Advising

The Advisors

   

Cindy Wolfer Cindy Wolfer, Academic Advisor
 
Cindy Wolfer recently joined the Computer Science department as an Academic Advisor.  She has an extensive background in school counseling where she worked with a diverse group of students in establishing their education plans and monitoring their progress.  Cindy also has higher education experience from her time working in the Registrar’s office at Nazareth College. Cindy earned B.A. degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Geneseo State University, and her M.S. in Education in School Counseling from The College at Brockport. Her professional interests include career exploration and planning, goal setting, and student empowerment.

Cindy and her husband, Todd, enjoy walking their dogs when they are not busy attending the academic and athletic activities of their children.  In addition, Cindy also enjoys singing, geocaching, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Hans-Peter Bischof

Hans-Peter Bischof, Graduate Coordinator

Dr. Hans-Peter Bischof received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Osnabrück, Germany. He is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Computer Science Graduate Program. He has taught both basic and advanced courses for over 10 years. Dr. Bischof is also a member of the Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation at RIT. Dr. Bischof's main research interests are in visualization of scientific data and distributed systems.

 

 

BS/MS FAQs


You may have some questions about RIT policies, the Computer Science curriculum, and other academic topics. We have put together information to help clarify these questions. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, feel free to contact us at advising@cs.rit.edu and we’ll be happy to help.

What are the requirements for BS/MS?
-Current CS Major
-3rd year standing
-Attended RIT at least 2 quarters
-GPA of 3.25 (overall & PFOS)

How many more credits does the BS/MS program take?
Usually the MS is 45 credits. BS/MS is 37 credits because you are able to double count up to two graduate courses (typically in the CS elective area).

What are the financial benefits?
You are eligible for a BS/MS tuition discount on the graduate tuition rates. The discount that you receive should bring your graduate tuition charges close to that which you paid for undergraduate. Work with your financial aid counselor for more information.

How do I apply to the BS/MS program?
Meet with your undergraduate academic advisor to fill out a change of program form.

How do I know I have been accepted into the BS/MS program?
After being accepted your program code changes from VCSG to VCSK.

When do I become a graduate student?
You “officially” become a graduate student at year level 6 when you have 190 earned credit hours. From this point on, you will be able to register yourself for graduate courses; until then, you should fill out the Request to Take a Graduate Level Course form.

How do I keep up-to-date with information in the graduate program?
Subscribe to the grads mailing list by sending an email to
grads-subscribe@cs.rit.edu.

When should I apply for graduation?
After your first full-time quarter in the graduate program, you should apply for graduation.

Can I apply for to be a Graduate Assistant?
As a graduate student, you can apply for Graduate Assistantships (GA) both in the CS department and across campus. These positions usually pay a tuition benefit as well as a salary.

When can I register for MS Project or Thesis?
ALL undergraduate degree requirements must be complete (including co-op) before you can register for MS Project or Thesis. Also, you must work with the graduate academic advisor to register for either Project or Thesis.

Is my GPA separated by BS and MS?
Your courses are split into sections on your transcript by undergraduate and graduate and each has its own GPA statistics.

Is there grade replacement?
There is no grade replacement in the graduate program. All courses taken and all grades earned remain on your transcript and count in your GPA.

What do I need to earn my MS degree?
The lowest passing grade in the graduate program is “C”. You must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in your graduate program in order to earn your MS degree.

Do I have to complete my MS in a certain amount of time?
There is a 7 year rule in place for all graduate programs. You must complete your graduate work within 7 years of the quarter in which h you took your first graduate course that counts toward the MS Degree.

Getting Advice


The Department of Computer Science has professional academic advisors available during the undergraduate portion of a students BS/MS degree. Your advisor is assigned to you based on the first letter of your last name.  Please be sure to view your current advisor assignment via the RIT Student Information System (SIS). They will be able to answer day-to-day questions, such as figuring out what to take next term, dealing with a course that you are having trouble in, completing the paperwork that goes along with being a student at RIT, or just to talk with when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

The CS advisors rotate open office hours during the week where you can swing by and get assistance without an appointment.  Office hours are held Monday and Thursday from 1pm-3pm and Tuesday and Wednesday from 1pm-2pm in the CS Student Services Office. There are no office hours during finals week and break week.  If you would prefer an individual appointment, you can make one in advance by emailing advising@cs.rit.edu or by stopping by the CS Student Services Office.  Please, no same day appointments.

