graduate level course work developing a shared vision for class participation

Graduate Level Course Work

Developing a shared visionfor class participation

BA 553: Business Process Management 2

Why are you here?

In order to get a job, you need to graduate In order to graduate, you need to follow the code of conduct In order to follow the code, you need to understand what it says

STUDENT CONDUCT CODE(1) No student is allowed to miss class more than three times. All faculty members will randomly call

the roll during each semester and record it in the attendance checklist. Any student who misses lecture more than 3 times will be dropped from the class without any tuition refund.

(2) No student is allowed to violate the school honor code: Any cheating during a quiz, mid-term examination or final examination will cause the violator to face academic probation by the university. A second offence will cause the student to be expelled from the university without being re-admitted for the next 3 years.

(3) No student is allowed to violate the classroom conduct code: During classroom instruction conducted by the professor, NO chatting, NO eating, NO walking is allowed. Any violator will be asked to leave the classroom immediately.

(4) No late homework is accepted: A Student should turn in the homework on-time. The schedule is set by the professor. The faculty member or grader has the authority to reject any late homework.

(5) No plagiarizing is allowed: For any project/independent study course, and in class assignments and papers, ABSOLUTELY no plagiarizing is allowed. Copying a whole paper or whole section of a paper is prohibited. Copying without references is also prohibited. Any violator will receive an F grade for that course.


Changing Student Behavior Reports of problematic behaviors are on the rise nationally, not only in the

classroom but in society at large Some of these immature, irritating, or thoughtless behaviors include:

lateness or leaving early inappropriate cell phone and laptop usage in class side conversations disregard for deadlines grade grubbing (requesting higher grades) sniping remarks cheating

These behaviors are not just instructors’ pet peeves; they have real costs, including: distracting other students and instructor in class reducing student participation lowering other students' and instructor’s motivation in or out of class affecting fairness in grading using instructor or TA time unproductively feeling disrespected as a fellow learner or authority figure

http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/teach/problemstudent.html


How does graduate work differ from undergrad? Graduate education represents mastery of an academic discipline. As

distinct from undergraduate education, graduate education provides advanced knowledge in a field of study characterized by specialized training in the discipline’s theory, research methodology, and critical analysis.1

Since graduate education is concentrated, learning is more self-directed, and involves more individualized instruction and mentoring than does learning for a baccalaureate degree. A master’s degree provides a student with the skills necessary to generate new knowledge and to apply existing knowledge. It also provides the student with the professional ethics and values of the discipline.1

Graduate students are held to a higher caliber than undergraduate students. Graduate students are expected to have better research skills and more in-depth and applied knowledge.2

Graduate studies are much more research oriented. Master's and doctoral programs include some class work, but research preparation and defense is a primary focus in most programs.3

1. http://www.siue.edu/graduate/about/index.shtml2. http://www.gradschools.com/Article/undergrad-vs-grad/64.html3. http://studyusa.com/issue/home/article/what-are-the-differences-between-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs


Virginia Tech Grad Student Expectations

Graduate education is a critical component in the development of new knowledge, current research, new ideas, and exceptional scholarship within the University

To fulfill this mission, Virginia Tech seeks to instill in each student an understanding of and capacity for scholarship, independent critical judgment, academic rigor, and intellectual honesty

It is the joint responsibility of faculty and graduate students to work together to foster these ends through relationships that encourage freedom of inquiry, demonstrate personal and professional integrity, and foster mutual respect

Building a graduate community for quality graduate education depends upon the professional and ethical conduct of both faculty and students

Graduate students should exercise honesty and ethical behavior in all their academic pursuits, whether these undertakings pertain to study, course work, research, extension, or teaching


Other Universities’ Expectations of Grad Students

The goal of research and scholarship is the discovery of knowledge Integrity in research is an essential part of a University’s intellectual

and social structure, and adherence to its spirit and principles is required

These principles include commitment to truth, objectivity, fairness, honesty, and free inquiry

The thesis or dissertation is the primary document that summarizes the independent contributions of a graduate student at the completion of the graduate program of study

Thesis-based degrees are not granted based on time and effort expended, but on the achievement of a significant research contribution as evaluated by the faculty

The ultimate objective of the graduate research experience is for the student to progress to the point of becoming an independent, self-reliant researcher or scholar


What are your responsibilities? Dedicating the appropriate time and energy to accomplishing academic

excellence and completion of the program.1

Who can explain the number of hours per week outside of class students are expected to spend on class work?

