Computer Science - MS Graduate Handbook

Computer Science

M.S. Graduate Handbook

Thesis and Non-Thesis including

concentrations in

a) Arts, Media, & Engineering,

b) Big Data Systems,

c) Bio-Medical Informatics, and

d) Cybersecurity

2022 - 2023

MANUAL OF THE M.S. DEGREE IN

COMPUTER SCIENCE

AND

CONCENTRATIONS

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

2022 - 2023

CSE graduate degrees, please contact:

Office of Graduate Programs

School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Arizona State University

PO Box 878809

Tempe, AZ 85287-8809

PHONE: (480) 965-3199

CSE on the web: https://scai.engineering.asu.edu/graduate-computer-science/

E-mail address: [email protected]

Updated August 2022

Table of Contents

I. Introduction to the computer science program ................................................................................... 1

II. Objective of the handbook ................................................................................................................... 2

III. Student responsibility .......................................................................................................................... 2

IV. Wellness Resources ............................................................................................................................. 2

V. Faculty responsibility ........................................................................................................................... 2

VI. Admission and eligibility to the MS degree programs ................................................................... 3

Eligibility. .................................................................................................................................... 3

Application. ................................................................................................................................. 3

Application deadlines .................................................................................................................. 3

GRE scores. ................................................................................................................................. 3

TOEFL/English Proficiency. ....................................................................................................... 3

Personal statement. ...................................................................................................................... 3

GPA requirement......................................................................................................................... 4

Application evaluation. ............................................................................................................... 4

Deficiencies. ................................................................................................................................ 4

Notice of Admission.................................................................................................................... 5

Pre-admission Credits and Transfer Credit ................................................................................. 5

Transfer between Programs ......................................................................................................... 5

VII. MS Degree Requirements ................................................................................................................. 5

a. Formulation of the Plan of Study ............................................................................................ 6

b. Selection of Faculty Advisor ................................................................................................. 12

c. Thesis Supervisory Committee ............................................................................................. 12

d. Thesis .................................................................................................................................... 13

e. Project Portfolio …………………………………………………………………..…………………14

VIII. General Information, Policies, and Procedures .......................................................................... 14

a. Research Standards for Publication of Thesis ....................................................................... 14

b. Financial Assistance and/or Fellowships .............................................................................. 15

c. Continuous Enrollment .......................................................................................................... 15

d. Leave of Absence Policies .................................................................................................... 15

e. Maximum Time Limit ........................................................................................................... 16

f. Registration Requirements for Research Assistants (RA) and Teaching Assistants (TA) .... 16

g. Policy for Maintaining Academic Satisfactory Progress ...................................................... 16

h. Filing for Graduation ............................................................................................................. 18

i. Academic Integrity ................................................................................................................. 18

j. CSE 584 Internship ................................................................................................................ 19

k. CSE 590 Independent Study ................................................................................................. 20

l. Engineering Student Organizations........................................................................................ 20

m. Instructional Concerns and Course-Related Complaints ..................................................... 20

Appendix I - Absent Committee Member Procedure .......................................................................... 25

I. Introduction to the Computer Science Program

The Master of Science in Computer Science offers a non-thesis and a thesis option. The thesis

option is a research-oriented degree, ideal for students interested in researching a complex

problem with faculty. The non-thesis option has a project portfolio component. The non-thesis

option is ideal for students interested in learning the science of computers with students and

faculty in a non-research environment. The M.S. program provides numerous opportunities for

interdisciplinary study. Within this degree, students can concentrate their studies in the following

areas:

• Arts, Media, and Engineering (AME) – Thesis,

• Big Data Systems (BDS) – Thesis and non-thesis option,

• Biomedical Informatics (BMI) - Thesis, and

• Cybersecurity (CS) – Thesis and non-thesis option.

Here at ASU’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI), formerly the School

of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering (CIDSE), we envision a society

where secure, accurate, and current information is ubiquitously available and data is seamlessly

collected, managed, and converted into information that entertains individuals, empowers

businesses, and guides the decisions of both in their daily affairs.

We envision our school as a community recognized by its colleagues internationally as a leader

in envisioning and enabling the information-driven society and by its students as a preferred

location for acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to this vision.

We envision a community of scholars cooperatively engaged in transdisciplinary research

addressing the grand challenges of modern society and supporting the intellectual growth of

students and colleagues.

Our mission is to benefit society through excellence in education, use-inspired research from

basic to translational, and leadership in service to the profession and community. We seek to

provide a supportive environment that promotes creativity, diversity, multidisciplinary teaming,

scholarship, and ethical behavior in order to advance knowledge and practice in computing,

information and decision technologies to enhance society.

ASU prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. To view ASU’s policy

please see https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html.

Title IX protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or

activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. As required by Title IX, ASU does

not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that we operate,

including in admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be

referred to the Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education, Assistant Secretary,

or both. Contact [email protected] or 480-965-0696 for more information. Office

located at 1120 S. Cady Mall, INTDSB 284. For information on making a report please go to

www.asu.edu/reportit/.

II. Objective of the handbook

The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance and information related to admission,

degree requirements, and general policies and procedures. In some cases, you will find

differences between the Graduate College policies and procedures and the computer science

program requirements. In these cases, the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) program has

established higher standards. Students must satisfy both sets of requirements. Policies and

procedures are occasionally amended to improve the program. Changes will be communicated to

students through e-mail, which is our primary form of communication. Any updates to this

handbook will be posted on our website https://scai.engineering.asu.edu/.

III. Student responsibility

All students are expected to become familiar with university and program policies and

procedures and abide by the terms set forth. Information is available online at the following

websites:

• The Graduate College – http://graduate.asu.edu

• Graduate College policies and procedures - https://graduate.asu.edu/policies-procedures

• The Computer Science program – https://scai.engineering.asu.edu/graduate-computer-

science/

• The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering – http://engineering.asu.edu

• The International Students and Scholars Center – https://issc.asu.edu/, if applicable.

IV. Wellness Resources

We believe graduate education provides an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and expertise,

and during our studies, we may face challenges and hardships that can affect our wellbeing. The

Graduate College and the ASU Graduate Student Association have put together resources and

best practices guides to help your educational journey. Should you need additional guidance and

support, we encourage you to contact a graduate advisor at the SCAI Graduate Advising Office.

• “Graduate Wellness Resources” – a one-page guide to Financial, Social, Emotional, and

Physical Health and Wellness Resources for ASU Graduate Students, developed by the

GPSA

• “10 Best Practices in Graduate Student Wellbeing” – proven ways to help graduate

students better care for themselves under the increasing demands of graduate school

V. Faculty responsibility

The members of the faculty of computer science have diverse backgrounds and knowledge.

Students interested in doing research are encouraged to take the opportunity to make individual

appointments with faculty members with whom they have common interests. They are available

to assist students who are researching, with their plan of study, and with their educational and

career goals. Please refer to the SCAI website for a list of the faculty names, areas of expertise,

and research interests.

VI. Admission and eligibility to the MS degree programs

The Computer Science MS degree requires a background in engineering, math, sciences, or

closely related fields. However, in some cases, students with non-traditional educational

backgrounds will be considered for admission. These students may be required to take

foundational courses to better prepare for the graduate coursework. A student is encouraged to

contact a graduate advisor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence Advising

Center to obtain advice on their educational pursuits.

Eligibility - Before applying to the CS MS program, students are required to have completed 2

semesters or 8 credit hours of calculus. Additionally, applicants will not be admitted if they have

more than 2 deficiencies as identified under the "Deficiencies" and "Deficiency Test-Out Exam"

sections below.

Application - All students are required to submit an application to the Office of Graduate

Admissions https://admission.asu.edu/graduate and pay the required fee to have their application

properly processed.

Application deadlines – December 1 for Fall and August 1 for Spring:

To receive full consideration, please submit all required documents by the deadline.

GRE scores – GRE scores are required for to be considered for admission to this program.

Exceptions to this policy include SCAI undergraduate graduates as well as STEM undergraduate

majors at ASU that have a GPA equal to or greater than 3.75. STEM means Science

(encompassing biological, physical, chemical, and computing sciences), Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics. Submit official general Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

scores directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The average GRE scores for students

admitted into the M.S. program have been 153 or 63 percentile verbal, 163 or 88 percentiles

quantitative, and 4.0 analytical. However, admission decisions are made based on the entire

application packet. We do not require specific subject GRE scores. The ASU institution code is

4007. If a department code is required, use 000 for GRE.

English Proficiency - The University requires all international applicants from a country whose

native language is not English to provide the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or

the International English Language Testing System (IETLS) scores. CSE uses an average score

of 575 (paper-based) or 90 (internet-based) for TOEFL, or 7 for IETLS, or 65 for Pearson, or 115

for Duolingo for admission. Please note that your application will not be processed until the

university receives official English Proficiency scores, which are valid for two years from

the start date of the degree program. Exemption from the English Proficiency requirement

can be determined by visiting the Graduate Admission site under English Proficiency. Please

address all English Proficiency questions to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The ASU

institution code is 4007. If a department code is required, use 99 for TOEFL.

Personal statement - The application must include a personal statement. The statement should

explain professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in the M.S. program; a student

interested in pursuing a thesis option should describe any research experience, indicate personal

research interests, and identify two or three ASU CSE faculty members with matching research

interests.

GPA requirement - To be considered for the MS program, we require a minimum cumulative

GPA of 3.25 in the last 60 credit hours of the undergraduate degree.

Application evaluation - Several factors are taken into consideration when evaluating a

student’s application: the student’s cumulative GPA, major, institution, personal statement,

standardized test scores, and performance in individual courses.

Deficiencies - Depending on an applicant's prior academic preparation and accomplishments,

deficiency courses may be assigned to ensure adequate background preparation.

Below is a list of prerequisite courses, along with the associated ASU course numbers:

• CSE 230 - Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming

• CSE 310 - Data Structures and Algorithms

• CSE 330 - Operating Systems

• CSE 340 - Principles of Programming Languages or

CSE 355 - Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science

Deficiency coursework completed with a grade of “C” or better will satisfy the

requirements.

Students have three options to meet the assigned deficiency exam: Waiver process, Test-

out exam, or enrolling in the course and passing with a grade of “C” or better.

Deficiencies must be completed within a year of starting the program

Option 1: Waiver Process: Students wishing to have their course syllabi examined as

evidence that deficiencies have been satisfied must submit a petition. The request will

need to be submitted using the Petition for Reevaluation of Deficiency Course form along

with supporting documents such as a syllabus, catalog description, and university

transcripts (including the grade scale), to prove that you have met the requirements. Be

advised that the documents you uploaded during the admission application have been

evaluated, so a reevaluation petition should only be submitted if you have new

information to provide. Once the petition has been reviewed, it is final. There will be no

future petition or consideration request. If, after evaluation, the petition is not approved,

the student may choose to take the deficiency test-out examination.

Option 2: Deficiency test-out exam - Prior to fall and spring semesters, an online course

proficiency examination (CPE) is provided to allow students entering with deficiencies

(listed in the admission letter) to take a test to establish whether they possess basic

knowledge of the course material sufficient to have an assigned deficiency waived. The

cost for each subject examination is $59, payable at the time of registration. Students

have a maximum of two attempts for each subject. This scheduled testing period is the

only opportunity for deficiency test-outs. No other arrangements will be made for

students to test out of assigned deficiencies.

Option 3: Enrolling in the course. Students who could not clear their assigned

deficiency through the waiver process or deficiency test-out exam are required to enroll

and pass the course(s) in their first year. A student has a total of two attempts to clear the

deficiency. Students assigned CSE 340 have the option of enrolling CSE 340 or CSE

355. For CSE 340/355, the two attempts are combined. A student cannot take CSE 340

twice and CSE 355 twice in order to clear their deficiency, as this would total four

attempts.

Notice of Admission - CSE submits its recommendation of admission to the Office of Graduate

Admissions; the Office of Graduate Admissions sends the final admission decision to the

applicant in writing. You may check your application status on My ASU (my.asu.edu).

Pre-admission Credits and Transfer Credit

The CSE Program allows a student to transfer a maximum of six (6) credit hours of graduate

coursework from another accredited institution. The graduate-level credit hours course must

have grades of “B” or better and must not have been not used toward a previous degree, per

Graduate College policy. Pre-admission credits must have been taken within three years of

admission to the ASU degree program to be accepted. A course with a grade of “Pass”, “Credit”,

or “Satisfactory” is not acceptable for transfer. A student who wishes to transfer credits from

another institution should contact a graduate advisor in the SCAI Advising Center to initiate the

transfer credit process. Acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of the CSE Program. See

the Pre-Admission Credit section of the Graduate College Policies and Procedures Manual for

more details.

Transfer between Programs

A student who would like to change from a Ph.D. to a Master’s or change Master's degree

programs within Computer Science (adding, removing, or changing concentrations) should

follow the Computer Science Degree Change process. With approval, twelve credit hours are

eligible for transfer into the Master’s program with grades of “B” or better within the last three

years. Likewise, an MCS online student who would like to switch to the MS Tempe campus

must meet all the admission requirements and, with approval, may transfer twelve credit hours

with grades of “B” or better on courses taken within the last three years.

Students who want to change from a Master’s to a Ph.D. in Computer Science must submit a

new application to ASU Graduate Admissions. Admission to the Ph.D. program is not

guaranteed. If admitted, the student is allowed to transfer only 12 credits of courses taken within

the last three years with grades of “B” or better from the original uncompleted master’s program

to the new program.

VII. MS Degree Requirements

Degree requirements for the MS include a minimum of 30 semester hours, not including

deficiency courses and CSE 584 - CPT credits.

The MS is comprised of three major milestones, which all students are required to complete

successfully prior to graduation:

a) Completion of coursework.

b) Filing an approved plan of study.

c) Successful oral defense of an approved written thesis or a completion of a project

portfolio.

An accelerated computer science degree (4+1) BS-BSE/MS program is available for ASU

undergraduate computer science and computer systems engineering students. There are also

Cybersecurity, Big Data Systems, Biomedical Informatics, and Arts, Media, and Engineering

concentrations. The accelerated program allows a maximum of 9 credit hours to be shared with

both their undergraduate and graduate programs and 3 credit hours reserved in the undergrad to

be applied for the graduate program.

Satisfactory Progress as an incoming 4+1 Graduate Student: All 4+1 students must maintain

a GPA of 3.0 or higher (Cumulative, Graduate and IPOS). If a student falls below a 3.0 GPA,

they are placed on probation and provided the timeframe in which the GPA must be raised to the

satisfactory level. Students who do not raise their GPA to a 3.0 within the provided timeline risk

dismissal from the program. Please Note: any 500 level courses taken as an undergraduate

student will immediately count towards your satisfactory progress GPA calculation once you

become a graduate student.

a. Formulation of the Plan of Study

A student must submit a plan of study (iPOS) online through My ASU before the end of their first

semester of attendance. The final iPOS is subject to approval by the Graduate Program Chair and

the supervisory committee for thesis students. Thesis students need to finalize their committee in

their 3

semester. After approval at the school level, the iPOS is forwarded to the Graduate

College for final approval.

The iPOS must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved graduate-level work. At

least 24 of these hours must be CSE-5XX credits at ASU. Exceptions will be made for the AME

and the BMI program to the 24 credit hours of CSE 5XX requirement. A maximum of 6 credit

hours of 400-level coursework may be allowed on the iPOS per Graduate College guidelines. All

30 semester hours must be from formal course work (including CSE 591, 594, and 598). CSE

590 is allowed only for students completing the thesis option. Students need to be mindful of

course antirequisites at the time of registration. Specifically, students may not take and count

both CSE 450/551 or CSE 511/512 and IEE 520/ CSE 572 due to being classified as

antirequisites in the academic catalog due significant overlap between the courses.

In addition to meeting the requirements specified above, a student must also pass an oral thesis

defense or complete a project portfolio. All non-thesis students must complete a project portfolio

from two courses in which the student received a "B" (3.00) grade or higher.

All students must take and pass at least three credit hours in each of the three core courses:

Foundations, Systems, and Applications. Transfer credits cannot count towards meeting the

core area requirement unless the credit was earned at ASU (course lists available at:

https://scai.engineering.asu.edu/graduate-computer-science/ ).

Approved 400- and 4XX/5XX_level courses: A maximum of 6 credit hours of 400-level

coursework is allowed. A maximum of 12 hours of a combination of 400-level and cross-listed

courses (4XX/5XX) is allowed. If a 400-level course is cross-listed with a 500-level course,

students will be required to enroll in the 500-level course. Non-CSE pre-fix courses outside the

unit require the Program Chair’s approval before enrolling it to count towards the degree

requirement (CSE 4XX course lists available at: https://scai.engineering.asu.edu/graduate-

computer-science/).

What is not allowed for non-CSE electives:

1. A graduate course from some other program which is similar to or is a subset of an

undergraduate course in Computer Science.

2. A graduate course from some other program which substantially overlaps (say more than

30%) with a course that they have taken or are planning to take.

If you are asking about a course from another program that sounds similar to a course that you

have taken or planning to take, then please submit the syllabus of both and an explanation why

you think the overlap is less than 30%.

MS in Computer Science (Thesis Option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a thesis.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

Foundations (3)

Systems (3)

Applications (3)

Elective or Research Courses: 15 credit hours

Of these 15 hours, nine must be in their research area and approved by their faculty

advisor; up to 6 of these hours can be CSE 590 Reading and Conference (as Independent

Study). Coursework selected as part of the core may not be used as elective coursework

on the same study plan.

Culminating Experience: 6 credit hours

CSE 599 Thesis

Note: Students must successfully pass a thesis defense to graduate.

MS in Computer Science (Non-Thesis Option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a portfolio.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

• Foundations (3)

• Systems (3)

• Applications (3)

Elective Courses: 21 credit hours

Students choose 21 credit hours of other elective coursework approved in their plan of study.

Coursework selected as part of the core may not be used as elective coursework on the same

study plan.

Culminating Experience: Project Portfolio, 0 credit hours

MS in Computer Science (Cybersecurity) – Thesis Option

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a thesis.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

Foundations (3)

Systems (3)

Applications (3)

Required Concentration Courses: 9 credit hours

Require 3 credit hours

• CSE 543: Information Assurance and Security (3)

Choose 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the following:

• CSE 539 Applied Cryptography (3)

• CSE 545: Software Security (3)

• CSE 548: Advanced Computer Network Security (3)

Elective or Research Courses: 6 credit hours

This may include up to 6 hours of CSE 590 Reading and Conference as Independent

Study. Coursework selected as part of the core or concentration may not be used as

elective coursework on the same plan of study. CSE 580, 584, 592, 593, and 595 do not

count as electives.

Culminating Experience: 6 credit hours

CSE 599 Thesis

Note: Students must successfully pass a thesis defense to graduate.

