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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Learn the research process. May contribute to knowledge Dissertation Graduate School 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

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

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)

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)

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).

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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

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

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

Success in Research Join a research team group or project 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.

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.

Further Readings http://unlmcnair.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/how-to-be-a-successful-graduate-student-by-william-bauer/. http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~martel/293/ http://hegis.umn.edu/res.htm http://hegis.umn.edu/res_gradstudent.htm http://www.siop.org/tip/april08/13tiptopics.aspx

Discussion and Questions