Welcome to the ECE Department Most of the information you will need about the ECE Department is on...

Welcome to the ECE Department

Most of the information you will need about theECE Department is on the Internet: http://www.bu.edu/ece/

Julie GuthrieAcademic Programs

Manager

Ari TrachtenbergAssociate Chair forGraduate Studies

Adam OstrowskiAssistant Academic ProgramsManager

Some pictures copyrighted 2010 by Microsoft

Austin AlexanderSenior Programs Coordinator

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here

Information About Ari and Julie

Coordinates: PHO 427

[email protected] 617-358-1581 Office Hours:

Tuesday, 2-3pm Wednesday, 10:30-

11:30am or by appointment

Coordinates: PHO 324F

[email protected] 617-353-1048 Office Hours:

Generally available

ECE Graduate Student Orientation

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Why Are You Here? Outline key policies and steps in program Help you avoid surprises Help you to help us simplify the inevitable ECE paperwork Share some tips from faculty on how to be successful

Help you succeed in reaching the MS or PhD

Start with a success story…

TIP



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•Introduction• Rabbis versus Wolves• Legend of Photon - a successful student

•Research advisor•The MS program

• Planning sheet• Projects and theses• EC915• Poster presentations

•PhD• Qualifying requirements• Qualifier• Time limits• Credit hours• Requirements• Prospectus• Add/drop deadlines• Financial Aid• Ras• Credit hours and tuition

•Misc• Petitions• Rules and Regulations• Academic integrity

Outline



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The Legend of

Photon…a promising young engineer

Who wanted to get an MS and/or PhD and become an all-around superhero



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The Legend of Photon

Photon applied for admissions at BU and was accepted Photon matriculated (actually arrived on campus and

enrolled in some courses) Photon had to deal with the BU tuition and cost of living

in Boston Photon may have been awarded financial aid

Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF) Research Assistantship (RA) Dean’s Fellowship (DF) Scholarship via tuition waiver Or something else

She came to learn by coursework and research She found a research advisor and research area



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She satisfied the college math requirement for the PhD She passed his subject exams (ECE) for the PhD She completed her MS project or thesis She was funded by her research advisor as an RA (Research

Assistant) She proposed a dissertation topic (prospectus) for the PhD She did the work…

… and the RA continued

And she defended her work and completed her degree



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And now she is a famous researcher/ professor/engineer!

Joining the club with other superheroes!

How can you be like the legendary Photon?



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Research Advisor

You are assigned an academic advisor You find a research advisor,

possibly someone different

Your research advisor is the most important person influencing your experience in the program

find this person ASAP

TIP



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So What’s the Academic Advisor For?

Help navigate course offerings Advice on finding projects General problem solving Sign planning sheet etc.

• You must make an appointment with your academic advisor within the first week of classes

• It is possible to change advisorsNOTE



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The MS Program

On the path to the PhD

All PhDs must complete the MS requirements

After the MS, less structure - architect for your research



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MS Program Planning Sheet

MS and PhD students must complete the requirements shown on the MS Program Planning Sheet

A draft must be submitted by September 17, 2010

Julie or Adam will send reminder via email

Form is online (ECE site)

Always bring an updated MS Planning Sheet when you visit your advisor or submit any petition

TIP



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MS Program Planning Sheet

The plan is a proposal Plan should identify:

Your ECE concentration area Courses intended to satisfy the

curricular requirements with timing

Three potential research advisors you are considering for your MS project or thesis

Alternative to thesis or project requirement: e.g., EC915, EC757, EC772.

MS Plan is your future and your responsibility!



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MS Projects and MS Theses Thesis:

Original research work leading to written document and oral presentation.

Reviewed by thesis committee Often 2 or more semesters to complete

Project: Performance of an engineering effort leading to:

a deliverable, a document, and a poster presentation.

Reviewed by advisor and one additional reviewer Typically 1 semester, sometimes 2 semesters to complete



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Thesis or Project?

