master thesis project description

Master Thesis/Project Report Format

Guidelines for preparation of master thesis/project report, overview of the steps.

• Select master project/thesis advisor.
• Select a project topic.
• Select a committee.
• Obtain approvals for committee, advisor.
• Register for the master project/thesis course with thesis advisor. (A section number will be provided to you by your project/thesis advisor.)
• Start Research on your master project.
• (Optional)  Present a thesis proposal to the committee during mid-way of the thesis.
• Write project report/thesis.
• Present your master project and/or defend thesis.
• Submit your master project report, or publish thesis.

Project/Thesis Option

Discuss with your master project advisor at the beginning to decide whether your master project will be more suited for the project or thesis option.

Questions to ask when evaluating your master project topic:

• Is there current interest in this topic in the field?
• Is there is a gap in knowledge that work on this topic could help to fill?
• Is it possible to focus on a manageable segment of this topic?
• Identify a preliminary method of data collection that is acceptable to your advisor.
• Is there a body of literature is available that is relevant to your topic?
• Do you need financial assistance to carry out your research?
• Is the data necessary to complete your work is easily accessible?
• Define the project purpose, scope, objectives, and procedures.
• What are the potential limitations of the study?
• Are there any skills called on by the study that you have yet to acquire?

Master level project involves:

• Analyzing the problem or topic.
• Conducting extensive research.
• Summarizing findings from the research investigation.
• Recommending additional research on the topic.
• Drawing conclusions and making recommendations.
• Documenting the results of the research.
• Defending conclusions and recommendations.

Pre-Thesis Planning

When you’re contemplating a thesis topic, you should discuss your interests with as many people as possible to gain a broad perspective. You will find your faculty advisor knowledgeable and willing to offer excellent suggestions and advice regarding an appropriate thesis topic.

Give considerable thought to the identification and planning of a thesis topic. Review literature related to your interests; read a variety of research papers, abstracts, and proposals for content, methods and structure. Looking at completed master’s theses will be a useful activity toward expanding inquiry skills and thought processes.

After the thesis advisor is selected, you may register on-line for a thesis section. You will need to see your thesis instructor to obtain the thesis section number.

Suggested Master Project/Thesis Completion Timeline

Below please find a suggested timeline. Individual timelines may vary from one student to another.

Required Deadlines

• The approval page with all signatures must be submitted to the graduate advisor prior to the last day of the semester.
• The thesis must be submitted electronically prior to the last day of classes. The last day of class can be identified in the on-line Academic calendar.

Scholarship Possibilities

Funding is usually available to students with expertise to the specific area. You will want to research scholarship options during the pre-project planning as many scholarship applications are due months before the award is granted.

• Research assistantship with a faculty advisor related to the topic of research
• Teaching assistantship to teach an undergraduate laboratory
• Check with  Career Center  for on-campus positions
• Attend all career fairs that would be of interest to consider summer internships
• SPIE (The International Society for Optics and Photonics)
• ISA (International Society of Automation)

More opportunities exist; you will need to search for scholarships based on your topic of research.

Citing Sources

The Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering* does not mandate citation styles, but you must cite your sources and cite them consistently. Here are some helpful links to assist you with citation:

• Landmark's Son of a Citation Machine
• Wikipedia Citation Templates

*The   Human Development Consumer Science department   prefers you to use the APA style. Please consult with your thesis advisor when choosing a citation style .

Thesis Quality

The Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering has significant expectations with regard to thesis quality. Poor or average level theses will not receive college approvals. It is the joint responsibility of the student and the committee to ensure that the thesis is of acceptable quality. Ultimately, the task is one borne by the student as the thesis is a reflection of the quality of their work. The thesis committee can direct the student to seek assistance if quality issues are noticed as the chapters are developed. The student should take quality feedback seriously and not wait until the end to attempt to fix this type of problem as it can result in significant delays and postponement of graduation. When you write and defend your thesis, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Shows a cursory examination of the topic.
• Makes little use of existing data sources.
• Fails to examine primary sources.
• Shows little comprehension of crucial texts or research in the subject matter.
• Lacks adequate organization.
• Treats the topic in a competent, straightforward way.
• Shows a good grasp of the material.
• Makes use of existing data sources in a competent fashion or shows a good acquaintance with primary sources and current research.
• Shows a solid comprehension of research in the subject matter
• Sustains a line of argumentation throughout the thesis
• Shows all of the above qualities of a quality thesis as well as some measure of originality in research. Originality is defined as developing new data; treating existing data in an original or particularly compelling way; developing new or particularly compelling theoretical arguments; interpreting existing research in an original or particularly compelling way; or bringing primary or secondary materials and research together to sustain a new, comprehensive or compelling interpretation. In general, a thigh quality thesis either shows some measure of originality in its argument or empirical base; or is in some other way striking or new.

Organization of Thesis

The original and copies of the thesis MUST include the following items  IN THE ORDER LISTED :

• Blank sheet of bond paper at the beginning of each copy submitted.
• Copyright page (optional).
• Title Page (must show month and year of graduation - see example).
• Signature page (see example). All three required copies must have ORIGINAL SIGNATURES of the committee and the student. Signatures must be in black ink. This page should be omitted from the electronic thesis.
• Acknowledgment (optional).
• Abstract Title Page (optional - must show month and year of graduation - see example).
• Abstract (optional - University Microfilms, Inc. requires abstracts be no longer than 150 words.).
• Table of Contents.
• References.

Style Requirements

Although there is no prescribed style for the completed thesis, there are several style manuals available which may prove helpful. The student should contact the thesis advisor to discuss the style manual to be used.  Above all, it is important to be consistent throughout the entire thesis.  Decide how you wish to structure your manuscript and be consistent throughout it.

Steps in the Submission of Electronic Dissertation/Thesis

• Write your thesis per Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering thesis guidelines.
• Successfully defend your thesis. Make corrections per the thesis committee.
• Committee signs the approval page.
• Submit a copy of the final thesis version to the Associate Dean for Research for Graduate Studies or your graduate advisor for formatting review a minimum of two weeks prior to the end of the semester.
• Wait for formatting approval before beginning electronic submission process.

Electronic Submission

• Create a single pdf file of the thesis. The signature page is NOT included in the online submission.
• Submit the signed approval page to your graduate advisor. Approval page is stored in the student’s file. ET students must also submit rubric sheets, one for each committee member.
• Please note you will be asked if you would like to embargo your work, request a journal hold or a patent hold. Be sure to check with your committee chair about these features and whether your committee chair will approve them.
• Uploading the thesis requires an active Cougarnet account and log in. If you have not used your Cougarnet account in more than 90 days, please contact the ETD administrator for assistance.
• You will receive an e-mail confirming your upload to TDL. Please forward this email to your graduate advisor.
• Wait for confirmation from your faculty chair and graduate advisor that your document has been accepted.
• Email your committee chair requesting approval of your submission. Also request approval of the embargo, if applicable.

Specifications

The font should be Times New Roman, 12 pt. font

The margins should be one inch (1") each

Electronic Copy Submission

All CCE Technology Division theses submitted in an electronic format may be hosted on the College webpage. You must submit an electronic copy of the thesis in pdf format that accurately represents the printed version of the final document.

• Copyright Page Example
• Title Page Example
• Signature Page Example
• Acknowledgements Page Example
• Abstract Title Page
• Abstract Page
• A Message from the Senior Associate Dean
• Giving to the CCE Technology Division
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• Our History
• Technology Division Facilities
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Preliminary project description for the master's thesis

All master students have to hand in a preliminary project description for the thesis during the first semester of studies and within an established deadline.

The purpose of the preliminary project description is to make sure that you are ready to start working on your master thesis when the spring semester starts.

The preliminary project description consists of a project idea and plan that are sufficiently detailed so that we can be confident that it will lead to a feasible master thesis project. The preliminary project description has to be uploaded in Canvas, within deadline ( see semester page )

As a part of the course HGO4011 - Philosophy and methodology of human geography you are required to submit a preliminary project description.

The main deadline for handing in the project description is normally in the beginning of November, you will find the specific deadlines for each semester here .

Requirements for the preliminary project description

The preliminary project description should include the following points:

• Topic: What are the questions you want to address?
• Methods: How do you want to address these questions
• Data: Do you have access to the required data?
• Status of knowledge: What do we know about this topic already?
• Outline of your thesis: What thematic structure do you envisage your thesis will have?

Being a preliminary project description, these general requirements serve as a basic guideline. You may include additional points. 

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Department of Sociology and Human Geography

How to Write a Master's Thesis: A Guide to Planning Your Thesis, Pursuing It, and Avoiding Pitfalls

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Part 1: Initial Considerations

Who needs to write a master’s thesis.

Thesis writing is one of the more daunting challenges of higher education. That being said, not all master's students have to write a thesis. For example, fields that place a stronger emphasis on applied knowledge, such as nursing, business, and education, tend to have projects and exams to test students on the skills and abilities associated with those fields. Conversely, in disciplines that require in-depth research or highly polished creative abilities, students are usually expected to prove their understanding and independence with a thesis.

What's Your Goal?

Do you want to write a thesis? The process is a long one, often spanning years. It's best to know exactly what you want before you begin. Many people are motivated by career goals. For example, hiring managers may see a master's degree as proof that the candidate is an expert within their field and can lead, motivate, and demonstrate initiative for themselves and others. Others dream of earning their doctorate, and they see a master's degree as a stepping stone toward their Ph.D .

