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[Iceman]

Just graduated to dissertator status in my PhD program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. It was only a two hour oral defense (short by most standards) but what a grueling and painful experience that was. It's all about tearing you apart and rearranging your insides. They had me wriggling the whole time. But it's over and that's all that matters.

Now it's all about doing some quick and dirty experiments, writing a couple of papers and then the thesis and I'm outta here. What a freaking relief.

Anyone else here go through a traumatic thesis proposal defense? I'm glad I have the extended break to recover... I'm going to need some time to pull myself back together again. This whole prelim thing has been stretched out over 5 months (2 parts): month of studying for the written, all day written exam, writing the thesis proposal, going through multiple drafts, making the presentation, studying for the inevitable left field questions and then the actual defense.

I'm so numb right now.

 

[Loki]

I'm sure you did fine-- you certainly seem dedicated enough. Congrats on getting one leg of your journey over with.


From what I hear, it's better to act humble during the defense; this makes them less likely to try to tear you apart with ridiculous questions-- but this is only coming from a couple of people I know who've experienced it (one in neuropsych and one in biochemistry), so I'm not sure how well it generalizes to other fields or institutions.

 

[kumanoki]

I was an art major. The experience is akin to my senior show, wherein everyone I've ever known came to see what I'd been doing for four years. The most grueling part was answering the most mundane questions, like:

"What does this painting represent?"
"Why did you choose to paint predominantly in tones?"
"Is this the reaction you were hoping to achieve from your artwork?"
"Are you sure art is what you want to do? Because, I mean, well....."

It was four hours of pure hell.


GRAMMAR EDITED FOR THE SAKE OF LOKI'S SANITY

 

[Loki]

Dude, did you just use "akin" as a verb? We're breaking new ground here...

 

[happyfunball]

Congratulations man! It sounds like its pretty similar wherever you go. That oral qualifier is fuckin killer. My department is Molecular Pharmacology but we probably do pretty similar things. Madison is a mighty damn good school for that too........although Im not sure if living in the middle of farm country is worth it

Anyway, its all downhill from there....so get trashed and get rid of those worthless brain cells that you wont need anymore.

 

[IJoel]

That's a very significant milestone. Congratulations!!!

 

[Saturnman]

I was expecting something on the iceman from the Alps. That's one impressive mummy.

Oh well, congratulations anyway.

 

[Iceman]

"From what I hear, it's better to act humble during the defense; this makes them less likely to try to tear you apart with ridiculous questions"

Oh yeah, I actually worked on that. That was one of the first pieces of advice I got and I knew that in presentations I tend to come off a little too confident.

"was an art major. I would akin your experience to my senior show, wherein everyone I've ever known came to see what I'd been doing for four years... It was four hours of pure hell."

I know what you mean. A good friend of mine just recently had her MFA prelim (she's a silversmith, but dabbles in everything) and she said it was pure tortures. It sounds like this kind of grinding punishment is used in all types of advanced degrees.

Sucks to hear people challenge something you've worked a couple of years on.. and even worse when they actually point out legitimate concerns... ouch.

"Congratulations man! It sounds like its pretty similar wherever you go. That oral qualifier is fuckin killer. My department is Molecular Pharmacology but we probably do pretty similar things. Madison is a mighty damn good school for that too........although Im not sure if living in the middle of farm country is worth it Anyway, its all downhill from there....so get trashed and get rid of those worthless brain cells that you wont need anymore."

It totally does feel like all the stress is gone from life (except for the whole poverty level living thing) .. no more deadlines. Just me and the lab. Woohoo.

And Wisconsin is amazing for pharmacology. It was the program I initially wanted to join. Real prestegious despite its youth. But then I met the guys in charge, felt sorry for all the other professors in the program that have to deal with those guys and decided to join a kind of parallel program that shares a lot of overlap with molpharm.. but one in which you don't have to deal with most of those jerks.

And the worst part of living here is just about to arrive. The max temp today is 35F. Good thing I'll be in San Diego in a week.

"That's a very significant milestone. Congratulations!!!"

Thanks. Man, it feels good.

"I was expecting something on the iceman from the Alps. That's one impressive mummy.

Oh well, congratulations anyway."