As students move into the graduate portion of the BS/MS program (year level 6) the Department of Computer Science offers two graduate advisors, one academic advisor and one faculty advisor (once a BS/MS student reaches 6th year status they should no longer be working with an undergraduate advisor). There are graduate office hours available Tuesday and Wednesday from 2pm-3pm.  Students may also email general questions to gradadvising@cs.rit.edu.

The grad advisors can answer day-to-day questions, such as figuring out what to take next term, dealing with a course that you are having trouble in, completing the paperwork that goes along with being a graduate student at RIT.
 

Advisors


 Mina Pulcini Christina Rohr Hans-Peter Bischof

 

Faculty Advisors


While faculty advisors can discuss both academic and personal issues and address many of the same issues as the professional advisors, the real strength of faculty advisors lies in their professional expertise. Talk to your faculty advisor about career options, choices to make in selecting Computer Science or outside electives, project or thesis ideas, or perhaps to get their opinion on several co-op opportunities that you have.



Computer Science Student Services Office
GOL (70)-3005

Contact Us
Phone: +1.585.475.2995
Email: advising@cs.rit.edu

 

Getting Advice


The Department of Computer Science offers students two graduate advisors, one academic advisor and one faculty advisor. These advisors are available to assist students, as well as to mentor and monitor students.

Your advisor will be able to answer day-to-day questions, such as figuring out what to take next term, dealing with a course that you are having trouble in, completing the paperwork that goes along with being a graduate student at RIT, or just to talk with when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Appointments can be made at the CS Student Services Office to see one of the two graduate advisors.  Please no same day appointments.  There are also graduate office hours on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2pm-3pm in the CS Student Services Office. There are no office hours during finals week and break week or during summer. Office hours are available for students to come in without an appointment for quick questions. Students may also email general questions to gradadvising@cs.rit.edu.

Please click here for the current advisor assignments

Faculty Advisors


While faculty advisors can discuss both academic and personal issues and address many of the same issues as the graduate advisors, the real strength of faculty advisors lies in their professional expertise. Talk to your faculty advisor about career options, choices to make in selecting Computer Science or outside electives, project or thesis ideas, or perhaps to get their opinion on several co-op opportunities that you have.
 



Computer Science Student Services Office
GOL (70)-3005

Contact Us
Phone: +1.585.475.2995
Email: gradadvising@cs.rit.edu

 

Getting Advice


The Department of Computer Science has professional academic advisors available to assist students, as well as to mentor and monitor students, especially during the first two years.

Your advisor is assigned to you based on the first letter of your last name. Please be sure to view your current advisor assignment via the RIT Student Information System (SIS).  They will be able to answer day-to-day questions, such as figuring out what to take next term, dealing with a course that you are having trouble in, completing the paperwork that goes along with being a student at RIT, or just to talk with when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

The CS advisors rotate open office hours during the week where you can swing by and get assistance without an appointment.  Office hours are held Monday and Thursday from 1pm-3pm and Tuesday and Wednesday from 1pm-2pm in the CS Student Services Office. There are no office hours during finals week and break week or during summer.  If you would prefer an individual appointment, you can make one in advance by emailing advising@cs.rit.edu or by stopping by the CS Student Services Office.  Please, no same day appointments.


Please click here for the current advisor assignments

 

Faculty Advisors


While faculty advisors can discuss both academic and personal issues and address many of the same issues as the professional advisors, the real strength of faculty advisors lies in their professional expertise. Talk to your faculty advisor about career options, choices to make in selecting Computer Science or outside electives, or perhaps to get their opinion on several co-op opportunities that you have.
 



Computer Science Student Services Office
GOL (70)-3005

Contact Us
Phone: +1.585.475.2995
Email: advising@cs.rit.edu

 

The Advisors

   

Rebecca O'Connor

Rebecca O'Connor, Academic Advisor

Rebecca recently joined the Computer Science department as an Undergraduate Academic Advisor.  Prior to beginning her work at RIT she worked as a School Based Counselor in the Rochester City School District with The Center for Youth Services.  Rebecca has a B.A. in Sociology from Mercyhurst College and a M.Ed. in School Counseling from Cambridge College.   Rebecca really enjoys getting to know the students she works with and helping them work towards achieving their goals. 

Rebecca is a Rochester native and loves being back in the area.  In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially her husband, Ryan, and their dog, Kiyra.  Rebecca’s personal interests include dancing, music and traveling.


