[Note: This text contains important comments (in this color). -- A. Gelbukh]
[Disclaimer: This is my own translation of the original text at http://www.cic.ipn.mx/sitioCIC/descargas/Convocatoria-MCC_B17.pdf (this cached version). This translation can be incorrect or obsolete (if the original is updated); the translation and the comments are provided as is and have no legal power.]
[THIS IS A PAST CALL. THE NEW ONE IS SIMILAR. See the new call here, but check my comments in red color below.]
Master of Science in Computer Science (MCC) August - December 2017
Computer Research Center - Centro de Investigación en Computación
The Instituto Politécnico Nacional (National Polytechnic Institute, IPN), through the Center for Computer Research (CIC), invites those interested in studying in the Master's program in Computer Science to participate in the admission process of the August-December 2017, under the following bases:
The CIC IPN offers the Master of Science in Computer Science (MCC) program to develop research in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT).
The MCC program provides a solid and internationally recognized training program that is recognized and endorsed at the International Competency level by the National Quality Postgraduate Program (PNPC) of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT).
The candidate of the Master of Science in Computer Science must have solid knowledge that allows him or her to approach the analysis, design, development, implementation, maintenance, and administration of computer systems, as well as to possess a good level of mastery of mathematics. Typically, physics and mathematics professionals, graduates of engineering, computer science, informatics, computer systems, telematics, physics, mathematics, and other sciences related to information and communication technologies have the required profile.
The aspirant should have distinguished creativity and ability to produce or use new knowledge to be applied in solving problems, and should be motivated to develop his or her vocation for research, the development of sciences, technological innovation, and teaching.
The graduate of the Master in Computer Science will have developed the critical capacity, skills, and abilities to perform basic and applied research, and will have sufficient knowledge and techniques reported in the state of the art for the analysis, modeling and problem solving, as well as the ability to adapt and improve concepts with an innovative approach.
Based on the development of leadership skills, strengths and collaboration in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams, he or she will be able to work in the public, private, and research sectors. He or she will also be able to express his or her point of view and establish bonds of shared responsibility, all the aspects that combined with the knowledge acquired in the program, are now required by the information and communication technologies sector.
In order to enter the MCC postgraduate program, the applicant must comply with the requirements established by the IPN (IPN) Graduate Studies Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 28 and Articles 31 to 35. Further details of the regulation are on the website www.cic.ipn.mx in the Regulatory Framework section.
These requirements are as follows:
1. To have concluded degree studies in the field of the engineering and / or areas related to the technologies of information and communication.
2. Accredit the reading comprehension test and English language translation.
3. Demonstrate ability to continue their studies at the postgraduate level, through the corresponding examination.
4. Express through the letter of motives and during the interview with the Admission Commission the interest that he or she has to develop a research proposal in any of the lines promoted by the Computer Research Center.
The admission process consists of the following steps:
You must fill in the application form online to start the admission process, through the following link URL: http://www.cic.ipn.mx/mcc/admision
[Note: You can probably reuse your existing scores if you have passed this exam not earlier than 3 years ago. Only quantitative reasoning score is relevant; see under Selection Criteria section. -- A. Gelbukh]
You should make an appointment and take the exam through the official website of the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The information for the GRE can be consulted at: https://www.ets.org/gre and for the EXADEP through: https://www.ets.org/exadep. GRE Code: No. 7509, Country: Mexico, Institution: Instituto Politécnico Nacional
There are four options for proof of English proficiency:
To take the exam, you must register in the Department of Educational Technologies (DTE) of the CIC IPN. The applicant has the period from February to April. He or she should visit the DTE and submit a copy of the official identification, e.g., National Electoral Institute (INE) ID, passport, or professional certificate. The minimum passing qualification on the English proficiency exam, which is applied by the IPN Foreign Language Center (CENLEX IPN), is eight.
You should make an appointment and take the exam through the official website of the Educational Testing Service (ETS). TOEFL Code: No. B770, Country: Mexico, Institution: CIC IPN National Polytechnic Institute. Submit the TOEFL-ITP or TOEFL-IBT certificate (less than two years old). [Note: I suggest to take IBT and not ITP test, because IBT can be later used for PhD admission, and ITP cannot. -- A. Gelbukh]
In case of presenting evidence of another type of examination recognized nationally or internationally, it will have to be validated before the Directorate of Foreign Language Training of IPN.
If you have English language studies at an institution endorsed by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) or international, you must submit in the DTE the original documentation of the studies that have been completed, which does not exceed one year [note: they probably mean that you should have completed the studies not earlier than one year ago -- A. Gelbukh].
In case of being native English speaker, it is necessary to validate in the CENLEX IPN, through the DTE, the documentation that guarantees the language mastery.
The file shall be composed of the following documents:
[Note: see below exceptions for foreign aspirants. Note: The deadline for this step is later than the deadline for the next Step 5; see the section on important dates below -- A. Gelbukh]
A. Proof of the GRE General Test (Graduate Record Examination) or EXADEP (Admission to Graduate Studies) test result. Certificates are valid for a maximum of 3 years. In case of not having it, while waiting for the result to be received, the applicant may attach a proof of booking the examination date.
B. Proof of command of the English language.
C. Digital copies of the Bachelor's degree, as well as the professional certificate. In case of being in process, present a proof.
D. Digital copy of the certificate of degree or of the qualification record. They must indicate the general grade point average.
