Getting Started
Welcome to the Department of Computing Science! We are located in Athabasca Hall (ATH) and the Computing Science Centre (CSC). The information below aims to assist new graduate students as they join our department.
Review this information carefully and take note of any ⇨ action items that need to be completed.
Before You Arrive
Computing Accounts
You will automatically receive a Campus Computing ID (CCID) from the U of A that provides a secure gateway to University services. In addition, CS students also receive access to Computing Resources from the Department.
- Learn about your accounts
- Questions regarding your accounts can be directed to helpdesk@ualberta.ca
Bear Tracks
Bear Tracks is the University of Alberta's hub for student and employee information. As a student, you will use Bear Tracks to register for courses, check your grades and pay fees. If you have a scholarship or graduate assistantship, you will also be able to set up direct deposit and view your pay and benefits information. The employee tab will be made visible to you in Bear Tracks before your first pay period.
- Access Bear Tracks with your CCID
⇨ Register for Courses
The Graduate Student Administrator will notify you when it is time for you to register and computing science graduate courses are made available.
- All graduate students must complete their registration online (using Bear Tracks) prior to the add/delete deadline. Don't miss registration!
Full-time thesis-based students must be registered in ★9 credits per term in both the Fall and Winter ( 6.10 Full-time Registration Policy). You may need to register in thesis sections in combination with regular course registrations in order to achieve ★9 credits of course weight for registration status.
- THES 903: equivalent to a ★3 credit course
- THES 906: equivalent to a ★6 credit course
- THES 909: equivalent to a ★9 credit course
Typical registration for your first year:
| Thesis-based Masters | Course-based Masters | Doctoral | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | CMPUT 603 + 2 courses |
CMPUT 603 + 2 courses |
CMPUT 603 + 1-2 courses + THES 903 if necessary |
| Winter | 2 courses + THES 903 |
2-3 courses | 1-2 courses + THES 903/906 if necessary |
Students in the Statistical Machine Learning specialization must take an extra course.
- Graduate course directory
(SML approved courses are listed in the right column)
Tuition
Students are now assessed tuition fees in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms. For more information visit Tuition and Fees on the FGSR website.
Paying Tuition by Payroll Deduction
If you are receiving a Graduate Assistantship - RA (Research Assistantship), TA (Teaching Assistantship) or GRAF (Graduate Research Assistantship Fellowship) - tuition fees for Fall and Winter terms can be paid by payroll deduction. If you wish to pay your fees in a lump sum and NOT by payroll deduction, you must pay your fees by the tuition deadline.
Scholarship students cannot pay fees by payroll deduction.
Scholarships
Graduate students are auto-subscribed to the FGSR Grad Newsletter and Grads Digest. They are circulated every Wednesday during the regular Fall and Winter semesters. This newsletter provides great information for students, including if you are interested in applying for awards offered internally or externally to the University of Alberta.
- If you don't want to wait for the newsletter, you can view the awards page on the FGSR's website.
- Our department will also send out calls for award nominations via email to students during the year, so always check your @ualberta email account for notices.
There are a variety of scholarships and awards available to both Canadian and international students.
- For more information on scholarships relevant to Computing Science graduate students, please visit Financial Support and Awards.
⇨ Review Award Holder Information
- Review FGSR's award resources page
- Use the GSMS Awards Portal to manage your award
- Review the Graduate Scholarship Committee Award Winner's Handbook which is available in the FGSR forms cabinet
Teaching Assistantships
⇨ Review Assistantship Documents
Assistantships can be in the form of a Teaching Assistantship (TA), Research Assistantship (RA), or Graduate Research Assistantship Fellowship (GRAF).
- Graduate Student Assistantship Collective Agreement Information Sheet
- TA duties, workload, paycheques and more ( TAs only)
- Departmental financial support policy
When You Arrive
When you arrive in Edmonton, please complete the following actions:
⇨ Forward a copy of your Study Permit that you receive at the airport to the Graduate Program Administrator via email, csgrad@ualberta.ca
All international students must have a valid study permit. It is the student’s responsibility to keep it current. Payroll will not release any cheques until they have a copy of a valid permit. As well, we cannot process any TA or RA appointments without your valid study permit.
⇨ Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
All students with TAs or RAs must have a Social Insurance Number. If you do not already have one, gather the required documents and take them to the Service Canada office:
Canada Place Service Canada Centre
9700 Jasper Ave, Main Floor
Edmonton, Alberta
For more information, phone 1-800‐622-6232
Alternatively, you can apply for your SIN online.
*Once you receive your SIN, update your Beartracks with the information.
⇨ Update your direct deposit information on Beartracks
The University of Alberta requires all individuals receiving payment in the form of salary, wages, stipends, allowance, graduate scholarships, fellowships and honorariums to be enrolled in direct deposit. Update your Direct Deposit information.