MS in Computer Science (Cybersecurity) (Non-Thesis Option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a portfolio.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

• Foundations (3)

• Systems (3)

• Applications (3)

Required Concentration Courses: 9 credit hours

Require 3 credit hours

• CSE 543: Information Assurance and Security (3)*

Choose 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the following*:

• CSE 539 Applied Cryptography (3)

• CSE 545: Software Security (3)

• CSE 548: Advanced Computer Network Security (3)

Electives: 12 credit hours*

*If a student selects any of the concentration courses that are also listed as a core course,

additional coursework may be required to complete the degree. Students should check with their

academic advisor to ensure that 30 total credit hours are listed in their plan of study.

Culminating Experience: Project Portfolio, 0 credit hours

MS in Computer Science (Arts, Media, and Engineering) (Thesis Option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a thesis.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

Foundations (3)

Systems (3)

Applications (3)

Required Concentration Courses: 9 credit hours of AME 5XX coursework in Arts,

Media, and Engineering.

• AME 511 Advanced Interactive Sound (3)

• AME 515 Machine Vision and Pattern Recognition (3)

• AME 520 Understanding Activity (3)

• AME 532 Media Synthesis (3)

• AME 535 Mobile Development

• AME 570 Programming for Social and Interactive Media (3)

• AME 598 Special Topics (3) with the approval of the thesis chair

Elective or Research Courses: 6 credit hours

This may include up to 6 hours of CSE 590 Reading and Conference as Independent

Study. Coursework selected as part of the core or concentration may not be used as

elective coursework on the same plan of study. CSE 580, 584, 592, 593, and 595 do not

count as electives.

Culminating Experience: 6 credit hours

CSE 599 Thesis (4)

AME 599 Thesis (2)

Note: Students must successfully pass a thesis defense to graduate.

MS in Computer Science (Biomedical Informatics) (Thesis Option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a thesis.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

Foundations (3)

Systems (3)

Applications (3)

Required Concentration Courses: 9 credit hours of coursework in Biomedical

Informatics:

• BMI 601 Health Informatics (3)

• BMI 502 Foundations of BMI Methods I (3)

Select 1 from the list below:

• BMI 505 Foundations of BMI Methods II (3)

• BMI 517 Adv Biostats Biomed Research (3)

• BMI 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3)

• BMI 598 Topic: Knowledge Management and Engineering (3)

• BMI 615 Human Factors Eng Biomed App (3)

• BMI 616 Clinical Decision Support (3)

Elective or Research Courses: 6 credit hours

This may include up to 6 hours of CSE 590 Reading and Conference as Independent

study. CSE 580, 584, 592, 593, and 595 do not count as electives.

Students will focus their research in one of the following areas:

• bioinformatics

• biomedical informatics

• clinical informatics

• imaging informatics

• public health informatics

Culminating Experience: 6 credit hours

CSE 599 Thesis

Note: Students must successfully pass a thesis defense to graduate.

MS in Computer Science (Big Data Systems Concentration) (Thesis option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a thesis.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

Foundations (3)

Systems (3)

Applications (3)

Required Concentration Courses: 9 credit hours

• CSE 510 Database Management System Implementation (3)

• CSE 512 Distributed Database Systems (3)

• CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)

Restricted Electives: An additional 6 credit hours is required from the following courses:

• CSE 515 Multimedia and Web Databases (3)

• CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)

• CSE 573 Semantic Web Mining (3)

• CSE 575 Statistical Machine Learning (3)

• CSE 578 Data Visualization (3)

CSE 594 Spatial Data Science and Engineering (3)

Courses that are used to satisfy the concentration requirement on the plan of study cannot be

used to satisfy the core requirement.

Culminating Experience: 6 credit hours

CSE 599 Thesis (6)

Total required credit hours: 30

Note: Students must successfully pass a thesis defense to graduate.

MS in Computer Science (Big Data Systems Concentration) (Non-Thesis option)

This program requires the following: 30 credit hours and a portfolio.

Required Core Courses: 9 credit hours

• Foundations (3)

• Systems (3)

• Applications (3)

Required Concentration Courses: The following 9 credit hours

• CSE 510 Database Management System Implementation (3)

• CSE 512 Distributed Database Systems (3)

• CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)

Electives: 6 credit hours from the following*

• CSE 515 Multimedia and Web Databases (3)

• CSE 546 Cloud Computing (3)

• CSE 573 Semantic Web Mining (3)

• CSE 575 Statistical Machine Learning (3)

• CSE 578 Data Visualization (3)

• CSE 594 Spatial Data Science and Engineering (3)

Courses that are used to satisfy the concentration requirement on the plan of study cannot be

used to satisfy the core requirement.

Electives: 6 credit hours*

*Additional elective coursework may be required. If a student selects any of the concentration

courses that are also listed as a core area course, additional coursework may be required to

complete the degree. Students should check with their academic advisor to ensure that the total

credit hours of their plan of study are equal to 30.

Culminating Experience: Project Portfolio, 0 credit hours

b. Selection of Faculty Advisor – Thesis Option

When a student has decided on a primary area of research, the student must select a faculty

advisor in that area of study. The faculty advisor must have the right to chair computer science

committees. The faculty advisor will serve as the chair of the supervisory committee that

supervises the student's thesis. A list of faculty with the right to chair can be found on the

Graduate College’s faculty website: https://graduateapps.asu.edu/graduate-faculty.

In cases where a student identifies a faculty with the right to co-chair for their thesis, he/she

needs to secure a second faculty with the right to chair. Both faculty with be serving as co-chairs

for the student’s thesis in the plan of study.

c. Thesis Supervisory Committee

In consultation, the faculty advisor and the student select a supervisory committee of at least

three members. The supervisory committee must include the faculty advisor(s) (thesis chair or

two co-chairs) and one or two committee members. For students in the Cybersecurity, BDS,

BMI, and AME concentrations, at least one member of the student's committee must be from that

concentration.

The composition of the committee must be in accordance with the guidelines of Graduate

College. Once the committee is established, changes to the committee are highly discouraged.

Any changes to the committee must be submitted by completing a Graduate Committee Change

form that is signed by the student and all members of the student’s committee.

The supervisory committee approves the subject and title of the thesis and advises the student

during the formulation of the research topic and the completion of the research and thesis.

d. Thesis

A student must be enrolled in at least one graduate-level credit at the time of the defense. If

holding the defense during the interim period between semesters, the student must be registered

for the following semester. For example, if defending during the period between the spring and

summer semester, you the student must be registered for the summer session. Please see the

Graduate College policies.

