Notes on Graduate School

Cliff ShafferDepartment of Computer Science

Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA

My Perspective

• 8 years as graduate program director for a “Research 1” PhD granting (and PhD-focused) CS Department

• A graduate degree should be something very different from an undergraduate degree– Not just more classes– The “research degree” is what has made graduate

education in the US the envy of the world

Graduate Programs

• MS-only (typically course based)• PhD-granting (MS and PhD)– In Academia, there is a real “pecking order”

among Universities– Where you go for an undergraduate degree is far

less important than where you go for a graduate degree, especially for a PhD, for future job prospects

MS vs. PhD

• In CS, everyone is usually in demand• Generally, BS pays well, MS pays better, and

PhD pays even better– But its debatable whether the “cost” of a PhD

makes up for the pay differential from MS– The real reason to get a PhD is because it lets you

do new things (faculty, research labs, in industry more likely to be the manager, overall status)

PhD Jobs

• In CS, the majority of PhDs go to industry• Guesstimate:– Industry 50%– Academia 40%– Government 10%

Timeframe

• The MS degree traditionally takes 2 years– Low variance

• The PhD degree roughly takes 5 years from BS– High variance

• You really want to be getting paid while doing your graduate degree!– GTA, GRA, Government fellowship, company

support, military support

Getting into Graduate SchoolFactors considered by our department, in rough order of

importance:• How much we believe you want to do research (and

will be able to get it done)• Established connection with a faculty member in our

department• Research experience (publications a big plus)• Recommendation letters (from respected sources)• School you went to• Grades• Standardized test scores

Example: VT MS Degree

Thesis• 30 credits• 7 3-credit courses (2-3 courses/semester)• Defend thesis (9 credits)

Coursework-only• 33 credits• 11 3-credit courses• One is Independent Study, with a report

Example: VT PhD

• 11 3-credit courses• 2 advanced/seminar courses• 2 courses outside of CS (technical electives)• Pass PhD Qualifier• Pass PhD Proposal/Preliminary Exam• Pass Dissertation Defense

Why do Research?

• Learn a set of work skill that you can't get from classes– Significant writing task– Independent/unstructured work task

• Do something ``real'‘• Become a true expert in something• It's the only way to get a PhD

Grad Student Concerns

The key concern with doing a research degree:• When will it end?

How to be Successful Grad Student• Initially:– Don't just take classes -- interact with faculty,

students doing research, and research groups.– Attend talks, read papers.

• Get PhD qualifier (or equivalent) out of the way early.

• Identify an advisor early, and get involved in research– GRA, Independent Study, or volunteer

• Research topic often comes from the work, not work from the topic.

Getting Things Done

• Set deadlines or milestones... And keep them!• Break big tasks into subtasks• Tackling the Dissertation:– Intersperse writing with working– Documenting literature review is an ongoing

process– Constantly write progress reports– Publish along the way if possible

The Advisor• A key person in your academic/professional career• Pick the best compromise (for YOU!) of the following– Research area– Support opportunity– Physical environment for getting work done– Intellectual environment for getting work done– Peer support system (research group)– Personality: Interaction at a personal level– Personality: Management style (hands on/off)– Level of attention– Track record on timely graduation– Professional advancement