⇨ Collect your ONEcard
The ONEcard is the official University of Alberta identification card used on campus. Graduate students require a ONEcard in order to be granted additional access to buildings/labs. The fee for the proximity ONEcard is $15.
- You will need government issued Photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your 7-digit U of A ID Number to pick up your ONEcard
- For quicker pickup, submit your photo online
- For more information on getting a ONEcard visit the ONEcard office website
- The ONEcard office is located at 9104 HUB Mall
Once you receive your OneCard, please forward an image of the front and back of your card to the Graduate Program Administrator via email, csgrad@ualberta.ca
Offices + Building Access
Graduate student offices will be assigned by the Computing Science Graduate Student Association. Please direct any questions or concerns about office assignments directly to
csgsa@ualberta.ca.
You will receive your office key on September 1 at the CS New Graduate Student Orientation. If this opportunity is missed, keys can be obtained by coming to the CS Department Main Office, located in room ATH 2-32.
Mailboxes
Grad Student mailboxes are located in the hallway outside the CS Dept mailroom (ATH 2-21).
- You will receive a mailbox key on September 1 at the CS New Graduate Student Orientation.
- If this opportunity is missed, a mailbox key can be obtained by coming to the CS Department Main Office, ATH 2-32.
- Mailboxes are for correspondence pertaining to your academic studies ONLY.
Personal mail and/or packages MUST NOT be sent to you using the Department’s mailing address. - You can get a personal mailbox from the Post Office in the Students' Union Building.
Introductory Meeting with Advisor/Supervisor
All graduate students should have an introductory meeting with their supervisor at the beginning of their first term to discuss their program and course registration. For M.Sc. students, an interim academic advisor will be appointed by the Graduate Program Administrator for the first two terms but it is the responsibility of the student to find a supervisor prior to the Spring term.
We will send your Academic Advisor assignments via email, with information on what to discuss during your first meeting.
Orientation
⇨ Review Assistantship Documents
- What: Mandatory Department of Computing Science New Graduate Student Orientation 2023
- For: Students admitted into our MSc or PhD program for Fall 2023; September 1, 2023
- When: September 1, 2023
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Location: Computing Science Centre B-02
⇨ Attend TA Training Workshop
All new graduate students must attend the TA Training Workshop in the Fall Term.
Official Documents
If you are required to submit transcripts, degree certificates or other official documents to meet the conditions of your admission, please have your institution send them to:
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2E1
TD-1 (Tax Reduction Forms)
Students employed at the university can complete a TD1 and TD1AB form in order to calculate the appropriate amount of income tax to be deducted. By filling out this form you can claim tuition and education amounts which allows you to be taxed less each paycheque. (Otherwise, you are just taxed on the basic personal exemption and will be reimbursed when you file your income taxes.)
Forms should be returned to the Staff Service Centre.
For Your Information
Work, Work, Work
Are you an international student interested in knowing policies around working on or off campus? See International Student Services.
Graduate Program Resources
Be sure to review all of the graduate program requirements and timelines.
- M.Sc. program requirements
- Ph.D. program requirements
- Program resources (seminars, candidacy exam, thesis writing, defense)
University Resources
The University has an excellent community of resources to help you through your graduate journey. Here are some of our external department resources we recommend checking out:
- Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
- University of Alberta Calendar
- University Graduate Students' Association
- Graduate Student Assistantship Collective Agreement
- University Health and Wellness
- University International Centre
Computer Systems Orientation
As part of CMPUT 603, you will attend an Introduction Seminar to help you become familiar with the computer systems available here.
eClass Moodle
eClass is a centrally managed Course Management System that many computing science courses use to distribute course materials and collect assignment submissions.
- Access eClass with your CCID
- Detailed grading info can be found on eClass or CS Student Info
GradDB
GradDB is the Computing Science Graduate Students' Database used to track and store your progress through our graduate program. You are responsible for keeping your record up-to-date (in cooperation with your supervisor and the Graduate Program Administrator)
- Access GradDB with your DoCs DB login
- You are responsible for entering your scholarships, seminars, supervisor/committee information and a yearly progress report
- If you experience problems with GradDB, please e-mail docsdb@cs.ualberta.ca including the URL of the current page and any error message received
Photocopying + Printing
You have access to a photocopier in CSC 2-28 and printers in CSC 2-28, ATH 1-26, ATH 2-24 and CAB 3-01.
- There is no charge or quota for photocopying or printing.
- However, photocopying and printing are not for personal use; totals are monitored and misuse is investigated.
- The door code for CSC 2-28 will be announced at the September 1st Mandatory Department of Computing Science New Graduate Student Orientation or can be obtained from the staff in our Dept main office, room ATH 2-32.