November 2021 - New-gradstudents

Thanksgiving Week Updates/Reminders
by Trey Mayo 19 Nov '21

19 Nov '21

We wanted to provide a few updates/reminders about the week of Thanksgiving. 1. Monday, November 22nd 1. Dr. Shaffer will *not* be holding office hours *in person or virtually* that day. 2. Wednesday, November 24th 1. VT Offices will close at 12 noon. 2. The CS Graduate Programs Office in Blacksburg (3210 Torgersen) will be closed all day on Wednesday, November 24th. 3. All offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 29th. 3. Friday, November 26th 1. Add/Drop is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> 4. Monday, November 29th 1. We return for all your add/drop questions and other needs. 2. The Force Add form will open at 12 noon. <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html> Have a good break. ============================================================== *Trey Mayo, M.S.Ed.* *Director of Graduate Programs* Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science Torgersen Hall Suite 3210 620 Drillfield Drive (MC 0106) Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-0780 treymayo(a)vt.edu http://cs.vt.edu “Too bad all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair.” - George Burns “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” - John Dewey “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” - Abraham Lincoln

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From the CSA Force Add Department - Spring 22 Add/Drop Window
by Trey Mayo 18 Nov '21

18 Nov '21

As we get ready for the Thanksgiving Break, and the opening of the Spring 22 add/drop window upon our return, we want to share with you a few reminders. Add/Drop Window for Spring 22 Per the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> the add/drop window for Spring 22 is slated to open at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 26th. Keep checking the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> in case they make any changes. VT Thanksgiving Break Closing VT offices will be closed starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 24th and will remain closed until 8 a.m. on Monday, November 29th. But doesn’t add/drop open…? Yes, this means that our offices will not be open to handle any registration issues (including force adds) when the add/drop window opens. Please note that we will do our best to address any issues (and emails) that arise over that weekend as quickly as possible when we return to the office on Monday, November 29th. We ask for your patience during this process. Force Adds for Spring 22 We have revised and revamped our force add process for Spring 22 which now includes a landing page for you to review prior to submitting your force add request. Please take a moment to review the new Force Add website <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html>. Please pay particular attention to the rules section and reasons why your request may not be processed. When does the Force Add Form open? The Force Add Form will open at 12 noon ET on Monday, November 29th (*after* the add/drop window opens) on the new Force Add website <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html>. Please note that this is a Google Form so you will need to use your VT Google Credentials to access the form. How soon will I find out about my request? With this revamped process, our goal is for a one business day turnaround time for a decision or update. We still ask for your patience with this process. Best wishes for a well deserved semester break and with the remainder of the fall semester. ============================================================== *Trey Mayo, M.S.Ed.* *Director of Graduate Programs* Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science Torgersen Hall Suite 3210 620 Drillfield Drive (MC 0106) Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-0780 treymayo(a)vt.edu http://cs.vt.edu “Too bad all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair.” - George Burns “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” - John Dewey “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” - Abraham Lincoln

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Fwd: Research opportunities related to wireless communications and UAVs (Software development skills highly useful)
by Trey Mayo 18 Nov '21