Different philosophies MS Thesis

A great foundation and practice for PhD work Shows ability to do research -- makes you attractive to faculty / jobs

but Usually takes more than one semester Requires deeper original work Must be defended with an oral presentation and committee

Depends on research advisor MS project has a lower risk of lingering Discuss with Prof. in advance:

expectations grading

TIP



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Projects and Theses Need an Advisor

Many possible topics Need mutual agreement Talk to professors in class Look for extensions of class work

Be proactive Demonstrate your value Take challenging classes

TIP



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EC 915

Group MS Project Work in a team on significant project Learn team management, interaction,

leadership skills

Planned to be offered at least every other year



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Project Poster Presentations MS Projects require a poster presentation

Organized and promoted event Last week of the semester Faculty will evaluate presentations and provide feedback to the research advisor

Summer is not an exception Clearly define the problem, describe the method(s) used to solve the problem,

report results and establish significance of the results. Poster presentation is necessary to meet MS project requirement Poster tips tutorial offered prior to event Good practice for Science and Technology Day

TIP

Don’t wait until the last day to print your poster



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PhD “Qualifying” Requirements Two requirements:

ENG Math ECE qualifying exam

Math -- an ENG (college) requirement All PhD students must display math competency by receiving a B+ or higher in one of the

following courses: For Post-BS PhDs:

Any degree: EK501EE: EC501, EC505, EC515, EC516, EC574CSE: EC504, EC533, EC534, EC541, EC561

For Post-MS PhDs: The requirement above, or Petition for approval of successful completion of B+ of better in an equivalent course

NOTE

You must complete these requirement within the first four semesters of your PhD program.



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ECE Qualifier Requirements ECE Qualifier

April 2, 2011 Must pass in two attempts (offered annually) Both post-BS and post-MS students are required to take at the first two opportunities You must achieve “candidacy” (pass both ECE and Math Quals) before the end of your

4th semester at BU

Tips for Qualifying Exam Best to pass the first time -- less time used to clear Best to understand the scope of the exams

Look at requirements, sample questions Plan your course selections around any deficiencies Don’t underestimate! Start preparing early Form a study group with your peers

Bonus: Passing the exams makes you more attractive for hiring as an RA! Stipends are higher when you pass the qualifiers.



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Time Limits Limits on how long you can be in the program

MS: 5 years from matriculation PhD: 5 years after candidacy achieved (pass qual and coursework)

Possible to extend via petition with justification

Limits are to ensure progress: progress toward the goal in a timely fashion



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Credit Hour Requirements Post-BS PhD:

Total of 64 credits Complete MS requirements (32 credits) plus 32 more 16 credits of EC900 (research) or EC991 (dissertation)

Post-MS PhD: Total of 32 credits 8 credits of EC900 (research) or EC991 (dissertation)

PhD Handbook is your main information resource: http://www.bu.edu/eng/grad/handbook/



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PhD Requirements Post-MS PhD – 32 credits at 500 level or above,

must include 8 EC900/901 credits GPA higher than 3.000

C– implies F for MS C+ implies F for PhD

Students in PhD program who receive grades of C+ or lower in more than two semester courses (or more than a total of eight credit hours) will be withdrawn from the program

RA and GTF awards will pay for courses that count for your degree. W or F are not applicable for your degree, drop before W deadline…

Funded students will pay for any dropped courses, regardless of W deadline.

EC9xx and seminar courses can be taken as pass/fail

NOTE



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The PhD Prospectus Your plan for original work leading to a PhD dissertation Presented and defended before your PhD committee Your committee is your asset

Use them for their knowledge Educate them on your ideas Not just in final review Recommenders

Once your prospectus is approved, your stipend increases

Note: meet time constraints on document submission as a courtesy to the committee



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Add/Drop Deadlines for Fall 2010

Last Day to Add Classes: September 16, 2010

Last Day to Drop Classes Without a ‘W’ Grade on Transcript: October 7, 2010

Last Day to Change Credit to Audit Status: October 7, 2010

Last Day to Drop Classes With a ‘W’ Grade on Transcript: November 5, 2010



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Financial Aid Sources Graduate Teaching Fellowships (GTFs)

Every semester, an e-mail will be sent out to all ECE graduate students advertising that the department is accepting applications for new GTFs.

