The official documents of The Graduate School and the University of Kentucky take precedence over this guidebook in all matters of disagreement. The Graduate School Bulletin is the most comprehensive document describing graduate studies at UK.
Welcome to Lexington and to the University of Kentucky Computer Engineering program! The purpose of this guidebook is to present a wealth of different information under one cover. The guidebook contains the rules and regulations concerning graduate students, the director of graduate studies, and the graduate school. This guidebook is likely to be updated periodically. Please make suggestions about how it can become more useful.
The Computer Engineering Program is jointly sponsored by the Computer Science and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments. It offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Admission to these programs is highly competitive and based upon academic record, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. Applicants should present evidence of competence in computer engineering as well as mathematical maturity.
Thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) options are available in the MS program. A project is required of non-thesis candidates. The MS program has no language requirement (other than proficiency in English).
The PhD program is a research degree granted primarily on the presentation of a substantial research achievement. To be admitted to candidacy for this degree, candidates must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School and pass the Qualifying Exam. This examination usually consists of written and oral sections covering breadth in computer engineering as well as depth in a specific area. Proficiency in a foreign language is not required.
Students admitted to the PhD program who hold a prior MS degree in Computer Engineering from another institution are not eligible to receive a University of Kentucky MS degree in Computer Engineering. In special circumstances and in the case of students who are eligible for the Qualifying Exam, the DGS may petition the Graduate School for a waiver of this policy
This document uses the following abbreviations. The personnel list was last updated in January 2021.ASST Administrative Assistant Dee Fuhs / Beth LutinCPE Computer EngineeringCPT Curricular practical trainingCS Computer Science DepartmentCXE Course with prefix CPE, CS, or EE (preferably CPE)EE Electrical and Computer Engineering DepartmentDGS Director of Graduate Studies for CPE Raphael FinkelDUS Director of Undergraduate Studies Jim Lumpp (CPE), JurekJaromczyk (CS), Janet Lumpp(EE)FOR Faculty of Record of the CPE graduate programsGGPA Grade-point average (cumulative over CXE grad courses)GRE Graduate record examGSD GS Dean Brian JacksonGS Graduate SchoolUSCIS US Citizenship and Immigration ServicesUKIC International CenterPB Post baccalaureate statusQE University Qualifying Exam (PhD)RA Research assistant (from a faculty grant)SEC Staff assistant for the DGS Kathy Ice-WeddingTA Teaching assistantUKY University of KentuckyWe believe this document to be accurate, but the official documents of CPE, GS, and UKY take precedence in all matters of disagreement. The Graduate School Bulletin https://gradschool.uky.edu/graduate-school-bulletin is the most comprehensive document describing graduate studies at UKY.
Application RequirementsThe GS application requirements are documented at https://gradschool.uky.edu/application-process. The CPE graduate programs require the following.
Application Deadlines
University Scholars ProgramApproval for this program is expected by Summer, 2021. Gifted and highly motivated CPE, CS and EE undergraduate students can integrate the senior year with MS study to have up to 12 graduate hours counted for both BS and MS degrees. To qualify, students must have a GPA of 3.5 in CPE, CS, or EE required courses and 3.2 overall. Details and the application form are at https://gradschool.uky.edu/university-scholars-program.
Conditional admissionA student may be admitted conditionally. Typical conditions are: high GGPA, number of credits to be taken, scores on GRE. The DGS polices conditions and reviews them after the end of the first semester. In addition, the GS monitors conditional admissions. Any preconditions (such as GRE) must be met prior to the date set for priority registration during the first semester of enrollment. Students will not be allowed to priority register if these requirements are not met.
Admission from other UKY programs The student must submit a new application, with fee, through the University application portal.
Admission to the CPE PhD program from the CPE MS program With the approval of the DGS, a student may switch to the PhD program from the MS program. Once in the PhD program, students may count all their UKY credits taken for a MS (except for CXE768 and any credits transferred from PB) towards the 36-credit requirement for PhD residency, but only if no MS degree has been awarded.
Concurrent degrees
Re-admissionAfter any hiatus (including probationary dismissal) other than just a Summer or Winter session, a graduate student must apply to the GS for re-admission. The GGPA and course credits are carried over from the previous time the student was enrolled.
