and the Computational Biology Department (CBD). After many years of discussion and more than a year of detailed planning, the Computer Science Department launched the MS program in Computer Science. The first class was admitted in the spring of 2012 and graduated in the winter of 2013. Program History 7 / 54 Primary Contacts for the MSCS Program If you have a question about how to accomplish a goal or procedure related to being an MSCS student, you should probably begin by contacting one of these five individuals. Angy Malloy, Program Administrator 412-268-6914, GHC 9006, amalloy@cs.cmu.edu Angy is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Program. She is the first place you should turn for information about the Program, and can help you with most of your concerns or connect you with those who can. David A. Eckhardt, Associate Program Director 412-268-6720, GHC 4001, de0u@andrew.cmu.edu Prof. Eckhardt is the primary initial point of contact for any academic concerns, including academic advising and planning, class offerings, registration, research op- portunities, teaching assistant opportunities, etc. Katelyn Livingston & Tess Elford, Career Counselors West Wing second floor, kjliving@andrew.cmu.edu/telford@andrew.cmu.edu. Katelyn and Allison provide tremendous resources for students. They work alongside your Academic Advisor, and specialize in helping computer science stu- dents find job and internship opportunities, prepare for interviews, compare offers, and search for the right career path. David O’Hallaron, Program Director GHC 7517, droh@cs.cmu.edu Prof. O’Hallaron is the Director of the Program and is ultimately responsible for the curriculum, policies, procedures, and practices. The best way to get in touch with him is to contact Angy for an appointment or to e-mail him directly. 10 / 54 Primary Contacts for the MSCS Program Other Leadership Roles The MSCS program is hosted by the School of Computer Science. Most students will not need to interact with the SCS leadership directly, but it is probably useful for you to know who is in which role. • Srinivasan “Srini” Seshan, Department Head, Computer Science Department • David Garlan, Associate Dean, Master’s Programs, School of Computer Sci- ence • Martial Hebert, Dean, School of Computer Science About This Document This document will describe the curricular requirements of the program and will then present some academic and administrative policies that will govern your time here. It will also refer you to various sources of policy, information, and support outside the program itself. We encourage you to read it all the way through, from start to finish, and to take notes on the surprising and useful things you discover (we expect there will be some). To obtain this document in a different format for accessibility reasons, please contact the Office of Disability Resources at access@andrew.cmu.edu or call 412- 268-6121. Acknowledgements Paul Mazaitis has graciously contributedmacro, layout, font, and readability advice. Any remaining document-design infelicities should be attributed to the staff of the MSCS program, not to him. Program Overview 11 / 54 Curriculum TheMaster of Science program in Computer Science gives students advanced study in Computer Science. The program is not based on a detailed required curriculum. Instead, students create their own course of study in consultation with their advi- sor. In general, students must satisfy four (4) Requirements: 1. Total units required for degree attainment: completion of a sufficient quantity of graded coursework. 2. Breadth: At least one pre-approved 9-12 unit course in each of three areas: AI, Systems, and Theory. In each area many courses are listed as pre-approved. Others may be approved on a per-student case-by-case basis, as the Program may deem consistent with the student’s academic plan. 3. “Qualifying” units: completion of a sufficient quantity of Program-approved graduate or advanced undergraduate classes. 4. “MSCS elective” units: a limited quantity of coursework may be in otherwise unapproved graduate-level courses at Carnegie Mellon or otherwise unap- proved courses, at any level, within the Computer Science Department. The program has three variants, as summarized in the table below and further discussed in “Degree Variants.” Feature MSCS-3 MSCS-AS MSCS-4 Degree title on diploma Master of Science in Computer Science Master of Science in Computer Science— Applied Study Master of Science in Computer Science— Foundational Studies Program length (14-week semesters) 3 3 4 Total units 108 114 144 “Qualifying” units at least 96 at least 96 at least 108 “MSCS Elective” units up to 12 up to 12 up to 36 Research (optional) (optional) (optional) Internship (optional) required (optional) 12 / 54 Curriculum formalize and recognize the augmentation of their academic coursework through a real-world application. The modified degree title provides certification that a stu- dent’s educational experiences included an applied-study component. Students in the Applied Study degree program complete the requirements of the core 108-unit MSCS program, plus an additional 6 units of applied-study course- work and a required summer applied-study experience. In a Fall or Spring semester, students complete 15-690 (MSCS Career Preparation), a 3-unit class in which a stu- dent works with the student’s Advisor and staff from the Career Center to clar- ify objectives for the applied-study experience and to seek, develop, and select among opportunities. In a Summer semester, students satisfy the applied-study re- quirement by completing an industry (or government) internship. Concurrent with the applied-study experience, students complete 15-691 (Practicum). The Practicum class represents the integration of the experience into the curriculum, supervised by a faculty member, including structured career-advice interviews and a post- experience reflection. The MSCS program cannot guarantee the availability of a paid industry internship for every student. As a fallback, software development opportunities are available in SCS and elsewhere at Carnegie Mellon. Foundational Studies Variant Many of the required courses assume a level of competency in foundational