Grad School Overview John Keyser CSCE 481, Spring 2010 Some slides thanks to: D. M. H. Walker, Graduate Advisor

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Grad School 10.Get to defer student loans. 9.Can defer dress code – wear iPod/hat/PJs… 8.Can defer contact with the “real world” – going to bed and getting up on time. 7.Significant other hasn’t graduated yet. Need to hang around town. 6.Want people to call you “Doctor” but faint at the sight of blood. (i.e. not the kind who helps people)

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Grad School 5.Love taking courses, want to take even more. 4.Want more letters after your name – hope it boosts starting salary. 3.Like doing research – discovering and inventing new things, making your mark… 2.Want to be the world’s expert at something. 1.Need to for the job you want (e.g. professor).

Grad School Misconceptions (that are sometimes true) 5.Grad school is like undergrad work, but with more advanced classes 4.Grad school can always be a fallback plan, if I have trouble getting a job 3.I can get the graduate degree I want anywhere 2.Graduate degrees maximize my earning potential 1.Grad school will cost me more money

Top Issues Faced in Making Choice Grad school or job – what is research? Which degree - MCS/MEN, MS or PhD? Which school - TAMU, UT, Rice, Berkeley, MIT? Which advisor – Dr. A or Dr. B? Which research topic - what am I incredibly interested in? Start by asking faculty questions!

Before Grad School: What do I do now?

Research Research is about the generation/creation of new knowledge –It is not looking up/synthesizing information –It is not just implementing something new For most degrees, research is the key part of graduate work Most admission decisions are made based on “aptitude for research” –Standards for admission are now higher –Grad schools want to see interest in research, and preferably experience

Experiencing Research #1 grad school question – Do I like research? Undergrad Research –TAMU USRG Program –Computer Science REU Program –Summer Programs Nationwide CPSC 485 (491) projects with faculty –Ask faculty who might have mutual interest –Most faculty interested in this –Some might have $$$ –Research Fellows Program is an option

Applying to Grad School: Which Degree?

Master’s (Coursework Only) Multiple names: MCS, ME, sometimes MS Basically take several more advanced courses –TAMU’s MCS: 30 hours Seen as a “terminal” degree – not intended to prepare you to go on to Ph.D. Sometimes can be “fast tracked” with undergraduate studies Most realistic option for “rapid” degree

Master of Science Typically take quite a few courses, but usually less than coursework-only option Complete a Master’s Thesis –Usually accounts for ~6 hours of credit, but more work –Thesis topics/depth vary, but usually have to show a research component –Will be far more in depth than any prior school assignments –Thesis defense Typically take 2-3 years after B.S.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) In depth, research focused Usually requires a bit more coursework than M.S., but not a lot Typically takes 5-7 years after B.S. –Cut 2 years off if coming from M.S. Major product is the dissertation: –A thorough explanation of some topic in which you make a significant contribution to the field in that area Also, usually several series of exams

Applying to Grad School: Which School?

Choosing a Grad School Research Interests Reputation by Area Acceptance Rates Financial Issues Post/pre Acceptance - Visits

Applying to Grad School: The application process

Grad School Applications Start Early –Some deadlines in November GPA, GRE scores are important as filters Letters from Faculty Statement of Research Interest Other supporting information –Courses taken –Research projects/publications

Life in Grad School: Progress over time

Coursework Varies significantly between schools, from undergrad Occasionally leveling required Usually 1-2 years –Ph.D. usually requires a little more coursework Deeper, more specialized courses Typical student takes about 9 hours –Usually do other work, also – not full time coursework –If full time, sometimes take 12 hours (maybe 15 hours, in extreme cases)

Picking a Research Topic START EARLY!!! It needs to be something you really like –Especially for Ph.D. “Apprentice” in a research group –Assist others –Learn how research is done –Highlight unsolved/challenging problems Best if you come up with the topic yourself –But, needs to fit with advisor’s interests

Length of Graduate Programs

Life in Grad School: Choosing an Advisor

How Grad Students See Faculty Funding Instructor Ideas “Parent” Job finder

How Faculty See Grad Students MCS/ME –Like undergrads, but more knowledge –Help fill classes MS –Will do some research –Require moderate investment PhD –Will do lots of research –Require lots of investment Guess which faculty prefer? Make the right choice for YOU!

Choosing an Advisor Consider this at the time of application! You want to find a good match –Research interest –Personality –Expectations Faculty have limited time and money

Life in Grad School: Paying for It All

Teaching Assistant Grading, running labs, holding office hours Typically assumed to be 20 hours a week of work Some schools require this (for Ph.D.s) Typically, this is the type of funding you get if from the department

Research Assistant Work on research for an advisor –Usually your own advisor –Usually on topics related to your dissertation Research is paid through some funding source –Typically, these are government grants –Sometimes company support –Sometimes faculty have endowments or money they can direct

Fellowships A wide variety of sources, public, private, university-specific Some are very prestigious (e.g. NSF, NDSEG) Often have various restrictions –U.S. Citizenship –Underrepresented groups –Work requirements/options Can vary in quality, from full coverage for several years to a small “extra” amount

Other sources Outside jobs –Some will work while pursuing graduate degree –Part-time jobs – e.g. other departments –Very difficult to do full time job and work on graduate degree, unless you tie your job into your studies Loans –Not as commonly used in grad school, but do happen sometimes –Much more common in other fields

After Graduation: What Good Was This?

Jobs for those with Grad degrees Master’s degrees: –Tend to be the same “types” of jobs as undergraduates –Tend to head toward more leadership and advanced roles Ph.D. degrees: –Usually more flexible, often research-based –Fewer jobs, but more interesting/advanced –Some people will go to postdocs –Not necessarily more money – might not be financially beneficial factoring in time spent