18 Nov '21

Please see the opportunity below. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Dietrich, Carl <cdietric(a)exchange.vt.edu> Date: Wed, Nov 17, 2021 at 12:03 PM Subject: Research opportunities related to wireless communications and UAVs (Software development skills highly useful) To: Cc: Reed, Jeff <reedjh(a)exchange.vt.edu> Dear All, Please forward the following to any students you know who may be interested. I apologize for sending this to anyone who does not work with students who may have the interests and skills described below. Thank you, Carl … *Wireless@Virginia Tech** is seeking students for research assistantships, for-credit independent studies, and volunteer research on the topics below. **We will consider graduate and undergraduate students in ECE, CS, and others who have relevant experience and who have demonstrated high motivation and effectiveness.* *Individuals from groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are encouraged to apply.* Please apply if you have software development skills, a strong interest in wireless communication technologies and applications, and interest in research. It will also be extremely helpful to have background in one or more of the following areas: radio frequency hardware, information technology/system administration, virtualization, machine learning, unmanned aerial vehicles, and development of educational materials such as lecture slides, videos, simulations, and animation. *Wireless Communications Research Infrastructure* *This project provides a unique opportunity to gain systems engineering and project management related experience, and to network with potential employers at other research institutions. * Co-lead design, development, and testing of a virtualized mobile/portable wireless testbed that includes UAV-based radios. The testbed will enable research on 5G+ wireless communications technologies and applications. *You can also be one of the testbed’s first users, as you run experiments for your own research!* *5G-enabled Smart Warehouse* Perform fundamental research related to 5G-enabled wireless position location systems to be used for inventory tracking in large warehouses. *Test and demonstrate system performance in testbed experiments that use 4G/5G backhaul to enable a wireless position location system for items in a warehouse!* *Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA)* - *Help enable future bandwidth-hungry wireless applications such as intelligent transportation systems, self-driving vehicles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), virtual/augmented reality, and others! * Investigate radio-frequency spectrum sharing using coordinated or decentralized approaches that set the priority of wireless users to access radio frequencies, based on operational context, e.g., weather (important for radio-wave propagation at millimeter-wave frequencies), special events that affect vehicular and wireless traffic, and emergency or non-emergency status. - *Devise an efficient system to scan a wide range of radio frequencies quickly and collect information that can be used to determine which frequencies are occupied, and by what types of signals!* Timely information of this type is a key to effective and efficient dynamic spectrum access. Test your approach using wireless testbed hardware such as software-defined radios to generate signals that use multiple frequencies within the radio spectrum. *Interactive Online Education on DSA Concepts* *Prepare yourself to perform original research while helping others to learn important concepts related to dynamic spectrum access (DSA)!* DSA is a key to enabling fast wireless communication to serve new, beneficial, and profitable applications, and can be made more efficient by understanding characteristics of spectrum-sharing radios, including nonlinear effects in the radios’ receivers. Translate prior research findings into interactive online learning modules, while familiarizing yourself with the topic and identifying your own potential contributions to the understanding and effective implementation of DSA. *A great way to increase competitiveness for academic positions and build multi-media communication skills!* *If Interested, please contact:* Carl Dietrich, Research Assoc. Professor, Bradley Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, *cdietric(a)vt.edu* <cdietric(a)vt.edu> Carl Dietrich Research Associate Professor, Wireless @ Virginia Tech Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 540-231-2963

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Reminder: Admitted Students Day- CS graduate programs @VT
by Sara Hooshangi 15 Nov '21

15 Nov '21

Admitted Students Day (Online): Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83622729845?pwd=OWlNV0hvZ3dlN1R3TUlOMHRWVE80… <https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83622729845?pwd=OWlNV0hvZ3dlN1R3TUlOMHRWVE80…> ID: 836 2272 9845 passcode: csgrad Join us to learn more about the graduate programs in CS and ask questions about next steps you should take before registering for your spring classes (i.e. accepting your offer, creating your PID, choosing your first semester courses, etc.)

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Resend with Corrected Date for Orientation - Registration for Spring 22 and Other Important Information
by Trey Mayo 04 Nov '21

