I'm going to do a PhD!

[Dragar]

So today I finally made my decision, and accepted an offer from the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh. I'll be doing a PhD on dark energy (insert spooky music).

It's quite exciting!

[Watser?]

:cheer: Go Dragar! :cheer:

[LadyShea]

Congrats or whatever you say with this kinda higher edyeekashun stuff.

[Watser?]

oh yeah...

Jolly good show, old chap!
:aristocrat:

[Ari]

Eeeexcellent
:vader:

[Johnny Pneumatic]

The first thing that popped into my mind when reading the thread title would be more fun, but this sounds good too. Congrats, Dragar.:einstein:

[Dingfod]

I thought you had a date with a professor.

[Dragar]

:rolleyes:

:giggles:

I knew I shouldn't have posted this so close to the sexuality forum.

[godfry n. glad]

Yeah...I thought the same as Dingfod.

Then, I thought..."big deal". PhDs are roundheeled nerds.

I take it you've already got your B.S. and M.S.?

[Dragar]

I'll have an MSci at the end of this (academic) year. No seperate BSc, it's integrated into the degree.

[godfry n. glad]

On this side of the pond, it's usually B.S. (Bachelor of Sciences), followed by a graduate degree, a M.S. (Master of Sciences) and thence lastly to the lordly Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy...in Latin, of course).

Wags have deemed the process to be indicative of the work required, as we all know what BS is when we've achieved it. An MS is just "more of the same", and then the PhD is "piled higher and deeper".

Congrats, by the way. I've an old recycling/garbage hauling buddy who got her PhD in Heidelberg (I think) and she is presently bouncing around the international scholastic physics community working on applications of string theory. She loves it, but thinks she'll burn out before she gets any kind of tenure.

Let me know if you run into DreamWeaver.

[maddog]

AND ... Edinburgh is FAB! (although a bit cold, esp for a desert dweller like me)

#1135

[Leesifer]

Congratulations, Dragar! :cheers:

[Dragar]

On this side of the pond, it's usually B.S. (Bachelor of Sciences), followed by a graduate degree, a M.S. (Master of Sciences) and thence lastly to the lordly Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy...in Latin, of course).

It's usually the same here, though Masters are generally optional before going on to do a PhD. Often Masters are research degrees, but mine was taught. It was also joined onto my BSc, so I'll go straight to having an MSci without the BSc.

Congrats, by the way. I've an old recycling/garbage hauling buddy who got her PhD in Heidelberg (I think) and she is presently bouncing around the international scholastic physics community working on applications of string theory. She loves it, but thinks she'll burn out before she gets any kind of tenure.

Sounds like she's having fun; I hope she doesn't burn out. And I appreciate how tough it will be to get a permenant academic position. Best of luck to her there.

Let me know if you run into DreamWeaver.

Is that the software or your friend's internet alias?

[godfry n. glad]

Let me know if you run into DreamWeaver.

Is that the software or your friend's internet alias?

It's an appellation that was applied when she was working and teaching on a grant at University of Canberra. I don't know if she uses it for an internet alias or not. The last I heard, she was back in North America.

[Crumb]

Great Dragar! :pleased: Let me know when I have to start calling you Dr. Dragar.

[viscousmemories]

Congratulations, Dragar! :golfclap:

[BDS]

Congratulations Dragar! (Or should we wait until you actually GET your Ph.D.?)

Here's my boast (which isn't even bragging about me, but the "do a Ph.D." sex jokes reminded me of it). My new girlfriend, whom I've been dating since a little before New Years, is giving a lecture series this summer at Brasenose College, Oxford University. I'm probably going to travel around England with her either before or after. Why she likes me is as profound a mystery as dark energy.

[TomJoe]

Yet another soul sucked into the blackhole better known as "grad school". Good luck!

A word of advice: Be careful who you choose to ask to serve on your advisory committee. It's YOUR choice, not your major advisors. Don't get caught up in his/her politics. Also utilize your committee members to your maximum benefit.

[Clutch Munny]

Whoa, you going to be Dr Dray! Only a barrelful of math and three Snogmanays stand between you and glory.

Congratulations.

[Kyuss Apollo]

Ah, yes the black hole of grad school. You should also get know who your potential advisors could be, and choose wisely. Try to take at least 1 class with whoever could be your main advisor, and vet out any potential flakes/unstable types. Although that advice might disqualify nearly everyone, lol, pick your poison carefully so to speak. I came very close to aligning myself with some one who turned out to be wholly unreliable, and while my present advisor hasn't always been perfect, he's a far sight better than what I would have been stuck with.

Oh, and congratulations! It sounds like a fascinating field to be getting into!

Not to mention, once you graduate, you can pick up any chick you want with classy lines like "Hey, baby, want to play Doctor?"

[livius drusus]

Congratulations, Dragar. The Royal Observatory is lucky to have you. :cheer:

[wildernesse]

Congratulations and condolences, Dragar! Sounds very exciting!

[Chasing Perfection]

Congratulations!

I do have one question, what is a PhD, and how do you "do" one?

I thought it was a degree? Please forgive my ignorance, it will not be the last time I assure you.

[Dingfod]

PhD = Doctor of Philosophy

... or, as godfry n. glad put it: Piled Higher and Deeper.

You "do" a PhD like you would "do" a two year prison sentence.

[Clutch Munny]

Also, IT'S EDUCATIONAL! (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pixies/umass.html)

Sorry, just listening to the Pixies, and the chorus got me thinking about Dragar's excellent educational adventure.

[godfry n. glad]

PhD = Doctor of Philosophy

... or, as godfry n. glad put it: Piled Higher and Deeper.

You "do" a PhD like you would "do" a two year prison sentence.

Since they've already done an indeterminate multi-year sentence for their master's, they should be considered 'repeat offenders'.