E. Digital letter-size copy of the Single Key of the Population Registry (CURP).
F. Digital letter-size copy of the birth certificate.
G. Curriculum Vitae and in digital PDF format.
H. Letter signed by the applicant in which he or she states that he or she did not fail any postgraduate degree from the IPN. [Note: I think they mean this form: http://www.comunidad.cic.ipn.mx/admision/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DTE-13-00-CartaNoHaberEstudiado-en-otro-posgIPN.pdf; the text to fill at the top is the date in the format day, month, year, as "a 1 de June de 2017"]
I. Printed admission request form, generated through online registration form (step 1), including a recent small size photograph (black and white or color).
You must send the digital files that integrate the file in PDF format to the Department of Educational Technologies dte@cic.ipn.mx with a copy to the Coordination of the MCC mcc@cic.ipn.mx
Proof of study of the Bachelor's degree, Masters degree [this is a copy-and-paste error I guess -- A. Gelbukh], study certificates and birth certificate must be submitted with translation into Spanish and duly legalized (apostilled). The requirement of the professional certificate does not apply to foreign applicants. The CURP is processed upon arrival to Mexico.
[Note: First, legalization is to be done in your country or in an Embassy of your country. After that, certified translation from English can be done in a Mexican Embassy or in Mexico. See discussion on http://www.gelbukh.com/scholarships-how-to.html. -- A. Gelbukh]
Part of the admission process includes knowing the specific lines of research (LEI) that are developed in the post-graduate program, for which you should attend an induction session. See the "Important Dates" section for the schedule.
[Note: I guess this does not apply to foreign applicants. -- A. Gelbukh]
The applicant must sustain an interview with the Admission Commission, for which he or she should consult the date and time of the appointment in the "Admission Process" section of the CIC IPN portal.
The interview with the Admission Commission will be made through the videoconference system via Internet. You should consult the dates and times in the "Admission Process" section of the CIC IPN portal.
The Admission Commission will evaluate each applicant’s file and determine those who will be admitted to the Master of Science in Computer Science program. The list of admitted candidates will be published in the section "Admission Process" of the official CIC IPN portal.
To speed up the immigration procedures of foreign applicants, the Admission Commission will notify the applicant in a timely manner of the outcome of the admission process.
In the selection process of the applicant, the following will be considered:
• The score for the quantitative reasoning skill obtained on the GRE or EXADEP [Note that only quantitative reasoning is mentioned here; the scores for Qualitative reasoning and Writing seem not to be relevant, so you can save time on these and prepare better for the quantitative score. -- A. Gelbukh];
• The level of command of the English language;
• The personal interview with the Admission Commission;
• The professional and academic career of the applicant.
The maximum enrollment of students projected for admission to the Master of Science in Computer Science program in the semester B17 is 30 students.
The MSc in Computer Science is accredited with the CONACYT's Postgraduate Program of Quality, where it currently has the highest quality level corresponding to "International Competence."
Students enrolled in the CIC IPN MCC program will receive a monthly scholarship of 10,327.05 pesos, provided they meet the requirements established by the CONACYT scholarship regulations, among others, to have a global average of grades the same or higher than 8.0. [They mean 8.0 in the Mexican scale. Contact your advisor about the procedure of mapping of your marks to the Mexican scale. -- A. Gelbukh]
The CONACYT grants these economic supports, for a maximum period of 4 semesters to those students who will dedicate full time and exclusively to their postgraduate studies. For more information consult: http://www.conacyt.mx/index.php/becas-y-posgrados/becas-nacionales
In addition to the CONACYT grant, the IPN manages the medical service coverage with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) during the postgraduate study period, with the permanent social security number.
Application for admission: February 15 - May 26
Sending the admission file: February 15 - June 2
CENLEX IPN English Exam Registration: May 12 [you don’t need this if you have TOEFL -- A. Gelbukh]
Conducting the English exam at CENLEX IPN: May 19, 10:00 p.m.; May 22, 17:00 p.m. [you don’t need this if you have TOEFL -- A. Gelbukh]
Induction sessions: June 8 and 9 [hopefully not applied to foreign applicants -- A. Gelbukh]
Publication of a list of candidates selected for interviews: June 9
Interviewing applicants by the Admission Commission: June 15 and 16
Publication of results: June 23
Registration for the postgraduate program at the IPN: August 1-4 [that is, you should be in Mexico by this date -- A. Gelbukh]
Start of semester: August 7
For more information on the DCC Curriculum you should consult the link: https://www.cic.ipn.mx/mcc
The admitted applicants must formalize their enrollment in the program without any compulsory payment, but with the possibility of making the voluntary contribution as a donation for opening a file to the account Banamex No. 375-5306877, holder: Comisión de Operación y Fomento de Actividades Académicas del IPN (COFAA-IPN). See: www.cic.ipn.mx/donativos [contact your advisor for explanation of this step -- A. Gelbukh]
For information related to academic aspects: Dr. Amadeo José Argüelles Cruz, Academic Coordinator of MCC, phone +52 (55) 5729 6000 extension 56593, email: mcc@cic.ipn.mx. For telephone information regarding administrative matters: call +52 (55) 5729 6000 extension 56645 and 56567.
Any situation arising during the admission process and not contemplated in this call will be resolved with full compliance with the Regulations of Postgraduate Studies of the IPN by the competent authority in each case.