ar- eas similar to that typically possessed by graduates of Carnegie Mellon’s B.S. pro- grams in Computer Science or Electrical and Computer Engineering. While most students complete coursework achieving the Program’s educational outcomes in three semesters, for some students a four-semester timeframe is more appropri- ate for achieving those outcomes. A four-semester course of study may be a good fit for students coming from other disciplines, students who have been out of school for an extended period, or students whose former education in computer science lacked rigor in a specific foundational area. Students pursuing the four-semester degree will, with their Ad- visor, agree on a selection of classes in the “MSCS Elective” category which provide the necessary foundational work. Depending on a student’s background and as- pirations, foundational work might occupy the whole first semester of residence, or might be spread across semesters so that the student can pursue advanced coursework in an area of strength immediately upon arrival. When selecting foundational course work, the following topic areas and related courses are commonly of interest: • Imperative or Object-Oriented Programming: Understanding of the object- oriented or imperative programming paradigms and confidence in software Curriculum 15 / 54 design and implementation in a corresponding compiled language, such as C, C++, or Java. [Mitigate with 15-122, 15-213/513, 17-313, and/or 17-514] • Functional Programming: Understanding of the functional programming par- adigms and confidence programming in a corresponding language, such ML, Haskell, or OCaml. [Mitigate with 15-151/21-127, 15-150, and/or 15-210] • Fundamental Data Structures and Asymptotic Analysis: Ability to implement and efficiently use fundamental data structures and algorithms, such as lists, trees, sorts, searches, hash tables, as well as the ability to perform basic asymptotic analysis, e.g., Big-O, of their operations. [Mitigate with 15-650, 15-122, 15-150+15-210, 10-606+10-607, and/or 17-683] • System Programming: The ability to use debuggers and read assembly to an- alyze programs, to use processes and threads as a tool for concurrent and/or expressive programming, to manage concurrency, and to use an understand- ing of system design, such as memory hierarchy, to improve program perfor- mance. [Mitigate with 15-213/513] • Mathematical Theory: Exposure to elementary number theory, induction, the algebra of sets, equivalence relations, congruencies, recurrence equations, graph theory, and the methods of mathematical proof. [Mitigate with 15- 151/21-127] • Theory of Probability: Background in probability spaces, random variables, expectations, conditional probability and independence, limit theorems such as the strong law of large numbers and the central limit theorem, random walks [Mitigate with CMU OLI “Probability & Statistics,” 36-218, or 21-325] Participation in Research and the Thesis Option If you happen to be interested in research, you’ll be glad to know that Carnegie Mellon is an environment rich with world-leading researchers engaged in scholarly work across the diverse spectrum of the computer sciences. Your Academic Advisor and your course professors are your primary points of contact to find research opportunities. By working through them, you will be able to contact interested researchers and research groups directly, without wast- ing your time and energy, and that of others, by contacting those that are not a good fit for you or likely to accept new students within a timeframe of interest to you. Unless they have solicited such requests, it is considered extremely poor form to contact researchers or research groups without getting an introduction from a professor who knows you well, your Academic Advisor, or the Program Director. In 16 / 54 Participation in Research and the Thesis Option any case, keep your Academic Advisor up-to-date on your research plans, needs, and progress. In some cases, for students with clear prior interests or prior interactions with Carnegie Mellon faculty members, the Program may initiate this process before matriculation or even admission. But, in the overwhelming majority of cases, in order to ensure students take the opportunity to focus on coursework and become oriented to Carnegie Mellon’s research landscape, it is not begun until toward the end of the first semester. Students who wish to undertake a Master’s thesis may, after becoming oriented in a research group or developing a rapport with an individual researcher, pro- pose thesis research. It is possible to complete thesis research (including a written dissertation and a public thesis defense) in a single semester via 24 units of 15- 698 (MSCS Thesis). However, most students split the research into two semesters, typically 12 units of 15-689 (Independent Study in the Computer Sciences) followed by 12 units of 15-698. Registering for either course requires the approval by the Program of a written Proposal. A student registered for 15-698 must, to the sat- isfaction of the thesis committee, pass a public thesis defense and submit a final written dissertation by the deadline in order for 15-698 to count as a Qualifying course. Students are not generally approved to take 15-689more than once. The office of the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Education administers sev- eral programs that offer small research grants to graduate students (more infor- mation at http://www.cmu.edu/graduate). For further detail about the process associated with undertaking an indepen- dent study or a thesis, please consult your Academic Advisor for the appropriate procedures and forms. Practicum For many students, internships, especially summer internships, are an integral part of graduate education in computer science. Students who so choose may for- mally include an internship into their course of study by registering for “15-691: Practicum.” As with any course, the goals and expectations may be revised from time to time. At the time of writing, the course is described as below. This 3-unit course is designed to both recognize and enhance the prac- tical education of the internship experience. Students who wish to reg- ister for this course should submit to their Advisor a copy of their in- ternship offer letter, as well as a personal statement describing their Curriculum 17 / 54 The commitment of its faculty, staff and students to these standards contributes to the high respect in which the Carnegie Mellon degree is held. Students must not destroy that respect by their failure to meet these standards. Students who cannot meet them should voluntarily withdraw from the university. 