I graduated from UFL in Dec 2003 and moved to the University of Michigan to pursue my PhD. I no longer maintain this faq and most of my friends who supplied answers to the questions have graduated as well. It is here just for the sake of completeness. Some of the content may be out-of-date, check CISE web pages for current information. A more recent FAQ is available on Manas' web site

Welcome to CISE !!! This is an attempt to answer some of the frequently asked questions by new CISE grad students. As you might have figured out by now, Every senior has a different perspective and answer to your question. So I tried to get answers from different people and include them here. This is written in the style of LKML(Linux Kernel Mailing List) FAQ where different people answer the same question.

There is a general FAQ on ISA website. Please read it before asking any questions. After reading the ISA faq and this one, If your question is still not answered, mail your question to me. I will try to answer it and include it here. I will also try to get answers from some of the other volunteers. If you want to meet me, my contact information is here.

Though this faq is general enough, some of the questions are specific to indian graduate students.

Contributing

If you want to contribute to the FAQ, please send me your answer and question number or the question(if it's new) to me. Just send it in plain text. No formatting or html is required. I will do the formatting.

Commonly Used Links

I am listing some of the links mentioned in this whole document for easy browsing.

Index

General

  1. Who are you?
  2. Where can I meet Indian Graduate Students?
  3. Where can I get used furniture and other used stuff?
  4. Is there a free fax service in UF?
  5. What should I consider when buying online?
  6. Can I drive on Indian license?
  7. Words of Wisdom (Fundae) Not answered Yet
  8. Words of Caution !!!

Food, eating etc..

  1. I am a veggy what are my options (lunch...) when on campus?

Talking to the Professors, Resumes etc..

  1. How do I approach a professor?
  2. How can I track a person in CISE Dept?
  3. Why don't these professors respond to my mail?
  4. How do I prepare my resume?

Financial Aid, OPS jobs etc..

  1. Where can I find information about TA positions?
  2. Is there a list of TA positions assigned for Fall2002?
  3. What is this free and reserved in the above list?
  4. What is a GA? How can I get it?
  5. Where should I find information for OPS jobs?
  6. What is FTE ?
  7. What is a work permit? Where do I get it?
  8. Can i do more than one job?

Courses, Specalization etc..

  1. How should I choose courses for my first semester?
  2. Which core course should I take?
  3. Can I take two core courses in the same semester? Is it manageable?
  4. I want to specalize in Networking. What are the courses available?
  5. I want to specalize in Databases. What are the courses available?
  6. I want to specalize in Graphics or Computer Vision. What are the courses available?
  7. What is Independent Study?
  8. What are 'special topic's ?
  9. Which instructor's course should I take?

Cise Facilities

  1. What are the facilities available for CISE students?
  2. Where is E114 and What is it?
  3. When can I get a CISE account?
  4. Then where should I work?
  5. Do I need to buy a laptop computer?
  6. Do I need to buy a desktop computer?
  7. Do I need to buy a computer, or are the computing resources in UF sufficient?
  8. I've decided to buy a computer. But I can't decide whether to buy a desktop or a notebook PC. What should I buy?
  9. Do I get eatables/drinks free anywhere in the dept?
  10. Do I get a locker?
  11. Does CISE charge for printing?

Contributors

in no particular order

General

  1. Who are you?

    • (PP) I am Pradeep Padala. I joined Master's Program in CISE last year (Fall 2001). I love hacking and adore Linux. More info about me can be found on my website.
    • (SM) I'm a grad student in CISE. I joined in fa'01. You can contact me by email at smadhava@cise.ufl.edu
    • (RGRANDHI) I am Roopnath Grandhi.Started my Masters in Fall 2001. You can contact me at rgrandhi@cise.ufl.edu

  2. Where can I meet Desi (Indian) CISE guys?

    • (PP) Most of the desi(Indian) guys stay in Park 16 or Arbor Park Apartments. There are other places like Park Place, French Quarters etc.. also.

      If you know the last name of the person you want to meet, you should try UF Directory search. This is also the central place to search UF websites.

    • (GSUR) everywhere :) its the gals that are difficult to find ;)
    • (SM) Watch out the CSE114 lab, and the area around E309 and around the database lab's in the fourth floor. And don't be too shy to accost people. That is the only way to get to know other desi's. Also, visit the Plaza of America's around noon everyday. You can come across desi guys from all disciplines lining up to get food from the Hare Krishna people.

  3. Where can do I get used furniture and other used stuff?

    • (PB2) Habitat on 13th street

  4. Is there free fax service in UF?

    • (PB2)
      • Use efax.com to receive fax.
      • Use university copy center (univ avenue to send fax)

  5. What should I consider when buying online?

  6. Can I drive on Indian license?

    • (PB2) Yes you can. Call apex. If you have IDP call any rental company

  7. Words of Wisdom (Fundae)

  8. Words of Caution !!!

    • (PB2)
      • Read the house rental rules carefully (esp park 16)
      • you can be given a ticket even when riding a bicycle.

