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

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

3. Successful Graduate Student Complete his program in time with a high GPA.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. 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. 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 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 colleaguesComplete 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 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. Graduate School Different than undergraduate in learning outcomes. How? Different than undergraduate in learning outcomes. How? 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

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

14. 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. Develop you degree plan early on first semester Develop you degree plan early on first semester Who can helpWho can help ( Graduate Advisor, chairman, faculty members, senior colleagues, university web)

15. 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)

16. 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).

17. 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.

18. Elements of Success in GS Be proactive: Be proactive: Identify your area of interestIdentify your area of interest Seek a professor early as a mentor or advisor.Seek a professor early as a mentor or advisor. 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)

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

20. 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.

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. 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.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. 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 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

23. 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. See sample proposals 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.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. 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 Know the graduate school rules, regulations, deadlines and forms Set weekly/monthly goals/ targetsSet weekly/monthly goals/ 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

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

27. 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

28. Success in Research Join a research team group or project. Currently KFUPM has Research Groups. 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. 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: 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 KFUPM that can help you through the tough timesSeek 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 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.

30. Further Readings http://unlmcnair.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/how-to- be-a-successful-graduate-student-by-william-bauer/.http://unlmcnair.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/how-to- be-a-successful-graduate-student-by-william-bauer/.http://unlmcnair.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/how-to- be-a-successful-graduate-student-by-william-bauer/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://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~martel/293/http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~martel/293/ http://www.cs.indiana.edu/how.2b/how.2b.html. How to be a good graduate student byMarie desJardins e-mail: marie@erg.sri.com. http://www.cs.indiana.edu/how.2b/how.2b.html. How to be a good graduate student byMarie desJardins e-mail: marie@erg.sri.com.http://www.cs.indiana.edu/how.2b/how.2b.html http://hegis.umn.edu/res.htmhttp://hegis.umn.edu/res.htmhttp://hegis.umn.edu/res.htm http://hegis.umn.edu/res_gradstudent.htm http://hegis.umn.edu/res_gradstudent.htmhttp://hegis.umn.edu/res_gradstudent.htm http://www.siop.org/tip/april08/13tiptopics.aspx.http://www.siop.org/tip/april08/13tiptopics.aspx.http://www.siop.org/tip/april08/13tiptopics.aspx http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/publications/toolkit.pdf: Tools for success. http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/publications/toolkit.pdf: Tools for success.http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/publications/toolkit.pdf

31. Discussion and Questions