The Tao of PhD: Thriving in the Allen School’s Graduate Program
CSE 590X - Spring 2023
Welcome!
We will use the Ed discussion board for all sorts of communication and assignments. This website will mirror the weekly announcements, and contain additional resources and course information. Email the staff if you cannot access the discussion board!
Update: All notes and assignments are accessible to the UW CSE community here.
Week 2 - Why get a PhD?
In week 2, we will have a panel from existing grad students talking about how to make the most of your PhD experience.
With panelists:
- Nathan Klein
- Kelly Mack
- Marissa Radensky
- Galen Weld
Week 3 - Choosing research topics
In week 3, we will have a panel from professors about how to choose research topics and achieve research goals.
With panelists:
- Tim Althoff
- Jon Froelich
- Hanna Hajishirzi
- Anna Karlin
- Ratul Mahajan
Week 4 - Advising
In week 4, we will have a panel from grad students who have had a variety of experiences with advising, including positive and negative experiences, changing advisors, and having coadvisors.
With panelists:
- Tim Dettmers
- Tae Jones
- Eunice Jun
- Amal Nanavati
- Gus Smith
Week 5 - Elevator Pitches and Networking
This week, we are going to practice elevator pitches and giving and receiving feedback.
Week 6 - Reading Research Papers
This week, we are going to go over how to effectively read research papers, and have a Q&A session with Abhishek Gupta, a new professor at UW.
Week 7 - Time Management and Work-Life Balance
This week, we are going to go over time management strategies. It's especially important to do the homework assignment (time journaling) beforehand.
Week 8 - How to be an Ethical Computer Scientist
This week, our guests Katharina Reinecke, Kurtis Heimerl, and Dan Grossman will lecture and lead activities about different topics relating to ethics and conducting research.
Week 9 - Mental Health and Wellness
This week, more senior students in the department will talk with the class in small groups about how to take care of yourself during your PhD, focusing on mental health and wellness.
Week 10 - Wrap up
For our last session, Anna, Kelly, and Zach Tatlock will answer any outstanding questions about how to be a successful PhD student.