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

A Case StudyA Case Study

The University of Michigan modelThe University of Michigan model Similar processes throughout most Similar processes throughout most

U.S. departmentsU.S. departments

AdmissionsAdmissions

Quality control beings at the time of Quality control beings at the time of applicationapplication

Applicants must submitApplicants must submit• Transcripts Transcripts • GRE ScoresGRE Scores• TOEFL Scores (International Students)TOEFL Scores (International Students)• Essay describing research interestsEssay describing research interests• 3 letters of recommendation3 letters of recommendation

ScreeningScreening

Application foldersApplication folders• First read by groups of faculty in each First read by groups of faculty in each

area (hardware, software, theory, AI, area (hardware, software, theory, AI, interactive systems)interactive systems)

• Decisions made by a faculty committee Decisions made by a faculty committee (“Graduate Committee”, using (“Graduate Committee”, using recommendations from the areasrecommendations from the areas

Accept/Reject RatesAccept/Reject Rates

Admit approximately 20-25% of Ph.D. Admit approximately 20-25% of Ph.D. applicants; 30-35% of those admitted applicants; 30-35% of those admitted enrollenroll

Nearly all are guaranteed 5 years of Nearly all are guaranteed 5 years of funding, assuming satisfactory funding, assuming satisfactory progress (differs in different progress (differs in different universities)universities)• No fixed time-line for degree No fixed time-line for degree

completion, though deadlines exist for completion, though deadlines exist for milestonesmilestones

Quality Control #1Quality Control #1

Demonstrate Demonstrate breadth of knowledgebreadth of knowledge in computer science and engineeringin computer science and engineering

Pass (B- or better) 4 courses:Pass (B- or better) 4 courses:• Hardware, software, theory, AIHardware, software, theory, AI

Observe an honor code for all workObserve an honor code for all work

Quality Control #2Quality Control #2

Demonstrate Demonstrate depth of knowledgedepth of knowledge in in an areaan area

High pass (A or A-) in two selected High pass (A or A-) in two selected courses in the major area courses in the major area

Quality Control #3Quality Control #3

Demonstrate Demonstrate research potentialresearch potential Complete an independent project and Complete an independent project and

pass an oral preliminary exam on itpass an oral preliminary exam on it• Preliminary exam committee consists of Preliminary exam committee consists of

3 faculty members , but 3 faculty members , but notnot the project the project supervisorsupervisor

After completing requirements #1-3, After completing requirements #1-3, the student becomes a “candidate”the student becomes a “candidate”

The “Real Test”The “Real Test”

Make an original research Make an original research contribution in computer science and contribution in computer science and engineeringengineering

Complete and defend a Ph.D. Complete and defend a Ph.D. Disseration Disseration

The Dissertation ProcessThe Dissertation Process

1. Work with an advisor to define a 1. Work with an advisor to define a research topic and do initial work research topic and do initial work

2. Form a dissertation committee2. Form a dissertation committee• At least 3 (preferably 4) faculty At least 3 (preferably 4) faculty

members, including the research members, including the research advisor. 1 must be from outside CSE.advisor. 1 must be from outside CSE.

3. Write and orally present a 3. Write and orally present a dissertation proposal (pass, dissertation proposal (pass, conditional pass, fail).conditional pass, fail).

The Dissertation Process (cont’d.)The Dissertation Process (cont’d.)

4. Conduct the approved research, under 4. Conduct the approved research, under the supervision of the advisor. Meet at the supervision of the advisor. Meet at least annually with committee members.least annually with committee members.

5. [[Present the work to the community in 5. [[Present the work to the community in conference and journal papers.]]conference and journal papers.]]

6. Complete a written dissertation, and 6. Complete a written dissertation, and defend it orally in a public forum. defend it orally in a public forum. Dissertation committee grades it (pass, Dissertation committee grades it (pass, conditional pass, fail).conditional pass, fail).

Summary: Quality ControlSummary: Quality Control

Quality control begins with Quality control begins with admissions.admissions.

Early in the program, many checks Early in the program, many checks on quality (courses, exams).on quality (courses, exams).

During the dissertation, checks at During the dissertation, checks at proposal and defense.proposal and defense.

Includes multiple faculty members in Includes multiple faculty members in the evaluation process throughout.the evaluation process throughout.

Summary: ExpectationsSummary: Expectations

Ph.D. Student has Ph.D. Student has • broad knowledge of computer sciencebroad knowledge of computer science• deep knowledge of a subfield, and deep knowledge of a subfield, and • a demonstrated capability to produce a demonstrated capability to produce

and present research resultsand present research results

In short, is ready for a faculty or In short, is ready for a faculty or industrial research position—is industrial research position—is someone we’ll be proud of!someone we’ll be proud of!