The document discusses what earning a PhD entails. It describes getting elementary education, then high school education, which provides a base level of knowledge. Undergraduate and graduate degrees allow specialization and deepening of knowledge in a subject. Reading research pushes the boundaries of existing knowledge. A PhD candidate then focuses intently on pushing further at the boundaries for years through sustained research, until making an original contribution in the form of a dent in those boundaries, which is considered a PhD.

1. Prof. Matt Might University of Utah, Computer Science (adapted by Craig Blewett from http://gizmodo.com/5613794/what-is-exactly-a-doctorate) What Exactly is a PhD? www.nexted.info

2. What Exactly is a PhD? Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge www.nexted.info

3. What Exactly is a PhD? By the time you finish elementary school you know a little www.nexted.info

4. What Exactly is a PhD? By the time you finish high school you know a bit more www.nexted.info

5. What Exactly is a PhD? With a Bachelor’s degree you gain a specialty www.nexted.info

6. What Exactly is a PhD? A Master’s Degree deepens that specialty www.nexted.info

7. What Exactly is a PhD? Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge www.nexted.info

8. What Exactly is a PhD? Once you’re at the boundary, you focus! www.nexted.info

9. What Exactly is a PhD? You PUSH at the boundary for a few years www.nexted.info

10. What Exactly is a PhD? Until one day the boundary gives way! www.nexted.info

11. What Exactly is a PhD? PhD And that dent you have made…that is called a PhD! www.nexted.info

12. What Exactly is a PhD? Of course the world looks different to you now. www.nexted.info

13. What Exactly is a PhD? But don’t forget the BIGGER picture! www.nexted.info