DEGREE PLANNING 101 Thesis & Non-Thesis Programs

Dr. Thomas TomasiAssociate Dean of the Graduate College

Professor of Biology

Completing the Degree “on Schedule”

Full-time vs. part-time Nine (9) grad credits/semester (6 in summer)

Assistantship requirements Six (6) grad credits/semester (3 in summer)

Thesis vs. non-thesis project vs. neither

Masters vs. Doctoral degrees.

Typical Full-Time Time-Table First Semester

Classes (8-12 credits) (thesis) Write thesis proposal (thesis) Form thesis committee

Second Semester Classes (8-12 credits) (clinical hours?) Meet with advisor & complete “Degree Works” plan. (thesis) committee meeting to review proposal (thesis) learn techniques & start data collection (non-thesis) investigate faculty research (non-thesis) investigate summer internships

Degree Works &Advisor-Approved Program of Study

A “contract” for course completion. Requirements plus electives. Identify classes and semesters. Approved transfer credits Totals Changes Non-course degree requirements (research, comp exam, ???)

Second Graduate Program

Third Semester Classes (8-12 credits) (clinical hours?) (thesis) continue/complete data collection (thesis) update INTRO, METHODS, REFERENCES (thesis) committee meeting for updates (non-thesis) do research project

Fourth Semester Classes (6-12 credits) (clinical hours?) “Application for Graduation” form Comprehensive Exam (uniform or personalized) (thesis) Complete thesis

Typical Full-Time Time-Table (2)

Thesis Completion (final semester)(-14 weeks) stop collection data/information

(-14 weeks) statistics, graphs & tables (software?)

(-12 weeks) 1st assembled draft to advisor

(-10 weeks) 1st assembled draft back from advisor

(-9 weeks) 2nd draft to advisor

(-7 weeks) 2nd draft back to advisor

(-6 weeks) 3rd draft to committee

(-4 weeks) 3rd draft back from committee

(-3 weeks) “defendable draft” to committee

(-1 week) oral presentation and/or oral defense (if required)

Thesis Deadline for semester (late April, late Nov, mid-Julylate April, late Nov, mid-July)

QUESTIONS ??????

Research Project

Before the Research…

Pick a journal for publication (thesis) Read our Thesis Guide for formatting style (non-thesis) Discuss format with advisor/teacher Determine format of references (style guide?) Write a thesis proposal using these formats

Introduction (“chapter 1 & 2”?) Methods (“chapter 3”?) References (avoid referencing by number at this point)

Get approvals (if needed): Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals Bio-safety

Thesis Guide & Template

http://graduate.missouristate.edu

Formatting details

Set up as an example of format

Lists style guides

Student Checklist

Template for first 10 pages are set up already

Some Things are Prescribed Format for initial pages, margins, ….. Placement of headings, figure captions, table

headings …….

Some Things are NOT Prescribed Sections or “chapters” of the thesis …. Method of reference citation…… For these, follow your style guide (or model journal)

Thesis Guide

Supplemental Instruction Pages

Thesis G

uide

Thesis T

emplate

Supplemental Instr

uction

After the Research…If writing a thesis: Re-read the Thesis Guide Update Introduction, Methods, & References Statistics, table, & graphs Write Results & Discussion Update the preliminary pages

Prepare PowerPoint presentation (if required by department)

Most Common Mistakes Page numbers

Mismatch with Table of Contents Wrong location

Margins Headings

placement & font used match the Table of Contents

Text citations & reference list Mismatch Inconsistent

Tables & Figures Signatures on preliminary pages

Politics of the 19th Century . . . . . . . Democrats

StrengthsProblems

RepublicansStrengthsProblems

IndependentsProblems

Economics of the 19th CenturyFederalStateLocalPersonal

Conclusions

References

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

See a problem with this outline?

Thesis Approval Process Satisfy the chairperson and other members of your

committee; they sign! SafeAssign (in Blackboard)(plagiarism prevention) Review by the Graduate College

Review copy should be prepared to meet all guidelines Must be approved by thesis committee (signatures) Also submit digital copy of thesis Also submit “checklist” (journal article if needed)

Final Thesis Submission

Make final corrections as indicated by Graduate College – make ONLY these changes

Deadline ?? Make copies on “good paper” for binding Obtain all signatures on final copies Submit to Graduate College:

Copies $$$$ Digital file (upload on website along with basic info) Change Z-grade form

Grading of the Thesis Some programs use regular grading; others use

Pass/Not Pass.

Thesis grades are not assigned until the final product is complete. Since the enrollment often is over several semesters, a “Z” grade is assigned prior to completion.

Z-grade Removal Form

Obtain when picking up the review copy from Graduate College if Z grades are on your transcript

See your transcript and fill in form

Signature of advisor

Return to Graduate College with final copies of thesis for binding.

Make sure you advisor has completed & submitted the form

for completion of your “comprehensive exam”

(written + oral if both are used)

GEN 698 Active in Research Zero credit course; special permission form $75.00 For those students with only research requirement

to be completed

Gives the following: Access to library Opportunity to purchase a parking pass Access to computer services, including e-mail Access to Taylor Health Center services

Grade is a “P” or “N”

23nd Annual

Graduate Interdisciplinary

Forum

April 23, 2016

Responsible Conduct of Research

Fabrication of data Plagiarism Authorship of papers Retention of data & intellectual property Compliance with Federal Requirements

Human Participants Biosafety & Radiation Animal Use Export Control

Additional Grad College Workshops

Library Research: Wed, Sept 9 (4:00) (for international): Thurs, Sept 10 (4:00) Career Search: Tues, Oct 20 (4:00) Human Subjects: Wed, Nov 4 (4:00) Animal Care & Use: Thurs, Nov 5 (4:00)

QUESTIONS ??????