20 / 54 The Carnegie Mellon Code Academic Policies Classes Academic Advising Students are required to review their academic plans and proposed schedules with their assigned Academic Advisor prior to registering for classes and prior to adding or dropping any courses intended to be used to satisfy Requirements. Satisfying Prerequisites Some studentsmay need to take additional courses that do not satisfy any program requirement, in order to satisfy pre-requisites for other courses. This is especially true for students with educational backgrounds other than traditional computer science degrees. Based on our experience, we expect and encourage students to take 15-513 or 15-213 (Introduction to Computer Systems) prior to taking required or elective sys- tems classes, and, if possible, prior to arrival on campus in the fall. The Summer offering of 15-513 has been especially designed to offer a low-unit, low-cost option for Master’s students. It can be taken over the Internet prior to your first semester on campus. Registration; Adding and Dropping Courses Newly admitted students will receive information about course registration. The timetable for course registration, as well as for adding and dropping courses, is set by the University as published in the official academic calendar, which can be found here: http://www.cmu.edu/hub/calendar Especially after the end of the Add period, you should consult your Academic Advisor before dropping a class. Frequently you should discuss the situation with your course instructor(s) as well. It is generally quite unwise to drop a class without appropriate consultation. Academic Policies 21 / 54 Special alert about drop deadlines Students should be aware that, beginning with the Fall 2018 semester, the traditional course-drop and course-withdrawal deadlines have changed. Previously it was pos- sible to drop a class without leaving a trace on your transcript until after mid- semester grades had been issued. For example, during the Fall 2017 semester the course-drop deadline was November 6th. The course-drop deadline for the Fall 2022 semester is October 10th, which is beforemid-semester grades will be available to you (on October 25th). Master’s students can drop one course in each 12-month academic year after the drop deadline without leaving a trace on your transcript, with the exception of “doctoral-level courses,” which have a different schedule. Further information is available at: https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/course-changes/ https://www.cmu.edu/cmuexp-taskforce/academics/ Overlapping Courses As attendance is expected in all courses, students are not permitted to enroll in courses that overlap in time. Please schedule only courses that you are able to attend. Course Load The standard course load is 36 units of regular classes, typically three 12-unit classes. Sometimes, depending on circumstances, a special-purpose classmay be suggested or required (e.g., 15-604, 15-690, 15-691). Some students take four regular classes in one or more semesters (this does not result in extra tuition charges). One’s first semester at CMU may not be the best time to take a heavy course load. In some circumstances a student may be able to register for fewer than 36 units, but you must first discuss this with your Academic Advisor. Because courses at Carnegie Mellon are very demanding, the program defines a maximum course load, which may be different for incoming and returning stu- dents. Academic Advisors can increase the maximum course load for an individual student, based upon that student’s academic plan and achievement. Your Aca- demic Advisor will increase your maximum course load, if needed, to allow you to register for any appropriate schedule. Please seek your Academic Advisor’s guid- ance prior to registering, dropping, or adding classes. 22 / 54 Classes The Program may require the student to obtain a professional translation into English of any of the above material, using a translator acceptable to the Program. The Program may require the student to provide for review all student work prod- uct submitted as part of participating in the course, including scores and feedback received by the student. When reviewing the transfer petition, the Programwill con- sider the breadth and depth of material covered, compared to the most-equivalent course at CMU, with reference to the learning outcomes relevant to the Program. In compliance with CMU policy, the Program will consider the accreditation status of the institution offering the course. The minimum grade required by the Program may vary depending on the institution offering the course, but will generally be at least a B (3.0) or the equivalent as determined by the Program. As indicated above, if transfer credit is approved, the source of the credit will appear on the transcript and the credit will not bear a grade, affect QPA computations, etc. Transferring Credit FromWithin Carnegie Mellon Up to two courses taken at Carnegie Mellon prior to matriculation into the Master’s program may be eligible to be counted toward the program requirements. These courses cannot satisfy any requirement, including a unit-count requirement, of any degree or certification earned prior to, or concurrent with, any portion of the Mas- ter’s program. To request such credit, please e-mail the Director explaining your request. This e-mail constitutes permission for the Director or designee to review your prior CMU academic records for this purpose. Your request is not approved until you have received written or e-mail approval from the Director or designee. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) andOptional Practical Training (OPT) International students may be eligible to take part in paid summer internships via Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to 12months during and after the Program, and may additionally qual- ify for a 17-month OPT extension post-graduation, under a special program for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Government regulations are often nuanced and may change at any time. Interested students should con- tact their Academic Advisor and/or the Office of International Education for more information. Academic Policies 25 / 54 Student Status and Degree Attainment Residency and Program Timeframe Unless special arrangements are made, students must complete coursework while enrolled at the Pittsburgh campus andwhile residing in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The Program is designed to be completed in no more than four (4) semesters and in three (3) semesters by those with a sufficiently foundational and rigorous undergraduate education in computer science or strongly related field. Students may not remain enrolled in the program for more semesters than the expected completion timeframe of their degree variant without the prior written or e-mail permission of the Director. In some circumstances, flexibility with respect to degree-completion time may be possible, but this cannot be assumed, due to a variety of complicating factors, including financial aid and international-student status. Financial Aid Under U.S. Federal Title IV regulations, student eligibility for fed- eral financial aid is contingent upon enrollment in and successful completion of courses that are counted as credit toward their current degree program. To receive the maximum amount of federal financial aid for which they may be eligible, stu- dents must enroll each semester in at least 36 units that count toward their current degree program. Students should consult with their designated college liaison in The HUB regard- ing billing and financial aid, particularly for early completion, longer-than-standard completion, or integrated undergraduate and master’s degree programs. International Students F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant status is tied to making nor- mal progress toward completing degree requirements. Therefore, F-1 and J-1 stu- dents who are considering completing their degree requirements early, anticipating longer-than-standard completion, or moving from an undergraduate to a graduate student classification should consult with their designated advisor in the Office of International Education (OIE) to ensure compliance with immigration regulations. Deferred Matriculation Offers for admission into the Program are valid only for the academic year for which they are issued. There is no right to defer an admission offer. Should it be neces- sary to delay your entry to the Program, it may be necessary to reapply, including payment of any necessary fees. Should your circumstances necessitate a delay in 26 / 54 Student Status and Degree Attainment your matriculation after your acceptance, please contact the Program Administra- tor or Director to request a deferral, which is granted solely at the discretion of the Program. Academic Integrity Please understand that CMU’s standards for academic integrity are high and may differ significantly from the standards at other places you may have studied. Conduct which may be accepted or commonplace elsewhere may result in you failing a class here, and may also lead to stronger sanctions, such as temporary Suspension, per- manent Dismissal from the Program, and/or expulsion from CMU. As just one ex- ample, we understand that at some institutions it is acceptable to submit code written by somebody else as long as you can explain it in detail when asked to. At CMU the submission of any code written by anybody else usually counts as an academic integrity violation, often results in a failing course grade, and may result in additional sanctions. Generally speaking, all work you submit must be your own, you must not use the work of others without proper citation, and youmust not use resources, includ- ing other persons, except as authorized by the course or project for which you are submitting the work. The University Policy on Academic Integrity includes the University expectations around academic integrity and provides definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized assistance. We expect you to review the Policy, found here: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/academic-integrity.html A review of the University’s Academic Disciplinary Actions procedures is also recommended. These procedures outline the process for investigating, reporting, and adjudicating violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity. The pro- cedures also outline the appeal process. The procedures are found here: https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/academic-discipline/ Progress Toward Degree Students with at least two remaining Requirementsmust register for, andmaintain, a schedule that includes at least two courses that are Requirements or Prerequi- sites for Requirements. Satisfactory Academic Standing and Academic Actions Any student who fails to achieve the minimum QPA, infringes the Academic In- tegrity policy, or otherwise fails to make appropriate progress toward graduation, Academic Policies 27 / 54 Responsibility for Satisfying Requirements It is the sole responsibility of the student to satisfy all requirements of the Pro- gram. The Director, Program Administrator, Advisors, and other faculty and staff, although sources of information and advice, are not responsible for notifying stu- dents of deficiencies in their academic plans or progress. Students are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the requirements and to review their progress each semester. Completion, Certification, and Award of Degree The University’s academic regulations govern graduation and the awarding of aca- demic degrees, including the Master’s in Computer Science. The Program will cer- tify a student’s degree in the semester in which the student completes the Re- quirements, and may be required to do so by law or regulation, the provisions of a scholarship program, and/or University policy. But, strictly speaking, neither