Respond to the e-mail and provide the requested information. There are very few positions available each semester, so competition is tough Not always available for continuing students Get an endorsement from your advisor Transition to RA

Research Assistantships (RAs) Chosen by individual professors with funds to support them through a grant Faculty active in research are continuously seeking out funding to support new

students

Fellowships (ENG and external) Fellowship opportunities, as they arise, are advertised to all ECE students Quite a few are available if you are willing to work for them



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Graduate Teaching Fellowships GTFs are awarded by the department to meritorious students as a

vehicle to: Provide a teaching experience possibly leading to teaching careers Leverage knowledge and effort of graduate students to augment and

enhance ECE courses Fund students while they can seek out research opportunities

ENG fellowships, DFs and GTFs are considered as a short term (1-2 year) entry position to RAs.

There is no career or retirement plan as a GTF

GTFs work for 20 hours per week in support of ECE teachingNOTE



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Research Assistantships Hired by individual faculty members

paid based on 20 hours per week (40 hours in the summer) most commit substantially more to their research effort as it leads to personal advancement

Salaries are typically funded by external research grants, start-up funds, gifts, and internal research grants.

You need to convince a professor that you can advance his/her research program.

Be proactive, take courses from the professors you are interested in working with, and do well!

Become a candidate! Get involved with group seminars, go to local professional meetings,

attend ECE colloquia.

NOTE



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External Fellowships

Be proactive Talk to other students who

won fellowships in the past. NSF, NASA, DoD, Gates

Foundation and others… Many profs would like a “free”

student.



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Credit Hours and Tuition Fewer than 12 credit hours is part-time 12-18 credit hours is full-time, more is overload Students can be certified by the COE as full-time without taking 12

or more credit hours under the following conditions: If in their final semester and completing their degree requirements If a GTF or RA taking 8 credits If a GTF or RA taking 4 credits and studying for Qual (PhD only) If a Non-GTF/RA taking 4 credits and studying for Qual (PhD only) If a Non-GTF/RA taking 4 credits and actively seeking a Research

Advisor (this can be used only once)



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Credit Hours and Tuition

RAs Normally take 2 courses;

Up to 10 credits can be covered (over 10 can be petitioned). Think of your credit requirements (32 or 64). Do not go overboard

GTFs Normally take 2 courses, if you reach 12 credits, i.e. full tuition, the COE will not

pay Summer GTFs are paid less than during regular semesters (fewer hours, fewer

duties) and do not get tuition benefits

There are opportunities for internships within practical training limits

Keep your eye on the prize: complete your degree



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Petitions

Anything can be petitioned If it makes sense and it is

well-justified, good chance for approval

Develop with your advisor Submit to Julie or Adam Include planning sheet, if pre-

MS Will be reviewed by Graduate

Chair and/or Committee



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Chain of Command

If you have a problem… Go to your academic advisor (first) ECE Grad Chair (Ari) ECE Chair (Castanon) College Grad Dean (Unlu) College Dean (Lutchen) University Provost (Campbell)

Note: they are all Engineers!



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Rules and Regulations

PhD Handbook www.bu.edu/eng/grad/handbook Code of Academic Conduct

http://www.bu.edu/eng/grad/conduct/ Sexual Harassment

http://www.bu.edu/handbook/policies/hr/harassment.html


Academic integrity

Esp. serious for graduate students If in doubt, ask Common issues

Downloading software Citing references Collaboration


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Getting Involved

Many opportunities to be involved. Requires initiative and desire Attend department and center seminars

ECE CISE CNS Photonics

Attend IEEE and ACM events Some here at BU Others at companies, other universities

Visit individual research labs



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Extra-Curricular

Stay healthy and fit FitRec, intramurals, SAGE,

outing club etc. Sleep well

Be connected and social BU is truly international Participate in SAGE activities Ski trip, Socials …

BOSTON, arts, music, food, etc.



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Final words

Persons responsible for making sure that you are complying with the regulations and progressing towards your degree:

1. You

2. Your Advisor

3. Me

4. Julie

5. ENG staff



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One more thing…Recruiting

ECE has a goal to increase the quality and size or our graduate population

We have an excellent batch of new students

Question: How can we get more like you?

Answer: give us three names of classmates from your home institution that I can contact directly

We’ll pitch them to consider BU next year.



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Q&A

Welcome to the ECE Department Most of the information you will need about the ECE Department is on...

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