The Graduate College publishes information regarding thesis preparation, formal requirements,

deadlines, and oral examinations. The student must comply with all guidelines that the Graduate

College publishes regarding submitting a thesis and the scheduling of a thesis defense.

Once the thesis is completed, the student will submit it to the committee members. There will be

an open oral defense following the completion of the thesis. A student can schedule the defense

after securing approval from the thesis chair and obtaining approval from Graduate College for

the formatted thesis document. The student must schedule their defense through MyASU at least

10 working days prior to the defense date.

The supervisory committee evaluates the thesis and the student’s performance on the defense.

The committee votes the thesis as pass, pass with changes (major or minor), or fail. A decision to

fail is final.

Please see Appendix I for Absent Committee Member Procedures.

Steps to Preparing for Your Defense

Prior to defense:

1. Obtain a consensus of approval from the committee chair and the members to

proceed with the oral defense.

2. Schedule a date and time with your committee for the oral defense.

3. Important: Ensure that a minimum of 50% of the official committee is physically

present at the defense. If at least 50% of the committee cannot be physically

present, the defense must be rescheduled. More on absent committee members.

4. Visit the Graduate College website to become familiar with the dates and

deadlines on format approval and oral defense.

10 days prior to the defense:

These steps are required to be completed at least 10 working days prior to the date of the

oral defense.

1. Reserve a room with the SCAI Main Office front desk (BYENG 502).

2. Submit an electronic version of your abstract with title, full names of your

committee members, defense date/time/place, and your name as you want it to

appear on the defense announcement to the SCAI Main Office front desk. In the

defense announcement, include a Zoom link for participants who are not able to

attend in person.

3. Schedule your defense through My ASU with the Graduate College.

On the day of the defense:

1. Set up all your equipment at least one half-hour prior to your presentation to make

sure it works.

After the defense:

1. Your committee will discuss the results of the exam with you and may have

additional comments for you. In the end, the committee will make a

recommendation: Pass, Pass with minor revisions, Pass with major revisions, or

Fail.

2. A fail decision is final.

3. Revisions are normal and are expected to be completed within one year. A

student must remain registered until the finished document has been uploaded to

ProQuest.

4. Follow the steps on My ASU for uploading your final thesis through the Graduate

College and ProQuest.

e. Project Portfolio

All students admitted to the MS (Non-Thesis) degree program must complete a project portfolio.

The portfolio is a compilation of two completed projects that were finished in two MS program

courses; students must write a portfolio report that includes the highlights of the two projects.

All CSE 500-level regular courses are eligible for the portfolio as long as the student can get an

attestation from the instructor that they have done at least 30% of the project work for the course

in combination with an in-class project and additional out-of-class (self-study) work. For

students pursuing concentration, one of the two portfolios must be from the concentration

courses or the restricted electives for the concentration. The student must have received a

final grade of “B” or better in the course to use it for their portfolio.

VIII. General Information, Policies, and Procedures

a. Research Standards for Publication of Thesis

Graduate research is the study of an issue that is of sufficient breadth and depth to be

publishable in a CSE-related journal. The effort should reflect a minimum of 750 hours

of thoughtful work. The research should follow the “scientific method” and be both

objective and reproducible. The thesis should demonstrate independent, original, and

creative inquiry. There should be predefined hypotheses or developmental goals and

objectives that are measurable and can be tested. The document should demonstrate

proficiency in written English and should conform to the Graduate College format

guidelines. Publication of a research paper is not required for thesis defense.

b. Financial Assistance and/or Fellowships

There are limited funds for MS and PhD students. Students are encouraged to pursue

assistantships outside of CSE and not limit their search to only CSE. Information

regarding other sources of financial assistance is available on the following websites:

• Financial aid: https://students.asu.edu/financialaid

• Graduate College: https://graduate.asu.edu/pay-for-college

• Fulton: https://graduate.engineering.asu.edu/graduate-fellowships/

c. Continuous Enrollment

Once admitted to a graduate degree program, students must be registered for a minimum

of one credit hour during all phases of their graduate education, including the term in

which they graduate. This includes periods when students are engaged in research,

working on or defending theses, or in any other way utilizing university resources,

facilities, or faculty time.

Registration for every fall and spring semester is required. Summer registration is

required for students taking examinations, completing culminating experiences,

defending theses, or graduating from the degree program.

To maintain continuous enrollment, the credit hour(s) must:

• Appear on the student’s Plan of Study, OR

• Be research (592, 792), thesis (599), dissertation (799), or continuing registration

(595, 795), OR

• Be a graduate-level course.

Grades of “W” and/or “X” are not valid registration for continuous enrollment purposes.

“W” grades are received when a student officially withdraws from a course after the

add/drop period. “X” grades are received for audit courses. Additionally, students

completing work for a course in which they received a grade of “I” must maintain

continuous enrollment as defined previously. Graduate students have one year to

complete work for an incomplete grade; if the work is not completed and the grade

changed within one year, the “I” grade becomes permanent. Additional information

regarding incomplete grades can be found at http://asu.edu/aad/manuals/ssm/ssm203-

09.html.

d. Leave of Absence Policies

Graduate students planning to discontinue registration for a semester due to extenuating

circumstances must submit a request for a Leave of Absence through their iPOS.

Requests should have enough detail to fully understand the situation and steps you

should take so that you can continue in the next semester. This request must be

submitted and approved before the anticipated semester of non-registration. Students may

request a maximum of two semesters during their entire program.

Having a Leave of Absence approved by the Graduate College will enable students to re-

enter their program without re-applying to the university. Students who do not register for

a fall or spring semester without an approved Leave of Absence are considered

withdrawn from the university under the assumption that they have decided to

discontinue their program. Students removed for this reason may re-apply for admission

to resume their degree program; the application will be considered along with all other

new applications to the degree program.

A student with a Graduate College-approved Leave of Absence is not required to pay

tuition and/or fees, but in turn, is not permitted to place any demands on university

faculty or use any university resources. These resources include university libraries,

laboratories, recreation facilities, or faculty time.

e. Maximum Time Limit

Master’s students must complete all program requirements within a six-year period. The

six-year period starts with the semester and year of admission to the Master’s program.