this Program’s certification, nor the recommendation of the faculty that a degree be awarded, guarantee that the University shall award a degree. For example, the University may withhold degrees for individuals who have unsatisfied financial obli- gations. Students awarded a degree based on satisfaction of the requirements of the MSCS program will receive a diploma with the degree title of “Master of Science in Computer Science,” “Master of Science in Computer Science— Foundational Stud- ies,” or “Master of Science in Computer Science— Applied Study.” Withdrawal of Degree The University reserves the right to withdraw a degree even though it has been granted should there be discovery that the work upon which it was based or the academic records in support of it had been falsified. In such a case the degree will be withdrawn promptly upon discovery of the falsification. For further information: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/withdrawal-of-a-degree.html Statute of Limitations Students who havematriculated at CarnegieMellon during or after the Fall semester of 2012must complete all requirements for the master’s degree within a maximum of seven years from original matriculation as a master’s student. Once this time-to- degree limit has lapsed, the student may resume work towards a master’s degree 30 / 54 Student Status and Degree Attainment only if newly admitted to a currently offered master’s degree program under crite- ria determined by that program. Under extenuating circumstances, such as leave of absence, military or public service, family or parental leave, or temporary disability, a college/schoolmay, upon the relevant department’s recommendation and with the written approval of the dean (or designate), defer the lapse for a period commensurate with the duration of that interruption. Students who are pursuing the master’s degree as part-time students for all semesters of their program, as approved by their program, may also appeal to their program or department for extension of the time-to-degree limit. See the “Master’s Student Statute of Limitations”: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/masters-students-statute-of-limitations.html Program Transfer within CSD, SCS, or CMU Each degree program within Carnegie Mellon operates according to its own admis- sions process. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into any other program, nor does it grant any preference. It is very rare for a student to transfer from one CMUmaster’s program to another—the MSCS program does not expect even one student per decade to transfer in or out. There is no “transfer application” process for non-CMU students. Carnegie Mellon students seeking to transfer into the MSCS program should contact the Program Administrator for information about applying. Transfer ap- plications must be approved by the Director, the Department Head, and the SCS Associate Dean for Master’s Programs. MSCS students seeking to transfer to an- other program at Carnegie Mellon should contact that program for information about their requirements and process. No studentmay accept admission offers frommultiple degree programs, whether at CMU or elsewhere, that have overlapping program timelines, without permission from all of the overlapping programs. Students accepting an admission offer which overlaps the MSCS program may void, even retroactively, their admission to the MSCS program. Please consult your Academic Advisor for further details if neces- sary. Grandfathering of Requirements A student is generally bound to the Requirements in force at the time of matric- ulation, but may elect to satisfy any curriculum Requirements more recent than those under which they matriculated, e.g., a student matriculating in the 2021–2022 Academic Policies 31 / 54 academic year may elect to satisfy the Requirements in force during the 2022–2023 academic year. Because theMaster’s program is relatively short and in a relatively rapidly chang- ing area, students returning from Leave or Suspension may not be able to return under the same catalogue year, e.g., Requirements, under which they originally ma- triculated, as the supporting courses may no longer be offered or offered in their original form. Under these circumstances, the Director may approve exceptions to the prior Requirements or require that the returning student satisfy more-current Requirements, at the Director’s option. Additionally, the Director may revise the Requirements from time to time, so long as these revisions do not unreasonably impede the graduation of those in good standing. The Director may approve exceptions to revised requirements to mitigate the impact of revisions upon those affected. 32 / 54 Student Status and Degree Attainment Academic departments do not usually receive information about a student’s financial situation, so we may be unable to help you with financial difficulties and processes. Please contact the HUB for more information about financial policies, procedures, and practices: http://www.cmu.edu/hub/ Changes of Address Students are required to update contact information in a timely fashion, and will be held responsible for any failure to receive official notices due to correct contact information not being on file. International students may jeopardize their status if address information is not current. In particular, international students who leave Pittsburgh for an internship must update their contact information when leaving and when returning. Students can update contact information using Student InformationOnline (“SIO”): https://s3.andrew.cmu.edu/sio/ Privacy and FERPA Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a student has the right to: • Inspect and review the student’s education records; • Request an amendment to the student’s education records if the student be- lieves they are inaccurate or misleading; • Request a hearing if the student’s request for an amendment is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction; • Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information from the stu- dent’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclo- sure without the student’s consent; • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Com- pliance