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 How many ppl here are actually doing phd?, Many topics here arent PhD stuff..

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Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 18 2010, 05:58 PM

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WARNING! TLDR

One more thing, I think it's quite obvious, most of postgrad students here doing their study (PhD and MSc) via research....so when we talk about how hard it is, it reflects mostly on research not coursework. I'm not downgrading coursework, it's not easy in its own way.

when we're talking about how hard it is, it's not just about getting yourself registered for it, but the whole process of learning. As some said, enrollment is not hard. But that is not all to it. It's about doing your study or research to get good meaningful results from your coursework or research, and writing good thesis (whoever say thesis writing is easy, you have no idea about thesis writing).

one more thing, if you talking about masters or phd is easy, and you're suggesting enrolling, getting suam2 kuku results and graduate with so-so achievement, you might as well just go to working sector straightaway. Don't waste five years not making money.

Again, stop saying about PhD or MSc easy, please have more appreciation to knowledge, it's not just about getting titles at the end of your name in business card.

Sorry for ranting, but I couldn't help it.

p/s:
and please, anyone, suggest at least one PhD course that require minimal brain usage, more to tedious and boring work (Conditions: got good books, good lecturers and sufficient fund(s)).

Can I add one more condition? That PhD must taken must have educational accreditation from genuine legal body i.e. government


Added on July 18, 2010, 6:02 pm
QUOTE(Dark Lord @ Jul 18 2010, 05:55 PM)
Define minimal brain usage...  sweat.gif

No matter how minimum on brain usage, it will still sufficient to make someone headache for PhD.
Even doing simple survey, you still need to know how to set the questions for the survey and how to analyze the survey.
In such level, I doubt you will still use the way you do your survey during undergraduate...  wink.gif
*
maybe you can ask fifi85 to define "minimal brain usage for PhD".

Me doing master already headache like crazy at times rclxub.gif . sometime my body cannot handle it, when I'm back home I just pengsan on my bed w/o dinner or shower and only woke up the next day.

This post has been edited by Sargeant Pepper: Jul 18 2010, 06:02 PM
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 18 2010, 06:41 PM

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QUOTE(f4tE @ Jul 18 2010, 06:31 PM)
They are doing they masters/phd in USM. Not everyone got below 3 pointer but some do. Its a new department and they take in like around 10 students and all of them depending on masters or phd got the same amount of allowance. Not sure how much but is good enough and should be comparable to those students who get first class or second uppers in other univesities inb malaysia. SO yeah u dont really need high pointers to get good amount of allowance and enter postgrad course smile.gif

Allowances are basically set throughout malaysia. EVen u get 4.0 flat pointers i doubt you will get extra allowance for that reason. And finding a supervisor to accept u is not difficult because there are so many universities around. Only difficult thing is maybe you wanna get a popular professor which many ppl are interested in.
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thanks for the answer biggrin.gif

Well, sponsorship or scholarship given is not based on pointers. Mine awarded during convocation. My other colleague have to go interview and the type of scholarship they got based on that. Some of my friends not qualified to zamalah or mosti resorted to KPT mini bajet or PTPTpu loan. Why you need high pointer from your previous study is to set good first impression to panel, it help you to convinced them that you deserve it

For newly open department, it's common for them to be generous to the students, just like unimas few years back...but now, they start being selective and all.

Good luck to all your friends smile.gif Especially for those 'pioneer' postgrad students.


Added on July 18, 2010, 6:43 pm
QUOTE(Dark Lord @ Jul 18 2010, 06:27 PM)
I now undergraduate doing my thesis also headache d... sad.gif

one minute ago found a new method to solve a problem, next minute 10 problems occur...  rclxub.gif
The loop repeat every time a problem is solved...  doh.gif
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LOL. what you do for your final year project?
All the best for your thesis ya smile.gif

This post has been edited by Sargeant Pepper: Jul 18 2010, 06:50 PM
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 18 2010, 07:22 PM

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QUOTE(highwind85 @ Jul 18 2010, 07:18 PM)
Those are GRA-ships...not scholarships...you need to cover your own tuition fees or find scholarships elsewhere...with new department, they might even be generous enough to sponsor the tuition fees...but bear in mind that new departments do not come out everyday...sometimes you really need to use your pointers to convince lecturers and scholarships...

1st class will not get you extra allowance...that's for sure, but it gives you the edge over 2nd class students...and bear in mind that a lot of the applicants are 1st class holders...what do you have in exchange to give you the advantage if your pointer is less than 3?
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Sorry highwind85, GRA-ships is what ya? I feel like noob...lol
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 18 2010, 07:41 PM

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QUOTE(highwind85 @ Jul 18 2010, 07:30 PM)
GRA = Graduate Research Assistant..
Certain lecturers use their research grant to employ students...especially UKM, UM and USM...Students will be paid every month...the university sets the maximum rate but the lecturer sets the pay.. In UKM, students with BSc gets rm1600, students with MSc gets rm1800...But this doesn't include tuition fess..So students have to either sponsor themselves or find another sponsor like the mini budget thingy..