No matter what your desired goal is, you should have one before you start your thesis. With your goal in mind, your work will have a purpose, which will allow you to measure your progress more easily.

Major Types of Theses

Once you've carefully researched or even enrolled in a master's program—a feat that involves its own planning and resources —you should know if you are expected to produce a quantitative (which occurs in many math and science programs), qualitative (which occurs in many humanities programs), or creative (which occurs in many creative writing, music, or fine arts programs) thesis.

Time and Energy Considerations

Advanced degrees are notoriously time and energy consuming. If you have a job, thesis writing will become your second job. If you have a family, they will need to know that your thesis will take a great deal of your attention, energy, and focus.

Your studies should not consume you, but they also should not take a back seat to everything else. You will be expected to attend classes, conduct research, source relevant literature, and schedule meetings with various people as you pursue your master's, so it's important to let those you care about know what's going on.

As a general note, most master's programs expect students to finish within a two-year period but are willing to grant extra time if requested, especially if that time is needed to deal with unexpected life events (more on those later).

Part 2: Form an Initial Thesis Question, and Find a Supervisor

When to begin forming your initial thesis question.

Some fields, such as history, may require you to have already formed your thesis question and to have used it to create a statement of intent (outlining the nature of your research) prior to applying to a master’s program. Others may require this information only after you've been accepted. Most of the time, you will be expected to come up with your topic yourself. However, in some disciplines, your supervisor may assign a general research topic to you.

Overall, requirements vary immensely from program to program, so it's best to confirm the exact requirements of your specific program.

What to Say to Your Supervisor

You will have a supervisor during your master's studies. Have you identified who that person will be? If yes, have you introduced yourself via email or phone and obtained information on the processes and procedures that are in place for your master's program? Once you've established contact, request an in-person meeting with him or her, and take a page of questions along with you. Your questions might include:

• Is there a research subject you can recommend in my field?
• I would like to pursue [target research subject] for my thesis. Can you help me narrow my focus?
• Can you give me an example of a properly formatted thesis proposal for my program?

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help (to a Degree)

Procedures and expectations vary from program to program, and your supervisor is there to help remove doubt and provide encouragement so you can follow the right path when you embark on writing your thesis. Since your supervisor has almost certainly worked with other graduate students (and was one at some point), take advantage of their experience, and ask questions to put your mind at ease about how to write a master’s thesis.

That being said, do not rely too heavily on your supervisor. As a graduate student, you are also expected to be able to work independently. Proving your independent initiative and capacity is part of what will earn you your master's degree.

Part 3: Revise Your Thesis

Read everything you can get your hands on.

Whether you have a question or need to create one, your next step is simple and applies to all kinds of theses: read.

Seek Out Knowledge or Research Gaps

Read everything you can that relates to the question or the field you are studying. The only way you will be able to determine where you can go is to see where everyone else has been. After you have read some published material, you will start to spot gaps in current research or notice things that could be developed further with an alternative approach. Things that are known but not understood or understood but not explained clearly or consistently are great potential thesis subjects. Addressing something already known from a new perspective or with a different style could also be a potentially valuable project. Whichever way you choose to do it, keep in mind that your project should make a valuable contribution to your field.

Talk with Experts in Your Field (and Don't Be Afraid to Revise Your Thesis)

To help narrow down your thesis topic, talk to your supervisor. Your supervisor will have an idea of what is current in your field and what can be left alone because others are already working on it. Additionally, the school you are attending will have programs and faculty with particular areas of interest within your chosen field.

On a similar note, don't be surprised if your thesis question changes as you study. Other students and researchers are out there, and as they publish, what you are working on can change. You might also discover that your question is too vague, not substantial enough, or even no longer relevant. Do not lose heart! Take what you know and adjust the question to address these concerns as they arise. The freedom to adapt is part of the power you hold as a graduate student.

Part 4: Select a Proposal Committee

What proposal committees are and why they're useful.

When you have a solid question or set of questions, draft a proposal.

You'll need an original stance and a clear justification for asking, and answering, your thesis question. To ensure this, a committee will review your thesis proposal. Thankfully, that committee will consist of people assigned by your supervisor or department head or handpicked by you. These people will be experts who understand your field of study and will do everything in their power to ensure that you are pursuing something worthwhile. And yes, it is okay to put your supervisor on your committee. Some programs even require that your supervisor be on your committee.

Just remember that the committee will expect you to schedule meetings with them, present your proposal, respond to any questions they might have for you, and ultimately present your findings and thesis when all the work is done. Choose those who are willing to support you, give constructive feedback, and help address issues with your proposal. And don't forget to give your proposal a good, thorough edit and proofread before you present it.

How to Prepare for Committee Meetings

Be ready for committee meetings with synopses of your material for committee members, answers for expected questions, and a calm attitude. To prepare for those meetings, sit in on proposal and thesis defenses so you can watch how other graduate students handle them and see what your committee might ask of you. You can even hold rehearsals with friends and fellow students acting as your committee to help you build confidence for your presentation.

Part 5: Write Your Thesis

What to do once your proposal is approved.

After you have written your thesis proposal and received feedback from your committee, the fun part starts: doing the work. This is where you will take your proposal and carry it out. If you drafted a qualitative or quantitative proposal, your experimentation or will begin here. If you wrote a creative proposal, you will now start working on your material. Your proposal should be strong enough to give you direction when you perform your experiments, conduct interviews, or craft your work. Take note that you will have to check in with your supervisor from time to time to give progress updates.

Thesis Writing: It's Important to Pace Yourself and Take Breaks

Do not expect the work to go quickly. You will need to pace yourself and make sure you record your progress meticulously. You can always discard information you don't need, but you cannot go back and grab a crucial fact that you can't quite remember. When in doubt, write it down. When drawing from a source, always create a citation for the information to save your future self time and stress. In the same sense, you may also find journaling to be a helpful process.

Additionally, take breaks and allow yourself to step away from your thesis, even if you're having fun (and especially if you're not). Ideally, your proposal should have milestones in it— points where you can stop and assess what you've already completed and what's left to do. When you reach a milestone, celebrate. Take a day off and relax. Better yet, give yourself a week's vacation! The rest will help you regain your focus and ensure that you function at your best.

How to Become More Comfortable with Presenting Your Work

Once you start reaching your milestones, you should be able to start sharing what you have. Just about everyone in a graduate program has experience giving a presentation at the front of the class, attending a seminar, or watching an interview. If you haven't (or even if you have), look for conferences and clubs that will give you the opportunity to learn about presenting your work and become comfortable with the idea of public speaking. The more you practice talking about what you are studying, the more comfortable you'll be with the information, which will make your committee defenses and other official meetings easier.

Published authors can be called upon to present at conferences, and if your thesis is strong, you may receive an email or a phone call asking if you would share your findings onstage.

Presenting at conferences is also a great way to boost your CV and network within your field. Make presenting part of your education, and it will become something you look forward to instead of fear.

What to Do If Your Relationship with Your Supervisor Sours

A small aside: If it isn't already obvious, you will be communicating extensively with others as you pursue your thesis. That also means that others will need to communicate with you, and if you've been noticing things getting quiet, you will need to be the one to speak up. Your supervisor should speak to you at least once a term and preferably once a week in the more active parts of your research and writing. If you give written work to your supervisor, you should have feedback within three weeks.

If your supervisor does not provide feedback, frequently misses appointments, or is consistently discouraging of your work, contact your graduate program advisor and ask for a new supervisor. The relationship with your supervisor is crucial to your success, especially if she or he is on your committee, and while your supervisor does not have to be friendly, there should at least be professional respect between you.

What to Do If a Crisis Strikes

If something happens in your life that disrupts everything (e.g., emotional strain, the birth of a child, or the death of a family member), ask for help. You are a human being, and personal lives can and do change without warning. Do not wait until you are falling apart before asking for help, either. Learn what resources exist for crises before you have one, so you can head off trauma before it hits. That being said, if you get blindsided, don't refuse help. Seek it out, and take the time you need to recover. Your degree is supposed to help you become a stronger and smarter person, not break you.

Part 6: Polish and Defend Your Master's Thesis

How to write a master’s thesis: the final stages.

After your work is done and everything is written down, you will have to give your thesis a good, thorough polishing. This is where you will have to organize the information, draft it into a paper format with an abstract, and abbreviate things to help meet your word-count limit. This is also where your final editing and proofreading passes will occur, after which you will face your final hurdle: presenting your thesis defense to your committee. If they approve your thesis, then congratulations! You are now a master of your chosen field.

Conclusion and Parting Thoughts

Remember that you do not (and should not) have to learn how to write a master’s thesis on your own. Thesis writing is collaborative, as is practically any kind of research.

While you will be expected to develop your thesis using your own initiative, pursue it with your own ambition, and complete it with your own abilities, you will also be expected to use all available resources to do so. The purpose of a master's thesis is to help you develop your own independent abilities, ensuring that you can drive your own career forward without constantly looking to others to provide direction. Leaders get master's degrees. That's why many business professionals in leadership roles have graduate degree initials after their last names. If you already have the skills necessary to motivate yourself, lead others, and drive change, you may only need your master's as an acknowledgement of your abilities. If you do not, but you apply yourself carefully and thoroughly to the pursuit of your thesis, you should come away from your studies with those skills in place.

