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Notes on Graduate School

Detailed overview of MS and PhD programs in computer science, including job prospects, timeframes, factors considered for admission, coursework structures, and advice for success as a graduate student. Learn about the importance of research and choosing the right advisor for your academic and professional career.

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Notes on Graduate School

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  1. Notes on Graduate School Cliff Shaffer Department of Computer Science Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

  2. My Perspective • 8 years as graduate program director for a “Research 1” PhD granting (and PhD-focused) CS Department • A graduate degree should be something very different from an undergraduate degree • Not just more classes • The “research degree” is what has made graduate education in the US the envy of the world

  3. Graduate Programs • MS-only (typically course based) • PhD-granting (MS and PhD) • In Academia, there is a real “pecking order” among Universities • Where you go for an undergraduate degree is far less important than where you go for a graduate degree, especially for a PhD, for future job prospects

  4. MS vs. PhD • In CS, everyone is usually in demand • Generally, BS pays well, MS pays better, and PhD pays even better • But its debatable whether the “cost” of a PhD makes up for the pay differential from MS • The real reason to get a PhD is because it lets you do new things (faculty, research labs, in industry more likely to be the manager, overall status)

  5. PhD Jobs • In CS, the majority of PhDs go to industry • Guesstimate: • Industry 50% • Academia 40% • Government 10%

  6. Timeframe • The MS degree traditionally takes 2 years • Low variance • The PhD degree roughly takes 5 years from BS • High variance • You really want to be getting paid while doing your graduate degree! • GTA, GRA, Government fellowship, company support, military support

  7. Getting into Graduate School Factors considered by our department, in rough order of importance: • How much we believe you want to do research (and will be able to get it done) • Established connection with a faculty member in our department • Research experience (publications a big plus) • Recommendation letters (from respected sources) • School you went to • Grades • Standardized test scores

  8. Example: VT MS Degree Thesis • 30 credits • 7 3-credit courses (2-3 courses/semester) • Defend thesis (9 credits) Coursework-only • 33 credits • 11 3-credit courses • One is Independent Study, with a report

  9. Example: VT PhD • 11 3-credit courses • 2 advanced/seminar courses • 2 courses outside of CS (technical electives) • Pass PhD Qualifier • Pass PhD Proposal/Preliminary Exam • Pass Dissertation Defense

  10. Why do Research? • Learn a set of work skill that you can't get from classes • Significant writing task • Independent/unstructured work task • Do something ``real'‘ • Become a true expert in something • It's the only way to get a PhD

  11. Grad Student Concerns The key concern with doing a research degree: • When will it end?

  12. How to be Successful Grad Student • Initially: • Don't just take classes -- interact with faculty, students doing research, and research groups. • Attend talks, read papers. • Get PhD qualifier (or equivalent) out of the way early. • Identify an advisor early, and get involved in research • GRA, Independent Study, or volunteer • Research topic often comes from the work, not work from the topic.

  13. Getting Things Done • Set deadlines or milestones... And keep them! • Break big tasks into subtasks • Tackling the Dissertation: • Intersperse writing with working • Documenting literature review is an ongoing process • Constantly write progress reports • Publish along the way if possible

  14. The Advisor • A key person in your academic/professional career • Pick the best compromise (for YOU!) of the following • Research area • Support opportunity • Physical environment for getting work done • Intellectual environment for getting work done • Peer support system (research group) • Personality: Interaction at a personal level • Personality: Management style (hands on/off) • Level of attention • Track record on timely graduation • Professional advancement

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