FAQ for New Graduate Students

1. How can I prepare to do research in middleware?
   
   
   • Download, build RT ZEN and run the simple demo called hello. See RT ZEN Quick Start Guide
   
   
   
   • Skim the specifications for Real-time Java and Real-time CORBA
   • OMG CORBA specifications
   • OMG Real-time CORBA specification
   • The official RTSJ website
   • TAO(The ACE ORB), Real-time CORBA
   • RT ZEN Project website
   
   
   • Now you can write a distributed application using RT ZEN. One suggestion is a simple Client/Server chatting room.
     
     
   • Choose a piece of RT ZEN source code, try to understant it. And then you can write test for that. If we find your test is useful, we will check it into the standard distribution.
   
   
   
2. How should I plan out a schedule for completing the M.S. or Ph.D. degree requirements?
   
   The following links provide roadmaps (plans) for each of the degrees:
   
   Roadmap to a M.S. degree
   Roadmap to a Ph.D. degree
   
   
3. As a funded GSR, how many courses I should take each quarter?
   
   While working on your masters degree, you should take no more than two courses per term. After you complete the masters and are working on a Ph.D., you should take at most one "real" course each term. Graduate degrees are more about doing research, so that is how you should focus your time. Courses are secondary, but can help fill-in any weaknesses in your knowledge. You may fill out the rest of the required 12 units with seminar (EECS 295), colloquium if required (EECS 294), and individual research (EECS 299).
   
   
4. What courses should I take?
   
   If you are a master student, please refer to M.S. Program information. If you are a Ph.D. student, please refer to the course requirement in preliminary exam description.
   
   Again, you should choose courses that supplement your knowledge in your chosen area of specialization, not repeating courses in topics you already know.
   
   
5. Where can I find information about what courses are offered this term?
   
   For a course listing, please go to WebSoc.
   For the courses in Computer Science and Engineering, please go to Courses Catalogue.
   
   
6. How do I register for courses?
   
   To register for courses on-line, please go to WebReg.
   
   
   
7. What days am I expected to work if I am funded as a GSR?
   
   If you are a funded graduate student researcher (GSR), you are expected to work in the lab from the start of the quarter until the end of the academic calendar for which you are hired. You should plan to work in the lab roughly eight hour days, Monday through Friday. You can always work more if you necessary. You will have your own key to the lab.
   
   The UCI Academic calendar is accessible via the Internet at http://www.reg.uci.edu/registrar/soc/index.html
   
   Look under "UCI Calendars, Catalogue & Schedule" then under "Academic & Administrative calendars" and select the "Current:" calendar for the appropriate calendar year.

UCI | DOC
Updated: March 27, 2006