research_preparation_exam
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| | :!: **Caution:** This is unofficial advice from fellow grad students, and not department policy. See the [[https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/phd-program/degree-requirements|Ph.D. Degree Requirements]] page for the final word on these topics. | | | :!: **Caution:** This is unofficial advice from fellow grad students, and not department policy. See the [[https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/phd-program/degree-requirements|Ph.D. Degree Requirements]] page for the final word on these topics. | | ||
| - | The RPE is required of Ph.D. students before the end of the third year in the program. The UTCS Ph.D. does not have the conventional doctoral "prelims", "comps", or "quals" examinations; instead, we have required classwork and the RPE. It's procedurally like a "micro-thesis", with a small supervisory committee and a presentation. There are several important differences, though. | + | The RPE is required of Ph.D. students before the end of the third year in the program. The UTCS Ph.D. program does not have the conventional doctoral "prelims", "comps", or "quals" examinations; instead, we have required classwork and the RPE. It's procedurally like a "micro-thesis", with a small supervisory committee and a presentation. There are several important differences, though. |
| | **Note:** There used to be a "public speaking" requirement in the Ph.D. program. The RPE is quite different. When you get advice from senior grad students and faculty, make sure you are getting RPE advice, not advice about the old requirement. | | | **Note:** There used to be a "public speaking" requirement in the Ph.D. program. The RPE is quite different. When you get advice from senior grad students and faculty, make sure you are getting RPE advice, not advice about the old requirement. | | ||
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| ===== "Research" Originality and Significance ===== | ===== "Research" Originality and Significance ===== | ||
| - | The department Web page says you need to "conduct research on a topic", but this is very broadly interpreted. One compelling way to convince your committee that you are capable of conducting original research is to present your original research that has been accepted to a good venue (conference or journal). Many RPEs in certain areas are presentations of results of accepted papers, but this isn't true for all areas or all students. A strong research proposal-type presentation, or partial results, are acceptable, too. Hypothetically, you could even present someone else's research, but you would somehow need to demonstrate //your// research capability based on that. No matter what you choose, make sure you agree with your committee //in advance// what this should be. | + | The department Web page says you need to "conduct research on a topic", but this is very broadly interpreted. |
| - | ===== Level of Depth ===== | + | One compelling way to convince your committee that you are capable of conducting original research is to present your original research that has been accepted to a good venue (conference or journal). Many RPEs in certain areas are presentations of results of accepted papers, but this isn't true for all areas or all students. A strong research proposal-type presentation, or partial results, are acceptable, too. Hypothetically, you could even present someone else's research, but you would somehow need to demonstrate //your// research capability based on that. No matter what you choose, make sure you agree with your committee //in advance// what this should be. |
| + | |||
| + | ===== Length of Motivation, Background, Related Work, etc. ===== | ||
| The amount of motivation, context/background, literature review, methods description, etc., expected in an RPE is different from a class report, conference talk, or a Ph.D. proposal. Remember, you are presenting to an audience that is not in your area. So, for example, the motivation/context/background material is more extensive than any conference talk would have. Again, a good approach here is to level-set with your committee //in advance// on these questions. | The amount of motivation, context/background, literature review, methods description, etc., expected in an RPE is different from a class report, conference talk, or a Ph.D. proposal. Remember, you are presenting to an audience that is not in your area. So, for example, the motivation/context/background material is more extensive than any conference talk would have. Again, a good approach here is to level-set with your committee //in advance// on these questions. | ||
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| ===== Targeted Audience ===== | ===== Targeted Audience ===== | ||
| - | From the department Web site: "a general-CS audience". Presumably, that means CS researchers, but not in your area, or even a related area. You presentation will need to have a mini-lesson on the relevant concepts of your area, but //not// a lesson on core CS topics. | + | From the department Web site: the target audience is "a general-CS audience". Presumably, that means CS researchers, but not in your area, or even a related area. You presentation will need to have a mini-lesson on the relevant concepts of your area, but //not// a lesson on core CS topics. |
| For example, if you're in theory, perhaps target a grad student in A.I., or vice versa. | For example, if you're in theory, perhaps target a grad student in A.I., or vice versa. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note that having a "general CS audience" does //not// mean you should produce a shallow and broad talk. No matter what their background may be, a technical audience expects your talk to be substantive and precise. | ||
| ===== Presentation Delivery Skills ===== | ===== Presentation Delivery Skills ===== | ||
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| ===== Interactivity ===== | ===== Interactivity ===== | ||
| - | Be prepared with a well-rehearsed talk, but expect lots of questions and conversation. An RPE is smaller and less structured than, say, a conference talk. Also, faculty //will// ask you questions for the purposes of determining your research capability and testing your presentation skills. This is an //exam//, not just a talk. Be ready for this. | + | Be prepared with a well-rehearsed talk, but expect lots of questions and conversation. An RPE is a smaller setting and less structured than, say, a conference talk. Also, faculty //will// ask you questions for the purposes of determining your research capability and testing your presentation skills. This is an //exam//, not just a talk. Be ready for this. |
| ===== Talk Duration Guidelines ===== | ===== Talk Duration Guidelines ===== | ||
research_preparation_exam.1350574494.txt.gz · Last modified: 2012/10/18 10:34 by 128.62.180.188
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