Steve Whitmore and Michael Sjoerdsma, October 2003

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Thesis Proposals and Theses

• Steve Whitmore and Michael Sjoerdsma, October 2003

Aphorism for the Week I hope life isnt a big
joke, because I dont get it. -Jack Handy, Deep
Thoughts
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Learning Objectives

• By the end of this module, you will understand
  the following about thesis proposals and theses
• Scheduling
• Administrative Processes
• Organizational Requirements
• Format Requirements
• Style Requirements
• The Thesis Defense

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Why?

• If you hope to continue your studies, most
  graduate schools expect that you will have
  completed an undergraduate thesis. Most graduate
  schools also require a CGPA gt 3.0.
• Some companies are more likely to hire those who
  have completed an undergraduate thesis than those
  who have not. This may especially be the case
  given the current state of the economy.

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Why Not?

• 1 Semester hour 136.10
• Thesis proposal Thesis 12 semester hours
• Total for thesis 1633.20

• Assume a job that pays 45,000 per year
• Every 2 weeks pay cheque 1730.00
• Thesis paid for in 2 weeks

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When?

• Semester 7 Thesis Proposal (3 credits)
• Semester 8 Thesis (9 credits)
• Can combine thesis and proposal into a single
  semester if very organized (ask Jackie Briggs
  about this)
• Criteria 115 credit hours and 3 work terms
• (exemptions can be obtained if over 100 credit
  hours/2 work terms see the UCC Chair). CGPA
  UDGPA gt 3.0
• If aiming to graduate in semester immediately
  after defending thesis, timing is critical
• Defence can be difficult to arrange in April or
  August
• Revisions must be completed 3 weeks before
  convocation

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Where?

• Theses are usually completed as part of a 4th
  coop term (contemporary economic conditions may
  pose problems)
• Can be done internally with a faculty project
• (faculty with suitable projects Ash, Marek,
  John Bird, Shahram, Glenn or profs. in
  Kinesiology and Gerontology)
• Can also do an entrepreneurial/340 project
  (Andrew, John Dill, George, and Patrick are good
  bets for Academic Supervisors)
• Be cautious with doing a thesis while on an
  international coop as the work may not qualify
  (e,g., Coop Japan tends to be theoretical work
  rather than project-oriented)

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Who?

• Choice of Academic Supervisor critical
• Project must be related to their expertise and
  interests (see list of faculty interests in
  handbook out of date)
• Should be someone you get along with reasonably
  well
• They ensure project meets academic requirements
• Must be an SFU Faculty member
• Technical Supervisor
• Someone with a high level of technical expertise
  in topic (can be Academic Supervisor)
• Generally an engineer, scientist or equivalent
• Will have relevant university degree, work
  experience, professional qualifications

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Who (contd)?

• Committee Member
• Someone with an interest in topic and usually has
  some expertise
• May be faculty/staff at SFU or may be someone at
  a company or other academic institution
• Communication Faculty (see Me)
• Review thesis when required by Academic
  Supervisor
• Troubleshooting administrative problems
• We DO NOT edit theses (I can provide a list of
  senior undergraduates willing to do so for
  20.00/hr.)

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Who (contd)?

• Undergraduate Secretary (Jackie Briggs)
• Deals with the administrative issues surrounding
  the thesis and proposal (registration,
  confidentiality, defence bookings, receives
  copies of proposal and thesis)
• A very important person if you expect to
  graduate, so DO NOT piss her off

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How (Proposal)?

• Find a suitable project
• Identify potential committee members
• Contact committee members with a brief
  description of project
• Contact Jackie for 498 registration form
• Have technical supervisor sign thesis proposal
  form
• Return form to Jackie
• Write proposal
• Submit proposal to committee members
• Make revisions and resubmit
• Submit signed proposal to Jackie

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How (Thesis)?

• See Jackie to register for 499
• Do the work
• Confirm when committee members are available for
  defence
• Write draft of thesis
• Submit draft to committee members (Academic
  Supervisor also receives a completed copy of the
  Thesis Defence Approval Form available
  outside Steves office)
• Submit draft to Communication Faculty if required
  by Academic Supervisor (along with the Thesis
  Defence Approval Form and a completed copy of
  the Thesis Checklist) assume 1 to 2 weeks
  turn around

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How (Thesis contd)?

• Make appropriate revisions
• Resubmit revised thesis to Academic Supervisor
  (and Communication Faculty if required)
• Determine what times committee members are
  available for your defence
• Submit signed Thesis Defence Approval Form to
  Jackie and arrange for a room for your defence
• Prepare a PowerPoint presentation for your
  defence
• Defend your thesis
• Make necessary revisions
• Submit revised thesis to committee members

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How (Thesis contd)?

• Obtain committee members signatures on Approval
  Page
• Submit signed Approval Page and 1 copy of thesis
  to Jackie (she will obtain the Directors
  signature)
• Submit 2 or 3 copies of thesis to Jackie (pay
  20.00 if you would like a hardbound copy)
• Graduation stuff

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What (Proposal)?

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

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What (Thesis)?

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

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What (Defence)?

• A formal 20 minute presentation that outlines the
  problem, your research, and your solution/results
• Following the presentation, audience will ask
  questions
• Then the audience will be asked to leave
• Then your committee may ask some additional
  questions
• Then you will be asked to leave while the
  committee deliberates
• Possible outcomes
• Passed with distinction no revisions (very
  rare)
• Passed with minor changes (most common)
• Deferred major revisions needed (very rare)
• Fail (extremely rare)

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A Few Other Issues

• If your thesis deals with a confidential topic,
  you must clear this with all your committee
  members. Note that theses will only be kept
  confidential for a maximum of 2 years.
• If you need to defer the completion of your
  thesis or your proposal, you are responsible for
  contacting your Academic Supervisor prior to the
  deadline for grade submission, and asking him or
  her to submit a deferral form. If you fail to do
  so, an F will be recorded on your transcripts.

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Sources of Information

• Note that the thesis webpage is at the following
  URL http//www.ensc.sfu.ca/users/whitmore/public_
  html/courses/thesis/thesis.htm. It provides the
  following info
• Example thesis proposal
• Example theses
• Example PowerPoint slides for the defense
• Thesis handbook (out of date will be updated in
  the Summer of 2004)
• Thesis checklist
• Thesis Defence Approval Forms are available
  outside my office

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Another Aphorism

• If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the
  men to gather wood, divide the work, and give
  orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast
  and endless sea.
• -Antoine de Saint Exupery