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GAC – New Student Orientation Department of Computer Science Iowa State University 17 August 2006. Graduate Advisory Committee. What is the Graduate Advisory Committee? Represent CS grad students to dept. chair Elected by all CS graduate majors Who can join? Any CS graduate major.
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GAC – New Student OrientationDepartment of Computer ScienceIowa State University17 August 2006
Graduate Advisory Committee • What is the Graduate Advisory Committee? • Represent CS grad students to dept. chair • Elected by all CS graduate majors • Who can join? • Any CS graduate major
Graduate Advisory Committee • What does the GAC do? • Works on issues important to grad students • Computing Facilities • Office and Lab Space • Course Availability • Social Activities • Academic Activities • Meets regularly with Dr. Chang
Social Activities • Monthly potluck • Picnics • Bowling • Racquetball Tournament • Holiday Parties • Suggestions!
Academic Activities • Colloquia (www.cs.iastate.edu/~colloq) • Poster day
GAC Homepage • http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~gac
GAC Homepage (Cont.) • Information about GAC members • Meeting minutes • Information for new students
Graduate English Exam for International Student • English Placement Test • www.grad-college.iastate.edu/publications/gchandbook/chapter08.html • Should have taken already • Ugrad degree not from ISU • Graduate English Examination • Ugrad degree from ISU or other institutions of the U.S
English Placement Test Result • Composition Assignment - English 101B or 101D • Listening Segment - English 101E (Section 1) • Reading Passages - English 101E (Section 2)
Speak/Teach Test • Non-native speaker of English appointed for a TA position or assigned to some other teaching responsibilities needs to take the Speak/Teach test • Students with a TSE score report of 50 or more are exempted from the SPEAK interview test • Contact Info: - www.grad-college.iastate.edu/speakteach
Speak/Teach Result Interpretation • Placement is based upon SPEAK/TEACH test results • No more than one section of 180 may be taken for semester, up to 2 sections total • Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only • Register for classes in 201 Lab of Mechanics
Speak/Teach Result Interpretation • Level 1: No class is required • Level 2:One semester of Engl 180 (3 credits), usually section D. • Level 3:1-2 semesters of 180 (3 credits each) usually sections A-C, with retesting at the end of each semester • Not certified: at least 1 semester of U St 180 (3 credits), usually section A with retesting at the end of each semester.
TA/RA Duties • TA • Recitations (what, how often) • Grading (partial credit, test proctoring) • Office Hours (open door, be there!) • Lab supervision • Course evaluations • RA • Duties vary according to advisor
Important notes for TAs • Be sure to be at ISU during all period covered by your letter of intent (through December 20) • If you happen to work more than 20 hours a week consistently, when classes are in session, please send letter to your supervisor and inform the department • Students are allowed to work more than 20 hours a week when classes are not in session (Xmas, Spring break, Thanksgiving…)
Courses to take • Read the degree requirement handout carefully at http://www.cs.iastate.edu/gradadm/2006-2007-COMPUTER-SCIENCE-HANDBOOK.pdf • Check out the preparation worksheet. • Must take: • 511 – Design and Analysis of Algorithms (Fall). • 531 – Theory of Computation (Spring).
Homeworks due Examiniations Project/ submission due 500 level vs 600 level courses • 500 Level Course • Graduate level course • Usually offered every year • Main focus is on homework, projects and exams • Homework is big part of final grade! • 600 Level Course • Advanced graduate level course • Not offered every year! • Main focus is usually research • Often no tests Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Courses to take • 600-level courses: • MS students must take at least one. • PhD students must take at least two. - Decide this early. - Make sure you have prerequisites. • 400-level courses: • ComS courses don’t count for credit. • Courses from other departments may count, must mention Nonmajor graduate credit.
Courses to take • Course catalog: • Accessible from CS webpage • Unsure whether to take a course? Talk to: • Your professor. • Course instructor. • Students who took the course.
Getting Started • Forms to fill : (i) Immunization forms (ii) Health History forms http://www.public.iastate.edu/~health/Pages/immunizations2.html • Registration Holds for not filling of forms • Check AccessPlus for health insurance, health fee, pharmacy bills, registration hold information
Career Services • Career Days and Job Fairs • Resume Referral Services • On-Campus Interviewing • Listings for Full Time Positions, Internships, Coops
Career Services Office • Engineering Career Services • www.eng.iastate.edu/ecs/ • BUS/LAS Career Services ($20 charge) • www.careers.iastate.edu