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The Ph.D. Process: A Student's Guide to Graduate School in the Sciences
The Ph.D. Process offers the essential guidance that students in the biological and physical sciences need to get the most out of their years in graduate school. Drawing upon the insights of numerous current and former graduate students, this book presents a rich portrayal of the intellectual and emotional challenges inherent in becoming a scientist, and offers the informed, practical advice a "best friend" would give about each stage of the graduate school experience. What are the best strategies for applying to a graduate program? How are classes conducted? How should I choose an advisor and a research project? What steps can I take now to make myself more "employable" when I get my degree? What goes on at the oral defense? Through a balanced, thorough examination of issues ranging from lab etiquette to research stress, the authors--each a Ph.D. in the sciences--provide the vital information that will allow students to make informed decisions all along the way to the degree.
Headlined sections within each chapter make it fast and easy to look up any subject, while dozens of quotes describing personal experiences in graduate programs from people in diverse scientific fields contribute invaluable real-life expertise. Special attention is also given to the needs of international students.
Read in advance, this book prepares students for each step of the graduate school experience that awaits them. Read during the course of a graduate education, it serves as a handy reference covering virtually all major issues and decisions a doctoral candidate is likely to face. The Ph.D. Process is the one book every graduate student in the biological and physical sciences can use to stay a step ahead, from application all the way through graduation.
Headlined sections within each chapter make it fast and easy to look up any subject, while dozens of quotes describing personal experiences in graduate programs from people in diverse scientific fields contribute invaluable real-life expertise. Special attention is also given to the needs of international students.
Read in advance, this book prepares students for each step of the graduate school experience that awaits them. Read during the course of a graduate education, it serves as a handy reference covering virtually all major issues and decisions a doctoral candidate is likely to face. The Ph.D. Process is the one book every graduate student in the biological and physical sciences can use to stay a step ahead, from application all the way through graduation.
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 17, 2016
This certainly is one of the most useful books I've read. I started my Ph.D 4 months ago, and this book helps me understand important aspects I need to do to have a successful Ph.D.
The book writes specifically for American education system, and by reading it, I understand why the U.S. produces the most brilliant scientists, and American universities are the envy of the world. Going through 4 to 5 years of devoting for contemplating and doing experiments, U.S. graduates certainly the experts in the field.
I have mixed feelings when doing my Ph.D. in France instead of in the U.S. I had my supervisors and research topic before my arrival here, and time is fixed for 3 years because of the scholarship I got. The requirements here are not really tough; I know some people who graduated from the doctoral school without any published paper. It seems to me that they finish the program when time is over. This kind of system prevents you from spending too much time in a graduate school, so it's kind of safe. However, being freely spending your time doing your research at your own paces, and being able to explore several research topics before choosing a final one are really interesting and helpful.
The book writes specifically for American education system, and by reading it, I understand why the U.S. produces the most brilliant scientists, and American universities are the envy of the world. Going through 4 to 5 years of devoting for contemplating and doing experiments, U.S. graduates certainly the experts in the field.
I have mixed feelings when doing my Ph.D. in France instead of in the U.S. I had my supervisors and research topic before my arrival here, and time is fixed for 3 years because of the scholarship I got. The requirements here are not really tough; I know some people who graduated from the doctoral school without any published paper. It seems to me that they finish the program when time is over. This kind of system prevents you from spending too much time in a graduate school, so it's kind of safe. However, being freely spending your time doing your research at your own paces, and being able to explore several research topics before choosing a final one are really interesting and helpful.
April 13, 2016
"When the door finally opens, someone will usher you inside. Most probably you will be met by comittee members with smiling faces and extended hands, greeting you with "Congratulations, Dr." You smile with relief. The Comittee members all sign the signature page of you dissertation and, soon after, disperse. Your lab may take you out for lunch to celebrate. Then everyone will go back to doing what they were doing. Like so many other stages and aspects of graduate school, this closing chapter is characterized by vagueness and understatement. And you progress alone, a graduating class of one."
Yes, this pretty much sums it all up for me. I recommend this book to anyone wondering what graduate school might look like.
Yes, this pretty much sums it all up for me. I recommend this book to anyone wondering what graduate school might look like.
November 8, 2010
I would definitely suggest this book to anyone considering getting a PhD or in the early processes of obtaining a PhD in the sciences. It is a little old, but suprisingly (or not) it doesnt seem like much has changed at all with the way the PhD process is conducted. Lots of useful advice and things that no one will direclty tell you that you need to know.
June 8, 2020
This book is a must-read for anyone starting their PhD soon or has recently started so that they do not either underestimate or overestimate what you are heading for. It describes the whole process from finding a supervisor to handing in the dissertation before graduation. Although it is centered around the American system and almost all the quotes are from graduate students and professors in the US, it still applies to PhD systems everywhere else. I personally have enjoyed it and will definitely get back to it every so often.
July 23, 2021
I am about to enter grad school and was given this book by that grad program. This was a very helpful read and gave a good overview and other details about grad school in the sciences. I also appreciate the inclusion of actual experiences from different students from around the world throughout the book. Some parts made me feel more at ease about starting this Fall!
December 1, 2013
Book's chapters made sense given the general flow of doctoral programs and contained lots of real world quotes from faculty members. While the advice is not prescriptive, I liked that the author gave a detailed account of what life in academia would be like from phd student through faculty life. Not knowing any other PhDs in my immediate social network, it was a worthy read.
As a side note - This book is more on the process itself (i.e. day to day responsibilities and interactions with others) and some hurdles and milestones to be aware of. Other books are more suited for the "how to" aspect of research if you need to work with specific research techniques, theories/paradigms, datasets, and so on.
As a side note - This book is more on the process itself (i.e. day to day responsibilities and interactions with others) and some hurdles and milestones to be aware of. Other books are more suited for the "how to" aspect of research if you need to work with specific research techniques, theories/paradigms, datasets, and so on.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews