Expectations and Quality Control for Ph.D. Students

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Expectations and Quality Control for Ph.D.
Students
Martha E. Pollack Computer Science and
Engineering University of Michigan
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A Case Study

• The University of Michigan model
• Similar processes throughout most U.S. departments

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Admissions

• Quality control beings at the time of application
• Ph.D. applications treated separately from M.S.
  applications
• Applicants must submit
• Transcripts
• GRE Scores
• TOEFL Scores (International Students)
• Essay describing research interests
• 3 letters of recommendation

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Screening

• Application folders
• First read by groups of faculty in the relevant
  area (hardware, software, theory, AI, interactive
  systems)
• Then, decisions are made by a faculty committee
  (Graduate Committee), using recommendations
  from the areas
• Nearly all admitted Ph.D. students are guaranteed
  5 years of funding
• Most students complete Ph.D. in 5-6 years

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Quality Control 1

• Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in computer
  science and engineering
• Pass (B- or better) 4 courses
• Hardware, software, theory, AI
• Observe an honor code for all work

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Quality Control 2

• Demonstrate depth of knowledge in an area
• High pass (A or A-) in two selected courses in
  the major area

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Quality Control 3

• Demonstrate research potential
• Complete an independent project and pass an oral
  preliminary exam on it
• Preliminary exam committee consists of 3 faculty
  members , but not the project supervisor
• After completing requirements 1-3, the student
  becomes a candidate

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The Real Test

• Make an original research contribution in
  computer science and engineering
• Complete and defend a Ph.D. Dissertation

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The Dissertation Process

• 1. Work with an advisor to define a research
  topic and do initial work
• 2. Form a dissertation committee
• At least 3 (preferably 4) faculty members,
  including the research advisor. 1 must be from
  outside CSE.
• 3. Write and orally present a dissertation
  proposal (pass, conditional pass, fail).

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The Dissertation Process (contd.)

• 4. Conduct the approved research, under the
  supervision of the advisor. Meet at least
  annually with committee members.
• 5. Present the work to the community in
  conference and journal papers.
• 6. Complete a written dissertation, and defend
  it orally in a public forum. Dissertation
  committee grades it (pass, conditional pass,
  fail).

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Summary Quality Control

• Quality control begins with admissions.
• Early in the program, many checks on quality
  (courses, exams).
• During the dissertation, checks at proposal and
  defense.
• Includes multiple faculty members in the
  evaluation process throughout.

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Summary Expectations

• Ph.D. Student has
• broad knowledge of computer science
• deep knowledge of a subfield, and
• a demonstrated capability to produce and present
  research results
• In short, is ready for a faculty or industrial
  research positionis someone well be proud to
  have amongst our alumni.