Food, eating etc..

  1. I am a veggy what are my options (lunch...) when on campus?

Talking to the Professors, Resumes

  1. How do I approach a professor?

    • (NS) While knocking on doors is a frequently used method, I have seen from professor's reactions that they do not always like it. It may well be the case that the professor is busy at the time you knock. So your chances of a favourable response immediately dips.

      While e-mailing them is a good substitute, getting a response and that too an early one, depends on your luck!!!

      The best alternative is to give them a call, tell them the reason you want to meet them and fix up an appointment.

  2. How can I track a person in CISE Dept?

    • (RGRANDHI) Most of the time you want to meet a Professor or a Person but dont know if he/she is in his/her office. You can use the finger command to know where the person is if he/she logged into sand . 
              finger userid
    • (PP) To add to Roopnath's answer, you can do finger on any string. You can actually do 
              finger Padala
      on any of the general purpose servers like rain, sand etc.. Of course, you should have a CISE account. Read the CISE Faq for more information.

  3. Why don't these professors respond to my mail?

    • (GSUR) well, they are soooooooooooooo busy.
      Their mailbox is flooded daily ....
      they already have there hands full trying to guide 'loonies' like me
    • (SM) Most of them get loads of queries from newcomers just like you.You will have a better chance of commanding attention to yourselves if you have a really impressive resume. Also, you need to be persistent in your approaches, at the same time, strike a balance and not let your persistence become intrusive nagging.
    • (NS) My guess is - there is a huge quantity of mails with approximately the same content(asking for funding) which they have to read through. If the professor has no funds and you are asking for the same, you might not get a reply on the mail. It might also be the case that the professors prefers a face to face meeting. For whatever reasons, I think calling up gives us a correct picture.
    • (RGRANDHI) I think the best way to contact a Professor is by e-mail and take an appointment.If there is no reply then you can call him/her up. Most of the Professors are flooded by typical and similar e-mails. The initial impression you make on the professor lot depends on the e-mail you write or the first time when you talk to the professor. Before speaking to the professor or e-mail him you must see his/her website go through the projects he is working on present.and if your interest matches you must talk more about your technical skills that might be useful in those projects.

  4. How do I prepare my resume?

    • (GSUR)
      • There is nothing like a perfect resume.
      • Its always in the 'growth' phase.
      • You need to be clear about what you put in there.
      • Standard fonts, 10-14 points, concise yet descriptive (doesnt make sense)
      • preferably one-page !!
    • (NS) It depends on the position you are applying for.

      If it is a TA position, your GRE individual scores, SPEAK/TSE scores are required. If you have done some work similar to a TA like tutoring/grading before, make sure you add it. If you have taken an undergraduate course that relates to the course you want to TA in, make sure you include that.

      If it is for an OPS position, it depends on the job you are applying for. If it is more of a clerical kind, then your strong points (sense of commitment, punctuality, attention to details etc etc) - you can list them. If the job requires some web programming and animation- make sure you list html, dreamweaver, flash in your resume. If the job asks for some VB experience, make sure you list your VB projects. The bottomline is that when someone is screening your resume, his requirements should be your resume highlights.

Financial Aid, OPS jobs

  1. Where can I find information about TA positions?

  2. Is there a list of TA positions assigned for Fall2002?

    • (PP) Dr. Jorg Peters has a page listing the current TA positions. It has the list of courses, professors and the correpondins TA names. It also has instructions on how to apply for TA positions.

  3. What is this free and reserved in the above list?

    • (PP) If there is an empty entry for a free position, then the position is not filled yet. Those are the positions you should be applying for. This is what Dr. Peters says. 
            appointments are at
      33 -- supporting TA
      40 -- teaching TA
      50 -- new TA (salary inversion)
      reserved  ---  reserved grad comittee slot
      free      ---  instructor recommendation slot

  4. What is a GA? How can I get it?

    • (PP) A GA(Graduate Assitantship) is somewhere between an OPS job and RA position in non-cise departments. Lot of departments like IFAS, Nuclear require computer personnel for various tasks. They also require you to commit yourself to the work. So they might offer a GA which pays for your tution fee and hourly wage.

      Generally an OPS job is converted into GA after working for a semester or so. This is higlty dependent on the deparment. You should certainly try for GA.

    • (JKUMAR) According to me, GAs are the most peaceful of the assistantships, Most GAs are permanent and last till u graduate or more, it's equivalent to ur RA in another Dept, Ur fee waiver taken care of, a healthy monthly stipend (Psst : Ironically this is more than what TAs get in CISE).