A final thought regarding collaboration: all theses have a section for acknowledgements. Be sure to say thank you to those who helped you become a master. One day, someone might be doing the same for you.

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Prepare for the master's degree project

To be awarded the master's degree in engineering, you must submit a thesis. The work for this is normally carried out during your last semester.

Thesis work can be undertaken by one or two students. The total labor input per student should be equivalent to 4.5 months full-time work and gives 30 credits. Comprehensive rules and guidelines for the thesis are available on the KTH Royal Institute of Technology homepages. The work for this is normally carried out during your last semester (see the study guide for what applies to you).

To obtain the 30 credits for your thesis, you must include an extensive reference section that reflects the solid background study you have done before the actual project work is performed. The extent of this will vary from project to project, and you should discuss it with your KTH supervisor at the beginning.

Master's thesis projects handbook

In the Master's thesis projects handbook below, which serves as the Course Memo for all Tracks, you will find a thorough description of how to do a Master's thesis project at the Department of Engineering Design.

Handbook for Masters Thesis Projects at the Department of Engineering Design (2020-21) (pdf 423 kB)

Learning outcomes and objectives

According to the KTH common objectives, in order to obtain the 30 credits available for the Master's Thesis project, students must:

• Be able to apply relevant technology knowledge and skills acquired during the degree programme to solve a given problem.
• Within the given frame, even with limited information, independently analyze and discuss complex issues, and deal with major problems at an advanced technological level.
• Reflect on and critically examine their own and others scientific achievements.
• Be able to document and present their work, within the given timeframe, with the highest standards of structural, procedural and language management.
• Be able to identify the need for further knowledge and continuously develop their skills.

These KTH common goals form the core course objectives for all KTH Masters theses projects. More specific course objectives may be developed by the School of Industrial Engineering and Management, the department of Engineering Design and the Masters projects coordinator. For details of the learning outcomes, please see the relevant Masters project course description in the Study Handbook.

Admisson requirements

The department's Examiner determines if your knowledge is sufficient to undertake the course, and then, in consultation with the MSc Project Coordinator for your Track, makes a decision regarding admission. You should have acquired basic skills in technology, either by achieving passing grades in relevant courses or through relevant work experience. The thesis project work usually begins after completion of the Advanced Course (HK) and is normally carried out during the final semester. In exceptional cases, the thesis work can begin before the HK is completed. In general, the majority of your studies must be completed, with at least 240 out of 300 credits (in a five years programme) or 60 out of 120 (in a two years Master's programme) achieved, and with no more than two undergraduate level courses unfinished before thesis project work begins.

Supervision

Each student is assigned a specific Supervisor whose role is to assist and advise during the MSc thesis project work. The final presentation session may be chaired by the MSc Projects coordinator, the Examiner or a Supervisor. In cases where a Student works within a company or other similar organization as an employee, an Industrial Supervisor will also usually play an active role.

Compulsory elements

MSc thesis project work includes four compulsory elements, namely that you must:

• Attend at least two other students' MSc thesis project final presentations before your own final presentation. (These can be from programmes other than your own.)
• Attend and contribute to the opposition at a planning seminar in which the problem definition is discussed together with the methodology, the definition of the theoretical frame of reference and the work schedule. These planning seminars will be attended by other MSc students, the examiner, academic Supervisors and Industrial Supervisors who wish to participate.
• Act as the opposition for another student's thesis.
• Perform and present your own approved project at a publicly announced seminar.

MSc thesis project work and opposition may be performed by one or two students The work undertaken in an Masters thesis project is equated with scientific reports and public documents. A cornerstone of scientific work is that material is made public so that it can be subjected to scrutiny by other scientists. It is therefore not appropriate for thesis content to be confidential. You should make this clear to your Industrial Supervisor at an early stage to avoid complications at the end. Each Student is responsible for completing the above elements and for ensuring that they are properly documented.

The degree project is deemed approved / not approved, P/F.

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How to write a masters dissertation or thesis: top tips.

It is completely normal to find the idea of writing a masters thesis or dissertation slightly daunting, even for students who have written one before at undergraduate level. Though, don’t feel put off by the idea. You’ll have plenty of time to complete it, and plenty of support from your supervisor and peers.

One of the main challenges that students face is putting their ideas and findings into words. Writing is a skill in itself, but with the right advice, you’ll find it much easier to get into the flow of writing your masters thesis or dissertation.

We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to write a dissertation or thesis for your masters degree, with top tips to consider at each stage in the process.

1. Understand your dissertation or thesis topic

There are slight differences between theses and dissertations , although both require a high standard of writing skill and knowledge in your topic. They are also formatted very similarly.

At first, writing a masters thesis can feel like running a 100m race – the course feels very quick and like there is not as much time for thinking! However, you’ll usually have a summer semester dedicated to completing your dissertation – giving plenty of time and space to write a strong academic piece.

By comparison, writing a PhD thesis can feel like running a marathon, working on the same topic for 3-4 years can be laborious. But in many ways, the approach to both of these tasks is quite similar.

Before writing your masters dissertation, get to know your research topic inside out. Not only will understanding your topic help you conduct better research, it will also help you write better dissertation content.

Also consider the main purpose of your dissertation. You are writing to put forward a theory or unique research angle – so make your purpose clear in your writing.

Top writing tip: when researching your topic, look out for specific terms and writing patterns used by other academics. It is likely that there will be a lot of jargon and important themes across research papers in your chosen dissertation topic. 

2. Structure your dissertation or thesis

Writing a thesis is a unique experience and there is no general consensus on what the best way to structure it is. 

As a postgraduate student , you’ll probably decide what kind of structure suits your research project best after consultation with your supervisor. You’ll also have a chance to look at previous masters students’ theses in your university library.

To some extent, all postgraduate dissertations are unique. Though they almost always consist of chapters. The number of chapters you cover will vary depending on the research. 

A masters dissertation or thesis organised into chapters would typically look like this: 

Write down your structure and use these as headings that you’ll write for later on.

Top writing tip : ease each chapter together with a paragraph that links the end of a chapter to the start of a new chapter. For example, you could say something along the lines of “in the next section, these findings are evaluated in more detail”. This makes it easier for the reader to understand each chapter and helps your writing flow better.

3. Write up your literature review

One of the best places to start when writing your masters dissertation is with the literature review. This involves researching and evaluating existing academic literature in order to identify any gaps for your own research.

Many students prefer to write the literature review chapter first, as this is where several of the underpinning theories and concepts exist. This section helps set the stage for the rest of your dissertation, and will help inform the writing of your other dissertation chapters.

What to include in your literature review

The literature review chapter is more than just a summary of existing research, it is an evaluation of how this research has informed your own unique research.

Demonstrate how the different pieces of research fit together. Are there overlapping theories? Are there disagreements between researchers?

Highlight the gap in the research. This is key, as a dissertation is mostly about developing your own unique research. Is there an unexplored avenue of research? Has existing research failed to disprove a particular theory?

Back up your methodology. Demonstrate why your methodology is appropriate by discussing where it has been used successfully in other research.

4. Write up your research

For instance, a more theoretical-based research topic might encompass more writing from a philosophical perspective. Qualitative data might require a lot more evaluation and discussion than quantitative research. 

Methodology chapter

The methodology chapter is all about how you carried out your research and which specific techniques you used to gather data. You should write about broader methodological approaches (e.g. qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods), and then go into more detail about your chosen data collection strategy. 

Data collection strategies include things like interviews, questionnaires, surveys, content analyses, discourse analyses and many more.

Data analysis and findings chapters

The data analysis or findings chapter should cover what you actually discovered during your research project. It should be detailed, specific and objective (don’t worry, you’ll have time for evaluation later on in your dissertation)

Write up your findings in a way that is easy to understand. For example, if you have a lot of numerical data, this could be easier to digest in tables.

This will make it easier for you to dive into some deeper analysis in later chapters. Remember, the reader will refer back to your data analysis section to cross-reference your later evaluations against your actual findings – so presenting your data in a simple manner is beneficial.

Think about how you can segment your data into categories. For instance, it can be useful to segment interview transcripts by interviewee. 

Top writing tip : write up notes on how you might phrase a certain part of the research. This will help bring the best out of your writing. There is nothing worse than when you think of the perfect way to phrase something and then you completely forget it.

5. Discuss and evaluate

Once you’ve presented your findings, it’s time to evaluate and discuss them.

It might feel difficult to differentiate between your findings and discussion sections, because you are essentially talking about the same data. The easiest way to remember the difference is that your findings simply present the data, whereas your discussion tells the story of this data.

Your evaluation breaks the story down, explaining the key findings, what went well and what didn’t go so well.

In your discussion chapter, you’ll have chance to expand on the results from your findings section. For example, explain what certain numbers mean and draw relationships between different pieces of data.

Top writing tip: don’t be afraid to point out the shortcomings of your research. You will receive higher marks for writing objectively. For example, if you didn’t receive as many interview responses as expected, evaluate how this has impacted your research and findings. Don’t let your ego get in the way!

6. Write your introduction

Your introduction sets the scene for the rest of your masters dissertation. You might be wondering why writing an introduction isn't at the start of our step-by-step list, and that’s because many students write this chapter last.

Here’s what your introduction chapter should cover:

Problem statement

Research question

Significance of your research

This tells the reader what you’ll be researching as well as its importance. You’ll have a good idea of what to include here from your original dissertation proposal , though it’s fairly common for research to change once it gets started.

Writing or at least revisiting this section last can be really helpful, since you’ll have a more well-rounded view of what your research actually covers once it has been completed and written up.

Masters dissertation writing tips

When to start writing your thesis or dissertation.

When you should start writing your masters thesis or dissertation depends on the scope of the research project and the duration of your course. In some cases, your research project may be relatively short and you may not be able to write much of your thesis before completing the project. 

But regardless of the nature of your research project and of the scope of your course, you should start writing your thesis or at least some of its sections as early as possible, and there are a number of good reasons for this:

Academic writing is about practice, not talent. The first steps of writing your dissertation will help you get into the swing of your project. Write early to help you prepare in good time.

Write things as you do them. This is a good way to keep your dissertation full of fresh ideas and ensure that you don’t forget valuable information.

The first draft is never perfect. Give yourself time to edit and improve your dissertation. It’s likely that you’ll need to make at least one or two more drafts before your final submission.

Writing early on will help you stay motivated when writing all subsequent drafts.

Thinking and writing are very connected. As you write, new ideas and concepts will come to mind. So writing early on is a great way to generate new ideas.

How to improve your writing skills

The best way of improving your dissertation or thesis writing skills is to:

 Finish the first draft of your masters thesis as early as possible and send it to your supervisor for revision. Your supervisor will correct your draft and point out any writing errors. This process will be repeated a few times which will help you recognise and correct writing mistakes yourself as time progresses.

If you are not a native English speaker, it may be useful to ask your English friends to read a part of your thesis and warn you about any recurring writing mistakes. Read our section on English language support for more advice. 

Most universities have writing centres that offer writing courses and other kinds of support for postgraduate students. Attending these courses may help you improve your writing and meet other postgraduate students with whom you will be able to discuss what constitutes a well-written thesis.

Read academic articles and search for writing resources on the internet. This will help you adopt an academic writing style, which will eventually become effortless with practice.

Keep track of your bibliography 

The easiest way to keep the track of all the articles you have read for your research is to create a database where you can summarise each article/chapter into a few most important bullet points to help you remember their content. 

Another useful tool for doing this effectively is to learn how to use specific reference management software (RMS) such as EndNote. RMS is relatively simple to use and saves a lot of time when it comes to organising your bibliography. This may come in very handy, especially if your reference section is suspiciously missing two hours before you need to submit your dissertation! 

Avoid accidental plagiarism

Plagiarism may cost you your postgraduate degree and it is important that you consciously avoid it when writing your thesis or dissertation. 

Occasionally, postgraduate students commit plagiarism unintentionally. This can happen when sections are copy and pasted from journal articles they are citing instead of simply rephrasing them. Whenever you are presenting information from another academic source, make sure you reference the source and avoid writing the statement exactly as it is written in the original paper.

What kind of format should your thesis have?

Read your university’s guidelines before you actually start writing your thesis so you don’t have to waste time changing the format further down the line. However in general, most universities will require you to use 1.5-2 line spacing, font size 12 for text, and to print your thesis on A4 paper. These formatting guidelines may not necessarily result in the most aesthetically appealing thesis, however beauty is not always practical, and a nice looking thesis can be a more tiring reading experience for your postgrad examiner .

When should I submit my thesis?

The length of time it takes to complete your MSc or MA thesis will vary from student to student. This is because people work at different speeds, projects vary in difficulty, and some projects encounter more problems than others. 

Obviously, you should submit your MSc thesis or MA thesis when it is finished! Every university will say in its regulations that it is the student who must decide when it is ready to submit. 

However, your supervisor will advise you whether your work is ready and you should take their advice on this. If your supervisor says that your work is not ready, then it is probably unwise to submit it. Usually your supervisor will read your final thesis or dissertation draft and will let you know what’s required before submitting your final draft.

Set yourself a target for completion. This will help you stay on track and avoid falling behind. You may also only have funding for the year, so it is important to ensure you submit your dissertation before the deadline – and also ensure you don’t miss out on your graduation ceremony ! 

To set your target date, work backwards from the final completion and submission date, and aim to have your final draft completed at least three months before that final date.

Don’t leave your submission until the last minute – submit your work in good time before the final deadline. Consider what else you’ll have going on around that time. Are you moving back home? Do you have a holiday? Do you have other plans?

If you need to have finished by the end of June to be able to go to a graduation ceremony in July, then you should leave a suitable amount of time for this. You can build this into your dissertation project planning at the start of your research.

It is important to remember that handing in your thesis or dissertation is not the end of your masters program . There will be a period of time of one to three months between the time you submit and your final day. Some courses may even require a viva to discuss your research project, though this is more common at PhD level . 

If you have passed, you will need to make arrangements for the thesis to be properly bound and resubmitted, which will take a week or two. You may also have minor corrections to make to the work, which could take up to a month or so. This means that you need to allow a period of at least three months between submitting your thesis and the time when your program will be completely finished. Of course, it is also possible you may be asked after the viva to do more work on your thesis and resubmit it before the examiners will agree to award the degree – so there may be an even longer time period before you have finished.

How do I submit the MA or MSc dissertation?

Most universities will have a clear procedure for submitting a masters dissertation. Some universities require your ‘intention to submit’. This notifies them that you are ready to submit and allows the university to appoint an external examiner.

This normally has to be completed at least three months before the date on which you think you will be ready to submit.

When your MA or MSc dissertation is ready, you will have to print several copies and have them bound. The number of copies varies between universities, but the university usually requires three – one for each of the examiners and one for your supervisor.

However, you will need one more copy – for yourself! These copies must be softbound, not hardbound. The theses you see on the library shelves will be bound in an impressive hardback cover, but you can only get your work bound like this once you have passed. 

You should submit your dissertation or thesis for examination in soft paper or card covers, and your university will give you detailed guidance on how it should be bound. They will also recommend places where you can get the work done.

The next stage is to hand in your work, in the way and to the place that is indicated in your university’s regulations. All you can do then is sit and wait for the examination – but submitting your thesis is often a time of great relief and celebration!

Some universities only require a digital submission, where you upload your dissertation as a file through their online submission system.

Related articles

What Is The Difference Between A Dissertation & A Thesis

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Writing At Postgraduate Level

Dos & Don'ts Of Academic Writing

Dispelling Dissertation Drama

Writing A Dissertation Proposal

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Tips for Completing the Master's Thesis or Project

Students in selected Master’s programs must demonstrate evidence of a high degree of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition and ability to select, organize and apply knowledge through a thesis. “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” as developed and enhanced by the Graduate Faculty of Jackson State University, provides examples of best practices concerning format standards that must be met before it receives final approval by the Division of Graduate Studies. This unit highlights items from Chapter 3: Technical Details. It is not meant to replace the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Project”. Each student should obtain a copy of the “ Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s  Thesis” for full details.

Initial Steps

• Preliminary Items

Approval Process

Closing Comments

• Responsibilities

Sample Pages

1. Thesis/Project Committee Approval Form ( Click here for a Committee Approval Form )

• This form is essential for students who are writing a thesis or project. It is established policy that the student selects his/her advisor with consent of the department chair. The advisor assists the student in the formation of a committee of the appropriate number of graduate faculty members. This form documents the constitution of a student’s committee and approval of the student’s research proposal by the student’s committee.
• The signatures of the committee members indicate their willingness to serve on your committee and their approval of the proposal. After all the signatures have been obtained, file this form with the Division of Graduate Studies.
• This form must be filed BEFORE you start your research.

2. Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• If your proposed research involves human subjects, it must be approved by the Jackson State University Institutional Review Board, (IRB).
• If your proposed research involves animals, it must be approved by the JSU Institutional Animal Care and Usage Commitee (IACUC).
• A full explanation of the procedures and Federal Guidelines are available from the JSU Office of Research Compliance.

3. Proposal. The Division of Graduate Studies does not define the content or style for a proposal. Please consult your committee chairperson.

( Return to Contents )

Arrangement of Preliminary Items in the Thesis/Project .

Title Page………….Required……..counted as page “i”, but not numbered. Approval Page……. Required…. …counted as page “ii”, but not numbered. Copyright Page…… Optional…….. no page number. Dedication Page……Optional………no page number. Table of Contents….Required………Must be numbered as page “iii”. List of Tables…….. If needed………Small Roman numeral. List of Figures……..If needed………Small Roman numeral. Acknowledgements..Required………Small Roman numeral Abstract……………Required………counted as page, but not numbered.

• Title Page : This page is assigned the Roman numeral “i”, although the number does not appear. The date used is the month and year of commencement. The page must be spaced EXACTLY as shown in Appendix A of the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or the Project Guidelines.
• Approval Page : Each copy of the thesis/project must have an approval page using the exact wording and format shown on the sample page in Appendix A of the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or the Project Guidelines. This sheet must be on the same brand and weight of paper as the remainder of the thesis/project. Although the page may be a copy, THE COMMITTEE SIGNATURES MUST BE ORIGINAL. Black ink is required for the original signatures. (Use of ink of other color will result in the thesis/project being returned.) Approval pages are not numbered.
• Table of Contents : The first page of the Table of Contents must be “iii”. Other pages are numbered consecutively. The page number is centered at the bottom of the page. Chapter or Section Titles, References, Appendix(es) and Vita must be included. Although it is not necessary to include all levels of headings, inclusion must be consistent. If a particular level is included at any point, all headings of that level must be included. This page should have a 2 inch top margin.
• Abstract : The abstract is a brief summary of the problem and the results of the research. The abstract of a thesis/project should be concise review of the work and must not exceed 600 words. This page is numbered for the Table of Contents, but the page number must not appear on the page. This page should have a 2 inch top margin.

(Return to Contents)

Refer to the style manual required by your department for items not discussed in the “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis” or the Project Guidelines.

• Font – The recommend font is Times Roman, size 12.
• Line Spacing – Standard double spacing is used for the document text. Most style manuals require single spacing for long quotations and bibliographic entries (double spacing should be used between entries).
• Left: 1.5 inches (this allows for binding)
• Right and Bottom: 1 inch
• Top: Start of major section = 2 inches, all other pages = 1 inch.
• The first page of the text section must be ‘1’.
• Pages are numbered consecutively beginning with 1 continuing to the end of the document.
• Page numbers for the start of each Chapter or major section are placed in the center bottom position (1 inch or 7 lines up from the bottom).
• Page numbers for all other pages must be placed one inch (line 7) from the top and even with the right margin.
• No other numbering scheme is acceptable, the standard scheme may not be disrupted with insertions numbered, 10a, 10b, 10c, etc.
• Initial submission of the thesis/project, for review by the Graduate Reader, should be on “regular” paper.
• THESIS: After the corrections of the Graduate Reader are made, the student will submit three (3) unbound copies of the thesis, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper, paper to the Division of Graduate Studies.
• PROJECT: After the corrections of the Graduate Reader are made, the student will submit one (1) spiral bound copy of the project, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper, paper to the Division of Graduate Studies.
• Bibliography/List of References : The format for the citations should be that used by the appropriate style manual for the student’s department.
• Appendix or Appendices : An appendix (or appendixes or appendices), if included, is preceded by a numbered page with the designation centered vertically and horizontally between the margins.
• If IRB approval was required, a copy of YOUR approval letter must be included as an appendix.
• Vita : A vita is written in narrative form or outline form and contains appropriate personal, academic and professional information. It is the last item in the manuscript and appears with no preceding separation page and no page number.
• Timeline : The Division of Graduate Studies issues a calendar each year which indicates the LAST DAY for satisfying all graduation requirements. The Division of Graduate Studies encourages students to submit their manuscripts well be for the deadline. Click here for Dates and Deadlines.
• Scheduling your Defense : The chairperson of the committee for the candidate for the degree, in concurrence with the other members of the committee, shall adhere to the following process. The chairperson will notify the members of the committee, the Department Chair, the Dean of the College, the Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies and other appropriate persons of the place, date and time of the defense.
• Committee Report of Defense Results   is completed upon the successful defense of the thesis/project before the student’s committee. This form must be submitted prior to the submission of the “ Final Clearance for Graduation ”.
• First Submission : One unbound copy of the thesis/project must be presented to the committee.
• The Committee :The FIRST SUBMISSION will be reviewed to determine format and compliance with the appropriate guidelines from the department’s adopted style manual. The student will be notified if any revisions are necessary, in a timely manner. If revisions of the manuscript are necessary, the student must incorporate the changes and resubmit to the committee.
• THESIS: After the corrections of the committee are made, the student will submit three (3) unbound copies of the thesis, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper. One copy will be place in the JSU Library, one copy will be sent to the department and one copy is for the student.
• PROJECT: After the corrections are made, the student will submit one (1) spiral bound copy of the project, on white, (at least) 20 pound, 25% rag, acid-free paper, paper. This copy will be place in the JSU Library.

Submission of a thesis/project should not be interpreted as approval. Approval comes only after the document is read and the format reviewed for consistency with guidelines. The final copy of the thesis/project must be acceptable to all members of the committee as witnessed by the signatures on the approval page.

Student’s Responsibility

• Choosing a chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
• Choosing the members of the thesis/project committee in conjunction with the chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
• Meeting with the chairperson and setting a schedule for completion of the thesis/project in a timely manner.
• Keeping on schedule.
• Turning in all thesis/project material to chairperson typed in correct format.
• Knowing and meeting all deadlines.
• Filing all forms in a timely manner.

Committee’s Responsibility : It is the committee members’ responsibility to …

• Attend the prospectus hearing and final defense.
• Read the student’s work throughout the writing process.
• Provide written feedback for correcting and/or improving the thesis/project.

Advisor and Committee’s Responsibility : It is the chairperson’s and committee members’ responsibility to know policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and the major department relative to the thesis/project process.

In addition the chair is also responsible for…

• Ensuring that the student is aware of the rules, regulations and policies of the Division of Graduate Studies and the department.
• Assisting the student in the formation of a committee.
• Meeting with the student on a regular basis.
• Keeping the scheduled appointments.
• Ensuring that the student’s work is properly documented and not plagiarized.
• Scheduling the prospectus hearing, if required, and the final defense of the thesis/project.
• Notifying the committee members and the Department chair of the place, time & date of the prospectus hearing.
• Notifying the Graduate Dean, College Dean, Department chair and committee members of the place, time & date of the final defense.

Department Chair/Program Director’s Responsibility : It is the department chair/program director’s responsibility for knowing and enforcing policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and department/program.

The chair/director is also responsible for…

• Ensuring that the graduate faculty of the department/program know and adhere to the policies, rules and regulations of the Division of Graduate Studies.
• Keeping the faculty abreast of rule, policy and procedure changes from the Division of Graduate Studies.
• Serving as a liaison between the student and the advisor, if necessary.
• Ensuring the thesis/project advisor and all committee members are qualified to serve.

Keep up-to-date with all important dates for the current semester at Jackson State University. If you have any questions about the information listed, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you further.

Division of Graduate Studies 1400 John R. Lynch Street Jackson, MS 39217-0280

Division of Graduate Studies Jackson State University P.O. Box 17095 Jackson, MS  39217

Phone: 601.979.2455

¶ MS Project & Thesis Process

The content of this page is adapted from this document .

¶ Defining the Difference between Project and Thesis

The graduate catalog gives us a distinction between the thesis and project, as follows:

...each student is required to complete either a Master’s thesis (a systematic approach to addressing an identified research question, typically done individually) or a Master’s project (a substantial development effort that follows a production plan to implement a design vision, typically done in teams) to complete the degree requirements (9 credit hours)

A thesis requires the student to answer a research question, following established research methods, under close supervision of a faculty advisor and with the support of a faculty committee. It incorporates a formal proposal milestone and a formal presentation milestone.

A project requires students to work on a design and development project related to IMGD. It may incorporate an innovative aspects of design and/or technology, or demonstrate the mastery of advanced topics in IMGD. Milestones for this are a short design document with accompanying prototype, a demonstration of the project, and a playtesting/user experience report to be provided at the end of the year.

¶ Thesis and Project Selection Process

The thesis/project requirement is 9 credits, which equates to approximately 540 hours of work (12 hours/week for three semesters). The proposal process is designed to help students make the most of that time, ensure faculty loads are balanced, and support the research, creative, and/or teaching goals of the faculty.

Except in circumstances where students independently propose their project or thesis, projects are proposed by the faculty, typically at the end of B term.

¶ MS Project Pitch Day

MS projects are typically pitched by the faculty during a pitch day in B term; during COVID they’ve been emailed out to IMGD graduate students instead. Faculty prepare a short description of the project, including:

The design concept and/or goals of the project

How many students are needed to complete the project, and what roles each student would take

What experience students should already have to join the project

Any restrictions on when the project can run (e.g. 6 credits in Fall, 3 credits in Spring)

These pitches are presented to graduate students. Faculty can pitch more than one project. Students rank their top two or three projects to work on, and the graduate committee subsequently assigns students to projects. The goal with assignment of students to projects is to help balance the advising load on faculty, and to reduce confusion in situations where there are not enough students interested in each project.

¶ Thesis Topic Selection Process

Faculty submit descriptions of potential theses that they are willing to supervise. Each thesis description should include a research question that serves as a starting point, and the student and advisor may work together to refine this question as part of the thesis proposal process. The thesis description should also list what semesters the advisor expects the thesis to run, to assist students in planning. Faculty submit their potential theses to the graduate coordinator, who will maintain a list of all current theses that faculty are willing to supervise. The list will be updated at the end of A and C terms each academic year.

Students can apply to work on a thesis under faculty supervision. The approval process for joining a thesis is entirely controlled by the supervising faculty member.

¶ Independent Project or Thesis Proposal

Students may propose their own project or thesis, but it must be done before they begin the 9 credits of work. If a student group wishes to propose a project to a faculty member, they develop a short pitch with description at the same level of detail as those that would be generated by faculty. If a student wishes to propose an independent thesis, they should go to the faculty member with the research area that best fits their interest, and generate a description of the thesis at a similar level of detail to that proposed by faculty. Accepting an independently proposed project or thesis is at the faculty member’s discretion.

¶ Thesis Advising and Milestones

A thesis has a primary advisor and one reader, who constitute the thesis committee. A thesis advisor is responsible for regular meetings with the student and guiding the overall research. The thesis reader is responsible for once-per-term meetings with the student and advisor, offering external feedback and insight.

