College of Inform & Comp Sci 396A - IS- Directed Research Group
Spring
2026
01
3.00
Neena Thota
M W 10:00AM 11:15AM
UMass Amherst
76580
Lederle Grad Res Center A104A
nthota@umass.edu
This course is part of the CICS Early Research Scholars Program (ERSP). It provides a group-based, dual-mentored research structure designed to be supportive and inclusive first research experience for a large number of early-career Computer Science and Informatics majors. Students can apply and be accepted to the program at the end of their first year (spring term). After successfully completing the 'Introduction to Research in the Discipline' course in the fall, they are then enrolled in this course in the spring of the second year. This course may count as a major elective for CS and INFORM majors with UPD approval, subject to program rules that apply to independent study courses.
STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED IN THE ERSP PROGRAM AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED CICS 237 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN THE DISCIPLINE IN THE FALL. THEY ARE THEN ENROLLED IN THIS COURSE IN THE SPRING OF THE SECOND YEAR. CS AND INFORM MAJORS MAY PETITION TO COUNT AS A MAJOR ELECTIVE. UPD APPROVAL REQUIRED, SUBJECT TO PROGRAM RULES THAT APPLY TO INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES.