Thesis/Project Report Guidelines

Required Report Writing Guidelines

If the ideal schedule was followed, a student would determine their »Ê¹ÚÌåÓý²©²Ê research advisor and project topic during ChE 200, which is typically taken in the first semester of starting graduate program. In 281 they would develop and defend a very detailed research proposal report that includes an introduction to the topic, literature review, objectives/hypothesis and detailed experimental plan including methods, materials, safety and data analysis.

The scope of both Plan A (thesis-track) or Plan B (project-track) would be expected to be a minimum of two (2) semesters of full-time work followed by about a month to write up their final thesis or project report and defend their work. 

The main difference between Plan A (thesis-track) and Plan B (project-track) is that a thesis needs to be approved and published by Graduate Studies and has strict requirements and due dates (typically ~6 weeks before end of the semester). Please see »Ê¹ÚÌåÓý²©²Ê Thesis Guideline for details. 

Students are encouraged to start their graduate research as soon as possible. 

Route to Project/Thesis

1.     Classifies and in good standing (GPA ≥ 3.0)
        Candidacy (complete at least 9 of your 30 units)
        Satisfy the GWAR

2.     Find an Advisor: Find a research advisor during ChE 200 (typically first semester of starting graduate program)

3.     281 Thesis Prep Class: Need a project idea and advisor by first day of class

        1.     Pass Proposal Defense

4.     298/299 Project of Thesis Research 

5.     Pass Final Project Defense