PREPARING YOUR PHD PROPOSAL

Outline  Content  Format  Schedule/Timeline  Committee  Paperwork Disclaimer: The content of this presentation does not reflect official department requirements. This presentation is meant only as friendly advice.

Content What should it be on? How do I start talking to my advisor?  What have you done so far?  What are your previous/current projects on? Are there any common or connecting factors? How much work should I be attempting?  Look at old dissertations & the amount of time it took them to finish  ROT: Most are 3-4 smaller projects

Format How long should it be?  Super tough to say – as long as it needs to be  No page limit (min or max) required by dept  Think about it in sections instead (more later) Single or Double spaced? Can I use LaTeX?  Whatever you and your advisor/group prefer  But USE A REFERENCE MANAGER! (you’ll probably have ~80 references)

Format - Sections  Title Page  Table of Contents?  Abstract  Introduction  Motivation  Background/Literature Review  This is where you would include previous work by other people (in your group or in your field)  Sections describing your proposed work  This is where you would include work you have already completed that is a part of this project  Conclusions/Impact  Proposed Schedule/Timeline

Format What about figures?  Include as many as you need  Unless you have more than 15 (which you probably shouldn’t), you don’t need a LOF in your What about data?  Include as much as you have or need to prove that you think it will work  Could be lots, could be none

Schedule/Timeline  Gantt Chart  Can be really detailed or just a summary  Break it into tasks and then schedule each task  Can make in Word/Excel/or specialized software (Project)  Good way to talk to your advisor about your/their expectations for when you will graduate

Committee – Picking Teams  5 total, including your advisor, 1 out of dept  Advisor will have a few recommendations  Should be relatively related to different aspects of your project  Should try to get people you like working with or know  Avoid people who are notoriously difficult or travel a lot (unless your advisor makes you)  Pick people you want to/will collaborate with  Think about your funding source as your out of department slot – must have a PhD

Committee - Scheduling  EARLY, EARLY, EARLY  Initially just pick a month/week  Don’t try for a specific day/time until you are about 1 month out  Doodle polls are your best friend  Or whenisgood.net  Must give them document 2+ weeks in advance  Don’t have to present to all 5 at once  Minimum 3 (including advisor)  You can (and possibly should) meet with them individually

Committee – Managing B,D,A Before:  Make sure you ask them ( is fine) During:  They’ll be happier if there is good food  They may argue amongst themselves – let them  They might grill & ask you questions  Stay calm, but be prepared  Don’t freak out & blindly commit to stuff in the closed session After:  Update them afterwards as you progress or w/ major changes  Do this individually  Shoot for about 1/yr unless they request more frequent updates

Paperwork  New Department Form  This is more for them than you  They might forget/not be aware of it  Bring copies of it for them  Request for Admission to PhD Candidacy form  On grad.gatech.edu website (just google search it)  Title, Abstract, Committee Members  Also submit your Program of Study

Questions?

Title Page Ex.

Format – The Presentation  Just convert into a min presentation  Should cover the same sections  Don’t expect to cover a slide in less than a minute (meaning slides MAX)