A Successful Graduate Student by

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

2. Outline • Definition of a successful graduate student. • Nature of graduate School/ studies • Measures of success • Elements of success as a student • Tips to be successful in research • Concluding remarks.

3. Successful Graduate Student • 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 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 , publish from his thesis in first tear journals, conduct his departmental duties very well and help his colleagues • .

4. The Undergraduate Student Breadth over depth Recipient of knowledge Externally directed The Graduate From apprentice to expert Depth over breadth Analyzer and creator of knowledge Self-directed Graduate School Versus Undergraduate 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 field • To learn how to conduct research in that field (and perhaps prepare for PhD study) • To 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. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study? • To 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 field • To enhance affiliation with the professional community of the field The primary purposes of professional Masters programs (e.g., MEd, MEng) are: Source of this slide is : University of British Columbia Web Site.

7. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study? • To 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 establish oneself as an expert and leader within the academic community of the field The primary purposes of Doctoral study (e.g., PhD) are: Source of this slide: University of British Columbia Web Site.

8. Graduate School (GS) • Different than undergraduate. How? Personnel characteristics expectation • Maturity • Responsible • Independence • Motivation

9. Graduate School (GS) • Different than undergraduate. How? Personnel characteristics expectation • discipline • Enthusiasm • Perseverance • Imagination • Creativity

10. Graduate School • Different than undergraduate in learning outcomes. How? • Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy) • 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, • 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. • 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.

11. Graduate School • Different than undergraduate. How? Outcomes: • Level of learning ( Blooms Taxonomy) • 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, • 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. • 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.

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

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

14. Elements of Success in GS • Understand requirements and expectations: • Degree requirements. • Load requirements. • Graduation requirements. • Develop you degree plan early on first semester • Who can help ( Graduate Advisor, chairman, faculty members, senior colleagues, university web)

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

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

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

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

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

20. Success in research • 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. • 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. • 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.

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

23. Success in Research • Selection of the advisor • Expertise • Chemistry • Interest • Selection of the thesis/dissertation topic • Clear objectives • Realistic objectives : Answerable questions. • 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. • 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 • Set weekly/monthly goals/ targets • Meet weekly with the advisor • 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 • Take English writing course. • Have a writing colleague • Sharpen your presentation skills

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

28. Success in Research • 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.

29. Success in Research • Seek balance and support in your life: • Remember that you have friends and family outside grad school • Seek 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 life • 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://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~martel/293/ • http://www.cs.indiana.edu/how.2b/how.2b.html. How to be a good graduate student byMariedesJardins e-mail: marie@erg.sri.com. • http://hegis.umn.edu/res.htm • http://hegis.umn.edu/res_gradstudent.htm • http://www.siop.org/tip/april08/13tiptopics.aspx. • http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/publications/toolkit.pdf: Tools for success.

31. Discussion and Questions