Leave of absenceInstead of a hiatus, a student can instead apply for a leave of absence. The student should contact the DGS for approval for the leave before the start of the semester in question. If the DGS approves, the DGS contacts the Graduate School admissions officer. A student may request no more than two consecutive and four total semesters in leave-of-absence status. PhD students past the QE are not eligible for a leave of absence. International students considering a leave of absence should discuss their plans with the UKIC and the USCIS before making a formal request.
PhD students getting MS degree (en-passant MS)A PhD student may be awarded an MS degree after passing the QE. However, the PhD student must complete a minimum of 48 credit hours (not counting CXE767) to get both degrees. The DGS must write a letter of approval to the GSD. Also note the following rule.
Students with prior CPE MS degreeStudents admitted to the PhD program in CPE who hold a prior MS degree in Computer Engineering from another institution are not eligible to receive a UKY MS in CPE. In special circumstances and in the case of students who are eligible for the QE, the DGS may petition the Graduate School to waive this policy.
Core CoursesMS candidates must pass three of the four core courses with a grade of B or higher: CS541 Compiler Construction CS570 Modern Operating Systems EE685 Digital Computer Structure EE580 Embedded Systems
CreditsTo receive an MS, the student must finish either (option A) 24 credit hours and 6 credits of thesis (CXE768, graded “S”), or (option B) 30 credit hours and a project (the 30 hours may include CPX610 and up to 6 credits of CPX612). The 30 hours may not include more than 9 credits of “noncurricular courses”, that is, independent or supervised study courses. For either option, at least half of the credit hours must be in 600-level CXE courses. Courses from other departments require prior DGS approval. All courses must have regular grades (no “P”, “S”, or “I” grades). Grades must be C or higher.
Course load during the last semesterIt is not necessary to enroll full-time during the last semester of courses, even for international students. However, TAs must enroll full-time. International students with F-1 visas need to submit a form for reduced course load, available via the iCAT website: https: //icat.uky.edu/istart/controllers/start/StartEngine.cfm. Students who have finished all required courses and have enough credits may take CXE748 for 0 credits; this course counts as full-time by itself.
Application for degreeDuring the semester in which the student plans to receive the MS degree, the student must submit an application for degree via the online GPS portal at https://myuky. uky.edu. The purpose of this application is to verify degree requirements and prepare the registrar for including the student’s name in the Commencement Bulletin. The deadline for this application is listed at https://www.uky.edu/registrar/content/academic-calendar.
MS committeeEach MS student should choose an advisor, preferably by the end of the first year. The advisor must be a member of the FOR and a full member of the graduate faculty. The student coordinates the project or thesis with that professor. During the semester in which the student plans to take the MS exam (typically the 4th semester), the student should consult with the advisor to choose an MS committee. The committee must have at least three members, chaired by the advisor. At least one other committee member must be a full member of the graduate faculty. All committee members must be regular faculty, not lecturers. Preferably, all three members should belong to the FOR.
CXE610 and the MS Project
Formal MS exam All MS students need to take the MS exam. It is typically a defense of the project or thesis, depending on the student’s option.
Time limitsInternational students have I-20 forms giving them 2 years to complete their studies. Extensions can be granted if there is a good reason. MS Students have 6 years to complete all requirements for the degree, but they have the opportunity to request extensions up to additional 4 years, for a total of 10 years. All such extension requests must be initiated by the DGS.
AdvisorAt first, the DGS is the student’s advisor. The student should choose a research area and find a real advisor as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the first year of coursework. 5
PhD advisory committeePhD students must establish an advisory committee at least one year before the QE. In consultation with the advisor, the student proposes the committee using an online form at https://ris.uky.edu/cfdocs/gs/DoctoralCommittee/Selection_Screen.cfm. The DGS verifies that the committee members are willing to participate. The committee consists of at least 4 members: the advisor serves as the chair of the committee, one person is from a department outside CS and EE, at least 3 others (including chair) must be full graduate faculty. If the actual advisor is not in FOR, a FOR member must be the chair, and the non-FOR advisor may be co-chair. The core of 4 must all be members of the graduate faculty. A new committee may be formed if a student switches advisors.
Plan of studyThe advisory committee agrees on a plan of study, which suggests courses and papers that the student must take or read/produce. It also decides on any intermediate examinations before the QE.
