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HOW TO GET THRU THE GRAD PROGRAM

8/27/12

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Admission…

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Two types of admits –

• “clear admits”– Students with BS Meteorology

• Can go straight into grad METR classes

• “conditional admits”– Students with BS other

• Closely-related fields• “other” other!

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For conditional admits –

• do required classes (per admission)

• paperwork to clear “conditional” status is online at http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/completing_masters/index.htm#4

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Advancement to Candidacy …

“Matriculated graduate students must advance to candidacy a minimum of one semester prior to graduating ”

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Advancement to Candidacy …

• Candidacy form is online

http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/completing_masters/index.htm#4

• Fill out & get signed– YOUR advisor signs 1st – Grad advisor signs 2nd

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Advancement to Candidacy …

• Must have completed at least 9 units• Must have satisfied the writing

requirement (GWAR)– 2 slides down…

• Must do before your last semester

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By the time you do your candidacy form, you will have a thesis topic AND A THESIS COMMITTEE!!

• One research advisor• Two (or more) additional committee

members• Majority must be SJSU faculty• Please do not form your committee

the week before you defend (grrrrrr)

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Writing requirement…

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SJSU’s graduate writing requirement =

You are required to take a course that “proves” your writing ability

See: http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/completing_masters/index.htm#3

• In the past, we have required 100W

– But…100W requires you to pass the WST test to officially enroll

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SJSU’s graduate writing requirement =

• In the distant past, we had writing requirements in METR 215

• Currently – offering METR 202 to satisfy GWAR

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Practical aspects…

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All online at:

http://www.met.sjsu.edu/advising/graduate_advising.html

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Earn 30 units total (CSU rule)

205A (3 units)dynamical met

215 (3)physical met

240 (3)numerical met

required classes – total of 9 units

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6 more units…

• 285 (1+ units) – department seminar• grad students are expected to attend ALL seminars every

semester• it’s one way to broaden your knowledge• and find out how research is done

• 298 (up to 3 units/semester) – research

• 299 (1-2 units) – thesis• sign up in last 1-2 semesters

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Remaining 15 units…

• Various grad (200-level) and undergrad (100-level) classes

• At least two grad electives

• Preferably as many grad-level classes as possible

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Remaining 15 units…

For some students…

• 121B (3 units)(requires 121A)• 125 (3 units)• 171B (3 units)(requires 171A)

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Excluded classes…

• Check with the Grad Advisor

• METR 136 ???• METR 163 (sophomore-level class)

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Other necessary but excluded classes…

• 50/51 (computing – vital)

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The thesis!

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The thesis itself!

• Choose a topic• Choose an advisor

• Many paths…– Who has money?– Who is not swamped?– Who do you like?– What is interesting?

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The thesis itself!

• Instructions are online on how to prepare the thesis:

• http://www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies/thesis/index.htm

• Main thing…follow AMS format• Must be virtually error-free

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Thesis submission…

• See online guidelines for dates etc.

• http://www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies/thesis/deadlines/

• Don’t forget to apply for graduation• http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/forms/

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• Use the “2-week rule” in regards to handing thesis to your committee

• You will make a seminar presentation (45-55 mins) of your work once given the OK by your advisor & committee

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• This counts as your “culminating experience”.

• Requires the Grad Advisor to submit this form…

• (top secret )

– Bug me about this when you’re finished!

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Philosophical aspects…

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Class-research balance…

Time from first day here…

Time spent in activity

classwork

research

Roughly 2+ years

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School-life balance…

Time from first day here…

Time spent in activity

life

school

Graduate & get job

???