Graduate School

Senior Design Seminar 2004

Arthur Overholser, BME

Mark Stremler, ME

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Outline

I. What Degree?

II. Why (or why not)?

III. When?

IV. Where?

V. How?

VI. What is it like in graduate school?

- timetable

- financial support

- selecting an advisor

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I. What Degree?

M. S. without thesis (M.Eng. at VU)– May be a terminal degree oriented toward practice,

often paid for by student

– May be en route to Ph.D

M. S. with thesis– A research degree

– May be terminal or toward Ph.D.

– Financial support usually provided

Ph.D.

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To better prepare for technical engineering practice (particularly the M.S.)

To prepare for responsible industrial research (Ph.D.)

Ph.D. required for an academic career.

Money?

II. Why (or why not)?

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Median Salaries of Engineers, 2002

Degree and Years Since BS Degree

Supervisory Level 9.5 23 38

BS, Non-supervisor $62,124 $75,962 $84,450

MS, Non-supervisor $73,571 $86,120 $101,440

Ph.D., Non-supervisor $81,330 $99,435 $113,890

BS, Supervisor $62,164 $79,778 $96,564

MS, Supervisor $84,632 $101,588 $102,877

Ph.D., Supervisor -- $122,394 $133,330

Source: Engineering Workforce Commission of the

American Association of Engineering Societies, Inc.

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III. Where to go to graduate school?

Depends on…– Specialty– Reputation– Geographic preference– Your future plans

Get information from…– Your faculty – Peterson’s Guide– The Web– From the graduate departments

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IV. When to go to graduate school?

For MBA, get experience first

For M.Eng., may wish experience first

For M.S., Ph.D., as soon as you can.

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V. How to go to graduate school?

Make the best grades you can. Minimum is usually 3.0. Better is required for competitive departments, best chance of support.

Take the GRE by the fall of your senior year. Do well; 2000 total is a reasonable goal.

Apply in the fall of the senior year to a spectrum of schools.

For thesis M.S. and for Ph.D, expect support. Apply for NSF or other fellowships, expect school to offer fellowship, research assistantship, or teaching assistantship.

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VI. What is graduate school like?

You’re not an undergrad anymore…– Expectations higher

– Greater academic independence

– Relationships with faculty quite different

– Personal and social life are different

– Focus is research, not classes Open-ended

Demanding and rewarding

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What’s my timetable?

Depends strongly on school, program, researchTypically 2-3 courses a semester at firstExpect to work on research or project during summer(s)

M.Eng. or non-thesis M.S. courses (VUME: 30 hours) and maybe a project1-2 years to complete

M.S. with thesisCourses (VUME: 24 hours) and thesisTypically 2 years to complete

Ph.D.Courses (VUME: 24 hours) and thesis3-5 years to complete

M.S. + Ph.D. (same advisor & topic)4-6 years to complete

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What about financial support?

Fellowships– From the government (NSF, DOD)

Free agent anywhere

– From the school

Free agent within the school

Research assistantships– Paid for research activity with money from a research

grant

Teaching assistantships– Paid for teaching duties within the department

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How do I choose a thesis advisor?

Identify potential advisors early on

– Research interests (now)

– Reputation and scholarship (now and visit)

– Work environment (visit and beyond)

– Personality (visit and beyond)

Fit + Opportunity = Match

Consider options, stay flexible