I've come across this as well, although not with my sup involved. The student who had his work nicked kicked up such a stink he was eventually placed as first author on a paper. Goes to show: if it happens fight for recognition.

You felt incompetant? This will not do! Did you fill in the correct form prior to feeling incompetant? Signed - in triplicate, preferably in blood (yours) or a black biro? We can't have every PhDer in the forum wandering around their campus feeling incompetant willy-nilly now can we? makes the place look untidy...

Lovingly signed

Your friendly local useless admin pillock.

;-):p(up)

A famous discovery before you're 23? If it helps, Albert Einstein was 26 before he got his PhD and his thesis was reputed to be 19 pages long. But he failed the entrance exams to get into his desired school so even a genius can fluff things.
Just enjoy your PhD for what it is. (up)

My psychic abilities are awsome. Truly awesome in fact. I foresee that this ain't over yet and that much more frustration is heading your way...all with "Ethics" stamped on it. May I suggest all large, heavy objects are removed from your reach to prevent you bludgeoning some witless admin wonder to death? ;-)

Hiya mods! There's another one in the thread "What happens if the PhD is not doable" - have fun!

Interesting thoughts here. I would argue that the term "student" is applicable even at the PhD level: it implies you are being taught, which is correct. At the PhD level all of us are, essentially, academics or scientists-in-training. The implication that certain staff may treat their PhD charges as sub standard (academically) is indeed nothing more than gross unprofessionalis. I consider myself as a member of the academic team, providing tutorial assistance where required and am treated as such. Perhaps I have been luckier than most in a set of exceptionally professional and understanding supervisory staff. Go them! (up)

Tad harsh supergenius! I don't think that anyone here knows the posters well enough to make a judgement call about their perceived insecurities. Play nice now.. ;-)

Have a chat with the boss to be. Whatever you do, keep them informed; thay may even be able to be of assistance.

Thanks everyone for all your support, it was much appreciated. (up)

Just feeling a bit low at the moment. Work is frenetic and dull and repetitive and going nowhere. Last week my other half moved 150 miles away to take up a new post. We're too poor to afford the rail fares to see each other regularly (like once a month) and the flat has been very quiet. Today I had to have my geriatric cat (who I adored) put to sleep and the flat is even quieter. My friends are wrapped up in their own lives, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to scream at something and I can't stop shaking.

Arse.

Rant over.

Don't worry about it too much. I have (had) four supervisors: 2 industrial and 2 uni and you can usually thrash out a consensus about what needs to be done. One of my industrials has since lost his job but it shouldn't interfere too much with what I'm doing.
Don't panic, more is (sometimes) better! (up)

First, a BSc/MSc is a vast gulf away from a PhD. Treat your colleagues as you would want to be treated; be respectful, tactful and accept other people's points of view and priorities even though they may not be your own. Don't have unrealistic expectations (inculding yourself) and remember that everyone (even a supervisor) is human.

That covers points 1-3. 8-)

A good relationship with your super coupled to a good work ethic means you'll do fine during your first year.

Sorry, should have added this seems to be more of a con virus, designed to trick money out of you rather than do any malicious damage.

Spybot is free on the internet - easy to find on "Computeractive" website. Failing that, just find the file and delete it?

Methinks this thread has kind of lost the plot...