Sorry to disappoint. I have a feeling a legitimate Iceman would have an easier time in front of a committee with a collective expertise that stretches beyond 100 years. He would frustrate them by just staring at them forcing them to rephrase their questions to the point where they basically give away the answers ... all he would have to do is nod in agreement eventually. That Iceman... he's a clever one.

I feel a little like Leguna. PROPOSAL DEFENSE: FINAL JUDGEMENT!

 

[levious]

Dude, did you just use "akin" as a verb? We're breaking new ground here...

Irregardless of your linguistic elitism, you understood what he meant!

 

[teiresias]

I'm working on my MS, so I don't really have to do any oral exams or anything, just the "defense" of my thesis, which is more of a presentation than a real defense. I think I'd like my PhD at some point, but the oral exams, preliminary exams, dissertation proposal, oral defense, and all of the stuff that goes along with it just scare the living crap out of me because I get massive stage fright just during a regular presentation - though I'm fine in job interviews for some odd reason.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah, I'm usually good with presentations.. but when the audience is obligated the beat the living crap out of you for a couple of hours.. yeah, I'm not sure anyone can ever truly be prepared for that. It's just a tradition that people who've had to go through it feel like they have to make everyone else suffer through... it's a sick cycle. But I also feel the same way after getting through it, i.e. I can't wait to put someone else through that. It's really just a bitter feeling right now.. after being exposed, beaten and ridiculed.. I'm sure it'll pass.

But even before going into the defense it was clear that I was going to pass. I wrote a REALLY good proposal. Well written, thorough, logical.. that's what they're looking for. All I had to do was not make a fool out of myself in the oral and I was going to coast. My advisor even said that she wouldn't allow my committee to fail me. After all, she is the one person that knows my work the best and whether I know what I'm talking about. So even if I put my foot in my mouth she'd have been able to convince the committee that I actually DID know what I was doing and had a good science head on my shoulders, well-motivated, hard working and logical.

As long as you have those attributes, progressing through a PhD is just walking the walk. Sure there are a couple of painful days where you're made to look like a child fresh from the womb but it's only a couple of days and EVERYONE has to go through that.

 

[CrunchyB]

Irregardless...

...is not a word

 

[levious]

sure it is... but we've been over this before! The word use was specific for Loki though.

 

[CrunchyB]

That's okay then

 

[BigGreenMat]

Hey Congrats Iceman! You are about 5 years ahead of me in the process. How long has it taken you to get to this point? I am a Micro/Immuno guy. Know any good profs at Madison to get in touch with? Throw me a PM

 

[Iceman]

4.5 years of undergrad, 1 year off, 3 years masters program (toxicology), 2.5 years PhD (pathology). Long time my friend, long time.

Our microbiology & immunology program is #3 in the country and I know a few grad students in the program. I could maybe ask them for some good contacts. The micro/immuno program is kind of all over the place in terms of research focuses. There's virology, bacteriology, cell biology, etc... is there anything in specific that you are interested in?

 

[Loki]

Irregardless of your linguistic elitism, you understood what he meant!

Of course I did-- I was just teasing him (that's how I am in real life-- a kidder). I'd never actually insult someone over their language skills, since I don't feel that it's that important. If I wanted to berate someone, you'd know about it.


Hah, nice purposeful inclusion of "irregardless", btw. <shakes fist>


Iceman, are you planning on remaining in academe and doing research or do you have other plans?

 

[Iceman]

I'd like to work intimately with hospital research institutions to tackle some lung pathology issues.. so that really points to an academic course. So my next move is to secure a post-doc position in southern california in a medical school.

 

[Loki]

I'd like to work intimately with hospital research institutions to tackle some lung pathology issues.. so that really points to an academic course. So my next move is to secure a post-doc position in southern california in a medical school.

Wow, sounds like you have some lofty aspirations. I'm sure everything'll work out for you, and I'm sure your work will help many people.

 

[nitewulf]

well done. interestingly enogh, i was asked by one of my professors right before the completion of my undergrad degree to start a straight to PhD program (Control Theory) that he opened up in my school. but after 5 years of EE, i was burned out as all hell so i declined. wonder if i'll ever regret it later on. i just like doing things at my own pace.