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Am I screwed? (Graduate School Question)
#1
HoboNinja
HoboNinja
#2
strawman
strawman
#3
Enresshou
Enresshou
#4
Chazwozel
Chazwozel
#5
JCM
JCM
#6
Chazwozel
Chazwozel
#7
JCM
JCM
#8
Chazwozel
Chazwozel
#9
JCM
JCM
#10
Chazwozel
Chazwozel
#11
HoboNinja
HoboNinja
#12
Dieb
Dieb
#13
Enresshou
I agree with Chazwozel that your grades aren't a stellar example of your motivation, but--if it's any consolation--an upward trend can do nothing but work in your favor. Try to keep them especially high in your major, since schools will often ask your cumulative GPA, your major GPA, and your GPA for your last two years. Two out of three being great can't hurt you.
As for what research is like in a lab: it is largely tedious and very often frustrating. At least in biology, contamination is omnipresent, and a single slip-up can result in having to redo several hours' worth of work. But, if you can push through it, you would not believe how exhilarating it can be realizing that not only was your experiment a success, but you've discovered something (however insignificant it may be) that NO ONE has known before you.
As for the differences:
A master's degree, generally speaking, will take two years (some schools are one year). The first year is generally spent taking graduate-level courses (and some undergraduate level courses you might've missed; like pure mathematicians who decide to go into physics) towards your subject of interest, while the second year (and potentially beyond) is spent doing research in a lab. Your capstone is your master's thesis, which will comprise of all the research you did in the lab.
A Ph.D., also generally speaking, will take a minimum of four years (closer to five/five-and-a-half). The first year is a bit of a toss-up: while you'll inevitably be enrolled in graduate courses your first (and often second) years, some schools refuse to allow you to take part in lab rotations your first year. Some schools require them your first year. Laboratory rotations are roughly 10-12 weeks in length, and you perform research in a lab with a prospective PI (Primary Investigator) to see if the lab will be a good fit for you.
At the end of the second year, you undergo qualifying exams. If you pass, you're advanced to Ph.D. candidacy, and being performing research that will be incorporated into your dissertation. The Ph.D. is a very individual degree, and requires a great deal of self-motivation: you're treated like an adult, and no one's going to force you to do the research.
As for what you can do with them, it all depends. Like I said, a Ph.D. is required for any sort of independent research or professorship at non-community colleges. Although it might be different for engineering, I know (at least in the biomedical sciences) a Ph.D. is an enormously useful tool for starting your own science company (such as, perhaps, an engineering company, or an engineering consulting firm). A Ph.D. also opens a lot of doors a Master's wouldn't afford you, at the expense of closing some others--i.e. potential discrimination in the form of being overqualified for some positions.
You've still got a couple years left to figure this out, though. See how you like research. Think of what might interest you. It will, more than likely, not come to you in a sudden flash of inspiration; but will be a general whittling down and refinement of your current interests. It's a long and winding road, but a VERY rewarding one!
Enresshou
You're welcomeHoboNinja said:
I agree with Chazwozel that your grades aren't a stellar example of your motivation, but--if it's any consolation--an upward trend can do nothing but work in your favor. Try to keep them especially high in your major, since schools will often ask your cumulative GPA, your major GPA, and your GPA for your last two years. Two out of three being great can't hurt you.
As for what research is like in a lab: it is largely tedious and very often frustrating. At least in biology, contamination is omnipresent, and a single slip-up can result in having to redo several hours' worth of work. But, if you can push through it, you would not believe how exhilarating it can be realizing that not only was your experiment a success, but you've discovered something (however insignificant it may be) that NO ONE has known before you.
As for the differences:
A master's degree, generally speaking, will take two years (some schools are one year). The first year is generally spent taking graduate-level courses (and some undergraduate level courses you might've missed; like pure mathematicians who decide to go into physics) towards your subject of interest, while the second year (and potentially beyond) is spent doing research in a lab. Your capstone is your master's thesis, which will comprise of all the research you did in the lab.
A Ph.D., also generally speaking, will take a minimum of four years (closer to five/five-and-a-half). The first year is a bit of a toss-up: while you'll inevitably be enrolled in graduate courses your first (and often second) years, some schools refuse to allow you to take part in lab rotations your first year. Some schools require them your first year. Laboratory rotations are roughly 10-12 weeks in length, and you perform research in a lab with a prospective PI (Primary Investigator) to see if the lab will be a good fit for you.
At the end of the second year, you undergo qualifying exams. If you pass, you're advanced to Ph.D. candidacy, and being performing research that will be incorporated into your dissertation. The Ph.D. is a very individual degree, and requires a great deal of self-motivation: you're treated like an adult, and no one's going to force you to do the research.
As for what you can do with them, it all depends. Like I said, a Ph.D. is required for any sort of independent research or professorship at non-community colleges. Although it might be different for engineering, I know (at least in the biomedical sciences) a Ph.D. is an enormously useful tool for starting your own science company (such as, perhaps, an engineering company, or an engineering consulting firm). A Ph.D. also opens a lot of doors a Master's wouldn't afford you, at the expense of closing some others--i.e. potential discrimination in the form of being overqualified for some positions.
You've still got a couple years left to figure this out, though. See how you like research. Think of what might interest you. It will, more than likely, not come to you in a sudden flash of inspiration; but will be a general whittling down and refinement of your current interests. It's a long and winding road, but a VERY rewarding one!