PhD in pictures

Every autumn I explain to a new stream of graduate students what a PhD degree is.

It is difficult to describe it in words.

Therefore, I use pictures.

Imagine a circle that contains all the knowledge that humanity has accumulated:

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When you finish elementary school, you know quite a bit:


By the time of secondary education, you know a little more:


With a bachelor's degree you get a specialty:


The master's degree deepens this specialty:


Reading scientific articles, you find yourself on the very edge of human knowledge:


Once you have reached the limit, you choose a research area:


For several years you have been trying to move the border:


Until one day she moves:


This convex thing you did is called a PhD:


Of course, now the world looks a little different:


However, do not forget about the big picture:


From the translator: I know that formally the PhD is not equal to the candidate of science. Link to the original article via @ 2j2e .