The traditional college norm is that for every hour spent in the classroom, a student should plan on spending at least 2-3hours outside the classroom learning the subject matter of the course through additional reading or class assignments.2

Exercising the utmost integrity in all facets of the graduate program.3

Submitting documents (proposal, thesis, dissertation, etc.) that are the original work of the student. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.4

Maintaining classroom decorum and a collegial atmosphere that ensures teaching and learning.5

Demonstrating professionalism while studying at school.6

1. http://distance.tamu.edu/current/orientation/expectations-for-graduate-study-at-tamu.html, accessed 17 March 2010.2. http://math.scu.edu/~dsmolars/class.html, accessed 20 March 2010. 3. http://distance.tamu.edu/current/orientation/expectations-for-graduate-study-at-tamu.html, accessed 17 March 2010.4. Ibid.5. https://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/GSRRfinal.html, accessed 17 March 2010.6. http://www.svuca.edu/home/academic/, accessed 17 March 2010.


Qualities Employers Look For

QualitySource

1 2 3 4 5

Professionalism (punctuality, integrity, honesty, respect, trustworthiness)

X X X X X

Adaptability / Flexibility / Multitasking ability X X X X

Dependability / Reliability / Responsibility X X X

Organization and decision-making skills X X X X

Creativity / Problem-solving skills X X X X X

Continual learning X X X X X

Verbal and written communication skills X X X X X

Teamwork / Interpersonal skills X X X X X

Commitment / Dedication / Strong work ethic X X X X

Analytical / research skills X X X

Leadership skills X X X X X

Enthusiasm / Motivation / Positive attitude X X X X

Proactivity / Self-reliance / Initiative X X X XSee last slide in this presentation for sources.


How to Get Hired

Employers often look for previous experience to help them determine an applicant’s capabilities

If you don’t have much experience, you will need to demonstrate your capabilities in other ways

Grades from your university courses are one method

Assuming there are multiple applicants with good grades, you will need to find some way to distinguish yourself from the others

Letters of recommendation provide one avenue for this

If you want letters of recommendation from your professors, you will need to show you are an outstanding student who is deserving of this effort


What are the University’s responsibilities? Communicating clearly to each student the program requirements, including course work,

research, examinations, and thesis, and delineating the estimated time to complete each phase

Ensuring that individual graduate programs offer a curriculum of graduate instruction that is both broad and deep enough to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for the broad array of postgraduate careers they may wish to pursue

Assisting in developing creative, interpretive, writing, verbal, technical, reasoning, and quantitative competencies, as appropriate, in accordance with the expectations of the discipline

Encouraging each graduate student to participate in professional meetings or perform or display their work in public forums, as appropriate

Counseling each student to develop the competencies and portfolio of achievements to be competitive for employment. Encouraging students in assessing career options and in preparing for a variety of job markets

Stimulating an appreciation of learning and teaching

Encouraging students to learn and conform to accepted standards in ethics and scholarly conduct

Providing, where necessary, appropriate mechanisms to help acculturate international students to academic life in this country and at this university

Ensuring that graduate students receive periodic and constructive assessments of their progress toward degrees

Drawn from various university websites, accessed 17 March 2010 (see last slide in this presentation).


What are my responsibilities?

Monitoring the integrity of the class content to ensure it conveys useful information

Providing opportunities that enable student learning in the course topics

Providing intellectual and technical encouragement and direction in support of progress toward degree completion

Providing timely verbal or written assessment of each student's work

Providing guidance to help students develop self-assessment skills so they can start on the pathway to lifelong learning

My Expectations of You

This is a Masters-degree level course

As such, you are expected to move beyond basic study habits and memorization to conducting critical analysis and providing an opinion on course topics

Read the assignments carefully – you will often find an assignment lists exactly what the professor is looking for

If you’re not clear what is being requested, contact me – I will make myself EXTREMELY available to you, via email, text, and even cell phone

When the assignment calls for an opinion, I expect you to provide one. If you don’t, you will not receive full credit for the assignment



Sources of Information: Accessed 17 March 2010

University Websites: Texas A&M University:

http://distance.tamu.edu/current/orientation/expectations-for-graduate-study-at-tamu.html. Virginia Tech: http://www.grads.vt.edu/academics/expectations/expectations.html. Purdue University:

http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/RCR/trifold/TrifoldOneGSResponsibilitiesDec192008.pdf. Carnegie-Mellon University: http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/teach/problemstudent.html. Southern Illinois University: http://www.siue.edu/graduate/about/index.shtml. Princeton University: http://gradschool.princeton.edu/about/history/. Duke University: http://gradschool.duke.edu/academics/standards/bestpractices.php.

Employer Information Websites (from slide 8):1. http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html.

2. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED399484.

3. http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=7&TopicID=209&DocumentID=3536.

4. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/What_do_graduates_do__2008/What_do_employers_want_/p!ebfpppd.

5. http://socyberty.com/advice/qualities-employers-seek-in-employees/.

graduate level course work developing a shared vision for class participation

Documents