Office if the student believes the student’s rights under FERPA have been violated. Please review the University’s full privacy policy: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/privacy-rights-students.html Administrative Policies 35 / 54 Enrollment Verification Enrollment Services is the only University office that can provide an official letter of enrollment, official transcript, or enrollment verification. Enrollment verification can be requested online through The Hub at: http://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/student-records/verifications/ Intellectual Property The Program incorporates the University’s policy on intellectual property, which can be found here: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/intellectual-property.html Safeguarding Educational Equity Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities The Office of Disability Resources at Carnegie Mellon University has a continued mission to provide physical, digital, and programmatic access to ensure that stu- dents with disabilities have equal access to their educational experience. We work to ensure that qualified individuals receive reasonable accommodations as guar- anteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabil- itation Act of 1973. Students who would like to receive accommodations can begin the process through the Disability Resources secure online portal: https://rainier.accessiblelearning.com/cmu/ ...or e-mail access@andrew.cmu.edu to begin the interactive accommodation process. For more information please see: http://www.cmu.edu/disability-resources/ Students with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities are encour- aged to self-identify with the Office of Disability Resources and request needed accommodations. Any questions about the process can be directed to access@andrew.cmu.edu, or call 412-268-6121. Childbirth/Maternity Accommodation Students whose anticipated delivery date is during the course of a semester may consider taking time away from their coursework and/or research responsibilities. Any student who gives birth to a child while engaged in coursework or research is eligible to take either a short-term absence or formal leave of absence. Students 36 / 54 Enrollment Verification are encouraged to consult with relevant university faculty and staff as soon as pos- sible as they begin making plans regarding time away. Students must contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs to register for Childbirth Accommodations. Students will complete an information form andmeet with a member of the Dean’s Office staff to determine resources and procedures appropriate for the individual student. Planning for the student’s discussion with appropriate academic contact(s) (advisor, associate dean, etc.) may be reviewed during this meeting. Students in course work should consider options for the semester of the an- ticipated birth such as working with their course instructors to receive incomplete grades, electing to drop to part-time status, or taking a full semester leave of ab- sence. Students engaged in research must work with their faculty to develop plans for the research for the time they are away and for resuming upon return. Master’s students who receive an academic stipend funded by Carnegie Mellon are eligible to receive continued funding for a limited time during a short-term ac- commodation or formal leave. To receive this support students must be registered with the Office of the Dean of Students. Further information: https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/programs-services/maternity-accommodation-protocol.html Domestic Partner Registration Carnegie Mellon University extends benefits (e.g., health insurance, CMU i.d. card) to long-term domestic partners of students. Eligible students may elect benefits for their domestic partners by following the registration procedure: https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/dean/domestic-partner/ Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy - Undergraduate Students The university’s Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate Students addresses circumstances in which romantic, sexual or amorous relation- ships/interactions with undergraduate students, even if consensual, are inappro- priate and prohibited. The purpose of this policy is to assure healthy professional relationships. This policy is not intended to discourage consensual intimate rela- tionships unless there is a conflicting professional relationship in which one party has authority over the other as described in the policy. https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/consensual-relationships.html Administrative Policies 37 / 54 The Title IX coordinator may be reached at 5000 Forbes Ave., 140 Cyert Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; 412-268-7125; or tix@cmu.edu. 40 / 54 Statement of Assurance Resources and Reference Student Lounge MSCS students have access to a student lounge, shared with students in the Mas- ter of Science in Machine Learning (MSML) program. Your CMU i.d. card will let you into the lounge. Please comply with all posted directives and treat the shared space, including other students, in a respectful manner. The lounge is located in Tepper 1400. Academic Calendar The Academic Calendar contains important dates, such as those of the registration periods, add and drop deadlines, University holidays and observances, and the final exam period. The Academic Calendar can be found here: http://www.cmu.edu/hub/calendar Career The Career and Professional Development Center is an outstanding resource to guide you as you begin the process of thinking about internships and life after grad- uation. The career consultants for the School of Computer Science are Katelyn Liv- ingston, kjliving@andrew.cmu.edu, and Tess Elford, telford@andrew.cmu.edu. They are an excellent source of information about employers and opportunities, as well as a great resource as you prepare your résumé and prepare for interviews. Since the Master’s program is intense, but short, you are encouraged to contact them during your first semester. There are many career and internship fairs on campus, including