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Navigating a Ph.D. Journey: Pleasure, Pain, and Progress

Explore the rewarding yet challenging path of pursuing a Ph.D., from the joy of conducting original research to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Learn the essential qualities of a good Ph.D. student and how to navigate the application process effectively.

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Navigating a Ph.D. Journey: Pleasure, Pain, and Progress

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  1. Considering a Ph.D Peter A. Allison

  2. What is a Ph.D. • In the beginning you have 3 years funded and 4 years maximum registration to pursue original research. • At the end the candidate produces a thesis and is examined by 2-4 hour oral examination. • So what happens in between? • And how do you get on a program?

  3. Pleasure and Pain • Every research student will experience pleasure and pain. • Pleasure: from working with colleagues, being immersed in a challenging research program, getting results that challenge existing hypotheses and help you to create new ones. • Pain: long hours, blind alleys in your research program, nagging self doubt that builds up and up.

  4. You said Pain? • If research was easy everyone would be doing it! • Doing novel research means doing something that no-one has done before. • So it should not be a surprise to realise that research is difficult and that there will be research disappointments. • BUT this just highlights the joy of eventual success.

  5. So ask yourself:Do you still want to do a PhD?

  6. Are you sure?

  7. Are you sure that you are sure?

  8. Properties of a good student • Good exam grades • Hard-working • Resilience • Perseverance • Responds well to criticism • Enjoys a challenge

  9. So how do you get on a PhD program • Departmental web-sites will include a list of project titles. View these as notional place holders. • Feel free to contact potential supervisors even if they don’t have a project advertised. Read papers, talk to staff here and get a feel for who is active in the fields that influence you.

  10. Application process • Make contact now with potential supervisors (including overseas) • Apply online though the College/University program • Nothing can happen unless you officially apply • The competition for funding is severe • In ESE we offer a number of Janet Watson scholarships that fund salary and fees. • Two part selection process: Paperwork and interview.

  11. What happens once you have a place? • No more exams but you do have to pass a series of performance hurdles. • The most significant is the 9 month transfer exam which allows you to continue on as a Phd student.

  12. Conclusion: PhD student progress • Excitement enthusiasm working on topic suggested by supervisor. • Hard work, blind alleys, disappointment, self doubt. • Some success, project starts to belong to student. Excitement, enthusiasm returns! Develops increasing scientific maturity.

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