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

OutlineOutline Nature of graduate School/ studiesNature of graduate School/ studies Measures of successMeasures of success Elements of success Elements of success Tips to be more successful.Tips to be more successful. Concluding remarks. Concluding remarks.

Graduate School Versus Undergraduate The Undergraduate StudentStudent Breadth over depthBreadth over depth Recipient of knowledgeRecipient of knowledge Externally directedExternally directed The Graduate From apprentice to expertFrom apprentice to expert Depth over breadthDepth over breadth Analyzer and creator of knowledgeAnalyzer and creator of knowledge Self-directedSelf-directed Source of this slide is : University of British Columbia Web Site.

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

To understand thoroughly and think critically about what is known in a particular professional fieldTo 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 fieldTo 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 fieldTo enhance affiliation with the professional community of the field The primary purposes of professional Masters programs (e.g., MEd, MEng) are: What is the Purpose of Graduate Study? Source of this slide is : University of British Columbia Web Site.

To master the knowledge of a specific academic field – and become prepared to teach that knowledge at the university levelTo 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 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 fieldTo establish oneself as an expert and leader within the academic community of the field The primary purposes of Doctoral study (e.g., PhD) are: What is the Purpose of Graduate Study? Source of this slide: University of British Columbia Web Site.

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

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

Graduate School Different than undergraduate. How? Outcomes: Different than undergraduate. How? Outcomes: Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy) Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy) Knowledge: arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce state. 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,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.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.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.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.Evaluation: appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose compare, defend estimate, judge, predict, rate, core, select, support, value, evaluate.

Graduate School Different than undergraduate. How? Outcomes: Different than undergraduate. How? Outcomes: Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy) Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy) Knowledge: arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce state. 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,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.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.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.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.Evaluation: appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose compare, defend estimate, judge, predict, rate, core, select, support, value, evaluate.

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

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

Elements of Success in GS Understand requirements and expectations : Understand requirements and expectations : Degree requirements. Degree requirements. Load requirements.Load requirements. Graduation requirements. Graduation requirements. Who can helpWho can help ( Graduate Advisor, chairman, faculty members, senior colleagues, university web)

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

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

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

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

Success in research The research component in graduate study is the major difference between graduate and undergraduate.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.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.At the beginning stages the role of the advisor is crucial.

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

Success in Research Selection of the advisor Selection of the advisor Expertise Expertise Chemistry Chemistry Interest Interest Selection of the thesis/dissertation topic Selection of the thesis/dissertation topic Clear objectives Clear objectives Realistic objectives : Answerable questions Realistic objectives : Answerable questions

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

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

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

Discussion and Questions