Graduate courses taken prior to admission that are included in the plan of study must

have been completed within three years of the semester and year of admission to the

program.

Any exceptions must be approved by the supervisory committee (thesis students),

Graduate Program Chair, and the Graduate College Dean. The Graduate College may

withdraw students who are unable to complete all degree requirements and graduate

within the allowed maximum time limit.

f. Registration Requirements for Research Assistants (RA) and Teaching Assistants

(TA)

Students awarded an assistantship within the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering are

required to be registered for 12 credit hours. Audit credit hours do not count toward the

12 credit hours.

Students who obtain an assistantship outside the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering are

required to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Audit credit does not count

toward the 6 credit hours. Enrollment in continuing registration (CSE 595) does not count

toward the 6-hour requirement.

TAs and RAs are considered residents for tuition purposes. To be eligible for tuition

remission, TAs and RAs must be employed for a minimum of 10 hours per week (25

percent Full-Time Equivalency {FTE}). TAs/RAs working 10-19 hours per week (25-49

percent FTE) receive a 50 percent remission of tuition for the semester or summer session

of their employment. TAs/RAs working 20 hours per week (50 percent FTE) do not pay

tuition during the semester of their employment. In addition, the university pays the

individual health insurance premium for TAs and RAs working 20 hours per week (50

percent FTE). The TA/RA offer does not cover additional fees beyond tuition. In addition

to a tuition waiver, students receive a stipend as specified in their offer.

g. Policy for Maintaining Academic Satisfactory Progress

At the end of the student’s first completed semester and every semester thereafter, the

school will conduct an audit to determine if the student is maintaining the required

minimum satisfactory progress, including progress on academic (GPAs and deficiencies)

and probationary issues. Any student that is not in compliance with the satisfactory

academic/ progress requirements is notified that she/he is either

• on academic probation and is given the next 9 credit hours or two semesters (fall

and spring) to bring the GPA up to the proper level or

• on continued progress probation and is required to meet the conditions outlined in

the continued probation letter.

Failure to properly remediate the GPA or the conditions outlined in the letter within the

time frame will result in the school recommending that the student be dismissed from the

program.

Note: Fully admitted students who take optional summer courses are placed on

probation after the summer term if the earned grade(s) causes their GPA to fall below the

satisfactory progress GPA minimum.

If applicable, the above-noted audit will also review each student’s progress towards

removing enrollment deficiency courses and/or any other degree requirement

milestone(s). Failure to satisfactorily complete all deficiency course(s) and/or required

milestones by the stipulated deadline may result in a recommendation for dismissal to the

Graduate College.

Each semester, the computer science program reviews student performance for

satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree. All students fall into one of the

following four categories; those in categories 2-4 are placed on probation or withdrawn

from the program:

1) Satisfactory progress;

2) Academic probation;

3) Progress probation;

4) Withdrawal from the CSE program.

1. Satisfactory progress means that a student does not have any academic or

progress probationary issues. For thesis students, satisfactory progress includes

communicating each semester with the student’s committee chair regarding his or

her progress.

2. Academic Probation

A student who has been admitted to a graduate degree program in SCAI with

either regular or provisional admission status must maintain a grade point average

(GPA) of 3.0:

1. in all work taken for graduate credit (courses numbered 500 or higher),

2. in the coursework on the student’s approved iPOS (interactive plan of

study), and

3. in all coursework taken at ASU (overall GPA) post-baccalaureate.

4. And/or have a grade below “C” in their deficiency course (s).

A student will be placed on academic probation if one or more of the student's

GPAs listed above falls below 3.0 after all grades have been posted for the

semester. Students will be notified by e-mail when placed on academic probation.

A student will achieve good academic standing by obtaining a semester 3.0 or

better in the GPAs listed above by the time the next nine graduate hours are

completed. A maximum of two semesters is allowed to complete the nine hours of

graduate-level coursework to raise the GPA, whichever comes first. Coursework

such as research and thesis registration that is for Z or Y grades cannot be

included in these nine hours. Hence, it is strongly recommended students focus on

improving their grades and meeting deficiency requirements over research, and

thesis, registration.

Students who chose to take graduate coursework and not enroll in deficiency

courses the following semester will be subject to dismissal.

3. Progress probation pertains to issues regarding making progress toward a

degree. The following are notices/letters a student will receive if one of these

pertains to their academics:

• Lack of progress toward completing deficiencies as listed on the

admission letter.

• Failure to stay in communication with their Thesis Chair each

semester.

• Failure to submit an iPOS by the end of the 1

semester.

• Failure to finalize the Supervisory Committee, for the thesis option, by

the end of the 3rd semester.

4. Withdrawal from the CSE program:

An M.S. student may be removed from the program for any of the above-

mentioned reasons.

A student is recommended for withdrawal from the CSE program if he or she fails

to meet the probationary requirements in the probationary letter within the

specified time limit. The student will receive a letter from the computer science

program explaining the reasons for the withdrawal. The student will have five

calendar days from the date of the letter to appeal the decision. The CSE

Graduate Program Committee (GPC) will review the appeal and will make the

necessary recommendation. The graduate program chair, on behalf of the GPC,

will provide a written explanation of the outcome. If the appeal is approved, the

student must meet all the outlined requirements by the end of the specified period.

The student will be required to sign an agreement acknowledging the

requirements and the consequences if the agreement is not fulfilled. If the GPC

recommends that the student’s appeal be denied, the graduate program chair, on

behalf of the GPC, will recommend to the Dean’s Office that the student be

withdrawn from the CSE program. The student’s appeal, together with all

supporting documents, will be forwarded to the Ira A. Fulton Schools Standards

Committee, which will review the student’s case and communicate the final ruling

to Associate Dean and the CSE program. If the appeal is denied again, the Dean’s

Office of Academic and Student Affairs will recommend to the Graduate College

that the student be withdrawn from the CSE program. Please refer to the Graduate

College policies and procedures or contact a graduate advisor in the SCAI

Advising Center.

h. Filing for Graduation

During the final semester, a student must file an application for graduation with the

Graduation Office of the Registrar through My ASU. The student's approved final plan of

study (iPOS) must be on file with Graduate College before the student can apply for

graduation.

i. Academic Integrity

The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all graduate students, both in

academic coursework and related research activities. The failure of any graduate student

to meet these standards may result in serious consequences, including suspension or

expulsion from the university and/or other sanctions as specified in the academic integrity

policies of individual schools as well as those of the university.