Residence credit for a PhDPhD students must spend two years (36 credits, including graduate school classes and classes outside CPE, but not including audits, undergraduate classes, or courses taken pass/fail) in residence before the QE. CPE MS students who transfer to the PhD program may count all their UKY credits (except for EXE768 and any credits transferred from PB) towards the first and second year of residency once they enter the PhD program only if they have not received the MS degree. The DGS may ask the GS to waive the second year of residency for exceptional students. CXE767 (2 credits) may be taken during the semester of the QE, even if the exam is on the last day of the semester, but if a student registers for one of these and does not pass the QE during that semester, the registration must be changed to something else, typically CPE611 or CS611.
Breadth requirement PhD Students fulfill the breadth requirement by taking at least three courses from the following list and receiving at least a B in all, and an A in at least two of them. CS541 Compiler Construction CS570 Modern Operating Systems EE685 Digital Computer Structure EE580 Embedded Systems A student who has taken equivalent courses elsewhere can ask for them to apply to the breadth requirement; each such case is evaluated by the DGS on its merits.
Focus requirementOf the 36 course credits, at least 24 credits must be courses in CS, EE, or CPE. The remaining courses must be approved by the DGS. At least 18 credits of the total coursework, including 12 credits of the CS/EE/CPE coursework, must be taken at the 600 or 700 level. Students entering the doctoral program with an MS degree in a relevant discipline (typically CS, EE, or CPE, or other technical discipline relevant to their area of study as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies) must complete at least 18 credit hours of additional course work beyond their MS. Of these 18 course credits, at least 12 must be courses in CS, EE, or CPE. At least 9 credits of the total coursework, including 6 credits of the CS/EE/CPE course work, must be taken at the 600 or 700 level.
Depth requirementThe Depth process is individualized to the research focus of the student. The student’s advisory committee decides on the appropriate form of this process. It can be a written exam, an oral exam, a literature review, a published paper, some other requirement, or a combination of these. The student’s committee informs the DGS when the student has accomplished this process.
No remaining incomplete grades.
Qualifying exam (QE)After two years of residency, the completion of the requirements above, and any other requirements (such as courses and research papers) imposed by the student’s advisory committee, the student becomes eligible to take the QE. The QE is typically a thesis-proposal examination, although the committee can decide otherwise. The QE should be taken within one semester of finishing the depth and breadth requirements. PhD students must pass the QE within the first five years of residency. Extensions of up to 12 months may be approved by the GSD. Requests for longer extensions (no longer than 3 years) have to be approved by the Graduate Council upon positive recommendation from DGS, the student’s advisor, and the majority of the Graduate Faculty. Failure to pass the QE within 5 years or after the approved extended limit results in dismissal from the program.
After the QE, students must enroll in CXE767 Dissertation Residency Credit, a 2-credit hour course, every Fall and Spring semester (at least 2) until completing the degree. In addition, students may enroll for any other course approved by their advisory committee. They will be charged at the in-state tuition rate plus mandatory fees in each term (Spring and Fall).
Time limitsAll degree requirements for the doctorate must be completed within five years following the semester or summer session in which the student completes the QE, but extensions up to an additional 5 years may be requested for a total of 10 years. Assessment of progressThe FOR reviews each PhD student’s progress every year and informs each PhD student in writing the results of this review.
Application for degreeDuring the semester in which the student plans to receive the PhD degree, the student should submit an application for degree via the online GPS portal at https://myuky. uky.edu. The purpose of this application is to verify degree requirements and prepare the registrar for including the student’s name in the graduation brochure. The deadline for this application is listed at https://www.uky.edu/registrar/content/academic-calendar.
PhD Oral examinationThe final hurdle is the PhD oral exam. Several steps are involved.
Advising Prior to registration or pre-registration, students are encouraged to discuss their schedule for next semester with the DGS or their advisor.
Pass/failNo graduate-level course (400G or higher) may be taken Pass/Fail. All courses must be taken for grades except for 700-level courses.
Repeat optionAt most once during the graduate career, a student may exercise the option to repeat a course and have only the second time count for credit and towards the GGPA. The student should fill out the form at https://gradschool.uky.edu/sites/gradschool.uky.edu/ files/Forms/StudentForms/RepeatOption_9-18-20.pdf, preferably after the conclusion of the repeated semester, so the student knows the grade.
If the student re-takes a course but does not invoke the repeat option, both grades count towards the GGPA. If a student takes a non-repeatable course more than once and gets a passing grade each time, its credits and grade only count the first time.
Without a repeat option, if a student earns a C in one attempt and a better grade in a second attempt for a course, only the first attempt is counted in the GGPA. If one of the two grades is a failing grade, both grades are averaged for the GGPA. The student must exercise a Repeat option to exclude the first grade and include the second one.
Courses outside majorThere is no set rule concerning the number of courses that can be taken outside CXE. However, all such courses should be approved in advance by the student’s advisor and the DGS.
CXE612: independent workThis course may be repeated to a maximum of 9 credits. (All versions of this course count toward the maximum.) Students taking the course must enter into an agreement with the professor with whom the student is working at the beginning of the semester. This agreement, preferably in writing, stipulates what the student is expected to do and by when. If such an agreement is lacking, professors are justified in giving students an E in these courses. If no professor claims a student signed up for one of these courses, the student is given no grade at all. A missing grade prevents graduation, and the class cannot be retroactively dropped.
Students may apply at most 6 credits of CXE612 toward the required coursework for an MS degree. Exceptions require the prior approval of the DGS.
Add/dropInternational students should generally not drop below 9 credits, and TAs are in danger of losing their TA position if they don’t progress (based on a yearly evaluation). Students enrolled for fewer than 9 credits do not endanger their health benefits. G. Graduate courses in departments other than CS and EE. CPE graduate students generally need an override from the offering department to register for graduate courses (600-level) in departments other than CS and EE.
IncompletesA student need not be enrolled at the time the incomplete is made up.
Time LimitCourses taken more than 6 years earlier do not count toward the requirements of an MS. The DGS may request the GSD to increase this window. The GSD needs approval from the Graduate Council to increase the window beyond 8 years. It cannot be increased beyond 10 years. Courses that fall outside the window still count in the GGPA but do not count for graduate credit and may be repeated without invoking the repeat option.
Probation, low GGPAA GGPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. A GGPA below 3.0 puts the student on probation if the student has completed 12 or more hours of graduate course work. Students on probation may not serve as TAs or hold fellowships from the GS. After one full semester on probation (or 9-credit equivalent), the GS does not allow the student to continue unless the GGPA is at least 3.0. The DGS may ask the GS to allow a longer probation period. After dismissal for these reasons, students may apply for re-admission after two semesters (one of which may be the 8-week summer term).
Curricular practical training (CPT)International students are eligible to take CPT. The Stuckert Career Center provides EXP650 (pass/fail) and EXP651 (variable credits). These courses require an approved Learning Contract, which the student must present to the UKIC, detailing the work to be done, the form and frequency of communication between student and supervising faculty, and the grading standard. The GS allows students past the QE to take CPT if the DGS approves.
Definition of terms“Official Examination” means an MS Final Examination, a PhD Qualifying Examination, or a PhD Final Examination. “Pass” and “fail” mean “passing or failing according to the vote of the committee.” A strict majority is needed to pass an exam.
If a student fails an Official Examination, the student may sit exactly once for a further attempt at passing that Examination.
The further attempt may not take place sooner than 4 months (1 month for the MS Final Examination) nor later than 12 months from the date of the original Examination.
The rules pertaining to lead times for submitting requests and providing written write-ups apply equally to Official Examinations and to the further attempt.
The committee for the further attempt must be the same as for the original examination insofar as possible. Committee substitutions require the approval of both the DGS and the Graduate School.
PlagiarismAll academic work, written or otherwise, that a student submits is expected to be the result of that student’s own thought, research, or self-expression. It is a serious offense to allow other students to copy work or to copy the work of other students (even if it is in a public computer file) unless the instructor of the course explicitly permits such activities. A student who borrows ideas, wording, or code from other sources must acknowledge that fact or the student has committed plagiarism. These offenses are punished quite strictly.
Responsible use of computersStudents are expected to follow these rules: Respect the privacy of others. Don’t try to gain access to the files of another user without clear authorization (such as public access permission). Don’t try to intercept network communications (including mail). Don’t build programs that secretly collect information about their users. Don’t attempt to obtain unauthorized privileges. Don’t try to alter the integrity of the software (by using unauthorized accounts, impersonating others, cracking passwords, modifying others’ data or programs). Don’t copy programs for redistribution outside the department (even if within UKY) without authorization. Don’t use our computers for immediate financial gain. Inform the staff if you detect others violating these principles.
Computer privacyThe staff and faculty generally do not attempt to access read-protected or encrypted files and directories unless the owner explicitly permits it, except if they need to in order to perform their function or if there is reasonable suspicion of someone violating the plagiarism or responsible computer use guidelines. The computer facilities provided by the CS and EE departments keep archival backups on a regular basis. Mail and protected (or even encrypted) files and directories are not secure. Therefore, it is unwise to keep confidential material on the computer.
Academic load The normal load during any semester is 9 credit hours. The DGS might allow a student to take 12 credits if the student has a demonstrated record of very good grades at UKY. The DGS does generally not permit more than 12 credits. An approval of the GSD is needed to exceed 15 credits in a regular semester. The fact that a student has an assistantship (of any type) does not itself limit the course/credit hours the student may take. The absolute limits are 9 credits per 8-week summer session and 4 credits per 4-week summer session or winter intersession.
Credit transfer
Minimum number of creditsThe United States government requires 9 credit hours for holders of F-1 visas. These must not be audit credits. They may be undergraduate credits if required for a graduate degree. This minimum can be lowered due to language difficulties, improper placement in a course leading to the student needing to drop the course, work on thesis, preparing for the MS exam, and in last semester before graduation. In all these cases, DGS must sign a form available via the iCAT website: https://icat.uky.edu/istart/controllers/start/StartEngine.cfm. MS students under plan A may register in the final (4th semester) for CXE748 (zero credits) if no other courses are being taken. Students under plan B may not register for CXE748 and must be registered for at least three credit hours.
PB statusOnly domestic students may generally be PB (the USCIS does not allow an I-20 form to be issued to a PB student and the GS does not allow an F-1 visa to be used for a PB). However, someone who already has an F-2 visa can take classes PB and part-time. Applicants for PB status must meet the GS English requirement (TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5, or, during the Covid emergency, Duolingo English Test 115).
Financial mattersInternational students are not eligible for student loans. Full-time TAs may not have an additional job. Half-time TAs may work another 10 hours on campus, but international TAs need permission from USCIS to take a job off campus. Summer jobs can be full-time, and permission from USCIS is likely to be easier in the summer for off-campus jobs.
Visa informationInternational students generally come to the US under an F-1 student visa based on an I-20 form. Students whose course of study exceeds the limit on their initial I-20 form need to submit an extension request form, available via the iCAT website: https://icat.uky.edu/istart/ controllers/start/StartEngine.cfm.
Travel supportThe GS does not support student travel. However, the DGS might have access to funding to support students presenting talks at conferences or incurring expenses related to thesis/dissertation research.
Payroll The payroll for CPE TAs and RAs is handled by the ASST. The ASST has forms to let students decide in what manner they wish to be paid and how much state and federal withholding should be applied. Students may be eligible for a waiver of local taxes; see the ASST for details.
FellowshipsThe DGS nominates students for fellowships, typically starting in January. These fellowships generally apply only to students (new or continuing) whose most recent degree is from an American school. They often have lower limits on GRE scores.
NSF Graduate Research FellowshipsThe National Science Foundation provides three-year graduate and minority graduate fellowships. Undergraduates and first year graduate students who are US citizens are eligible. Details are at https://www.nsfgrfp.org/.
TA positionsare generally allocated by the DGS in consultation with the Department Chairs of CS and EE. Summer TAs are allocated by the DUS. The amount of stipend is calculated once a year at the start of the Fall semester based on budget and level of experience of the student. We do not raise the stipend during the year. The GS officially requires registration of full load for TAs, but it waives this requirement if the department is satisfied with the student’s progress.
RA positionsare offered by faculty members, both in CS, EE, and other departments, who have funding from external sources. The amount of stipend is calculated once a year at the start of the Fall semester based on budget and level of experience of the student. A student can be a part-time student and an RA, but the student must be enrolled.
LimitsThe policy of both EE and CS is to give preference for TA positions to PhD students. TA support for an MS student is limited to only for two years. PhD students with fewer than 8 semesters as a TA get priority for reappointment over students with 8 or more semesters. PhD students with 8 or more semesters as a TA who have not passed the QE have the lowest priority. MS students may receive no more than 3 years of assistantship support; PhD students may receive no more than 5 years of assistantship support before passing the Qualifying Exam. TAs and RAs must maintain satisfactory academic progress. TAs and RAs are notified by March 1 whether their appointment will be renewed during the coming academic year.
RequirementsUKY that all graduate students complete the CITI on-line Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program within one month of enrollment and complete a refresher course every year until graduation. Details are at www.research.uky.edu/responsible-conduct-research.
Tuition scholarshipFull-time TAs and RAs get a full tuition scholarship; Half-time TAs and half-RAs get a half tuition scholarship.
