Thesis Proposal - BIO 6930
The thesis proposal is a public oral presentation and discussion of a proposed research plan for the master’s thesis. BIO 6930 is required for advancement to candidacy and is a prerequisite for BIO 6940 (Thesis Research in the Biological Sciences). Enroll in BIO 6930 during the semester the proposal presentation will be given. BIO 6930 and 6940 may be taken concurrently.
Purpose of the thesis proposal
To help you plan and avoid problems in your research. It is an opportunity for you discuss what you want to do and get feedback from your thesis committee as well as others on your plan. The purpose is to help you do a better job on your research and thesis. The thesis proposal should be completed in the second semester and no later than the third semester. Students who remain on schedule will receive priority for graduate funds and TA positions.
Timing of the thesis proposal
As soon as you have an idea for your thesis topic. In some cases, you and your major professor may have a project in mind as you’re admitted to the program, in which case you should do the proposal immediately. In other cases, you and your major professor may need to discuss potential projects, so the 6930 would not be done until a topic has been decided upon.
The thesis proposal should be completed in the second semester and no later than the third semester. Students who remain on schedule will receive priority for graduate funds and TA positions.
It is very important not to wait too long to have the thesis proposal. If there are problems or concerns with your research, you need to find out about those as soon as possible. It is much better to have problems identified early, while there is a chance to correct them. You don’t want the problems to be identified at your thesis defense! If you put off your proposal until you are well into your thesis project and your committee requests changes to your research plan, this will lead to substantial delays in completing your research and likely delay your graduation.
What to expect during the proposal
- First, you will start with a public presentation. The presentation should include:
- the relevant scientific background
- the hypotheses to be tested (objectives of your project)
- the procedures to be used for testing your hypotheses (including a timetable for completion and an estimation of required resources)
- the possible outcomes/preliminary data
- Check with your major professor on the expectations for the presentation.
- Make sure to practice your presentation, preferably for people who can give you feedback.
- Following the presentation, there is an opportunity for questions/comments from the general audience. That is followed by a meeting with just you and your committee to discuss the project.
- The committee will ask you more questions about your proposed research. They may also ask you general biology content questions related to your research area. It is best to meet with each committee member before the proposal to know what to expect.
- Your committee might ask you a question you do not know how to answer. This may very well happen – but that’s okay. The proposal is NOT a test – it’s a proposal! If you don’t know some answers it will guide you to what you need to study and learn before your thesis defense. It is okay to not know some answers at your proposal – it’s NOT okay to not know answers at your defense.
- After the proposal the student and all committee members should fill out the appropriate electronic assessment form:
The online forms are preferred, but a pdf form can be requested from the Graduate Coordinator if needed.
- Your major professor will give you a grade in BIO 6930. The grading is credit/no credit, so it won’t affect your GPA. Your major professor will assign a letter grade, but it will be converted to credit/no credit. The grade of “C” or better is passing.
Scheduling
- Students are responsible for scheduling the proposal. Work with your major professor and thesis committee to find a time when all of you can attend.
- Students should reserve a room for the proposal. Some rooms can be scheduled in the Bio Department office. Conference rooms in Building 4 as well as classrooms are scheduled by the Dean’s office. Make sure the room you schedule has the equipment you need to give your proposal.
Publicizing the proposal
Students are responsible for publicizing their proposal. At least one week prior to the thesis proposal presentation, you must (a) post notices in public places (including the Graduate Program Bulletin Board located outside of the Department mail room) and (b) have your announcement distributed to all Department personnel via email as listed below:
Send an email to the Graduate Coordinator including all of the
following:
- The subject of the email should be stated as: Thesis Proposal Announcement - Student Name
- The body of the email should include the following:
Thesis Proposal Announcement
Thesis Title
by
Student Name
Date, Time, Location
Thesis Committee Members:
Professor 1 (Committee Chair)
Professor 2
Professor 3
Your Thesis Proposal Abstract must be attached to the email as a pdf.
Additional information
- Make sure that you and all committee members fill in the electronic assessment forms after the proposal:
- The thesis proposal should be completed in the second semester and no later than the third semester. Students who remain on schedule will receive priority for graduate funds (when available) and TA positions.