The Computer Science, Engineering & Mathematics Scholarship (CSEMS) Program

About the CSEMS Program

The Goals of The CSEMS Program
The Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarship (CSEMS) Program is a two-year program for UCSD upper-division undergraduates enrolled full-time in any major within the Jacobs School of Engineering or Mathematics Department. The CSEMS Program is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation with a focus on increasing the participation of low-income and underrepresented groups in computer science, engineering or mathematics. To this end, the program provides educational opportunities to low-income, academically talented students through scholarships.

The Benefits of Being a CSEMS Scholar
The CSEMS Program keeps scholars well connected to their departments and well informed of the wide variety of resources UCSD offers as a whole. As a CSEMS Scholar, you can engage in activities that enhance your professional development. Beyond the scope of coursework, CSEMS Scholars acquire and apply essential skills working on cutting-edge research projects supervised by nationally renowned faculty at UCSD. Many CSEMS Scholars have great success in internships in San Diego companies as well.
Importantly, CSEMS Scholars can give back to the community by serving as mentors and tutors to UCSD freshmen and students in San Diego elementary and secondary schools.
By the end of your scholarship, the sum of your CSEMS experiences should make you highly attractive to graduate and professional school or employers in your field of expertise. Through your CSEMS activities, you will also gain professional confidence and build valuable leadership experience that will aid you in all aspects of life in your years beyond UCSD.

CSEMS Eligibility
To qualify for CSEMS you must:

  • be a U.S. Citizen, national or alien admitted as a refugee;
  • be eligible for Federal financial aid;
  • be be accepted into any major within the Jacobs School of Engineering or the Mathematics Department at UCSD;

Special consideration will be given to:

  • Native Americans (American Indians and Alaskan Natives);
  • African Americans;
  • Native Pacific Islanders (Polynesians and Micronesians);
  • Hispanics/Latinos;
  • Women; and
  • Persons with disabilities.

Voluntary CSEMS Program activities include:

  • program orientation and quarterly meetings with the CSEMS Coordinator;
  • research seminars, career workshops, and advising for professional or graduate school;
  • meetings with faculty advisors;
  • participation in research, industry internship, or on-campus employment related to CSEMS disciplines; and
  • participation in outreach or mentoring activities with the opportunity to serve as a role model for lower-division or pre-college students.

For Future Scholars

Application Deadline: June 28, 2002
Scholarship recipients will be notified August 2002.

Download the CSEMS Application (PDF*)
*You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I decide to change my major after I receive the scholarship, will anything happen?
A: If your new major is not a CSEMS-eligible major, you will lose the scholarship.

Q: Will having the scholarship affect my financial aid package?
A: Having a scholarship may affect the relative amounts of loan and work-study available to you. To find out exactly what adjustments might be made to your financial aid package, contact an advisor in the Financial Aid office.

Q: Can I keep my current job while I’m in the program, even if it has nothing to do with my major?
A: Yes. However you should consider the extra time you will need to satisfy various components of CSEMS. You may have to reduce your hours to allow for CSEMS activities. Most CSEMS scholars find ways to get paid for their CSEMS-related work, if they find it necessary to supplement the funding CSEMS provides.

Q. When do I get my check?
A. CSEMS payments should be posted to your account by the end of the third week of each quarter. It takes this long to verify that you are still eligible for the scholarship.

For CSEMS Scholars

Program Expectations
 In order to remain eligible for the CSEMS Scholarship during the award period, you must make satisfactory progress towards completing these six CSEMS Program Recommendations:

1. Academic Excellence
2. CSEMS Advisor Meetings
3. Career Seminar Attendance
4. CSEMS Sessions Attendance
5. Research or Internship
6. Mentoring or Pre-college Outreach

In consultation with the CSEMS Coordinator, you can formulate an individualized plan to meet program requirements in a manner consistent with your specific goals and interests.

1. Academic Excellence
Scholars must remain enrolled full-time at UCSD in a CSEMS major and maintain a quarterly GPA of 2.8. To be considered enrolled full-time you must successfully complete 36 units during each academic year of the program.

2. CSEMS Advisor meetings
Once per quarter (6 times total) you can meet with the CSEMS Coordinator and your Faculty Advisor in your department. If you are an engineering student, you will also meet with your advisor in Engineering Student Services on a quarterly basis.

3. Career Seminar Attendance
Once per year you can attend a Career Seminar, however it is recommended you attend one per quarter for your benefit. Examples include:

  • research presentations hosted by your department;
  • on-campus presentations by a company;
  • on-site tours of local companies or research facilities;
  • Job Fair; or
  • Career Services Center workshop for employment or graduate/professional school preparation.

4. CSEMS Sessions Attendance
Once or twice per year we suggest you attend a CSEMS Session. The Orientation is one example of this.

5. Research or Internship
During the two years of the program, we recommend you complete a minimum of 80 hours of research or internship activity related to your major. Examples of such activity include:

  • Academic year research with a UCSD faculty member (Faculty Mentor Program);
  • Summer research with a UCSD faculty member (Summer Research Program);
  • Summer industry-paid internship;
  • Employment related to your major
  • Tutoring or Teaching Assistant positions; or
  • Other research or internship activity you propose (approval will be required).

6. Mentoring or Pre-college Outreach
During the two years of the program, we recommend you complete a minimum of 15 hours sharing your knowledge of computer science, engineering or mathematics with members of the community. Mentoring or outreach opportunities include:

  • Participation in pre-college outreach arranged by a UCSD student organization or chapter of a professional association;
  • Tutoring pre-college or lower-division students in math or science;
  • Judging or assisting pre-college student participants in local Science Fair events.
  • Electronic mentoring for pre-college students participating in math/science outreach programs; or
  • Other mentoring or outreach activity you propose (approval will be required).

Required Forms
In order for us to record your progress towards satisfying the six requirements of the CSEMS Program, you must submit documentation of your activities. The forms you will need to complete are available below as downloadable PDF’s*

Return the completed forms to the Coordinator’s office before the date they are due. Forms are due quarterly on the last day of instruction.

Advisor Forms
Mathematics – Faculty Contact Form
Engineering – Faculty Contact Form & ESS Contact Form

Career Seminars
Attendance Documentation Form

Mentoring/Outreach
Quarterly Log

Research/Internship
Verification Form

Evaluation and Update
Program Evaluation Form
Update Contact Information Form (Current Students)
 Update Contact Information Form (Alumni)

* You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 to view these PDF’s. These forms are also available in the CSEMS Coordinator’s office in the Academic Enrichment Programs Office, 411 University Center.

Resources
 To assist you in satisfying your CSEMS requirements, the CSEMS Coordinator distributes opportunity lists on a bi-weekly basis via E-mail. Below are Links to other types of resources that may be of some use to you.

Summer Research Programs
Professional Societies and Conferences
Fellowships and Scholarships
Graduate and Professional Schools
Professional Development

CSEMS Partners

The CSEMS Program is coordinated by the UCSD Academic Enrichment Programs (AEP) and involves a collaborative effort among the Jacobs School of Engineering, the Mathematics Department, and the San Diego Supercomputer Center. The Program is sponsored by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Related Links:

Academic Enrichment Programs
Jacobs School of Engineering
Mathematics Department
San Diego Supercomputer Center

Contact Us

CSEMS Coordinator: Dr. David Artis
Phone Number: (858) 822-3750
FAX Number: (858) 534-8895
E-Mail: dartis@ucsd.edu

Mailing Address: CSEMS Program
Academic Enrichment Programs
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA. 92093-0074