      But landing these GAs are the most difficult, Basically getting a GA or even a high paying OPS is directly proportional to the amount of effort u put in. The campus of UF is really really huge( supposed to be the 5th largest in US), that means many many departments exist , all of them more or less have to do something with computers,some data entry , some database stuff( most popular jobs )some web stuff, something. So it's up to the individual to go to as many depts as possible, meet profs and hand in Resumes. And the openings for such positions NEED NOT necessarily figure on the OPS website, but also depends on ur initiative to create a potential opening at the Dept.In most cases, it remains an OPS job for the 1st sem till u impress ur employers and prove to be invaluable to them, then later on gets converted into a GA. Let me know if u need more help!!

    • (NS) The obvious way is to get to know of GA positions that are open. The other way is to know of departements that do have GA positions. What this means is that if you are working in a library or a cafetaria, you are not helping yourself on getting a GA/tution waiver.

      The conversion from an OPS position to a GA entirely depends on lots of factors - Whether they like your work, whether they have the work to employ you, whether they have the money to fund you. Most OPS to GA conversions take place after they know you better - after you have worked with them for a semester.

  5. Where can I find information for OPS jobs?

    • (PP) This is one of the commonly asked questions. Finding an OPS job is a tedious task. But, it shouldn't be too difficult to find one. A list of OPS jobs can be found here. Many people complain that the list is not current enough. It's your job to act fast as soon as you see the job listing.

      I have a written a script to track the changes to OPS listing. It mails the update to ufl_2002 list.

      Shands is a great place to look for OPS jobs.

    • (GSUR) I used to check out the list outside the 'UF Financial services??' office when i used to look out for OPS jobs. I found them to be more current. But those used to be a subset of the ones on the UF website.

  6. What is FTE ?

    • (SSJOSHI) FTE is an acronym for Full time effort-that is the time you work at your workplace. A 100% FTE constitutes 40 hours per week, but as international students we are permitted to work for a maximum of 20 hours/week during Fall & Spring semesters. This means we can work for a max of 50% FTE.

      Appointments are made on the basis of FTE, esp TA/RA assignments in CISE or other departments.

      Most TA appointments are at 33% FTE which comes to 13.33 hrs/week.

  7. What is a work permit? Where do I get it?

    • (SSJOSHI) Before starting on an OPS job, the student needs to present some documents like passport, I-20 and also a work permit, which is a permit allowing you to work. The permit allows max of 20 hrs/week or 40 hrs biweekly (i.e 50% FTE).

      The work permit can be obtained from Criser Hall on the Ground floor.

  8. Can i do more than one job?

    • (SSJOSHI) As long as a student respects the 20 hrs/week restriction , he/she is allowed to take up multiple jobs-all of which should add up to a max of 20 hrs/week. You need a separate work permit for every job that you take up. However as a suggestion, it is advisable to take up a job at a single workplace for convenience.

Courses, Specialization

  1. How should I choose courses for my first semester?
    • (PP) There is a list courses for fall2002 here.

      Try going to the instructor's website and find information about the course. Also attend the all the classes in the first week, when you are allowed to sit in any class. Don't mail the professor asking information. They are quite busy and won't reply to you.

      Choosing a course should depend on your preferences. Try choosing the courses which would lead to your specalization or a professor of your liking.

      My advice to you all: Don't worry too much about courses :-)

  2. Which core course should I take?
    • (PP) Again this depends on your preferences and interests. Generally PLP is considered more difficult course than other three. I would rate the courses as 
          PLP
    Archi
    OS
    Algos
      in the difficulty order.

      But there's no hard-and-fast rule. It depends on the professor who offers the course.

    • (SM) All of them :) Most students can handle OS well. Computer architecture is also not too difficult. Depending on your bent of mind (to roughly quote Dr.Bermudez, depending of whether you are an analysis person or an algebra person), you will be goog at Algorithms or PLP. And of course, there are those gifted at both. Choose according to your nature and abilities. Also, historically, PLP has been the only (core) course course offered during the summer semester. So, it is a good idea to save PLP until summer or the second fall semester.

      My ranking of the core courses (most to least challenging,_not_ difficulty) is:

      MOST: Algos
      Architecture
      PLP
LEAST:OS
    • (RGRANDHI) Any core course should be fine. Dont give too much importance to any core-course.you will come to know slowly that they have almost the same workload as other courses except that you have to complete them before your masters.
  3. Can I take two core courses in the same semester? Is it manageable?
    • (PP) Another favourite question by everybody. Lot of people recommend taking two Algos and OS together. It depends on factors like
      • What is the 3rd course? Is it independent study? then perhaps it's manageable
      • Do you want to take the risk of a having a difficult first semester? In my opinion, first semester is crucial in maintaining your GPA.
      • You have the advantage of completing two core courses and have an easy ride in the coming semesters.
    • (SM) If _you_ have the confidence, yes. But be sure to understand what you are getting into. It will be a good challenge.And make sure that the third course you are registering for is not too challenging.
    • (GSUR) One core per semester seems to be the norm.
  4. I want to specalize in Networking. What are the courses available?
    • (SKS) Networking courses are offered here in CISE include Mobile Computing, Computer Communication Networks and Network Security. This fall all the three are offered. Apart from these, you can also take Networking related courses in ECE department. One such course is Wireless Networks. This fall it is being offered by Dr. Janise McNair. The course webpage is http://oeep.eng.ufl.edu/courses/eel6935wn.html.