04 Nov '21

As you get ready to either start or continue your graduate studies at VT, here are some important dates and information about course registration for Spring 2022. Admitted Students Day (Online): Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83622729845?pwd=OWlNV0hvZ3dlN1R3TUlOMHRWVE80… ID: 836 2272 9845 passcode: csgrad Join us to learn more about the graduate programs in CS and ask questions about next steps you should take before registering for your spring classes (i.e. accepting your offer, creating your PID, choosing your first semester courses, etc.) Spring 2022 New Student Orientation: Wednesday, January 12th 2022, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET. via Zoom. (Corrected from earlier email). The link will be provided at a later date. When do Spring 2022 classes begin? Spring 2022 classes will begin on Tuesday, January 18th. Spring 2022 Registration: The Web Add/Drop Period for the Spring 2022 semester is scheduled (per the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…>) to open Friday, November 26th at 8 p.m. ET and runs through Friday, January 24th in HokieSpa <http://hokiespa.vt.edu>. The points below will help you with navigating this process. What does this mean? It means that you will have the opportunity to register for your spring 2022 courses. We encourage you to register as early as possible in this window, to improve your chances of getting the classes that you want for the spring term. What other registration-related deadlines (e.g., last day to add or drop and to avoid tuition penalties) should I know about the fall term? Please see the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> on the Office of the University Registrar’s page for all important registration-related deadlines. You will also find the tuition and fee schedule for spring 2022 on the Bursar’s website <http://bursar.vt.edu>. Please also be sure to check the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> and the Bursar’s website <https://www.bursar.vt.edu/> for the last day to drop a class without tuition penalty. What about billing for tuition and fees? Please direct all questions concerning billing for tuition and fees to the Bursar’s Office <http://bursar.vt.edu>. As a general guide, bills for spring 2022 will be generated on December 17, 2021 and have a due date of January 10, 2022. Students who register after December bills go out will receive their bill in January with a TBD due date in February. Please contact the Bursar’s Office <http://bursar.vt.edu> for details. I see there are sections of the same course offered at Blacksburg and the National Capital Region. Does it matter which one I sign up for since they’re all VT? Yes, it very much does matter, even if they are often the same course offering given by the same instructor. You should sign up for sections associated with the campus that you enrolled at. Please be sure to review the Timetable of Classes <https://onecampus.vt.edu/launch-task/all/timetable?terms=timetable> closely when registering for classes. Make sure that you select the right campus on the top menu when you are looking at the schedule. Do not choose Falls Church campus. Northern Virginia students must select NCR. For in-person (face to face) or hybrid classes: Blacksburg students should sign up for classes listed for the Blacksburg campus. National Capital Region (NCR) students should sign up for classes listed for the National Capital Region (NCR). Often the same exact course is available at both campuses but there are TWO separate CRNs (Course Registration Number). You MUST register for the CRN corresponding to your home campus. Depending on the location of the instructor, the actual course is offered at one campus and is broadcast via Zoom to the other campus. Please do not try to register for a CRN at a campus that you do not attend, as you will get a campus restriction error. For online classes (synchronous or asynchronous): Any student may sign up for a virtual campus course, however, please do not make that the first class you submit for registration as it may cause additional challenges when registering for courses either on the Blacksburg campus or the NCR campus. What do I do if a class I want/need is already full? Please review our new Force Add website <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html> for more information on the Force Add process and *possibly* getting into a closed class. The Force Add form will open at 12 noon ET on Monday, November 29th. What if I am an accelerated undergraduate student? Unfortunately, you will not be able to register for graduate level classes on your own in HokieSpa during this window. To register for graduate level classes, please visit our Force Add website <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html> to have your registration processed. The Force Add form will open at 12 noon ET on Monday, November 29th. What if I get a major restriction error? Then you must have the course force-added for you <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html>. If it is not a CS course, then you must ask the department that is offering the class, we cannot add you. What if I get a campus restriction error? Are you sure you are registering for the right campus and the right CRN? Remember, you MUST register for the CRN corresponding to your home campus. What if I [still] get a campus restriction error, even if I am trying to register for a course on my campus? Then it could be that there is some problem with your records that you need to get fixed. Please check Hokie Spa and contact your respective Graduate Program Coordinator (see the very bottom of this email) for assistance.. What if I want to register for a 4000 level course? CS undergraduate courses must be force-added using the undergraduate force-add process <https://cs.vt.edu/Undergraduate/ForceAdd.html>. What if I want to register for a cognate course? CS does not own these courses, so any force-add requests must go to the home department. What if the course has a prerequisite listed on the timetable? You should ask the instructor of the course if your background prepares you to take it. Please note that if the prerequisite is CS5044, then all CSA majors already have this prerequisite. What if there is a hold on my account? Then we can’t add you to the course either. You have to get the hold removed. You can view your active holds through this One Campus portal deep link <https://onecampus.vt.edu/launch-task/all/holds-062033?terms=holds>. As always, should you need assistance or have any questions, please contact your respective Graduate Coordinator below: - M.Eng. - all students - Samantha Pipkin (samanthap(a)vt.edu) - M.S./Ph.D. students - NCR campus - Roxanne Paul (roxpaul(a)vt.edu) M.S./Ph.D. students - Blacksburg campus - Sharon Kinder-Potter ( skpotter(a)vt.edu)

