1. A Successful Graduate Student by
Salih Duffuaa
Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research

2. Definition of a successful graduate student.
Outline
Definition of a successful graduate student.
Nature of graduate School/ studies
Measures of success
Elements of success as a student
Tips to be successful in research
Concluding remarks.

3. Successful Graduate Student
Complete his program in time with a high GPA.
Complete his program in time with high GPA and publish from his thesis.
Complete his program in time with high GPA and publish from his thesis in first tear journals.
Complete his program in time with high GPA and publish from his thesis in first tear journals and conduct his departmental duties very well.
Complete his program in time with high GPA , publish from his thesis in first tear journals, conduct his departmental duties very well and help his colleagues .

4. Graduate School Versus Undergraduate
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
Source of this slide is : University of British Columbia Web Site.

5. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study?
The primary purposes of research-oriented, thesis-based Master’s programs (e.g., MS, MA & MSc) are:
To understand thoroughly and think critically about what is known in a particular academic field
To learn how to conduct research in that field (and perhaps prepare for PhD study)
To begin affiliating with the academic community of the field
Source of this slide is : University of British Columbia Web Site.

6. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study?
The primary purposes of professional Masters programs (e.g., MEd, MEng) are:
To understand thoroughly and think critically about what is known in a particular professional field
To master skills (including research / experimentation) that are necessary for advanced practice in a particular professional field
To enhance affiliation with the professional community of the field
Source of this slide is : University of British Columbia Web Site.

7. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study?
The primary purposes of Doctoral study (e.g., PhD) are:
To master the knowledge of a specific academic field – and become prepared to teach that knowledge at the university level
To make an original contribution, through research, to the knowledge within a specific field (i.e. “create new knowledge”)
To establish oneself as an expert and leader within the academic community of the field
Source of this slide: University of British Columbia Web Site.

8. Graduate School (GS) Maturity Responsible Independence Motivation
Different than undergraduate. How? Personnel characteristics expectation
Maturity
Responsible
Independence
Motivation

9. Graduate School (GS) discipline Enthusiasm Perseverance Imagination
Different than undergraduate. How? Personnel characteristics expectation
discipline
Enthusiasm
Perseverance
Imagination
Creativity

10. Graduate School Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy)
Different than undergraduate in learning outcomes. How?
Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy)
Knowledge: arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce state.
Comprehension: classify, describe, discuss, explain, express, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, report, restate, review, select, translate,
Application: apply, choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, practice, schedule, sketch, solve, use, write.
Analysis: analyze, appraise, calculate, categorize, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test.
Synthesis: arrange, assemble, collect, compose, construct, create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize, plan, prepare, propose, set up, write.
Evaluation: appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose compare, defend estimate, judge, predict, rate, core, select, support, value, evaluate.

11. Graduate School Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy)
Different than undergraduate. How? Outcomes:
Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy)
Knowledge: arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce state.
Comprehension: classify, describe, discuss, explain, express, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, report, restate, review, select, translate,
Application: apply, choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, practice, schedule, sketch, solve, use, write.
Analysis: analyze, appraise, calculate, categorize, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test.
Synthesis: arrange, assemble, collect, compose, construct, create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize, plan, prepare, propose, set up, write.
Evaluation: appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose compare, defend estimate, judge, predict, rate, core, select, support, value, evaluate.

12. Graduate School Thesis Learn the research process.
Different than undergraduate. How? Research component:
Thesis
Learn the research process.
May contribute to knowledge
Dissertation
Perfect the research process
Contribute to and advance knowledge

13. Measures of success in GS
For Graduate School
% of graduate students to total student population.
Graduate student per faculty
Success rate
Completion rate
Publication rate
Graduate student satisfaction rate .
For Students
Degree cycle time.
GPA.
Number of publication during study period.
Job opportunities.

