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:
Below are answers to other questions from students interested in the program:
>> 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 facing
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).
>> 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.
>> 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.
>> If you expect to transfer into the major in Fall, you are among the target audience for this program.
>> In Fall, you should be available for the class lecture times MW 3:30pm - 4:45pm.
>> Yes, the meeting times with the faculty advisor in Fall, Winter and Spring will be flexible and we will work to find a common schedule
>> Yes
>> Please check the application page. The timeline for this year is an anomaly because the program was only recently funded. In the following years, applications will be made available in the Spring quarter and the outcome will be known prior to summer.
>> 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), two graduate students and one faculty for technical guidance. Most of the technical help will come from grad students who receive partial funding by the program.
>> See response to the above question
>> Your research project will be connected to a live project in the faculty's area. For examples, please visit the example projects that students at UC San Diego have completed as part of this program.
>> The normal DFW rules for other courses apply here.
>> Besides the Research Methods class, other meeting times are flexible
>> 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.