Your goal the first year should be to take the core courses, to prepare to pass the comps, or to get to know the faculty and their research so you can focus on fulfilling your concentration and start working on a project for your thesis. Below are some possible plans for meeting this goal. Your situation may well justify another choice; there are many alternatives. To help get through this intense period, we recommend you find a study group. Also, if you are interested in research, you should attend one of the weekly group meetings sponsored by many of the research groups.

Full-Time Example (3 Courses/Qtr)

Fall Quarter, 1st Year

• 1 core class
• 1 elective
• CSE 292
• 1 concentration course
• If thesis, 1 research group meeting

Winter Quarter, 1st Year

• 1 core class
• 1 concentration course
• 1 elective
• If thesis, 1 research group meeting

Spring Quarter, 1st Year

• 1 core class
• 1 concentration course
• 1 elective
• If thesis, 1 research group meeting

Fall Quarter, 2nd Year

• CSE 298 or CSE 293
• If comps, take comps
• If comps, 2 electives
• If thesis, attend a research group meeting

Winter Quarter, 2nd Year

• If thesis, write thesis

Part-Time Example (1 Course/Qtr)

Fall Quarter

• Core class
• CSE 292

Winter Quarter

• Core class
• If thesis, take 1 unit research meeting

Spring Quarter

• Core class
• If thesis, take 1 unit research meeting

Fall Quarter, 2nd Year

• If comps, take comps
• 1 concentration class
• If thesis, take 2 units CSE 298

Winter Quarter, 2nd Year

• 1 concentration class
• If thesis, take 2 units CSE 298
• If comps, take 2 units CSE 293

Spring Quarter, 2nd Year

• 1 concentration class
• If thesis, take 2 units CSE 298
• If comps, take 2 units CSE 293

Some Other Important Points to Consider

• 1. Do not overload yourself with commitments your first quarter. Graduate school is different from and harder than pursuing a bachelors degree. Give yourself at least one quarter to adjust to and learn these differences.
• 2. Make an effort to meet other students and faculty.
• 3. As soon as you encounter trouble, whether it be academic or personal, you should seek assistance. From a study group, discuss your difficulty in a class with your professor, visit your academic advisor, or contact counseling and psychological services.
• 4. If you have over-committed yourself.