Computer Science Program

Candidate Plan of Study (CPS)

All University of Houston-Clear Lake students pursuing a degree must file a Candidate Plan of Study (CPS) during the semester in which they are accepted into a degree program. Computer Science students should bring their letters of acceptance to the Associate Dean office of the School of Science and Computer Engineering as soon as possible to set up the CPS.

There are many advantages of setting up the CPS as soon as possible.

1. Once the faculty advisor approves the CPS, students need only take the listed courses with acceptable grades to earn their degrees. Future changes to degree requirements will not affect them.
2. The CPS gives students a clear path to pursue their studies.
3. Creating the CPS allows the faculty advisor and the academic advisor to work closely with the students to design the best study plan.
4. Students take courses that fit their career goal; they avoid taking courses not required by the program.
5. School policy limits the number of courses that count toward the degree. An approved CPS eliminates doubt.
6. Students may not seek UHCL employment without an approved CPS.

Undergraduate CPS

Students first schedule an appointment with one of the academic advisors to draft the CPS. The academic advisor will review the student’s degree requirements, transfer credit, and UHCL courses to be completed. The advisor will then help the student set up the CPS draft and assign the faculty advisor. Students need not handle the form themselves, since the academic advisor will forward them directly to the faculty advisor. Click here for a sample BS Computer Science CPS draft form.

The student will then meet the faculty advisor for approval of the CPS Draft and to discuss career options, degree electives, and transfer courses in question. When the faculty advisor and student sign the CPS Draft and return it to the advising office. The academic advisor will then audit the final typed CPS. The Advising Office will notify the student to come in and sign the final CPS. After the student signs the CPS, it goes to the faculty advisor and the Associate Dean for final approval. The original approved CPS remains in the student's academic file; UHCL mails a copy to the student.

Graduate CPS

Graduate students are assigned faculty advisors upon acceptance into a Master's program. The formal acceptance letter specifies the faculty advisor with the name and contact information. Graduate worksheets are then prepared by the academic advisor and sent to the student's assigned faculty advisor. The worksheets will include courses in-progress, and may also list foundation courses that were identified by the faculty admissions committee, or applicable graduate transfer courses. It is not necessary for students to handle the Computer Science Graduate Worksheet themselves, since the academic advisor will forward them directly to the faculty advisor. For your reference, a sample MS Computer Science CPS Graduate Worksheet (not the actual form) can be found here.

Students receive notice via campus e-mail to contact the faculty advisor to set up an appointment to discuss career options for the plan and coursework required for the degree. This is an opportunity to ask questions about Thesis or Capstone requirements and careers in the field of study. Once the faculty advisor and student agree on the courses, they sign the worksheet and send it back to the advising office for processing. The final CPS will be typed and then audited by the academic advisor. The student receives notice when the CPS is ready to sign. After the student has signed the final CPS, it goes to the faculty advisor and the Associate Dean for final signatures. The original is held in the student's academic file and UHCL mails a copy to the student.

Subsequent requests to substitute courses or vary from the requirements as stated on the approved CPS can be documented on a CPS Change Form and submitted to the faculty advisor for approval.

The SCE advising features more detailed information regarding CPS and other aspects of the Computer Science degree plans.

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