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Registration for Spring 22 and Other Important Information
by Trey Mayo 04 Nov '21

04 Nov '21

As you get ready to either start or continue your graduate studies at VT, here are some important dates and information about course registration for Spring 2022. *Upcoming Holiday Breaks* Please note that VT will close at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday break. We will remain closed until Monday, November 29th. This is important to keep in mind as you read the rest of the information below; particularly with the registration add/drop window. Admitted Students Day (Online): Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83622729845?pwd=OWlNV0hvZ3dlN1R3TUlOMHRWVE80… ID: 836 2272 9845 passcode: csgrad Join us to learn more about the graduate programs in CS and ask questions about next steps you should take before registering for your spring classes (i.e. accepting your offer, creating your PID, choosing your first semester courses, etc.) Spring 2022 New Student Orientation: Wednesday, January 22nd 2022, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET. via Zoom. The link will be provided at a later date. When do Spring 2022 classes begin? Spring 2022 classes will begin on Tuesday, January 18th. Spring 2022 Registration: The Web Add/Drop Period for the Spring 2022 semester is scheduled (per the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…>) to open Friday, November 26th at 8 p.m. ET and runs through Friday, January 24th in HokieSpa <http://hokiespa.vt.edu>. The points below will help you with navigating this process. Please note VT's closing reminder for the Thanksgiving holiday listed above. What does this mean? It means that you will have the opportunity to register for your spring 2022 courses. We encourage you to register as early as possible in this window, to improve your chances of getting the classes that you want for the spring term. What other registration-related deadlines (e.g., last day to add or drop and to avoid tuition penalties) should I know about the fall term? Please see the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> on the Office of the University Registrar’s page for all important registration-related deadlines. You will also find the tuition and fee schedule for spring 2022 on the Bursar’s website <http://bursar.vt.edu>. Please also be sure to check the Academic Calendar <https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/academic-calendar/2021-2022.ht…> and the Bursar’s website <https://www.bursar.vt.edu/> for the last day to drop a class without tuition penalty. What about billing for tuition and fees? Please direct all questions concerning billing for tuition and fees to the Bursar’s Office <http://bursar.vt.edu>. As a general guide, bills for spring 2022 will be generated on December 17, 2021 and have a due date of January 10, 2022. Students who register after December bills go out will receive their bill in January with a TBD due date in February. Please contact the Bursar’s Office <http://bursar.vt.edu> for details. I see there are sections of the same course offered at Blacksburg and the National Capital Region. Does it matter which one I sign up for since they’re all VT? Yes, it very much does matter, even if they are often the same course offering given by the same instructor. You should sign up for sections associated with the campus that you enrolled at. Please be sure to review the Timetable of Classes <https://onecampus.vt.edu/launch-task/all/timetable?terms=timetable> closely when registering for classes. Make sure that you select the right campus on the top menu when you are looking at the schedule. Do not choose Falls Church campus. Northern Virginia students must select NCR. For in-person (face to face) or hybrid classes: Blacksburg students should sign up for classes listed for the Blacksburg campus. National Capital Region (NCR) students should sign up for classes listed for the National Capital Region (NCR). Often the same exact course is available at both campuses but there are TWO separate CRNs (Course Registration Number). You MUST register for the CRN corresponding to your home campus. Depending on the location of the instructor, the actual course is offered at one campus and is broadcast via Zoom to the other campus. Please do not try to register for a CRN at a campus that you do not attend, as you will get a campus restriction error. For online classes (synchronous or asynchronous): Any student may sign up for a virtual campus course, however, please do not make that the first class you submit for registration as it may cause additional challenges when registering for courses either on the Blacksburg campus or the NCR campus. What do I do if a class I want/need is already full? Please review our new Force Add website <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html> for more information on the Force Add process and *possibly* getting into a closed class. The Force Add form will open at 12 noon ET on Monday, November 29th. What if I am an accelerated undergraduate student? Unfortunately, you will not be able to register for graduate level classes on your own in HokieSpa during this window. To register for graduate level classes, please visit our Force Add website <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html> to have your registration processed. The Force Add form will open at 12 noon ET on Monday, November 29th. What if I get a major restriction error? Then you must have the course force-added for you <https://cs.vt.edu/Graduate/grforceadd.html>. If it is not a CS course, then you must ask the department that is offering the class, we cannot add you. What if I get a campus restriction error? Are you sure you are registering for the right campus and the right CRN? Remember, you MUST register for the CRN corresponding to your home campus. What if I [still] get a campus restriction error, even if I am trying to register for a course on my campus? Then it could be that there is some problem with your records that you need to get fixed. Please check Hokie Spa and contact your respective Graduate Program Coordinator (see the very bottom of this email) for assistance.. What if I want to register for a 4000 level course? CS undergraduate courses must be force-added using the undergraduate force-add process <https://cs.vt.edu/Undergraduate/ForceAdd.html>. What if I want to register for a cognate course? CS does not own these courses, so any force-add requests must go to the home department. What if the course has a prerequisite listed on the timetable? You should ask the instructor of the course if your background prepares you to take it. Please note that if the prerequisite is CS5044, then all CSA majors already have this prerequisite. What if there is a hold on my account? Then we can’t add you to the course either. You have to get the hold removed. You can view your active holds through this One Campus portal deep link <https://onecampus.vt.edu/launch-task/all/holds-062033?terms=holds>. As always, should you need assistance or have any questions, please contact your respective Graduate Coordinator below: - M.Eng. - all students - Samantha Pipkin (samanthap(a)vt.edu) - M.S./Ph.D. students - NCR campus - Roxanne Paul (roxpaul(a)vt.edu) - M.S./Ph.D. students - Blacksburg campus - Sharon Kinder-Potter ( skpotter(a)vt.edu)