      For Fall 2002 following Networking Courses are offered.

      • Mobile Computing by Dr. Sumi Helal (CEN 5531) http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~helal/5531/
      • Computer Communication Networks By Dr. Jonathan Liu (CEN 6505)
      • Network Security by Dr. Richard Newman (CEN 5540)

  5. I want to specalize in Databases. What are the courses available?
    • (SKS) Following courses are offered in Fall 2002.
      • CIS 6930 - Data Management and XML By Dr. Joachim Hammer

      • COP 5725 - Database Management Systems By Dr. Stanley Su.

      Apart from the above courses other database related courses which are offered in CISE include DDDBMS(Distributed Databases), DBi (database Implementation).

  6. I want to specalize in Graphics. What are the courses available?
  7. What is Independent Study?
    • (SM) When a course in a certain area is not offered (ie, such a course doesn't exist at all), you can approach instructors with relevant expertise for an independant study. Usually, you will have to propose the scope of the study that you intend to take up, and the professor will act as a guide.
  8. What are 'special topic's?
    • (SM) Special topics are courses offered on topics of current interest to a particular professor. All of them have a course number CIS 6930. These courses are usually offered only once or twice, and you should seriously consider doing them if you are interested. Postponing it to a later semester may not be a good idea, as the course may never be offered again.

      Also, there are some special topics that are offered more or less regularly. The two most popular of them being Mobile Computing and Concurrent Programming.

      Some courses are offered by more than one instructor in different semesters.

  9. Which instructor's course should I take?

CISE facilities

  1. What are the facilities available for CISE students?
    • (PP) CISE has fours labs inside E114 (See next question). It has sun and windows 2000 machines in the main lab. In the inside rooms, you have Linux machines. All are very well maintained and nice machines. Especially the linux machines are blazing (1.7GHZ) fast. You need a CISE account to access these machines.

      Please read the help pages on CISE website for other info on CISE labs.

      You also have access to Circa lab where you can use the machines, if you have a Gatorlink account.

  2. Where is E114 and What is it?
    • (PP) E114 is in the ground floor. It's the main CISE lab. This is where you will be spending most of your time in next two years. :-)
  3. When can I get a CISE account?
    • (PP) You won't be able to get an account until you register for the courses. To get an account come to E114 and one of the consultants will help you. I am one of the consultants who work in E114 lab.
  4. Then where should I work?
    • (PP) You should go to circa lab, which is in the 2nd floor. You should be able to use the circa machines, if you have gatorlink account. A gatorlink account can be obtained from here.
  5. Do I need to buy a laptop computer?
    • (PP) UF has a computer requirement policy. But, you don't have to buy one. Laptop is a requirement for only one course: Mobile Computing. If you plan to take it, you should buy a laptop.
    • (SM) See http://www.eng.ufl.edu/computerrequirements.htm.
    • (RGRANDHI) Yes! If you can afford..But it will be very useful with CISE building and library having wireless network access.
  6. Do I need to buy a Desktop computer?
    • (PP) UF has a computer requirement policy. But, you don't have to buy one. This actually depends on your preferences. If you are person who likes working from home, then buy a desktop. They are cheap and you can easily connect to UF through dial-up lines. You can also take DSL, if you want more speed. The E114 lab will be crowded during the crunch times like end of semester, project submission times. So If you can afford it, I recommend you to buy one.
  7. Do I need to buy a computer, or are the computing resources in UF sufficient?
    • (SM) In practice, they are. But you being a computer science major, I would strongly suggest you buy atleast a desktop computer. You will be involved in programming intensive courses, and having a computer at home is definitely going to increase your productivity.
  8. I've decided to buy a computer. But I can't decide whether to buy a desktop or a notebook PC. What should I buy?
    • (SM) The answer depends on your money situation. But if you can afford either, go for a laptop.
  9. Do I get eatables/drinks free anywhere in the dept?
  10. Do I get a locker facility ?
  11. Does CISE charge for printing?
    • (PP) You won't be able to use CISE labs unless you get an account. See Qn 3 for details on how to get an account. You should read the CISE Faq thoroughly. It has lot of information and info about printing is here.