14. Elements of Success in GS
Understand requirements and expectations:
Degree requirements.
Load requirements.
Graduation requirements.
Develop you degree plan early on first semester
Who can help
( Graduate Advisor, chairman, faculty members, senior colleagues, university web)

15. Elements of Success in GS
Identify available resources:
Laboratories .
Other departments offering
Library.
Faculty interest.
Who can help
( Graduate Advisor, chairman, faculty members, senior colleagues)

16. Elements of Success in GS
Be Visible:
Department seminar .
Department activities.
Be available at and after working hours in the department .
Hard work
Nothing replace this quality.
Read more
Know more
Do assignment on time
Excite your professors ( Below expectation, as expected, more than expected).

17. Elements of Success in GS
Be Tolerant:
Be a good team player by tolerating colleagues .
Do not be sensitive to faculty behavior.
Tolerate additional assignment by the department.
Living and office conditions.
Attend seminars and conferences
Departmental and related departments.
Local, regional and international conferences.

18. Elements of Success in GS
Be proactive:
Identify your area of interest
Seek a professor early as a mentor or advisor .
Seek additional work as a research assistant on projects
Start preparing for your thesis early ( Use summers).
Offer your help to the chairman.
Present your work
Who can help
( Graduate Advisor, chairman, faculty members, senior colleagues)

19. Develop Expertise
Take essential courses in the area (most likely core courses).
Support them by elective courses that develop your expertise.
Have a coherent program.
Do not take the easy path.

20. Success in research
The research component in graduate study is the major difference between graduate and undergraduate.
It is crucial to click into research by understanding the research process and bringing your brain power ( imagination intelligence, etc.
At the beginning stages the role of the advisor is crucial.

21. Be Observant
Keenly observe department norms and how people interact and work together for daily activities, departmental functions, as well as seminars you participate in.
In your seminars, observe the types of questions asked and how senior graduate students (and other faculty that may be attending the seminar) approach issues.
 Note items of special interest that may be good research topics for that seminar or for later research projects.

22. Success in Research Understanding the research process
Learn it early in graduate courses through term papers.
Formulation of answerable questions and achievable extensions.
Perseverance
Start early on:
Second semester or first summer
Learn library and search skills.
Write review papers

23. Selection of the advisor
Success in Research
Selection of the advisor
Expertise
Chemistry
Interest
Selection of the thesis/dissertation topic
Clear objectives
Realistic objectives : Answerable questions.
See sample proposals
( Who can help: Graduate Advisor, Mentors, etc)

24. Success in Research: Sources of Thesis/Proposals
Keep a research/ideas journal
Keep this focused on topics of most interest to you from seminars, discussions, and readings; the seeds of your dissertation and further research might be in here; keep your journal with you wherever you go.
Sources of thesis or dissertation: Review papers, Extension of term papers in courses, Department thesis and dissertations.

25. Managing the Research Process
Managing the process
Know the graduate school rules, regulations, deadlines and forms
Set weekly/monthly goals/ targets
Meet weekly with the advisor
Get feedback early on by discussing your work with the advisor and presenting it to the committee early on

26. Writing and Presentation Skills
Develop your communication skills
Take English writing course.
Have a writing colleague
Sharpen your presentation skills

27. Success in Research
Bring a professional approach to your studies and interactions
Take workshops through the college of Graduate Studies’ Professional Development Initiative.
Learn about research ethics and scholarly integrity
Attend conference

28. Success in Research
Join a research team group or project. Currently KFUPM has Research Groups.
Networking: One of the most important skills you should be learning in graduate school is how to "network.'' Breaking into the research community requires attending conferences, meeting established researchers, and making yourself known.

29. Success in Research Seek balance and support in your life:
Remember that you have friends and family outside grad school
Seek out the many resources at KFUPM that can help you through the tough times
Remember that this will be among the most inspiring and satisfying times in your life
And, because your mother isn’t here: “Get enough sleep, make time for physical exercise, and eat your healthy food.

30. Further Readings
How to be a good graduate student byMarie desJardins
Tools for success.

31. Discussion and Questions