Violations of academic integrity include but are not limited to cheating, fabrication,

tampering, plagiarism, or aiding or facilitating such activities. At the graduate level,

students are expected to be familiar with these issues, and each student must take

personal responsibility for their work. In addition, graduate students are expected to

follow university guidelines related to the Student Code of Conduct. University policies

related to academic integrity and code of conduct are available in the Office of the

University Provost, or at https://provost.asu.edu/academic-integrity. Students also should

be aware of Ira A. Fulton Schools resources related to academic integrity:

https://engineering.asu.edu/integrity/.

j. CSE 584 Internship

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an academic experience usually obtained at off-

campus work settings, allowing the student to apply knowledge and skills gained in

various classes. It is intended as a unique, hands-on learning experience to provide

students with a number of valuable skills that they can use upon graduation from their

degree programs. Accordingly, it is not available to full-time or part-time workers

regularly employed by the company where the internship is proposed.

All students (domestic and international) may take part in an out-of-state internship

during the summer session. The eligibility requirements for CPT internships remain the

same as mentioned.

International students must work with the International Students and Scholars Center

(ISSC) and submit additional documentation to obtain work authorization. Students

desiring to do CPT must include the CPT course CSE 584 (1 credit hour) as an integral

part of their program of study, reflected by their approved iPOS. SCAI recommends

listing 3 individual CSE 584 (1 credit hour) courses in the iPOS.The addition of CPT

credit(s) should be done at the initial submission of the student’s iPOS. The Internship

course cannot be added to an iPOS after initial iPOS approval. Exceptions may be made

if the internship is relevant to the student’s thesis research. In such cases, the CSE

program chair will determine the need for a CPT internship in consultation with the

graduate academic advisor.

Approval of an iPOS with CSE 584 credit confirms that the internship is an integral part

of the degree requirements as planned by the student. An internship that is not part of the

educational plan can be removed from the iPOS. Note: Only internship courses can be

removed from the iPOS. Courses that are approved as part of the overall degree program

in the iPOS can only be replaced with other approved coursework.

In order to be eligible for an internship, a student must be in good academic standing

(cumulative, graduate, and iPOS GPA of 3.0 or above).

Fall/spring semesters:

• Students with a GPA of 3.0-3.24 may participate in an in-state internship

part-time. A campus presence is required.

• Whereas, students with a GPA of 3.25 or higher may participate in an in-

state or out-of-state internship, full or part-time. A campus presence is

required.

Full-time CPT is 21 hours more. Part-time CPT is 20 hours or less.

For students doing CPT in their last semester, the end date is the conferral date.

During the regular fall and spring semesters, international graduate students on F-1 status

must register for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours to maintain full-time - of which six

(6) credit hours must be in-person, on-campus coursework at the ASU Tempe campus

and three (3) credit hours of online coursework are permitted. The CSE 580 practicum

course will not satisfy the student’s “physical presence” at ASU.

Required documents and forms for the internship proposal must be submitted online

using the DocuSign at least four weeks before the beginning of the semester in which the

internship is planned. Students will not be able to request late-add registration of the CSE

584 Internship credit to their class schedule after each semester's add/drop deadline.

Students will be asked to enroll in the next session within the term.

An approved proposal is required before commencing the internship. The request will

include a statement from the employer that indicates they understand the work is to

satisfy a degree requirement. A sample letter and other required forms are available on

the SCAI CPT website. Thesis students must receive approval from their faculty advisor

and the graduate program chair before registering for CSE 584. At the Thesis level,

internship is intended to enhance the student’s research capabilities in the area related to

the thesis. Therefore, the internship plan must show the relationship between the work

proposed and the intended research program. The faculty advisor may be asked to write a

separate letter explaining why the internship is required.

Renege: (verb) to fail to carry out a promise or commitment

It is unethical for students to continue to seek or consider other employment opportunities

once an offer has been accepted. SCAI expects students to honor an acceptance and

withdraw from all employment-seeking activities. Students who accept an offer from an

organization and later renege/decline the offer will be prohibited from requesting future

CPT pending a meeting with the Assistant Director.

A five-page final report is required at the end of the internship before a grade is given.

The final report must be submitted to the reporting supervisor (Industry Mentor) for

comments and then to the faculty advisor for grade assignment. Non-Thesis students do

not need a faculty mentor signature. Refer to the SCAI CPT website for guidelines for

preparing the final report.

k. CSE 590 Independent Study (Thesis students only)

Independent study is available for Thesis students. The student must get written approval

from the supervising faculty outlining the content to be covered. The independent study

form must be approved by the faculty advisor and will be placed in the student’s file. A

final paper is required for each registered Independent Study course.

l. Engineering Student Organizations

There are dozens of engineering student organizations and teams ranging from honors

and professional associations to groups creating underwater robots,concrete canoes, and

launching rockets. Student organizations are excellent opportunities to learn about career

possibilities as many of the student groups operate in conjunction with industry

professional societies … get involved today! Please visit

http://studentorgs.engineering.asu.edu/ for a list of engineering student organizations.

m. Instructional Concerns and Course-Related Complaints

Being part of a large university creates opportunities to learn from a diverse instructor

population with different teaching styles and modalities for delivering course content.

Courses are offered by a diverse set of faculty, including, those whose primary

responsibility is teaching, GSA/TA instructional staff and part-time faculty who are

working in the field. Based on enrollment or modality of offering, faculty may also be

supported by graduate student teaching assistants, GSA’s and graders. This diverse

higher education delivery platform may differ significantly from previous experiences,

and while it provides an opportunity to expand the student’s ability to learn and develop

problem-solving skills, concerns and conflicts with requirements and instructors may

occasionally arise. SCAI students with instructional concerns should review and adhere

to the following guidelines for attempting to resolve their issues. First and foremost,

keep in mind that the faculty and advising staff are experienced, dedicated educators that

are here to help you achieve your educational goals. At the same time, they have a

responsibility to ensure standards are maintained, and student outcomes are achieved

before graduation. The university culture recognizes the value of diversity in multiple

dimensions and the presumption of expertise and academic freedom of the faculty.