The thesis proposal should be completed within the first three credits of thesis credit. It constitutes a formal written document that describes the research area, identifies the research question, situates the work in the context of related work, describes the research methods to be used, and how the research question will be answered. The advisor and readers must approve the written proposal before an oral presentation can be scheduled. The oral presentation consists of a 15 minute talk and 5 minute public Q&A period that is open to the public, and then a 10 minute question and critique period from IMGD Steering faculty. The attending faculty vote on the outcome of a thesis proposal, which can be one of three outcomes: a) pass, b) pass with revisions, and c) fail and re-propose. If a student passes with revisions, the committee must approve revisions to the proposal, but the student does not need to present again. If a student fails their proposal, they must revise their proposal and give another oral presentation. Written proposals will be sent to all IMGD faculty at least two days before the presentation date.

The written thesis should be completed by the end of the nine credits. It is a piece of formal academic writing that fully describes the research aims and activities and how it fits into a broader scholarly context. The advisor and readers must approve the written proposal before an oral defense can be scheduled. The defense consists of a 40 minute public talk, 5 minute public Q&A, and then a private Q&A session that must be attended by the committee, and that other IMGD faculty are welcome to attend. Students should schedule their thesis defense with the program admin (Allison Darling), and provide the thesis title, the abstract, and the committee members. This must happen at least one week prior to the thesis defense . The outcomes from the thesis defense can be: a) pass, b) pass with revisions, and c) fail and re-present. As with the proposal: revisions must be approved by the committee; failure means making revisions and giving another defense.

The written thesis goes in the ETD, and students must meet the ETD deadline for their intended graduation date.

¶ Project Advising and Milestones

A project is advised by a faculty member, with another faculty member agreeing to serve as a reader. Advisors meet regularly with students. Readers agree to meet for one hour per term, and to review the design document and final project report prior to their presentation.

Within the first three credits of a project, students must complete a design document for their project, including an early prototype. This design document should describe the experience goal and audience, relate the proposed project to inspiration media, outline major design and technical elements, and give an assessment plan that focuses on playtesting, usability testing, or user experience evaluation. This design document should be accompanied by a prototype. Design documents must be approved by the advisor and readers before students are approved to give their project pitch. Project pitches take the form of a 5 minute public presentation followed by 5 minute public Q&A and 5 minutes of faculty critique.

The two deliverables for an MS project are: 1) an interactive media artifact, and 2) a written report and accompanying video documentation of the overall project. This report should describe the final design, any technical challenges faced and how they were overcome, and the outcomes from assessment. These deliverables must be approved by the advisor and reader.

The interactive media artifact must be shown to the public during at least one event (e.g. Showfest, a conference, or a festival), and made available for public use. Students present their final project at a presentation event for all graduate students, delivering a 20 minute talk with 5 minutes for questions.

¶ FAQ: Who is my advisor?

Each graduate student is assigned an advisor when they are admitted to WPI. After the student selects a project or thesis, their advisor will be changed to the project/thesis advisor.

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How to write Master's thesis summary for PhD application

I am currently applying for several PhD programs (in mathematics) and for many of them, it is required to write a short (approx. 2 pages; no more than 10.000 characters) summary of my Master's thesis. It should contain the motivations of the thesis and research, the methods used as well as the results obtained in my research.

Now, the application commitee is probably less interested in the precise topic of my research or in the project itself, but I guess that the aim of this writing in my application is more for them to examine my ability of writing and explaining my research to others, as the latter is one of the key abilities a scientist should probably have, in my opinion.

My questions are now the following:

(1) How detailed should such a writing be? In my specific case, I am appliying for a math PhD and many things which I did in my thesis, which lied in the border of math and physics, are very abstract, so it not always easy to explain them in simple, non-technical, terms (and I guess, this applies for most of the projects done in pure mathematics). So, should I aim in writing this text in a more "popular" science way, or should I "confront" them with full technical details (the middle way is, as written above, hardly possible, as the things are kind of abstract).

(2) Should I aim in writing this stuff more formally, or more from a personal point of view? So, should I, for example, write about my personal reasons for chosing this particular problem, or should I more concentrate on the scientific reasons of why this type of questions are interesting?

• graduate-admissions
• application

• 2 A thesis I'd have supervised (not in math, admittedly) would have a summary/an abstract in the beginning which could be used just like it is for your purpose. Does your thesis not contain an abstract/a short summary? –  Snijderfrey Commented May 16, 2022 at 15:05
• 1 Hi, yes my thesis does contain an abstract, but this is rather small (half a page) and really just contains the technical contents and result.... So its written similar in spirit as an abstract of a paper... –  B.Hueber Commented May 16, 2022 at 16:19
• 1 @Snijderfrey I'm not sure that's a good advice in generality. Many job applications I see which contain the abstract of the thesis don't look very convincing - this might just be correlations, but just putting the abstract makes a very un-excited impression. And who wants to hire unexcited students? –  user151413 Commented May 17, 2022 at 19:17

2 Answers 2

Note that your essay will be read by other mathematicians, but most of them won't be in your specialty. An overly detailed presentation, such as you might present to your advisor won't be the best.

You are probably correct that they are looking for a writing sample, so focus on the writing at least as much as the math.

A personal view of "why" you chose this path is probably not the right focus, though a sentence might be fine.

First, though, what is the most important result in your thesis? It might be a theorem, but it might also be an interesting (thought provoking) proof technique. Talk about that result primarily, and situate it within the mathematical literature. Talk about why it is an important result. If possible, talk about what it might lead to, though you may not yet be sophisticated enough to understand that.

If the work gave you any special "insights" into the wider world of your specialty (or math in general) include a few words about that. Is there follow up research that is indicated?

As to the level, think about how you would explain the thesis to a good upper level undergraduate class. I'm guessing that such a level might be the best, of course, but all of your readers (various mathematicians) would be able to understand it.

The details are in the thesis, of course, and the committee will probably have access to that as well, so a higher level (or lower level, if you like) presentation is probably enough.

• Thanks a lot! Yes indeed, I also uploaded the full thesis in the application. –  B.Hueber Commented May 16, 2022 at 16:23
• I join this answer to ask If it could be a good idea to write the MSc thesis summary in the form of a scientific article. Consider the following template provided by springer as a possible example: overleaf.com/latex/templates/… –  g_don Commented Aug 13, 2023 at 19:29

Make it in 3 parts

• Synopsis: This is what you have written at the start of your Master's thesis.
• Brief description of your work: Describe what (and how) you did in your Master's project.
• Results: What new goals you achieved in your work.

The whole language is slightly technical, without many complex formulas and equations.

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Types of Theses

Three types of gallatin ma theses.

Each graduate student in the Gallatin School completes a final thesis as the culmination of their work toward a Master of Arts degree. The thesis may take one of three forms: a research thesis, an artistic thesis, or a project thesis. In each case, the thesis represents a synthesis of the student’s accumulated knowledge and skill and an opportunity to display the ideas, practices and skills learned through the program. While the master’s thesis, unlike a doctoral dissertation, does not have to create new knowledge or break new ground, it does display the student’s ability to go beyond the mere collection of information into synthesis, analysis, judgment and interpretation. Moreover, it should demonstrate the student’s familiarity with a substantial body of thought and literature and illustrate mastery of some self-chosen field of study.

Below you will find descriptions of the three types of theses: 

Research Thesis

Artistic thesis, project thesis.

Current MA students who are interested in seeing sample theses should consult the Gallatin Master's Thesis Archive , which is accessible with an NYU Net ID.

Students pursuing the research option produce and defend a substantial research essay, the thesis of which is demonstrably related to the student’s course of study and ongoing conversations with the primary adviser. The adviser and defense panelists are the ultimate arbiters of whether the thesis satisfies a reasonable understanding of a project worthy of the master’s degree. However, in general and at minimum, a successful Gallatin MA research thesis demonstrates sufficient mastery of relevant academic fields as well as a critical grasp of the scholarship and methods that currently define those fields. The thesis essay is a logically-constructed argument that presents its central points on the basis of research and critical interpretation. The sources and objects of study may cover the spectrum from archival materials to critical theory to statistical surveys and personal interviews, but the student should carefully choose sources in consultation with the primary adviser, and with reference to questions about what constitutes legitimate source within the student’s field(s). The research thesis essay must be more than a "review of the literature" but the demand for original findings is lower than that faced by doctoral candidates. Significantly original contributions are of course highly commendable, but the excellence of an MA research thesis essay may lie in its critical and creative synthesis, articulation of a fresh perspective on the work of others, or identification of new, research-based questions that themselves shed light on existing problems within fields. Generally speaking, the final research thesis essay should be at least 50 pages and not exceed 80 pages (not including appendices and bibliographic material). Students and advisers are encouraged to talk with the program's academic directors about these expectations whenever necessary.

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The artistic thesis is appropriate for those students who wish to display the creative process in the performing, visual or literary arts. A student might make a film or video; choreograph an evening of dance; act in a play; mount an exhibit of paintings; write a screenplay, novel, play or collection of short stories; or choose another artistic endeavor. The artistic thesis represents the culmination of a Gallatin arts concentration in which the student has studied the genre under consideration.

The artistic thesis comprises both the artistic project and three accompanying essays. Therefore, you should conceive of the artistic thesis as a unified piece composed of the creative work and the essays which enhance it. Members of the faculty committee will assess both the artistic work and the essays. The essays include:

• an academic research paper related to the field of artistic work;
• an essay on artistic aims and process;
• a technical essay.

Please note: The technical essay does not apply to those students who are submitting a literary work.

Some General Advice

Be careful to keep records and a log of the artistic project as it evolves. This information can be used in the Technical Essay.

If a student is writing a work of fiction, poems, a play, etc., for the thesis, the student will submit this work to their adviser and other readers along with the essays. However, if the student is presenting a performance, they will need to arrange to have their adviser and other members of their committee see the performance. The student is responsible for coordinating schedules and for notifying committee members so that everyone can view the piece. The student should notify the thesis reviewer of the date of the performance at least one month in advance. In the event that one or more of the committee cannot attend the scheduled event, the student should arrange to have the performance videotaped so people can see it later. Except in unusual circumstances, the student must submit the first draft of the thesis to their adviser no more than three months after the performance.

Essays for the Artistic Thesis

Background Research Essay

As stated above, this essay follows the description for the standard research essay. It is a scholarly endeavor and differs from the standard essay in terms of length and focus. The length is approximately 25 to 40 pages. The focus of the essay is related to the artistic work and explores some aspect of that work that the student wishes to study and develop through outside research. The essay might take the form of an analysis of a performance or literary genre; a history of an art form or phenomenon; a philosophical study of an aesthetic concept; or a critical/biographical analysis of the work of an influential artistic figure.

Artistic Aims Essay

In this essay, the student is required to articulate their goals in mounting their particular artistic project. For example, what was the student trying to accomplish in writing short stories, a screenplay, a novel, presenting an evening of dances or songs, making a film or mounting an art exhibit? What were the aesthetic choices made and why?  The student should also explain their approach to the artistic work (their style, genre, or school), any relevant influences on the work, how the student's training influenced their artistic choices, and the student's intentions for particular elements of the creative work. After the student has carefully and clearly articulated these goals, they need to explain how their actual artistic work meets the stated goals. The student should use examples from their artistic project to illustrate these ideas. This essay should be approximately 10-15 pages in length.

Technical Essay

This essay is a description of the steps the student actually took to physically mount their production.  The student will need to include such technical details as arranging for rehearsal and performance space; choosing the performers; finding/creating, costumes, materials, lights; raising funds and getting institutional support. This essay should be approximately 10 pages in length.

Students may submit a portfolio, if appropriate. This would consist of any material, such as photos, slides, fliers, programs, videotapes, audiotapes etc. which might constitute an appendix and which might be helpful to a fuller understanding of the thesis.

The project thesis consists of two elements: (1) the project, a professional activity designed and executed primarily by the student as a way of solving a problem, and (2) an accompanying essay about the project. This thesis is especially appropriate for students in such fields as business, education, social work or public administration. The project thesis may appeal to those students who are active in their profession and who take responsibility for the creation of some kind of program or practice.

Students should understand that the project cannot simply propose a professional activity; the design for such an activity must actually be carried out (at least in a pilot version) and evaluated. Some examples of projects: a student in education may develop and apply a new strategy for teaching reading to recent immigrants; a person working in a corporation may construct new methods for managing financial information; or a community worker in a settlement house may organize a group of local residents to combat drug abuse.

At each step, the student should be careful to keep in touch with their adviser and with any other expert who can help them in their process. The student should keep careful records of the process by taking detailed notes of conversations, meetings, interviews, etc.  If at all possible, the student should arrange to have the members of their committee, especially their adviser, witness the project first-hand: Visit the site, talk with key actors, watch the program in operation. (This direct contact is highly recommended, but not required.)

Essays for the Project Thesis

The project thesis essay may take a number of forms and include a range of information. It ought to discuss at least the following elements:

Consider the institutional or social context within which the project takes place. Describe the organization, the potential clientele or participants, and the larger environment (social, economic and political conditions surrounding the problem and the project).

Describe the particular problem or need that you address in the project. What causes that problem? How extensive is it? Have other attempts to solve the problem been made; if so, what were their shortcomings, and why are you trying another approach? Place the problem in its professional and academic context by referring to the appropriate literature. Program

Describe the goals and objectives of the project and what the student hoped to accomplish. Describe how the program was designed and structured; for example, what kinds of activities did participants engage in, and in what sequence? What kinds of resources and techniques were used? Justify the strategies and tactics used by citing appropriate professional and academic literatures.

Implementation

Describe how the plan was carried out. Use as much detail as needed to give the reader a sense of what actually happened, and to indicate the extent to which the reality matched the plan.

Describe the criteria for assessing the project and evaluation methods used. Justify the criteria and methods by referring to appropriate literatures. To what extent did the project accomplish the goals and objectives identified earlier?

Citing relevant literature and the practical contingencies of the project, explain why the project did or did not achieve its stated purposes. Describe the factors (political, social, organizational, financial, psychological, etc.) that contributed to the process and to the outcomes. What changes--either conceptual or practical--would the student make if they were to repeat or extend the project? What would the student leave in place? Describe what was learned from the project about the original problem and about the student's strategy and tactics. Also consider the professional and theoretical implications of the project.

If necessary, put relevant documentary materials (flyers, important correspondence, budgets, etc.) in appendices.

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• Dissertation

How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Introduction

Published on September 7, 2022 by Tegan George and Shona McCombes. Revised on November 21, 2023.

The introduction is the first section of your thesis or dissertation , appearing right after the table of contents . Your introduction draws your reader in, setting the stage for your research with a clear focus, purpose, and direction on a relevant topic .

Your introduction should include:

• Your topic, in context: what does your reader need to know to understand your thesis dissertation?
• Your focus and scope: what specific aspect of the topic will you address?
• The relevance of your research: how does your work fit into existing studies on your topic?
• Your questions and objectives: what does your research aim to find out, and how?
• An overview of your structure: what does each section contribute to the overall aim?

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Table of contents

How to start your introduction, topic and context, focus and scope, relevance and importance, questions and objectives, overview of the structure, thesis introduction example, introduction checklist, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about introductions.

Although your introduction kicks off your dissertation, it doesn’t have to be the first thing you write — in fact, it’s often one of the very last parts to be completed (just before your abstract ).

It’s a good idea to write a rough draft of your introduction as you begin your research, to help guide you. If you wrote a research proposal , consider using this as a template, as it contains many of the same elements. However, be sure to revise your introduction throughout the writing process, making sure it matches the content of your ensuing sections.

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Begin by introducing your dissertation topic and giving any necessary background information. It’s important to contextualize your research and generate interest. Aim to show why your topic is timely or important. You may want to mention a relevant news item, academic debate, or practical problem.

After a brief introduction to your general area of interest, narrow your focus and define the scope of your research.

You can narrow this down in many ways, such as by:

• Geographical area
• Time period
• Demographics or communities
• Themes or aspects of the topic

It’s essential to share your motivation for doing this research, as well as how it relates to existing work on your topic. Further, you should also mention what new insights you expect it will contribute.

Start by giving a brief overview of the current state of research. You should definitely cite the most relevant literature, but remember that you will conduct a more in-depth survey of relevant sources in the literature review section, so there’s no need to go too in-depth in the introduction.

Depending on your field, the importance of your research might focus on its practical application (e.g., in policy or management) or on advancing scholarly understanding of the topic (e.g., by developing theories or adding new empirical data). In many cases, it will do both.

Ultimately, your introduction should explain how your thesis or dissertation:

• Helps solve a practical or theoretical problem
• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Builds on existing research
• Proposes a new understanding of your topic

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Perhaps the most important part of your introduction is your questions and objectives, as it sets up the expectations for the rest of your thesis or dissertation. How you formulate your research questions and research objectives will depend on your discipline, topic, and focus, but you should always clearly state the central aim of your research.

If your research aims to test hypotheses , you can formulate them here. Your introduction is also a good place for a conceptual framework that suggests relationships between variables .

• Conduct surveys to collect data on students’ levels of knowledge, understanding, and positive/negative perceptions of government policy.
• Determine whether attitudes to climate policy are associated with variables such as age, gender, region, and social class.
• Conduct interviews to gain qualitative insights into students’ perspectives and actions in relation to climate policy.

To help guide your reader, end your introduction with an outline  of the structure of the thesis or dissertation to follow. Share a brief summary of each chapter, clearly showing how each contributes to your central aims. However, be careful to keep this overview concise: 1-2 sentences should be enough.

I. Introduction

Human language consists of a set of vowels and consonants which are combined to form words. During the speech production process, thoughts are converted into spoken utterances to convey a message. The appropriate words and their meanings are selected in the mental lexicon (Dell & Burger, 1997). This pre-verbal message is then grammatically coded, during which a syntactic representation of the utterance is built.

Speech, language, and voice disorders affect the vocal cords, nerves, muscles, and brain structures, which result in a distorted language reception or speech production (Sataloff & Hawkshaw, 2014). The symptoms vary from adding superfluous words and taking pauses to hoarseness of the voice, depending on the type of disorder (Dodd, 2005). However, distortions of the speech may also occur as a result of a disease that seems unrelated to speech, such as multiple sclerosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This study aims to determine which acoustic parameters are suitable for the automatic detection of exacerbations in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by investigating which aspects of speech differ between COPD patients and healthy speakers and which aspects differ between COPD patients in exacerbation and stable COPD patients.

Checklist: Introduction

I have introduced my research topic in an engaging way.

I have provided necessary context to help the reader understand my topic.

I have clearly specified the focus of my research.

I have shown the relevance and importance of the dissertation topic .

I have clearly stated the problem or question that my research addresses.

