University of Wisconsin- Madison

1
University of Wisconsin- Madison

• Adam Fiedler, Tami Lasseter, Erin McElroy, and
  Lenny Sheps- Graduate Students
• Judith Burstyn, Charles Casey, Lloyd Smith, Jim
  Taylor, Howard Whitlock, and
• Arun Yethiraj - Faculty

2
Purpose of the WI Ph. D.

• Train for self-teaching/learning.
• Find, define, and solve new problems.
• Develop communication skills both written and
  oral.
• Develop leadership and teamwork.
• Develop depth in a domain and breadth in several
  areas.

3
First year Introduction to discipline and
department

• Entrance qualifying exam four areas.
• Core course-work defined by Div.
• Teaching normally done in first year.
• Early selection of a research advisor.
• Note the curricula, exams, and research
  evaluations are different in the different
  sub-disciplines or divisions.

4
Introduction to the research enterprise

• Begin research and learn the ropes from older
  graduate students - apprentice.
• Research topic exploration from the literature
  and with advisor.
• Topic exams and/or group seminars.
• Cumulative exams or Cumes to provide breadth
  done by Division.
• Research proposal or thesis exam - depth.

5
Significant Transition

• The most significant part of the doctoral
  curriculum is how and what students learn
  themselves, from their advisor and lab-mates, and
  from the literature.
• Satisfaction of Preliminary exam requirements is
  a step in the transition.
• Process is normally smooth, but the time required
  varies with each student and with the type of
  research problem.

6
Other Commonalities

• Seminars and colloquia by outsiders.
• Group meetings and sub-group meetings.
• Super groups combined for common purposes of
  efficiency.
• Advanced courses, but with an individually-
  designed minor.
• Advising undergraduates (Chem 116)
• Social gatherings among students.

7
Dissertation and defense

• Independent research proposal to demonstrate
  research understanding.
• Divisional seminar technical meetings to practice
  scientific communication.
• Original published work to demonstrate
  significance and to practice communicating
  research findings.
• Open thesis defense to bring it all together and
  provide evidence of accomplishments.

8
Major Discussions See HO

• Issues of balance, reward, and responsibility of
  the student to select and self learn.
• Mass of material to cover and efficiency while in
  graduate school led to ideas of mini-courses.
• Whatever changes are made, the importance of the
  degree lies in the output traits and their
  evaluation.

9
Novel Idea Focus on Traits

• Independence and ability to self-teach in new and
  unknown environments and formulate and solve
  problems.
• Communicate clearly and logically in writing and
  in oral situations, including ability to analyze
  critical comments and respond.
• Demonstrate depth of knowledge in a selected
  discipline and breadth in others.
• Demonstrate leadership and teamwork teamwork
  remains a problem for us.