Carnegie Mellon University

Welcome M.S. in Computational Biology Graduate Students 2020

Congratulations on being accepted to the M.S. in Computational Biology program at Carnegie Mellon University! We are very pleased that you are joining us this fall. Use this monthly step-by-step instruction guide to prepare for your arrival.

Important Dates and Academic Calendar

The University-Wide Graduate Student Orientation
August 17-20
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all students

You will receive essential information and assistance in getting settled. Orientation is a rare opportunity to meet students from across campus and around the world. It’s also an opportunity to meet staff from a variety of Carnegie Mellon offices and understand the resources at the university level.

The International Graduate Student Orientation 
Registration required (through above link)
MANDATORY for international students

The International Graduate Student Orientation is mandatory for international students – the dates will be announced later this spring. This is where you will complete the mandatory immigration check-in. Please bring your immigration documents (I-20/DS-2019, passport and I-94 card). If you arrive after the main orientation program, you MUST complete a 1.5-hour mini-orientation in the Office of International Education.

M.S. in Computational Biology Orientation (coming summer 2020)
August 24-28
MANDATORY for all students

This is mandatory for all students. This is where you will receive information regarding departmental resources, such as review of the curriculum, handbook, academic integrity policies, and internship policies. You will also meet individually with the MSCB Steering Committee for individual advising on your courses and future career goals. There will also be many opportunities to socialize with the other incoming MSCB graduate students.

The First Day of Classes
August 31

Academic calendar (2020-2021): https://www.cmu.edu/hub/calendar.html

Step 1: May Checklist

It is strongly suggested you review the Graduate Education website for further information on how to prepare before you come to campus and to help you get situated once you are here as they are the university resources to assist you.

Transcript(s)

If you graduated in Fall 2019 or Spring 2020, send your final, conferred transcript (hard copy) to the address below or your eTranscript to bio-gradoffice@andrew.cmu.edu:

Graduate Programs Office
Department of Biological Sciences
4400 Fifth Avenue, Room 415
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Andrew Account

Your Andrew User ID provides you with the ability to access the university's computing services such as Student Information Online, the computing clusters and your Andrew email account. You will also need your Andrew ID and password to submit your health history and immunization forms, enroll in student health insurance, and register for classes. 

You should expect to receive an email from Computing Services with the subject line "Receive your Andrew userID.” The email will contain a link for retrieving your Andrew userID and instructions for continuing the First Pass process to set your initial password.

To receive your Andrew userID and set your initial password:

  1. Follow the link in the email you receive from Computing Services (it-help@cmu.edu).
    Note: The link is unique and can only be used once. Be sure to visit the web page before the expiration date stated in the email.
  2. Follow the on screen First Pass instructions to receive your Andrew userID. Write down your Andrew userID; you will only see it once and you will need it to set your password.
  3. Once you have received your Andrew userID, a confirmation page will be displayed.
  4. You will receive another email with instructions on how to set a permanent password. 

Your Andrew email account is your source for official and important Carnegie Mellon communications. Please check it frequently before you arrive on campus and during your academic career. If you choose to use an alternate email address (i.e., Hotmail, Gmail, etc.), then you should forward your Andrew email to your preferred email address to ensure that you receive all official university communications.

Immunizations and Vaccines

Incoming graduate students must complete the online immunization and tuberculosis (TB) screening forms as well as upload immunization records with dates from your healthcare providers to HealthConnect, after you receive your Andrew ID. Select the HealthConnect button from their main page, which will take you to a secure site where you can enter your immunization information. Please refer to the University Immunization and Vaccines and University Health Insurance Requirements website for further information.

Any questions regarding immunization requirements should be directed to 412-268-2157 (press option 4) or health@andrew.cmu.edu.

I-20 or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility

As a non-immigrant student you will need a Certificate of Eligibility from CMU to apply for a student visa. In most cases, the Office of International Education (OIE) is responsible for generating your document. 

Please watch for e-mails from OIE as processing for I-20 forms have been slower and longer lines in past months and years.

Graduate students admitted for Spring 2020 will receive information regarding OIE's e-Form document submission process. The student will complete the information form and ask their financial sponsor (if applicable) to complete the affidavit and provide verification of available finances. These materials will be attached to the online form and submitted electronically. OIE reserves the right to request original documentation if needed. The Biological Sciences and Computational Biology Departments do not handle the processing of the SEVIS transfer or the I20.

Step 2: June Checklist

Health Insurance

Full-time, matriculating students must meet medical insurance requirements. Waivers, enrollment forms and deadlines may be found at the Student Health Insurance webpage. There is a dental and vision insurance option as well. There is a payment plan available: Nelnet Campus Commerce allows you to pay your insurance premium in nine (9) money payments (September through May). For details or to enroll in a health insurance payment plan, visit the Student Insurance and review the Nelnet Campus Commerce information.

Any questions about health insurance should be directed to shinsure@andrew.cmu.edu.

Housing

Carnegie Mellon does not provide graduate student housing. Housing Services does provide resources for Off-Campus Housing. Please visit the Housing Services Off-Campus Housing website for more informationAlso, the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) has created a Graduate Student Housing Handbook that may be found on the Graduate Student Assembly Housing website.

Step 3: July Checklist

Course Registration

You will be pre-enrolled into the required foundation courses for Fall 2020(Essential Mathematics and Statistics for Scientists, Programming for Scientists, Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures, and Applied Cell and Molecular Biology).  You will also be required to take two more foundation courses: Quantitative Genetics and Machine Learning for Scientists in the Spring.  We will be holding placement exams during orientation to give you the opportunity to place out of Mathematics and Statistics for Scientists, Programming for Scientists, Quantitative Genetics, and/or Applied Cell and Molecular Biology.  Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures and Machine Learning for Scientists are required course for all first-year students and neither has a placement test.  More details will be sent out this summer. The assistant director Prof. DJ Brasier will be in touch to follow up in the coming weeks. During the MSCB orientation, you will meet both as a group and individually with the Graduate Advising Committee to discuss your future at Carnegie Mellon and beyond.  Changes in the curriculum are ongoing. You may want to familiarize yourself with courses by reviewing the Course Listings.  There is no recommended overall reading list. In addition, please keep an eye on your e-mail for a message from Prof. Brasier about work to do preparing for your math, statistics, and machine learning courses this summer. If you have any questions about the courses that you will take at Carnegie Mellon, please contact Prof. Brasier by email (dbrasier@andrew.cmu.edu).

Step 4: August Checklist

Student ID Card

The Carnegie Mellon ID Card identifies a campus community member and it is used to access campus facilities and services. The Card Accessible Services website includes a list of the services and resources that the card provides. New graduate students beginning classes for the fall semester may be issued an ID card after August 1 at the Card Office.

The Card Office address is A15 Warner Hall. They may be reached at 412.268.8186 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday - 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by email: idplus@andrew.cmu.edu