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DEANS' COLUMN
         KURT F. WENDT
    Dean, College of Engineering
       W. R. MARSHALL, JR.
          Associate Dean
          K. G. SHIELS
          Assistant Dean
  Last month in this column, Dean
Wendt stressed the importance of
maintaining a good scholastic rec-
ord during undergraduate school-
ing. The importance of this advice
may become more apparent to
those of you who desire to do grad-
uate work in engineering. Admis-
sion to the graduate school in most
universities is predicated in the
first instance on the undergraduate
scholastic record. For example, at
Wisconsin a student must have an
undergraduate grade point average
of 2.75 (basis of 4.0) for admission
to the graduate school. This re-
quirement will vary from one uni-
versity to another but in general a
grade point average not less than
about 3.0 is essential for graduate
study. Thus, grades constitute the
primary qualification for entrance
into graduate work. It is true, of
course, they are not the sole cri-
terion.
  It usually becomes apparent to
each senior that his undergraduate
training in engineering has been
confined to just about two years.
Consequently, undergraduate work
has served primarily to "get one's
feet wet" but has not permitted
one to use or develop his new-
found tools. Graduate study offers
this opportunity in a manner and
in an atmosphere not available in
industry. Since graduate work is
taken at a reduced level of course
credits, not more than 12 credits
per semester, it permits one to give
more concentrated, as well as
broader, attention to engineering
principles and practice. This period
of study also furnishes the student
with an opportunity to become bet-
ter acquainted with his professors
and to discuss with them through
seminars and personal conferences
the professional aspects of engi-
neering.
W. R. MARSHALL, JR.
  The need for one or more vears
of graduate work in engineering is
becoming more and more appar-
ent. The recognition by industry of
the desirability of and the need for
training beyond the bachelors de-
gree is implied by the higher sal-
aries offered advanced degree can-
didates (this year's average offer to
Ph.D.s is $525-$575 per month, to
-iasters men $400-$425, to Bache-
lors men $350-$375), by the extent
of the additional training, either in
service or at university extensions,
offered by industry to B.S. men.
  Besides the increased compensa-
tion, an additional year of study in
engineering has the advantages of
providing a student with a better
insight into the fundamentals of his
chosen field of engineering and an
opportunity to apply these princi-
ples to problems of a more ad-
vanced nature. Graduate study is
also valuable in permitting a man
to investigate the various fields of
specialization within the broad
framework of his profession. It is
also true that graduate training
contributes greatly to the develop-
ment of professional consciousness.
It is preferable but not mandatory
to do graduate work at a univer-
sity other than one's Alma Mater.
This naturally offers broader expe-
riences and develops new view-
points.
  Graduate study is open to all
students with the required under-
graduate scholastic record. A high
percentage of graduate students
receive scholarships or research as-
sistantships with stipends ranging,
on the average, from $125.00 to
$150.00 per month. Information on
available appointments at many
leading universities can be found
posted on each departmental bul-
letin board or can be obtained by
writing directly to the university in
question. At the Universitv of Wis-
consin, information on graduate
fellowship opportunities can be ob-
tained from each departmental of-
fice or from any member of the
Fellowship and Scholarship Com-
mittee. This committee, under the
chairmanship of Prof. Ragatz, Ch.E.
consists of Profs. Roblich, C.E.,
Myers, M.E., Parent, E.E., Rosen-
thal, M.&M., and Williams, Slech.
  This column urges all seniors
with high scholastic standing to
give serious consideration to grad-
uate study, either at Wisconsin or
at another university. The Masters
degree is an excellent terminal de-
gree for many engineers, while a
smaller number of men with re-
search aptitude should definitely
strive to achieve the Ph.D. Remem-
ber your education in engineering
never ceases, so that graduate study
will train you to continue your
education in industry with greater
efficiency.
          -W. R. MARSHALL, Jr.
 CAMPUS
      NEWS
SECTION
  ENGINEERING INSTITUTES
         ELECTRIC METERS
     January 19, 20 and 21
   Fundamentals of AC current and
meters, single and polypbase ap-
plications, calibration and testing,
wiring, selection and location of
metering equipment, measuring in-
struments, new developments, etc.,
are some of the topics to be cov-
ered. The institute is arranged for
persons responsible for the testing,
calibration, maintenance and in-
stallation of electric meters of vari-
ous types.
   Fee: $20. Ralph D. Smith, Insti-
 tute Co-ordinator.
       (Contined on) inext page)
JANUARY, 1955
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