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Virginia Tech Talent Graduate Scholarship
by Cliff Shaffer 03 Nov '21

03 Nov '21

Master's students (both MEng and MS) who can claim Virginia residency and who are not already on an assistantship (such as GTA or GRA) should consider applying for the Virginia Tech Talent Graduate Scholarship. For details, see https://vt.academicworks.com/opportunities/35298. -- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer

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Information coming soon on registration, orientation, etc.
by Cliff Shaffer 02 Nov '21

02 Nov '21

Hello! I hope that things are going well for you! I just want to let you know two things right now. 1) We are about to send a long email with information about how to register for Spring classes (this can be done toward the end of November), an online "Admitted Students Day" session in a couple of weeks, and the details on our formal new student orientation session during the week before classes start. 2) If you are an MS or PhD student and you would like to apply for a GTA position for this Spring semester, then you should go to https://hosting.cs.vt.edu/gta/ and click the button to fill out the Spring 2022 CS GTA application. A few of you have been promised a GTA already. You still need to fill out the form if you have not already done so, since we need to know what courses you would be able to GTA for. MEng students please note that we will NOT consider you for a GTA position, so please do not fill out the form. I am looking forward to meeting you in January! But if you have decided NOT to attend Virginia Tech this Spring, then please let me know. Thank you! -- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer

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