what is a Ph.D

The following material was created by Matt Might. I would like to thank him for generously agreeing to share this material. It was originally posted at this site.

Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge.

Circle of Human Knowledge

By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little:

Elementary School

By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more:


High School

With a bachelor's degree, you gain a specialty:


Bachelor's Degree

A master's degree deepens that specialty:


Master's Degree

Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge:


Reading Research Papers

Once you're at the boundary, you focus:


Focus

You push at the boundary for a few years:


Push

Until one day, the boundary gives way:


GivesWay

And, that dent you've made is called a Ph.D.:


Dent is called Ph.D.

Of course, the world looks different to you now:


New world view

So, don't forget the bigger picture:


Bigger Picture

Moral of the story : Keep Pushing