Communicate with your Instructor

If you have a difference of opinion with your instructor, teaching assistant (TA) or

graduate support assistant (GSA) or have concerns about technical or administrative

aspects of the course, visit the instructor or TA/GSA during office hours or contact them

via email (if you cannot visit them during the office hours). Express your concerns

clearly and respectfully and ask for help. Be sure to provide concise information about

what you have trouble understanding in the course or your concern. Instructors and GSA

or TAs are here to help. Remember that you are responsible for prerequisite

knowledge/skills required for a course and regularly studying the material taught in the

course. The teaching staff may not be able to help you with your problem if you lack the

prerequisite knowledge/skills or have not been keeping up with the course material. As a

guideline, for a 15-week course, you should spend three hours study time every week for

each hour of course credit. Thus, you should schedule 8-10 hours each week to devote to

each three-credit course. For a 7.5-week course, students should be prepared to spend 6

hours a week on coursework for every 1-course credit. So, you should expect to spend

approximately 18 hours a week on coursework for a three-credit course. Also, make sure

to resolve the issues as soon as they occur and maintain all documentation. For example,

if the assignment instructions are not clear, get the clarification on the day the assignment

is assigned and do not wait until the assignment's deadline.

If you are still having problems in the course after communicating with your instructor,

TA or GSA, connect with your academic advisor to understand your options moving

forward.

Connect with your CSE Graduate Program Chair

If you are unable to resolve the concern after initial contact with the instructor GSA or

TA, and you have met with your academic advisor, you should then connect with the

program chair for your degree (or the department offering the course). The program chair

will confer with the instructor and/or GSA/TA to better understand the concern and try to

resolve the problem. Please note that before meeting with the program chair, you should

have made a reasonable effort to meet with the course instructor (not just the support

GSA or TA) and get the issue resolved. When contacting the program chair, provide all

the relevant details such as the course syllabus, assignment handout, email exchange with

the instructor, etc., so that the program chair can promptly act on your concerns. Please

be brief and precise in the description of your concerns. In some cases, the graduate

program chair would like to meet you. When coming for the meeting, bring along all the

relevant documents.

If the instructional concern is not resolved with the program chair or the department

offering the course, contact the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Office for the

college offering the course for assistance through the grade grievance process

https://engineering.asu.edu/grade-grievance/ .

Remain Focused

When faced with instructional concerns, it is important to remain focused on the rest of

the course while addressing specific areas that are under review. Be sure to stay

connected with your academic advisor if there are any changes in your situation.

NOTE:

• Misrepresentation of facts or disrespectful behavior when confronting your

instructor or teaching assistant is considered an academic integrity violation.

• Maintain all documentation.

• Act proactively and promptly.

In Summary, Guidelines for Avoiding Problems

• Be sure you have the necessary prerequisite knowledge before starting a course;

• Attend class and online exercises regularly;

• Devote time each week to studying to avoid falling behind;

• Contact the TA (if assigned) or instructor during office hours at first sign of

trouble and come prepared to ask precise questions and to explain your difficulty

• Accept the fact that you grow intellectually and professionally by being

challenged and learning to deal with diverse expectations and environments.

Process for Resolving Conflicts in Grading, Course Expectations, etc.

• Contact the TA (if available) or instructor to explain your concern and seek

resolution;

• If the TA/instructor has attempted to assist you, but you are still having an

academic difficulty that is causing personal stress or hindering your academic

success, see your Academic Advisor;

• If the TA/instructor is not responsive or does not provide a legitimate

response/accommodation, then contact your graduate program chair.

• If you still feel there is a legal, ethical, or procedural violation that is victimizing

you, contact the Office of the Associate Dean of Engineering for Academic

Affairs.

• Circumventing this process will be considered a violation of professional ethics

and protocol.

Please review the Orientation video for your degree program. The video is available

through Canvas in your My ASU.

Appendix I - Absent Committee Member Procedure

While it is desirable that all members of a student's supervisory committee be available during

final thesis defense, there are situations (e.g., faculty travel, faculty emergencies, and/or faculty

leave) that may necessitate holding a thesis defense with one or more committee member(s)

absent. The Academic Unit has established the following policies and procedures for such cases.

1. A minimum of 3 committee members (including chair/co-chair) from the student's

official committee must be available during the student’s final thesis defense.

2. A minimum of 50% of the student’s official committee must be physically present with

the student at the thesis defense. If at least 50% of the committee cannot be physically

present, the defense must be rescheduled.

3. The chair (or one co-chair) must be available for the thesis defense. If this is not possible,

the defense must be rescheduled.

4. The chair or (one co-chair) must be physically present at the thesis defense. If this is not

possible, the defense must be rescheduled. The student cannot submit a committee

change after the defense is scheduled to create co-chairs in the case of an absent chair.

5. A committee co-chair or member who cannot be available during the thesis defense may

participate in one of three ways. These options are listed in order of preference:

a. The absent committee member videoconferences into the defense location. *

b. The absent committee member teleconferences into the defense location. *

c. The absent committee member provides a substitute to be physically present

(approved by the committee chair & the head of the academic unit) for the thesis

defense. The substitute must be someone who is approved to serve on graduate

supervisory committees for that program. The absent committee member should

provide the substitute questions, in writing, to be asked at the defense. The substitute,

although respecting the opinions expressed by the regular committee, must be free to

use his or her judgment in voting on whether the student passes or fails the defense.

The substitute should sign the absent committee member's name and add his or her

own initials directly after the signature.

*The defense location must have the necessary equipment to accommodate

video/teleconference materials.

*Students must provide a copy of their document and any other supporting presentation

materials to the committee member at least 5 working days in advance of the defense.

The defense location must have the necessary equipment to accommodate

video/teleconference materials.

If the videoconference or teleconference option is selected, the absent member needs to e-mail

the committee chair or co-chair to state that member voted to pass or fail the student and

authorize that the chair sign their name on the form. The committee chair or co-chair should sign

the name of the absent individual on the form and then add his or her own initials directly after

the signature.

If a committee member is going to be absent from the thesis defense, the student or committee

chair/co-chair must notify the Program Chair before or at the time of scheduling the defense. If

the student is notified of the absence after scheduling the oral exam, the student must contact the

Program Chair prior to the defense date so that he or she can find a substitute.

For the thesis defense, if a committee member will be absent from the defense, the student or

committee chair/co-chair must notify the Graduate College before or at the time of scheduling

the defense. If the student is notified of the absence after scheduling the defense, the student

must contact the Graduate College prior to the defense date.

Find the Graduate College’s Absent Committee Member Procedures document here:

https://graduate.asu.edu/sites/default/files/absent-committee-member-procedures.pdf