There have been many requests from graduate students for a waiver from CSE 355. Most requests are because the student has been admitted with CSE355 specified as a deficiency course. Completing a follow-on course from CSE 355, such as CSE 550 or CSE 555, does not fulfill the deficiency requirement for CSE355. You must either have CSE355 waived if appropriate, or complete CSE355 for credit.

As course coordinator, I am the only person empowered to determine eligibility for such waivers, so please follow the instructions below carefully.

If you have taken an equivalent course at another institution, you will need

1. the syllabus from the course indicating the text used and the sections covered -- a photocopy of the original syllabus is needed;
2. a photocopy of the transcript showing your grade in the course; and
3. some evidence that the work undertaken has been evaluated and graded (copies of tests, exams, and homeworks would be useful).

If you have not taken the course elsewhere, do not have these materials, or I cannot determine from the materials provided that the course is equivalent to CSE 355, then you are strongly advised to take CSE355 for credit even if you have studied the material independently.

Prior to the start of classes each semester, an examination is set for those who cannot provide the evidence stated above, but have learned the material through other courses. You may only write this exam at the beginning of your first semester at ASU, and there is only one opportunity to write it. The exam is closed book, one hour and 50 minutes in length, and covers the material in Sipser's book, Chapters 1-5.

The waiver exam is administered by the CIDSE advising office, and details about when and where it is held is available from them.