If you are a student interested in applying to the ERSP program, read the FAQ below.

Answers to the following questions can be found in the Syllabus:

  • How much of a time/work commitment is this program? Equivalent to a 4 unit class or more?
  • Just to make sure I understand this program correctly so we would spend the first quarter making a research proposal and start on the research in the remaining two quarters?
  • I still want to know more details about the program, for example the class content that we're going to have in the Fall and the format of the research project like are we going to work together with people who have similar interests or work on our own.
  • What are we going to learn in the course?
  • What exactly is CS research and what does the course entail?

Below are answers to some FAQ. Click on each question to find out the answers.

1. What are the selection criteria?

Selection to the program is NOT solely made based on GPA. Multiple reviewers will asses the following criteria.

1. Diversity: One of the goals of ERSP is to support students who face challenges in their minority status in CS including: race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, first-generation college status, ability. Students in ERSP must demonstrate an awareness of the specific challenges faced by students from these populations, and express how their participation will help support and increase success of students from groups currently underrepresented in CS. However, you do not have to yourself be from a minority group to apply or to participate.

2. Motivation/Dedication: You must express why you are interested in exploring research in CS and in this program in particular.

3. Performance: You must meet minimum GPA standards (overall and within CS courses) to be selected. Usually the threshold is around a 3.3 (but it can vary from year to year). 

2. I am a grad student, can I still take the research methods course?

Unfortunately, at this time the program is only available to undergraduate students, with preference given to students in their second year of Computer Studies at UCSB.

3. I am interested but I'm already taking 17 units. I'm concerned that I would overload myself by joining this program.

The workload in Fall is approximately 16 hours/ week (equivalent to a 4 unit course). In Winter and Spring its around 10 hours/week. The recommendation for Fall is to enroll in no more than 17 units (including this course) but don't drop your other classes until you are sure that you have been admitted into the program.

4. What kind of class will I have to enroll if I am admitted to the program?

You would have to enroll in a research methods class (CS 110) in the Fall quarter. Refer to the course page for more detail.

5. I just joined the CS undergrad program and am entering my junior year. I don't have a lot of experience and honestly, don't have any clue as to what I'd want to do a research project on. That being said, I really want to do a project with CS since it sounds fun. Do we need to have a project idea beforehand or is this something that will be developed through the program?

If you expect to transfer into the major in Fall, you are among the target audience for this program! Transfer students should contact the program director (Prof. Ziad Matni) directly to ensure that they have the opportunity to apply.

6. I was wondering what would happen if the meetings conflicted with a class that I already signed up for.

In the Fall, you have to take CS 110 and be available for the class lecture times (like any class you register for). For your meetings with your group and your technical mentors, you usually have flexibility to make arrangements for meeting times.

7. I would like to know when the weekly meeting with faculty advisor will take place, and if the timing can be flexible.

Yes, the meeting times with the faculty advisor in Fall, Winter and Spring can be flexible and we can work with you and your team to find a common schedule.

8. Will the included 4 unit course (CS 110) qualify as a major elective?

Yes.

9. In order to participate in this program I would have to drop a class, so I was just wondering when we would know whether or not we have been accepted.

Please check the application page. Applications will be made available in the Spring quarter and the outcome will be known by Summer.

10. My main concern with this program is how students would interact with the more complicated research groups. I am in already in a research group, and found the learning curve extremely steep to get involved due to the complexity of topics covered. I don't think most incoming second years would have the experience necessary to follow along in a group like this.

Great question! The goal of the program is to address this very issue. This is done in three specific ways:

1. Faculty participating in the program scope a problem that is appropriate for students in their second year. While students are not expected to know *everything* that they need before they get started, with sufficient motivation they should be able to learn new knowledge and skills to complete their project.

2. Students have a quarter (sometimes more) to learn the knowledge and skills that they would need to carry out the work.

3. There is more support built into the program. Each team is supported by their peers (moral support of others in the same boat), graduate students and faculty for technical guidance.

11. Specifically, who will be tutoring us?

See response for the above question.

12. What kind of research topic are we going to work on?

Your research project will be connected to a live project in the faculty's area.

13. If I decide that I cannot commit to the program is it possible to leave?

The normal DFW rules for other courses apply here.

14. My schedule is setup so that I can take CS154 and CS170 in the Winter in order to take CS 171 in the Spring. Due to the nature of scheduling, I'm concerned about committing to the program for a full year because it's impossible to plan ahead to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Besides the Research Methods class (CS 110) in the Fall, other meeting times are flexible

15. What's the final goal the student should expect to achieve in the end of the program?

Gain the basic skills to do research in an educational setting, figure out if you would like to continue pursue research/grad school, be in a better position to join a research lab and contribute to live projects.