Project 4: System Development or Application Assurance Step 13: Write the Risk Analysis/Supply Chain Threats/Mitigation Report

Characteristics of Graduate Study A number of you may be new to study at the graduate level. The table below outlines some of the differences in expectations between graduate and undergraduate and may help you to properly manage your time and prepare your assignments.

Characteristics of Undergraduate Study Characteristics of Graduate Study Coursework focus requires study of information and material

in general education courses as well as specialized courses in

a particular field.

Coursework focus is on specific field/specialization/narrowed

area of information to facilitate the development of expertise

in a particular topic.

The goal of learning is to become more knowledgeable about

information that is already known or has already been

developed. Critical-thinking skills begin to develop as

students begin solving problems, questioning ideas, and

making generalizations.

The goal of learning is to contribute to and expand upon

existing knowledge, and to identify new thinking,

methodologies, perspectives, and practices that can contribute

to the field. Critical-thinking skills evolve as students begin

analyzing and classifying information, challenging ideas, and

identifying assumptions. Post-collegiate goals include entering/joining a particular

career field to acquire basic knowledge and understanding of

that field.

Post-collegiate goals include leading and mastering a

professional career field to bring new enhancements to or to

advance that field. Students' approaches to coursework and learning outcomes

are largely framed by instructors. Students rely heavily upon

faculty for guidance and instruction (e.g., exam preparation,

what to study, how to study, etc.). Students' coursework is

evaluated by faculty.

Students are expected to be independent learners. Approaches

to coursework and learning are largely framed by the students

themselves. Faculty members serve as facilitators of course

content and evaluate student performance. Students may also

be involved in the evaluation of their peers' performance.

On average, students are expected to devote to outside study

10–15 hours per week for all courses combined (study time

will depend upon major and other personal study needs).

Similarly, students are encouraged to adopt behaviors that

help them strike a balance among their academic and

nonacademic pursuits.

Graduate students should expect to devote at least three hours

of outside study for every credit in which they are enrolled

(e.g., for a 6-credit course, students are expected to study at

least 18 hours per week). Similarly, there is an expectation

that time will be spent outside of assigned coursework to

enhance professional development. Additionally, at the

graduate level, time management goes beyond working to

create balance among needs and interests. Time management

requires the creation of clear priorities that align with

academic goals. It is likely that decisions will be made to

sacrifice certain interests, hobbies, and/or even other

important commitments during graduate school.

Expectations for independent research for a student's major

are rare and/or tied to a specific course.

Students are expected to conduct research in their fields

independently. Students' commitment to scholarly research

and/or participation in outside professional development

experiences is central to their success. Students' academic work is largely the result of their own

independent efforts. In certain courses/majors, students may

be expected to work on group projects for specific

assignments; however, the majority of work is completed by

students working on their own.

Students' academic work is largely the product of team

discussion, collaboration, and/or consultation with their peers.

An important outcome of the graduate student experience is

the demonstration of students' ability to work successfully and

inclusively across diverse teams.

Students may continue in coursework, remain enrolled toward

degree progress, and graduate from their institutions/complete

their majors when their GPAs fall below 3.0.

The minimum GPA for continued enrollment is 3.0. Graduate

students who fall below this GPA are immediately placed on

academic probation and are at risk for dismissal from their

programs.

Compromises of academic integrity are perceived to have an

impact on the individual and the course.

Compromises of academic integrity are perceived to have

individual, academic, and career ramifications, as students are

developing work to impact and advance a particular

profession.