Graduate School Newsblog

Author: Debra Charlesworth

Seminar on Dissertation, Thesis, or Report submission

Published
By

Students planning on finishing a dissertation, thesis, or report in summer or fall 2016 are invited a seminar designed to help students understand the submission process and answer questions about it. Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend. Changes were made to the submission process in fall 2015, so we encourage everyone to attend who will be planning to submit.

If you are unable to join us, this seminar will be taped and available online after the event.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Continue Reading →

Choosing an advisor – tips to getting the advice you need

Published
By

Choosing an advisor is one of the most important decisions a graduate student makes in their career.  Having an advisor whose goals support your aspirations is essential to ensuring your success as a student and young professional in your chosen field.

This article from the Journal of Higher Education illustrates some of the ways students can shape their advisor experience by putting their goals first and leveraging each other’s strengths to get the most out of the partnership.  One idea, for example, is to ensure you get career feedback by asking for it.  Although good advisors are willing to give this advice, most simply don’t have the time to plan to provide this feedback at regular intervals.

Continue Reading →

Formatting Assistance Sessions for Spring 2016

Published
By

Are you working on formatting corrections for your dissertation, thesis, or report? Do you need help? Join Harriet King (gscap@mtu.edu), coordinator of the Graduate School Communications Assistance Program for group work hours. These workshops are provided at no charge to students working on a dissertation, thesis, or report. Harriet is skilled with MS Office, Open Office, and Adobe Acrobat Pro. These rooms are equipped with PCs with University software, or you may bring your own laptop. If you need additional help or prefer one-on-one assistance, please contact Harriet to arrange for times and inquire about the services available.

All workshops will be held in Dillman 213 at the following times:

  • Friday, April 8, 2016: 9am – noon
  • Sunday, April 10, 2016: 2-5pm
  • **cancelled** Thursday, April 21, 2016
  • **added** Sunday, April 24, 2016: 2-5pm
  • Thursday, April 28, 2016: 9am – noon
Continue Reading →

Fellowship opportunities for Michigan Tech Graduate Students

Published
By

The Graduate School has several fellowship opportunities for new and returning students. A complete listing of all awards and fellowships is online.  Several have deadlines in the next few weeks and are highlighted below.

  1. The DeVlieg Foundation provides funding for two summer fellowships for current PhD students. Applications due February 9, 2016.
  2. Doctoral finishing fellowships are available for up to ten PhD students expecting to complete their degree in summer. Applications due February 16, 2016.
  3. PHF Graduate Fellowships are available to PhD students completing health-related research that is aligned with the PHF’s mission. Applications due February 16, 2016.
  4. KCP Future Faculty Fellowships are available to MS and PhD students (new and continuing) who are underrepresented in their fields and intending on a career in higher education (administration or faculty). Applications due March 1, 2016 for full consideration.
  5. Dean’s Fellowships are available to PhD students entering in the summer or fall. Applications due March 15, 2016.

Contact the Graduate School (gradschool@mtu.edu) with any questions about these opportunities.

Continue Reading →

Seminar on Dissertation, Thesis, or Report submission

Published
By

Students planning on finishing a dissertation, thesis, or report in spring or summer 2016 are invited a seminar designed to help students understand the submission process and answer questions about it. Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend. Changes were made to the submission process in fall 2015, so we encourage everyone to attend who will be planning to submit.

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the location and a reminder of the date and time, or information on how to join us online.

If you are unable to join us, this seminar will be taped and available online after the event.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Continue Reading →

Summer 2016 PHF Graduate Fellowship Nominations Open

Published
By

Applications for summer 2016 PHF Graduate Fellowships are now being accepted, and are due no later than 4pm, February 16, 2016 to Dr. Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student participating in health-related research that is aligned with the PHF’s mission.
  2. Must be eligible for or in Research Mode at the time of application.
  3. Must be 2 years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.

Priority will be given to students originally from Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon counties. Non-resident students and international students are encouraged to apply if their health research is applicable to health needs and job shortages of our local community (obesity research, rural health, medical informatics, drug delivery and lab testing, physical therapy, etc.). Preference will also be given to applicants who will complete their degree during the funding period.

These fellowships are available through the generosity of the Portage Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants should be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:

  • health research and technology development
  • health education or preventive and wellness initiatives
  • rural healthcare access, informatics, and assessment of care

Students who receive full support through a PHF Graduate Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a PHF Graduate Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Continue Reading →

Summer 2016 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Published
By

Applications for summer 2016 finishing fellowships are now being accepted, and are due no later than 4pm, February 16, 2016 to Dr. Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for or in Research Mode at the time of application.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. The Graduate School anticipates funding up to ten fellowships with support ranging from $2000 to full support (stipend + tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Continue Reading →

Nominations open for 2016 MAGS Excellence in Teaching Awards

Published
By

Nominations are now open for the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Excellence in Teaching Awards.  Michigan Tech may nominate one student at the MS and PhD level.  Nominations are due to the Graduate School no later than 4pm, December 16, 2015.

Eligible students

  • will have been enrolled at Michigan Tech during the 2015 calendar year and have a teaching appointment
  • will have earned the Michigan Tech Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
  • will have an excellent teaching portfolio and student evaluations

Graduate Program Assistants and Directors have been provided a list of eligible students.

See the application page for complete details on what is required for a nomination.

Continue Reading →

Graduate Peer Groups – support for success

Published
By

Finding support and taking responsibility for your graduate education are key to being successful in graduate school. This interesting article written by graduate students describes the formation of a peer support group, activities they found useful, and some of the challenges they faced.  They also talk about how to “manage up” to get what you need from your advisor.

What have your experiences been with finding support among fellow students? Let us know in the comments!

Continue Reading →

Nominations sought for 2016 MAGS Thesis Award

Published
By

The Executive Committee of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is soliciting nominations for the 2016 MAGS Distinguished Master’s Thesis Awards to recognize and reward distinguished scholarship and research at the master’s level.  Michigan Tech may nominate one candidate in each disciplinary category.

Eligible students

  • will have earned a master of science degree between July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015 in the field of Biological/Life Sciences or the Humanities
    • Michigan Tech may nominate one thesis in each category
    • The 2017 competition will seek nominees in the fields of Social Sciences and Physical Science/Engineering
  • will have completed an original thesis that makes an unusually significant contribution to the discipline
  • will not have earned a PhD (or comparable research degree) in any discipline prior to the writing of the master’s thesis

Please see our web page for complete details on eligibility and application procedures.

Nomination packets are due by 4pm, October 14, 2015 to the Graduate School via e-mail (gradschool@mtu.edu) or campus mail (address to Debra Charlesworth). Eligible students with a complete nomination packet will be evaluated by a panel of faculty from the University.

Continue Reading →