Mina Pulcini

Mina Pulcini, Senior Academic Advisor

Mina joined the Computer Science department as an Undergraduate Academic Advisor after working for both the First Year Enrichment program and the Disability Services Office.  She graduated from RIT with a B.S. in Management Information Systems and a M.S. in Human Resource Development, where she concentrated her coursework in Career Development.  As an RIT student, Mina worked for the Leadership Institute on campus and discovered her love of working with college students on personal and professional development.  In addition, her professional interests include career planning, goal setting, time management, learning styles, student transition, student development theory, and coaching.

A Western New York native, Mina has spent the last 10 years exploring Rochester and making it her home.  She and her husband, Mike, recently purchased their first house and are enjoying tackling home improvement projects on the weekends.  In her spare time, Mina enjoys reading, writing, traveling (especially to the beach!) and spending time with friends and family.


Christina Rohr

Christina Rohr, Senior Academic Advisor

Christina has been with the Computer Science department since 2002, where she started as a Staff Assistant while working toward her M.S. in Human Resource Development.  After two years, Christina transitioned to a full-time Academic Advisor working primarily with undergraduate students and has begun working with graduate students as well.  Christina also has a B.S. in both Psychology and Creative Writing from Oswego State University.  While at Oswego State, she was a Resident Advisor working with students and programming student activities.  This is where Christina realized how much she enjoyed advising students and continuously helping them succeed towards a prosperous future.  Her professional interests lie in degree requirements and time to completion, time management, and student development in general.

In her free time, Christina enjoys playing soccer, writing poetry, and spending time with her daughter, Ella, and dog, Pearl.  When she finds the time, Christina also likes to travel to the Finger Lakes region and enjoy the peacefulness and calmness of the water.

 

Advising Tutorials

Tiger Tracks Degree Audit: Explore RIT's degree audit system, which allows you to track your academic progress toward your BS degree in CS.

Registration and Course Selection: Learn the tricks of sifting through the Open/Closed course listings on Infocenter, finding restrictions, requesting an unmet need, and pre-planning for the best quarterly schedule.

Introduction to Computer Science Look around the Computer Science website while this tutorial points out the undergraduate degree program, advising resources, study abroad, and other useful information available on the web.

Undergraduate Advising Handbook Key pages of the CS Undergraduate Advising Handbook are outlined in this tutorial, walking you through the appropriate CS Elective choices, Science options, forbidden courses, and year level status.

Co-op Part 1 This tutorial will highlight the definition of co-op at RIT, the CS co-op requirement, how to become eligible for co-op, and how to prepare for your job search.

Co-op Part 2 This video will spotlight current CS student co-op experiences, the benefits of applying classroom knowledge to industry work, and the resources available to help you find a co-op job.

Study Abroad Learn about the two CS department study abroad programs focusing specifically on computing; one program in Dubrovnik, Croatia and the other in Osnabrück, Germany.

CS Computing Resources Familiarize yourself with the numerous computing resources available to you as a CS student. You will learn about CS computer accounts, CS email, computing labs, the Microsoft Academic Alliance, and the Systems Administrators in the department.

Life Outside the Classroom Find out what CS students do outside the classroom, such as attend social outings with the Computer Science Community (CSC) and Computer Science House (CSH).

Transfer and AP Credit

The Department of Computer Science evaluates transfer credit for prospective and current Computer Science students. Current students thinking about taking courses at another college or university should fill out the CS form Request to take a course at another College/University and submit it to the CS Student Services Office before registering.  Prospective students can call the Student Services Office at +1.585.475.2995 if they have questions about acceptable courses for transfer to RIT or if they wish to schedule an appointment to review transfer credit with one of our team members.

The Department of Computer Science evaluates and awards Advanced Placement (AP®) credit based on the following guidelines. >
Exam Grade Credits Courses
Biology 3,4,5 12 General Biology I, II, III (with labs)
Calculus AB 4,5 4 Project-Based Calculus I
Calculus BC 3 4 Project-Based Calculus I
4 8 Project-Based Calculus I, II
5 12 Project-Based Calculus I, II, III
Chemistry 3,4,5 9 General and Analytical Chemistry I and II (with labs)
Computer Science A (as of May 2010) 4,5 4 Free Elective
Environmental Science 3 3 Science Elective
4,5 7 Science Elective
Physics B 4,5 12 Science Elective (8 cr.) and Free Elective (4 cr.)
Physics C: Mechanics 4,5 5 University Physics I
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 4,5 4 University Physics III
Statistics 3,4,5 4 Free Elective
Studio Art 3,4 3 Free Elective
5 6 Free Elective