Every lecturers pay differently as how much grant they have is different...some may get as little as rm1000...usually lecturers will urge you to apply scholarship/fellowship as soon as possible as they don't want you to drain the grant dry...
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I see, now I know the term for it. before I got my bursary scholarship and finalised my MSc registration, I was employed by my supervisor, paid RM960 per month (haven't convo yet for BSc that time)...lol, but I only work for 2 weeks because of my bursary contract (long story).

Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 18 2010, 08:22 PM

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QUOTE(highwind85 @ Jul 18 2010, 07:58 PM)
Again and again people have misconceptions about 1st class pointers...
it is not meant to give you extra allowance or higher salary...but to show your character, hard work and 1st class opens up a few more opportunities that 2nd class or 3rd class pointers can't...the most obvious one is skipping masters and do PhD straight..
Others are scholarships opportunities (some scholarships have 1st class as requirement), bargaining chip with lecturers and better CV just to name a few...
A 1st class pointers also shows a person who strive to be high achiever...which is an attitude desired by a lot of lecturers...i'm not saying others are not striving to be high achievers, but 1st class is the easiest way to show you are one..
Sime Darby (R&D) is one company that is very keen to 1st class students...especially those who graduated from overseas...
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+1

I know I can get 1st class degree, but I'm just too lazy and last-minute-study function is permanently embedded in my brain, so I got 2nd upper class... you get the idea people, if you're honest, CGPA is a clear mirror to you character.

QUOTE(Dark Lord @ Jul 18 2010, 08:11 PM)
Stereo vision for robot navigation. Luckily its a 3 person project.
I'm suppose to do mapping.  smile.gif
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is it engineering or computer science/IT ?
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 18 2010, 11:15 PM

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QUOTE(cvk @ Jul 18 2010, 10:56 PM)
i m a fresh graduate fr bio course. i hv no working experience at all. Actually i plan 2 work 1st but is reli hard 2 get bio related job in tis market. I get fade up  and tired with job hunting.I hv no interest in doing research, i dont hv much exposure towards  research field, n i dunno my research interest area. but i heard that being a phd has bright future especially for bio student. Can say tat i m an academic based ppl, i got cgpa 3.9/4 for my degree study, n my friends advise me not 2 waste d chance of straight away jump fr degree  into phd .
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You got to have heart for PhD if you really gonna take the plunge. It need a lot of commitment I say

It is a waste of opportunity if you turn the invitation down, but if you can't commit for it, it is also a waste.
Are you sure you don't have interest in research? What type of PhD they offer you.

Anyway, for your final year project, what kind of work you did. And, from all the courses you learn during, what you like or interested the most?
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 19 2010, 09:07 AM

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QUOTE(spikyz @ Jul 18 2010, 11:20 PM)
btw thanks to highwind and sergeant pepper for backing the phd life, its hard to "talk" or negotiate with ppl that pulling PhD down by saying it is easy and stuff like that, and it is not pleasant to hear it from someone that not doing the research itself. (its like footballer listen to all the crap from the spectators and fan..haha there is a reason why the footballer is who he is and in the field playing and why the spectators/fan still remain at other side of the field wink.gif )
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biggrin.gif ya la, like highwind said "don't mention it". I have to let go a lot of things just to continue my study, so yes, I suffered a lil, but in the end it's all worth it, I always know I want to do this...planning to take PhD one day too.


Added on July 19, 2010, 9:16 am
QUOTE(highwind85 @ Jul 18 2010, 11:23 PM)
I see...What sort of job were you looking for after your graduation? having no interest in doing research is a big taboo for postgraduate students especially PhD...
The usual time for a PhD student to finish his studies takes around 4-5 years for bio-related field...

How about your final year project? How do you find it? like it? or hate it very much?

If you are very unsure about research, lack of exposure, and don't know what is your interest yet, try look for lecturers who are willing to employ Research Assistants and give it a try...It is very risky and i would strongly recommend against taking up the offer now as you do not know what your direction is yet...

by the way, 3.9/4 is really a strong 1st class...congratulations!!
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Ya ya nod.gif big taboo, you might get away with it if you do MSc by coursework, but not PhD. You really need to determine your interest before getting PhD.

QUOTE(VMSmith @ Jul 19 2010, 12:44 AM)
For me personally, my lecturer never helped me to apply for my scholarship. Monash is pretty strict about the criteria, but they're also quite transparent about it.

However, he did help me get some emergency funds for a conference as the Finance department was quite slow in processing said funds and I was supposed to fly in just a couple of days!
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My supervisor help me securing my scholarship behind my back (I love you Dr.), I'm totally unaware of it until convocation day when the award announce in convo booklet, about 2 months later. My friends said I got it because of my final year project (I work for FYP like crazy!!!), whatever it is, I'm forever thankful.

This post has been edited by Sargeant Pepper: Jul 19 2010, 09:31 AM
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 19 2010, 08:38 PM

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we can complain malaysia no good...stupid government workers, government no good, education system no good, road no good, police no good, everything no good....you can keep on complaining because if you wait for change you gonna die first.

