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Expectations and Quality Control for Ph.D. Students

Expectations and Quality Control for Ph.D. Students. A Case Study. The University of Michigan model Similar processes throughout most U.S. departments. Admissions. Quality control beings at the time of application Applicants must submit Transcripts GRE Scores

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Expectations and Quality Control for Ph.D. Students

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  1. Expectations and Quality Control for Ph.D. Students

  2. A Case Study • The University of Michigan model • Similar processes throughout most U.S. departments

  3. Admissions • Quality control beings at the time of application • Applicants must submit • Transcripts • GRE Scores • TOEFL Scores (International Students) • Essay describing research interests • 3 letters of recommendation

  4. Screening • Application folders • First read by groups of faculty in each area (hardware, software, theory, AI, interactive systems) • Decisions made by a faculty committee (“Graduate Committee”, using recommendations from the areas

  5. Accept/Reject Rates • Admit approximately 20-25% of Ph.D. applicants; 30-35% of those admitted enroll • Nearly all are guaranteed 5 years of funding, assuming satisfactory progress (differs in different universities) • No fixed time-line for degree completion, though deadlines exist for milestones

  6. Quality Control #1 • Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in computer science and engineering • Pass (B- or better) 4 courses: • Hardware, software, theory, AI • Observe an honor code for all work

  7. Quality Control #2 • Demonstrate depth of knowledge in an area • High pass (A or A-) in two selected courses in the major area

  8. Quality Control #3 • Demonstrate research potential • Complete an independent project and pass an oral preliminary exam on it • Preliminary exam committee consists of 3 faculty members , but not the project supervisor • After completing requirements #1-3, the student becomes a “candidate”

  9. The “Real Test” • Make an original research contribution in computer science and engineering • Complete and defend a Ph.D. Disseration

  10. The Dissertation Process 1. Work with an advisor to define a research topic and do initial work 2. Form a dissertation committee • At least 3 (preferably 4) faculty members, including the research advisor. 1 must be from outside CSE. 3. Write and orally present a dissertation proposal (pass, conditional pass, fail).

  11. The Dissertation Process (cont’d.) 4. Conduct the approved research, under the supervision of the advisor. Meet at least annually with committee members. 5. [[Present the work to the community in conference and journal papers.]] 6. Complete a written dissertation, and defend it orally in a public forum. Dissertation committee grades it (pass, conditional pass, fail).

  12. Summary: Quality Control • Quality control begins with admissions. • Early in the program, many checks on quality (courses, exams). • During the dissertation, checks at proposal and defense. • Includes multiple faculty members in the evaluation process throughout.

  13. Summary: Expectations • Ph.D. Student has • broad knowledge of computer science • deep knowledge of a subfield, and • a demonstrated capability to produce and present research results • In short, is ready for a faculty or industrial research position—is someone we’ll be proud of!

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