I have outlined the specific objectives of the research .

I have provided an overview of the dissertation’s structure .

You've written a strong introduction for your thesis or dissertation. Use the other checklists to continue improving your dissertation.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Survivorship bias
• Self-serving bias
• Availability heuristic
• Halo effect
• Hindsight bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

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The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:

• A hook to catch the reader’s interest
• Relevant background on the topic
• Details of your research problem

and your problem statement

• A thesis statement or research question
• Sometimes an overview of the paper

Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.

This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .

Research objectives describe what you intend your research project to accomplish.

They summarize the approach and purpose of the project and help to focus your research.

Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper , at the end of your problem statement .

Scope of research is determined at the beginning of your research process , prior to the data collection stage. Sometimes called “scope of study,” your scope delineates what will and will not be covered in your project. It helps you focus your work and your time, ensuring that you’ll be able to achieve your goals and outcomes.

Defining a scope can be very useful in any research project, from a research proposal to a thesis or dissertation . A scope is needed for all types of research: quantitative , qualitative , and mixed methods .

To define your scope of research, consider the following:

• Budget constraints or any specifics of grant funding
• Your proposed timeline and duration
• Specifics about your population of study, your proposed sample size , and the research methodology you’ll pursue
• Any inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Any anticipated control , extraneous , or confounding variables that could bias your research if not accounted for properly.

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Description of the Master's thesis

The final project or master’s thesis assignment is the final proof of the ability of the student to independently handle more complex problems within the area of electrical engineering, and to work as a “scientific engineer” on an advanced level. It is important to find a research group for your master’s thesis as soon as possible after the start of your master’s programme. With your mentor/supervisor you can discuss available subjects for your thesis research.

You can only start your master’s thesis work if you have finished your traineeship and have not more than 10EC of unfinished courses. If instead of a traineeship, an individual project was part of your master programme then you should have finished this individual project and have not more than 10EC of unfinished courses.

Purpose of the master’s thesis

The final purpose of the master’s thesis is that the student shows to have obtained the competences of an Electrical Engineering master.

Especially during the master project you have to show that you can:

• interpret a possibly general project proposal and translate it to more concrete research questions.
• find and study relevant literature, software and hardware tools, and critically assess their merits.
• work in a systematic way and document your findings as you progress.
• work in correspondence with the level of the elective courses you have followed.
• perform original work that has sufficient depth to be relevant to the research in the chair.
• work independently and goal oriented under the guidance of a supervisor.
• seek assistance within the research group or elsewhere, if required and beneficial for the project.
• benefit from the guidance of your supervisor by scheduling regular meetings, provide the supervisor with progress reports and initiate topics that will be discussed.
• organize your work by making a project plan, executing it, adjusting it when necessary, and handling unexpected developments.
• write a master’s thesis that motivates your work for a general audience, and communicates the work and its results in a clear, well-structured way to your peers.
• give a presentation with similar qualities to fellow-students and members of the chair.

Contents of the master’s thesis

You will have to carry out a project that in general contains elements of both research and design, although one of the two may have more emphasis that the other one. The specific problem will be described in a short project proposal that is handed to you by your supervisor. Your task is to solve the problem or at least to contribute to its solution. Note that it is not precisely known beforehand how far you can get finding a solution. Your problem will be new, not only for you but also for your supervisor. If not, then you cannot speak of research. So no one knows how you should solve your problem. You will have to find out yourself.

Below we give a global roadmap that should lead you to a successful master’s thesis.

Literature search and problem definition

The first thing to do after the start of the project is to convert the global problem description into a detailed project proposal. In this proposal specific, research and design questions are posed and for each question a plan is proposed to answer/solve them. Of course literature search is necessary to find out what already has been done elsewhere regarding your problem. This should make clear to you which questions already have been answered so that you can use methods from the literature and which questions are still open. As a rough estimate you may assume that you will need a study load of 10EC, or seven weeks full time work for this phase.

Deliverables: Intermediate report with problem description and project planning

As a result of your literature search you can determine what the starting point of your project is and which contribution you can deliver in the remaining time. This will lead to a detailed problem description and a project planning. Of course you will discuss this report with your supervisors from the assessment committee and you might also give a presentation for the group members.

Your own research

Now that you have a precise problem description and a planning how to solve it, you will start carrying out your own plan. Please keep your planning in mind and adapt it when necessary.

Deliverables: Report and oral presentation

The results of your project will have to be written down into a report that will be read and assessed by the members of your graduation committee. Then, as a last activity in your project you will give a presentation. The expected audience for both the report and the presentation are staff members and colleague students of the group who will be future colleagues of you after you graduation.

Assessment committee

The committee that supervises the Master's project is formed by a minimum of two persons. One of them is the chairperson of the assessment committee and he/she is a full or associate professor of the chair of your specialisation. The supervisory committee shall also include an examiner from a another chair. Probably a third staff member will be added who will carry out the daily supervision. Often you will carry out a part of the research of a PhD candidate, who works in a research project. This PhD candidate then will be your supervisor.

Assessment standards

As a starting point for the assessment standards the set of learning objectives as stated above is taken.

• No long lists of criteria that are difficult to distinguish. Instead, the learning objectives are grouped into 3 categories that get a grade: scientific quality, organization and communication. This grouping still allows teachers to put emphasis where appropriate.
• Proposal for the weightings are: 50% Scientific quality, 20% Organization, 30% Communication.

50% Scientific quality:

• perform original work that has sufficient depth to be relevant to the research in the chair

20% Organisation, planning, collaboration:

• organize your work by making a project plan, executing it, adjusting it when necessary, handling unexpected developments and finish within the allotted number of credits.

30% Communication:

• write a Master thesis that motivates your work for a general audience, and communicates the work and its results in a clear, well-structured way to your peers.

Limitation of the duration of the master’s thesis

The study load of the master’s thesis is 40EC or 28 weeks full time work. It is expected from the student that indeed the master’s thesis is finished after this period. This should happen according to a planning which has been agreed upon beforehand with the supervisor. At the end of the period, the supervisory committee will give an assessment, based on the results, available at that moment. If the grade is insufficient (less than 6) then the student may use two additional months of work to improve the result. After this extension the supervisory committee will give a new assessment, which will be considered as a re-examination.

Regarding the master’s thesis the following rules have been formulated:

• The student and the daily supervisor of the chair should agree upon a starting date and an end date of the master’s assignment.
• The end date should be based on a planning, in which along with the work for the master thesis, also time can be set aside for taking courses and re-examinations.
• The plan should be approved by the daily supervisor and signed by the student.
• For the work for the master’s assignment only the nominal time should be spent (28 weeks).
• Illness should be reported to the secretariat of the chair. The amount of time, missed by this illness will be added to the amount of time available for the master’s assignment.
• A possible extra re-examination should be approved by the supervisor and integrated into the planning. The time necessary for the re-examination will be added to the amount of time available for the master’s assignment.
• In the planning the student and the daily supervisor should agree upon the time spent by the student for possible academic holidays.
• Immediately after the end date of the master’s assignment, as agreed upon by the student and the daily supervisor, the graduation committee gives an assessment about the master’s thesis. This will result in a final mark.
• If this mark is insufficient (lower than 6) then the student will have the opportunity to improve the master’s thesis during a period of two months. After this period the graduation committee will give a new assessment. This procedure will be considered as a re-examination.
• If the mark given after this re-examination is again insufficient (lower than 6) then the student will have to carry out a fully new master’s assignment.

Writing Course and Project Description

Emnebeskrivelse, mål og innhald, læringsutbyte.

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

The student

• knows the characteristics of quality research publications and data
• knows different types of theses and different research strategies in system dynamics and their implications for research aim and questions as well as research design
• knows how to carry out a systematic search in the library, in scientific and other data bases
• can interpret and evaluate data and literature critically
• can argue scientifically, structure the argumentation and follow good scientific use of references
• can identify ethical issues in a research project and register the project for ethical clearance
• can serve as peer reviewer of other project drafts and proposals
• can document a system dynamics model according to state-of-the-art guidelines
• can define and frame an independent research project under supervision

General competence

• can choose relevant knowledge in system dynamics related to their field of interest and/or specialization within system dynamics.
• can choose a topic for a master thesis, develop and narrow it down to a clear, researchable question that can be investigated within the given time and resource limits.
• can communicate the design of a system dynamics research project with related aim, research questions, and research design, and masters language and terminology of the field of system dynamics.

Studiepoeng, omfang

Studienivå (studiesyklus), undervisningssemester.

Live-streamed, recorded and stored lectures and seminars with active participation by students in a 2 week intensive course in August/September.

Total: 4-5 lectures à 2 hours per week - 9 lectures in the first two weeks.

Assignments and milestone meetings (on campus and remotely) between September and December.

1 seminar with presentations in December

• During the first phase of the course, an initial project draft (3-4 pages; second week) which seeks to develop the project towards a scientific problem, including important references.
• Towards the end of the course, a full draft of a proposal and peer review of at least two other proposals.

A project description of 5-10 pages, containing an elaborate description of theme, aim and justification of the project, scientific problem, and a brief outline of research design, methodology, and planned Schedule.

The project description can be written in English or Norwegian

Students with valid absence as defined in the UiB regulations § 5-5 can apply for an extended submission deadline. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired. Maximum one week extension.

Kontaktinformasjon

[email protected]

http://www.uib.no/rg/dynamics

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