But I choose to do something about it. Furthering my study is about empowering my knowledge with hope in the future I will finally contribute something meaningful to the society. But I still complain. LOL

p/s: I'm somewhat geek I admit.
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 19 2010, 08:50 PM

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cvk, I think it is best that you try RA post for 6months to 1 year, talk to lecturers to figure out what you might be interested to do. take it slow. The offer did not rush you right?

This post has been edited by Sargeant Pepper: Jul 19 2010, 08:52 PM
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 20 2010, 01:07 AM

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QUOTE(besoul_58 @ Jul 20 2010, 12:07 AM)
Sacrifice is one part of the revolution. You might not able to see the result by yourself, but knowing yourself involve in the process is enough or satisfactory.  rclxm9.gif

Called me stupid or anything, but I dont mind if its for the greater good. I hope if death comes to me, my knowledge and my legacy would be continue later.  nod.gif
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+1

It's not just about you simply said. besoul you're not stupid, you're patriotic.

So, back to PhD talk, I just noticed, we haven't have anyone from other aside from IT/computer science, engineering and biology. There must be more out there in this forum...need to promo la this thread...lol
Sargeant Pepper
post Jul 23 2010, 07:41 AM

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QUOTE(CarroTT @ Jul 23 2010, 01:06 AM)
postgrads here so free, everyday oso can post in LYN  . . . . .  tongue.gif
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LOL, yeah, I have more time right now than when I'm doing my degree...just happen that in between experiment I got quite some free time..,
Sargeant Pepper
post Aug 23 2010, 08:56 AM

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YDPA = yang di-pertuan agong
Sargeant Pepper
post Sep 1 2010, 08:24 AM

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QUOTE(CarroTT @ Sep 1 2010, 01:29 AM)
tompang lalu, aku mau tanya sikit arr dari koko dan jiejie sini arr

normally u guys write Problem Statement, is in the Literature review or Methodology chapter arr ?
or sumwhere else ?
oso arr when wan to cite more than 1 journal arr, how arr ?
i wrote liddis APA stylo
(Saltmiras & Lemley, 2002; Neppolian et al., 2004) 
korekt arr ?
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I place Problem Statement in Introduction chapter. Right before I explain Objective of Study.

About citation, that's correct. But I suggest re-confirm with your supervisor as I noticed even when everyone follow APA guideline, they still have their preference, whether the earlier or later version. And pay extra attention on where to italicized like et al

Like, the latest version of APA guideline when I do my FYP states that if 6 or less names, cite everyone like (A, B, C, D, E & F, 2010) but my supervisor insist on (A et al., 2010).
Sargeant Pepper
post Sep 1 2010, 12:01 PM

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QUOTE(f4tE @ Sep 1 2010, 11:02 AM)
No smart ppl will come back to Malaysia. The opportunity for them isnt there. Even for smart bumiputera. Those lazy ones will come back because they have easy life here.

Dont judge ppl's ability because they are young. Many bright kids already proffesor at 22-23 age in other countries like US

What is Problem statement? i never come across.
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Problem Statement is like an excuse for wasting the research grant to do your research. lol
Sargeant Pepper
post Sep 1 2010, 04:12 PM

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QUOTE(f4tE @ Sep 1 2010, 03:42 PM)
U mean the problem statement part is when applying for grants?

i tot that is done by your supervisor?not?
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Well, problem statement is part of proposal or thesis written. Example in my study

"The characterisation of plant chitinase gene activity and function by heterelogous expression and transformation would facilitate the understanding of chitinases roles in plant defense mechanism and development"

so the sentence above basically tell whoever read my proposal, what is the motivation of the study, hence the excuse to waste research grant.
Sargeant Pepper
post Sep 1 2010, 05:31 PM

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QUOTE(f4tE @ Sep 1 2010, 04:21 PM)
i c.. thats like conclusion right?

so u dont actually write

Problem statement: "The characteri....."
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no, it's nothing like conclusion. I don't know how to better explain it.
Sargeant Pepper
post Sep 1 2010, 08:48 PM

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QUOTE(highwind85 @ Sep 1 2010, 06:36 PM)
Eh...i used to work on Chitinase from Trichoderma virens during my RA time...
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LOL, small world eh. I'm working on characterising the gene isolated from sago palm.

QUOTE(highwind85 @ Sep 1 2010, 07:21 PM)
Problem statement is usually the backbone of the introduction of the project...the rationale of the project....it will answer very common questions like why you study this? why you study that?
every research stems from a problem..if you don't know what is your problem statement, you need to go back to basics and see why you do your research..
Papers, thesis, proposals...basically all these need a problem statement...don't be misled by the word "statement"...it's not 1 statement...it's usually in paragraphs...just like "Statements of Purpose" or "Personal Statements"
*
Nice explanation. When I was first writing my proposal for my final year project, "Problem Statement" confuse me...take some time to fully grasp the idea (i can be slow at times).

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