Being part of the Georgia Tech Ph.D. Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), I was required to take a breadth of courses in subjects beyond my knowledge of control systems.  In addition, the program required me to earn a minor in a technical area outside ECE, thus I decided I would learn more about the processes involved in microtechnology, solar cells, and MEMS for ECE, and chose the field of Aerospace Engineering for my minor. During the first semester (Fall 2009) I completed five of my eight required Ph.D. courses, plus the written part of the qualifier examination, and agreed to work at the Human-Automation Systems Lab with Dr. Ayanna Howard.  The load was:

• Introduction to Microfabrication Technology (ECE, with Dr. Oliver Brand)
• Solar Cells (ECE, with Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi)
• Aerospace Systems Engineering (AE, with Dr. Daniel Schrage)
• Cognitive Engineering (AE, with Dr. Karen Feigh)
• Research Seminar (ECE, various professors)
• Ph.D. Preliminary Examination
  
• Advisor seeking
  

During the academic year 2010-2011, I registered for my last three required courses:

• Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS, ECE, with Dr. Oliver Brand)
• Spacecraft Design (AE, with Dr. Alan Wilhite)
• ECE Professional Communications Seminar (various professors)
  

Furthermore, I was part of the course Autonomous Control of Robotic Systems (ECE, Robotics, with Dr. Ayanna Howard), taught by my advisor, and of a year-long seminar with the Sam Nunn Security Program.  Since Spring 2010 I have started with dissertation hours towards the preparation of a couple of major publications. During these semesters I have been also preparing myself for the proposal examination process towards Ph.D. candidature.

As a side note, I have also found a couple of books that help as guidelines for the expected skills and deliverables to be acquired/developed during what is called the 'doctoral metamorphosis.'  These books are the following:

• R. Levasseur. "Student to Scholar: The Guide for Doctoral Students," MindFire Press, December, 2006.
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978993020/
  
  
• S. M. Cahn. "From Student to Scholar: A Candid Guide to Becoming a Professor," Columbia University Press, September 2008.
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0231145330/