the Technical Opportunities Conference (TOC) early in the Fall semester, and the Employment Opportunities Conference (EOC) early in the Spring semester. For more information, and for information about additional resources, please do check the Center’s Web portal: http://www.cmu.edu/career Resources and Reference 41 / 54 International Students The Office of International Education (OIE) at Carnegie Mellon University is commit- ted to supporting, promoting, and celebrating individuals in an intercultural envi- ronment. They advocate for and facilitate international and cross-cultural experi- ences, perspectives and initiatives. They also help international students with the process of coming into the United States and maintaining legal status here, as well as with the process of settling in within the United States and on campus. Their web site is a great resource and contains their contact information: http://www.cmu.edu/oie/ Police The University Police Department is located at 4551 Filmore Street. The depart- ment provides traditional security and police services on campus, operates crime prevention programs, offers Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RADS) classes and fingerprinting services, and operates a lost and found. They can be reached by dialing 8-2323 (for emergencies) or 8-6232 (for non- emergency issues) from any campus phone. When off-campus, in order to contact the local police, call the emergency dis- patcher by dialing 9-1-1 from any cellular or landline phone. To reach University Police while off-campus or from a cellular phone, dial 412-268-2323 (for emergen- cies) or 412-268-6232 (for non-emergency issues). University Police web pages can be found here: http://www.cmu.edu/police/ Emergency Medical Assistance For emergency medical assistance on campus, call the University Police dispatcher at 412-268-2323. In most areas off campus, dialing 9-1-1 will put you in touch with an emergency dispatcher who can summon emergency medical assistance, e.g., an ambulance, for you. Routine Medical and Health Care University Health Services is the on-campus health center. It is available to pro- vide students with routine health and medical care, including addressing nutrition, drug and alcohol problems, and other healthy lifestyle issues, and to help students 42 / 54 International Students Students, faculty, and staff can anonymously file a report by calling 844-587- 0793 or visiting https://cmu.ethicspoint.com. All submissions are reported to appropriate University personnel and handled discreetly. The Ethics Hotline is not an emergency service! To report an emergency, call University Police at 412-268- 2323. Further information: https://www.cmu.edu/hr/resources/ethics-hotline.html University and Public Transit Systems The Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) operates a system of buses and trains that serve the greater Pittsburgh area. Your University ID serves as a pass that allows you to ride most, if not all, of these services for free. You can find routes and schedules here: http://www.portauthority.org/ The University provides a shuttle bus system that is a fixed route, fixed stop transportation option which is available to all CMU students, faculty, and staff. There are different shuttle buses which operate within the geographical areas which surround Carnegie Mellon. Presently, there are buses which service the Squirrel Hill, North Oakland and Shadyside areas. There are also shuttles serving Bakery Square (Google headquarters) and the PTC (Pittsburgh Technology Center). The Escort Service is a transportation option that services the geographical ar- eas surrounding Carnegie Mellon, to include Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Oakland. The service provides transportation from 9 designated campus pick-up locations to the intersection closest to the rider’s residence. The pick-up locations are marked by official university signage, bearing the word “Escort”. The Escort Service is limited to a 1.5-mile radius from campus. More information about shuttles and escort can be found here: https://www.cmu.edu/parking/transport/ Legal Consultation The Graduate Student Assembly, the Office of the Provost, and the Undergraduate Student Senate have partnered to offer all CMU graduate and undergraduate stu- dents free legal consultations. Typical areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to: Landlord/Tenant, Criminal/DUI, Contracts, Employment, Civil Lawsuits (Plaintiff or Defendant), Personal Injury. Further information: https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/resources/legal-consultation.html Resources and Reference 45 / 54 Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is the primary campus-wide organization run by graduate students for graduate students. It is a vehicle for collaboration between graduate students and the University administration and the general stu- dent body, and is one element of the University’s structured Student Government. One very notable role on campus is providing events for graduate students from across campus to take a break from their studies and research, get together, relax, and have some fun. GSA passes legislation, allocates student activities funding, advocates for leg- islative action locally and in Washington D.C. on behalf of graduate student issues and needs, and otherwise acts on behalf of all graduate student interests. GSA is the host of the Graduate Student Lounge on the third floor of the Cohon University Center— a great place to study or meet up with friends. More information about GSA and GSA events can be found on their Web page: http://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/ Student Academic Success Center The Student Academic Success Center unifies a variety of programs, such as: Communication and Language Support Trained consultants offer free one-on- one tutoring and workshops to help students with written, oral, and visual commu- nication projects, including class assignments. Consultants are available to meet during the day or in the evening, and some weekend time slots are available. You can get personal expert help with writing an essay or paper for a class, designing a research poster, or