Thesis Proposals and Theses 1 of 18 Thesis Proposals and Theses Steve Whitmore & Mike Sjoerdsma January 2013.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
Preparing for Confirmation of Candidature
Advertisements

School of Physiotherapy Curtin University of Technology You are considering undertaking PhD or MSc by research study at the School of Physiotherapy Read.
ORAL EXAM. Notes about Oral Exam timing  Must be completed within 9 months of passing the Written Exam  Oral Exam cannot be scheduled until you have.
Placement Workshop Y2, Sem 2 Professional Practice Module (PPM)
ECE FYP BRIEFING SEMESTER ii, 2014/2015
Guidelines for honors theses for Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering, and Informatics March 2013.
1 The Path to the Ph.D. in IS: Part 3, Advanced coursework and dissertation research.
Master of Psychiatric Nursing program. A Thesis …  Is a formal, comprehensive, written description of original research on a chosen subject  Is used.
ITFN 2012 and ITFN 4014 Orientation Spring 2012 Semester.
MSc Dissertation Introduction A brief guide to the dissertation Importance of dissertation within MSc degree The project proposal Dissertation supervisor.
Psych 499 A-B-C Important Information Friday Sept. 13 th, 2013.
Internships and New Degree Option “With Engineering Practice” Presented by: Graduate Programs Office, Dean’s Office, Career Development Office, and ISSO.
BVSc Honours Program Agenda Why choose honours? Why choose honours? What is required? What is required? Who will be my supervisor? Who will be my.
1 The Path to the Ph.D. in IS: Part 4, The Dissertation.
1 Dissertation & Comprehensive Exam Process Dissertation Process Comprehensive Exam.
MSc Dissertation Introduction
Writing the Honors Thesis A Quick Guide to Long-term Success.
MSc Dissertation Introduction A brief guide to the dissertation Importance of dissertation within MSc degree The project proposal Dissertation supervisor.
Grant Writing/Comprehensive Workshop Paul R. Albert, Ph. D
1 Guidelines and Resources For conducting a Master Thesis or Project E-Business Technologies Graduate Program Bijan Raahemi Associate Professor Telfer.
The Learning Agreement, Intellectual Property Rights and Project Approval Professor Dianne Ford Director of PhD Studies, Faculty of Medical Sciences.
Ian M Bird 21/04/03. ERP- A Unique program with diverse Faculty and Students but his leaves us with a problem- no one exam on Reproduction etc can cover.
So now you are in Grad School, how “friggin” nice for you!! AED 615 Fall st Class Meeting.
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES ORIENTATION FALL 2014.
Senior Honors Thesis Program Office of Undergraduate Research.
DEGREE PLANNING 101 Thesis & Non-Thesis Programs Dr. Thomas Tomasi Associate Dean of the Graduate College Professor of Biology.
THE SENIOR HONORS THESIS PROGRAM HNRS 3399 & 4399 The University of Houston The Honors College Office of Undergraduate Research.
1 WRITING AN UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATION THESIS FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM Prepared by: Ms. Pham L.T. Nga.
Final Presentation Take out Sr. Project Handbooks Page 24.
Graduate Degree Progress & Clearance Graduate School Office Amy Gillett and Amy Corr.
CMPGN3007 & CMPGN3008 BSc Project Dr T.A.Etchells BSc Project Tutor
Managing the process Toward graduation Yijia Jing Mar 13, 2007 Chinese Politics and Diplomacy Program.
RESEARCH PROJECT (MRP1014) ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH PROJECT (MRP1014) ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 1
PhD Registration and Assessment procedures There are 3 stages of internal assessment during the PhD: Research Plan 8 weeks after registration date Early.
Psych 499 A-B-C Important Information Tuesday May 6 th, 2014.
GMBA Thesis Workshop Thesis Workshop Professor Chan-Jane Lin Director, GMBA Program November 25, 2015.
Project 1 (CGNB 413) Briefing
APC Retreat. Academic Programs Committee Philosophy The Academic Programs Committee (APC) will carry out its responsibility consistent with the University.
ITFN 4014 and ITFN 2012 Orientation Fall Homepage Tel: CSU (678)
Thesis Defense and Submission 1 Spring  Register for Spring semester  Deadline to submit thesis to GPS: Friday, April 22 nd at NOON  Deadline.
CIVL300 SUMMER PRACTICE. Gain first hand experience in construction industry.
King Saud University- College of Engineering- Dept of Chemical Engineering GUIDELINES AND RECOMMANDATIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF GRADUATE PROJECT I AND.
Dr. Thomas Tomasi Associate Dean, Graduate College.
Serving the Public. Regulating Professional Engineering. How to become a Professional Engineer in Ontario.
A Logistical Guideline to Preparing, Researching, Writing and Defending Your Thesis in the Community College Leadership Programme Joseph Mior, Ed.D Sir.
The structure of the dissertation
Oral Exam Information Session
RESEARCH PROJECT (MRP1014)
CIVL300 SUMMER PRACTICE.
Registration and Assessment
Senior Honors Thesis Program
Completing the Master’s Thesis in Biomedical Informatics
PRC Information Session
Chapter 9 Employment Process.
Project title : Name : Institute / Faculty :
CIVL300 SUMMER PRACTICE.
Senior Honors Thesis Program
General recommendations
ECSE Advising 10 September /20/2019 Kenneth A. Connor.
Writing an Honors Project Proposal
CIVL300 SUMMER PRACTICE.
REGISTRAR’S OFFICE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
Research Degree Independent Chair Workshop 4 April 2019
CIM Cooperative Work Program (COOP)
Preparation for the Doctoral Examination 11 March 2019
Completing the Master’s Thesis in Biomedical Informatics
Completing the Master’s Thesis in Biomedical Informatics
Preparing for upgrade Dr Alex Mermikides 1.
Presentation transcript:

Thesis Proposals and Theses 1 of 18 Thesis Proposals and Theses Steve Whitmore & Mike Sjoerdsma January 2013

Thesis Proposals and Theses 2 of 18 Learning Objectives By the end of this module, you will understand some of the many administrative processes related to thesis proposals and theses. As well you will know where to seek help with your thesis:

Thesis Proposals and Theses 3 of 18 Why?  If you hope to continue your studies, many graduate schools expect that you will have completed an undergraduate thesis. Most graduate schools also require a CGPA > 3.0. Also good preparation for writing a Master’s thesis.  Some companies are more likely to hire those who have completed an undergraduate thesis than those who have not. This may especially be the case given the current state of the economy.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 4 of 18 When?  Semester 7 – ENSC 498, Thesis Proposal (3 credits).  Semester 8 – ENSC 499, Thesis (9 credits).  Can combine thesis and proposal into a single semester if very organized. Rarely done.  Usually have completed 115 credit hours and 3 work terms with a CGPA & UDGPA > 3.0.  If aiming to graduate in semester immediately after defending thesis, timing is critical: Defence can be difficult to arrange in April or August. Revisions must be completed 3 weeks before convocation.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 5 of 18 Where?  Theses are often completed as part of a 4 th coop term (contemporary economic conditions may pose problems).  Also often done internally with a faculty research project (need to approach various faculty members in ENSC and other depts -- Physics, Kinesiology, Gerontology -- about suitable projects).  Can also do an entrepreneurial project (Andrew is a possibility for Academic Supervisor).  Be cautious with doing a thesis while on an international coop as the work may not qualify (e.g., Co-op Japan tends to be theoretical work rather than project-oriented).

Thesis Proposals and Theses 6 of 18 Who?  Must have 3 committee members, a least one of whom must have a PEng (two is preferred), before you can be registered.  Choice of Academic Supervisor critical: Project must be related to their expertise and interests (see ENSC website, Should be someone you get along with reasonably well. The Academic Supervisor ensures the project meets academic and professional requirements. Must be an SFU Faculty member (ENSC & PEng preferred).  Technical Supervisor: Someone with a high level of technical expertise in topic (can be the Academic Supervisor). An engineer, scientist, or equivalent (PEng preferred). Will have relevant university degree, work experience, and professional qualifications.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 7 of 18 Who (cont’d)?  Committee Member: Someone with an interest in topic and usually has some expertise (Mike Sjoerdsma may do this, but only for interesting topics, and NEVER if the person is merely looking for an editor). May be other faculty or staff members at SFU or may be someone at a company or other academic institution.  Communication Faculty (Steve or Mike): Review thesis if required by Academic Supervisor. Troubleshoot administrative problems. We DO NOT edit theses (locate external resources). Maintain Thesis Website.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 8 of 18 Who (cont’d)?  Undergraduate Program Assistant, UGPA (currently Margaret Crandell): Deals with the administrative issues surrounding the thesis and proposal (registration, confidentiality, defence bookings, receives copies of proposal and thesis, processes grades and grade deferrals).

Thesis Proposals and Theses 9 of 18 How (Proposal)? 1.Find a suitable project. 2.Identify potential committee members. 3.Contact committee members with a brief description of project. 4.Download 498 registration form from website. 5.Have academic supervisor and/or technical supervisor sign thesis proposal form. 6.Return form to UGPA. 7.Write proposal. 8.Submit proposal to committee members. 9.Make revisions and resubmit. 10.Submit signed proposal to UGPA.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 10 of 18 How (Thesis)? 1.Download 499 registration form from website. 2.Do the work. 3.Confirm when committee members are available for defence. 4.Write draft of thesis. 5.Submit draft to committee members. 6.Submit draft to Communication Faculty (only if required by Academic Supervisor): Complete on-line thesis checklist if not already completed. Thesis must be submitted at least one month before defence. 7.Make appropriate revisions.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 11 of 18 How (Thesis cont’d)? 8.Resubmit revised thesis to Academic Supervisor (and Communication Faculty, if required). 9.Determine what times committee members are available for your defence. 10.Ask Academic Supervisor to UGPA confirming readiness to defend. The UGPA will reserve a room for the defence. 11.Prepare a PowerPoint presentation for your defence. 12.Defend your thesis. 13.Submit the signed thesis defense results form to the UGPA. 14.Make necessary revisions. 15.Submit revised thesis to committee members.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 12 of 18 How (Thesis cont’d)? 16.Obtain committee members’ signatures on Approval Page. 17.Submit hard copies of the signed Approval Page (the UGPA will obtain the Director’s signature), the Title Page, and the Abstract to the UGPA. 18.Submit an electronic copy of the thesis (in.pdf format) to the UGPA. Ensure your student number does not appear anywhere in the thesis because the thesis will be posted on a website (after two years, in the case of a confidential thesis). 19.If you want a bound copy of your thesis, you can arrange for that with the Copy Centre in Room 2260, Maggie Bentson Center. Cost is $ HST (as of April 2011). 20.Graduation stuff (woo-hoo, you finally made it!).

Thesis Proposals and Theses 13 of 18 What (Proposal)?  Proposals are usually 8-12 pages in length with the following sections: Title page Approval form Abstract Table of contents List of figures and tables (if required) Introduction (problem, background, block diagram) Description of tasks (includes a Gantt chart – may include budget) Conclusion References (if applicable) Appendices (if applicable)

Thesis Proposals and Theses 14 of 18 What (Thesis)?  Title page  Approval form  Abstract  Acknowledgements  Table of contents  List of figures and tables  List of acronyms or technical terms  Introductory chapter (problem, background, organization)  Central chapters  Concluding chapter (summary, what was accomplished, current status of project, what was learned)  References  Appendices

Thesis Proposals and Theses 15 of 18 What (Defence)?  A formal 20 minute presentation that outlines the problem, your research, and your solution/results.  Following the presentation, audience will ask questions.  Then the audience will be asked to leave.  Then your committee may ask some additional questions.  Then you will be asked to leave while the committee deliberates.  Possible outcomes: Passed with Distinction – no revisions (very rare). Passed or Passed with Minor Changes (most common). Deferred – Major Revisions Needed (occasionally). Fail (extremely rare).

Thesis Proposals and Theses 16 of 18 A Few Other Issues  If your thesis deals with a confidential topic, you must clear this with ALL your committee members (can be tricky if you are on coop and company requires an NDA). Note that theses will only be kept confidential for a maximum of 2 years.  If you need to defer the completion of your thesis or your proposal, you are responsible for contacting your Academic Supervisor prior to the deadline for grade submission, and asking him or her to submit a deferral form. If you fail to do so, an “F” will be recorded on your transcripts. Note that the deferral only lasts until the end of the 1 st week of classes of the subsequent semester. To continue the deferral, your Academic Supervisor must submit a Change of Grade Form.

Thesis Proposals and Theses 17 of 18 Sources of Information  Undergraduate Program Assistant!  Note that the thesis webpage is at the following URL: It provides the following info: Example thesis proposal Example theses Example PowerPoint slides for the defense Assorted forms Thesis checklist (To be added: database with all theses)  Check to see how current the info is by reading the posted powerpoint slides.

Conclusion Questions? Thesis Proposals and Theses 18 of 18