جامعــــــة المـلـك فهــــــد للبتــــــرول والمعــــــــــــــــادن KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS How to Succeed in Graduate Studies? KFUPM Graduate Day 6 February 2013 Mohammad S. Sharawi Associate Professor Electrical Engineering Department

2 PRESENTATION SCOPE Being a Graduate Student Course work Finding a Thesis Adviser (Tips for Students and Advisers!) Conducting Research Your Proposal and Thesis/Dissertation Closing tips

3 PRESENTATION SCOPE Being a Graduate Student Course work Finding a Thesis Adviser (Tips for Students and Advisers!) Conducting Research Your Proposal and Thesis/Dissertation Closing tips Most Probably I will drift AWAY! So Stay AWAKE!

4 BEING A GRADUATE STUDENT Graduate school is NOT EASY! You will be exposed to hard things (mentally and emotionally! Even socially sometimes!) Decisions will affect your future career/life  Getting the right start is Critical!

5 GRADUATE STUDIES The Undergraduate Student Breadth over depth Recipient of knowledge Externally directed The Graduate From apprentice to expert Depth over breadth Analyzer and creator of knowledge Self-directed

6 GRADUATE STUDENT 1. Mature 2. Responsible 3. Independent 4. Motivated 5. Focused 6. Organized

7 TIME LINE …

8 EARLY TIPS (101) Always plan ahead, and update the plans as you move along Ask your adviser/fellow students, about classes, campus life, etc. Be Organized Be Focused Details/More to come ….

9 COURSE WORK At KFUPM, usually you have to take 3 courses a semester for the first years in your PhD studies and for 1 year in your MSc one. Try to take courses that are the within your FIELD of interest, and NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE EASY! You need to WORK HARD to get A’s, specially with your potential Adviser.

10 COURSE WORK Speak with the professor giving the course, and pick challenging courses that are in your Area of Interest. Choose classes with small research projects to get used to conducting research and writing technical reports/papers early on. Consult with your Academic Adviser, and Tell Him what you WANT! DO NOT BE SHY!

11 CHOOSING AN ADVISER

12 CHOOSING AN ADVISER Well … this is not an easy task Talk with more than one professor working in the general area of your interest Check professor websites and their engagement in scientific research

13 CHOOSING AN ADVISER Talk to other students about the group of professors that you have in mind –Are they Helpful? –Average graduation time? –Do they have funding? –Graduation requirements? –Student Treatment? –Research Problems and engagement? THE SOONER YOU CHOOSE YOUR ADVISER THE BETTER!

14 CHOOSING AN ADVISER Features of a good adviser: –An Active Researcher –A mentor that guides you to helpful resources –Motivates you –Promotes your work –Encourages your interests –Be available when you need help –Makes sure that you get the required skills to become a Professor! –Knows you personally

15 CHOOSING AN ADVISER Features of a good adviser: –An Active Researcher –A mentor that guides you to helpful resources –Motivates you –Promotes your work –Encourages your interests –Be available when you need him/her –Makes sure that you get the required skill to become a Professor! –Knows you personally You think being a student is HARD! Try being a Professor!

16 RESEARCH … RESEARCH … RESEARCH …

17 RESEARCH … RESEARCH … RESEARCH … TIME MANAGEMENT!

18 RESEARCH Pick a topic that you are interested in Read.. Read.. Read.. Read selectively, as you will be spending ½ of your time reading Be organized –Have a notebook to track your readings –Summarize what you read for future comparisons –Write down your successful experiments and your bad ones

19 RESEARCH Understand the problem and try to divide and conquer Present results to your adviser in a paper format to get used to paper writing styles Think outside the box …. Verify other results in literature Make sure you go to at least 2 conferences: –You will network and see what other people are doing –You will feel the heat of presenting in front of top researchers

20 PAPERS If your paper is rejected, correct and re-submit! This is OK.

21 COMMITTEE

22 PROPOSAL You need to present the problem to be solved and convince the committee that it is worth tackling Present a solving methodology Comprehensive Literature Review How will your work add to what is already out there DO NOT PANIC IF YOU MISS A QUESTION! SAY, “I am NOT SURE, this needs FURTHER STUDY!”

23 THESIS/DISSERTATION Write small portions (sub-sections) and build it up Be organized Keep your advisor up-to-date with your thesis organization Clearly identify your work contributions Make sure you have mastered a clear writing style, avoid jargon … be concise and explain thoroughly

24 THESIS/DISSERTATION Write small portions (sub-sections) and build it up Be organized Keep your advisor up-to-date with your thesis organization Clearly identify your work contributions Make sure you have mastered a clear writing style, avoid jargon … be concise and explain thoroughly YOU WILL BE THE EXPERT IN YOUR TOPIC!

25 BRAIN ANATOMY!

26 FINAL THOUGHTS Graduate School is NOT EASY! But … –Start small - Think Big –Stay focused on your goals - Learn new things –Enjoy what you are doing! –Balance between work and life activities

27 MORE TIPS 10 tips that will make your graduate experience fruitful and less painful 1. Know how you work 2. Read Smarter 3. Focus on Learning Not Grades 4. Consult Others (mainly your thesis and academic advisers) 5. Manage your time

28 MORE TIPS 6. Track/organize/file everything related to your work 7. Write small pieces 8. Be Organized 9. Choose your adviser and committee wisely 10. Have a Life! Do not forget your loved ones!

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30 THIS IS A COMIC!! Hard Work Always Pay off.

31 Good Luck! QUESTIONS ?