HOW TO GET THRU THE GRAD PROGRAM

1. HOW TO GET THRU THE GRAD PROGRAM 8/27/12

2. Admission…

3. Two types of admits – • “clear admits” • Students with BS Meteorology • Can go straight into grad METR classes • “conditional admits” • Students with BS other • Closely-related fields • “other” other!

4. For conditional admits – • do required classes (per admission) • paperwork to clear “conditional” status is online at http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/completing_masters/index.htm#4

5. Advancement to Candidacy … “Matriculated graduate students must advance to candidacy a minimum of one semester prior to graduating”

6. Advancement to Candidacy … • Candidacy form is online http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/completing_masters/index.htm#4 • Fill out & get signed • YOUR advisor signs 1st • Grad advisor signs 2nd

7. Advancement to Candidacy … • Must have completed at least 9 units • Must have satisfied the writing requirement (GWAR) • 2 slides down… • Must do before your last semester

8. By the time you do your candidacy form, you will have a thesis topic AND A THESIS COMMITTEE!! • One research advisor • Two (or more) additional committee members • Majority must be SJSU faculty • Please do not form your committee the week before you defend (grrrrrr)

9. Writing requirement…

10. SJSU’s graduate writing requirement = You are required to take a course that “proves” your writing ability See: http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/completing_masters/index.htm#3 • In the past, we have required 100W • But…100W requires you to pass the WST test to officially enroll

11. SJSU’s graduate writing requirement = • In the distant past, we had writing requirements in METR 215 • Currently – offering METR 202 to satisfy GWAR

12. Practical aspects…

13. All online at: http://www.met.sjsu.edu/advising/graduate_advising.html

14. Earn30 units total (CSU rule) 205A (3 units) dynamical met 215 (3) physical met 240 (3) numerical met required classes – total of 9 units

15. 6 more units… • 285 (1+ units) – department seminar • grad students are expected to attend ALL seminars every semester • it’s one way to broaden your knowledge • and find out how research is done • 298 (up to 3 units/semester) – research • 299 (1-2 units) – thesis • sign up in last 1-2 semesters

16. Remaining 15 units… • Various grad (200-level) and undergrad (100-level) classes • At least twograd electives • Preferably as many grad-level classes as possible

17. Remaining 15 units… For some students… • 121B (3 units)(requires 121A) • 125 (3 units) • 171B (3 units)(requires 171A)

18. Excluded classes… • Check with the Grad Advisor • METR 136 ??? • METR 163 (sophomore-level class)

19. Other necessary but excluded classes… • 50/51 (computing – vital)

20. The thesis!

21. The thesis itself! • Choose a topic • Choose an advisor • Many paths… • Who has money? • Who is not swamped? • Who do you like? • What is interesting?

22. The thesis itself! • Instructions are online on how to prepare the thesis: • http://www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies/thesis/index.htm • Main thing…follow AMS format • Must be virtually error-free

23. Thesis submission… • See online guidelines for dates etc. • http://www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies/thesis/deadlines/ • Don’t forget to apply for graduation • http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/forms/

24. Use the “2-week rule” in regards to handing thesis to your committee • You will make a seminar presentation (45-55 mins) of your work once given the OK by your advisor & committee

25. This counts as your “culminating experience”. • Requires the Grad Advisor to submit this form… • (top secret ) • Bug me about this when you’re finished!

26. Philosophical aspects…

27. Class-research balance… research Time spent in activity classwork Time from first day here… Roughly 2+ years

28. ??? School-life balance… school Time spent in activity life Time from first day here… Graduate & get job