writing a thesis. Workshop topics include crafting professional e-mails, team communication, slide presentation design, data visualization, and job application materials. Language and Cross-cultural Support More than 60% of graduate students at Carnegie Mellon are international students, and others are non-native speakers of English who have attended high school or undergraduate programs in the US. Many of these students want to hone their language and cross-cultural skills for academic and professional success. Students can choose from sessions on how to give a strong presentation, writing academic e-mails, expectations and strategies for clear academic writing, how to talk about yourself as a professional in the U.S., developing clearer pronunciation, using accurate grammar, building fluency, and 46 / 54 Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) more. Students canmake an appointment with a Language Development Specialist to get individualized coaching on language or cross-cultural issues. The Student Academic Success Center is also charged with certifying the lan- guage of International Teaching Assistants (ITAs), ensuring that non-native English speakers have the language proficiency needed to succeed as teaching assistants in Carnegie Mellon classrooms. Students preparing to do an ITA Certification should plan to take classes offered by the language support team at the SASC from the beginning of their first semester. Start by contacting the language support team at the SASC website or attend a Language Support Orientation at the SASC or in your department. Learning Support Learning Support services include Academic Coaching (one- on-one and small group sessions on time management, productivity habits, stress management, and study skills); Peer Tutoring (weekly one-on-one and small-group tutoring sessions); and a variety of workshops (e.g., exam skills). SASC website Further information about the Student Academic Success Center: https://www.cmu.edu/student-success Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Computer Science Department DEI Committee As leaders in the field of Computer Science, we, the Computer Science Department (CSD) at Carnegie Mellon University, recognize our responsibility in shaping tech- nology and our community in ways that foster diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Sadly, our community has historically fallen short, with disproportionately low representation from Black and indigenous people and people of color. To combat these imbalances, the Computer Science Department formed its own committee for DEI in August 2020. Since then, the committee has been pur- suing the dual goals of increasing the diversity of our community, and improving our community’s awareness and support for the existing diversity within our com- munity. The committee coordinates with other existing efforts within the School of Computer Science, such as SCS4All, the SCS Dean’s Ph.D. Advisory Committee, and Tech4Society. Further information: https://csd.cmu.edu/dei/csd-diversity-equity-and-inclusion Resources and Reference 47 / 54 Computing Carnegie Mellon has a rich computing environment, including OS X-, Linux-, and Windows- based computers, public printers, public wireless networking, and a large library of software licensed for use by students. As members of this community, we are all responsible for the security of these shared resources. Safe Computing: http://www.cmu.edu/computing/safe/ University Computing Policy: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/information-technology/computing.html Computing Services Web site: http://www.cmu.edu/computing/start/ If you need assistance, you can contact the Help Center at 412-268-HELP or it- help@andrew.cmu.edu. University Libraries University Libraries offers a wide range of information resources and services sup- porting graduate students in coursework, research, teaching, and publishing. The library licenses and purchases books, journals, media, and other needed materials in various formats. Library experts can help and advise with locating and obtaining specific re- sources, research support, and the use and management of data. Workshops in- clude data visualization with Tableau, cleaning data with OpenRefine, and getting started with Zotero. Drop-in hours for Digital Humanities and for Research Data Management are scheduled during the academic year. The University Libraries home page: https://www.library.cmu.edu Parking Parking on campus is largely based upon an annual fee-for-permit system, although there are a few short-termmeters, and the East Campus garage accepts fee-per-use users at low-volume times, and is often free on evenings and weekends. For more information about parking on campus, please contact Parking and Transportation Services: http://www.cmu.edu/parking/ 50 / 54 Computing Housing Carnegie Mellon offers on- and off- campus housing for students, and resources for finding housing in the community. For more information see the Off-Campus Housing resource page: https://offcampus.housing.cmu.edu Resources and Reference 51 / 54 Appendix Systems Courses, Pre-Approved Please do not assume that a non-listed class with “Systems” in its name can be counted toward the Systems requirement. 15-605 Operating Systems 15-611 Compiler Design 15-612 Operating System Practicum 15-645 Database Systems 15-618 Parallel Computer Architecture and Programming 15-640 Distributed Systems 15-641 Computer Networks 15-712 Advanced Operating Systems 15-719 Advanced Cloud Computing 15-721 Database Systems 15-740 Computer Architecture 15-744 Computer Networks 15-745 Optimizing Compilers 15-746 Advanced Storage Systems 15-821 Mobile and Pervasive Computing Theoretical Foundations Courses, Pre-Approved 15-614 Bug Catching: Automated Program Verification and Testing 15-624 Logical Foundations of Cyber-Physical Systems 15-651 Algorithms 15-652 Foundations of Programming Languages 15-657 Constructive Logic 15-659 Probability & Computing 15-750 Graduate Algorithms 15-751 A Theorist’s Toolkit 15-812 Programming Language Semantics 15-814 Type Systems for Programming Languages 15-850 Advanced Algorithms 15-855 Complexity Theory 15-857 Performance Modeling 52 / 54 Appendix