Pages
SES # | TOPICS | ASSIGNMENTS |
---|---|---|
1 |
Introductions Proposal Specific Writing Issues Introduction to Information Sources |
Do this Before Ses #2Find a thesis advisor; read his/her published work; let your thesis advisor know the timeline for your proposal work. Fill out a thesis intent form and turn it in to the mechanical engineering undergraduate office. (If you have not done so already.) Get a thesis notebook. Scope the 2.ThA archives for similar projects; surf the web for similar masters/PhD proposals; use these sources to determine what sorts of background information you will need for your thesis; jot down these information requirements in a format that is legible to others. (In your notebook would be fine.) Fill out the “MadLib” thesis proposal outline. Complete the research assignment; see handout. |
2 |
Progress Reports Follow up on Information Sources Information Sources “Hands-on” Exercise Graphics |
Do this Before Ses #3Prepare a significant draft of your thesis proposal for scrutiny in class. Emphasize the introduction and background sections. Prepare the graphics that will become your presentation slides. |
3 |
Proposal Workshop Graphics Show and Tell About Oral Presentations |
Do this Two Full Days Before Ses #4Based on the feedback in class, revise your proposal draft; turn the draft in via e-mail to the instructor. Do this Before Ses #4Prepare to deliver a 5 minute overview of your thesis project. Emphasize problem, motivation, context, and structure. Let the audience know what it is that they are supposed to get out of the talk. |
4 |
Shorter, Less Formal Presentations Review of Presentations Possible Additional Topic(s) |
Do this Before Ses #5Further revise your proposal based on the instructor’s feedback for workshop in class and formal peer review. Prepare the slides for your longer, more formal presentation. |
5 | Workshop II |
Do this One Day Before Ses #6Peer review two of your classmate’s proposals. Do this Before Ses #6 and #7Prepare to deliver your longer, more formal presentation. Do this Before Ses #7Further revise your proposal; this draft should be nearly perfect. |
6-7 |
Longer, More Formal Presentations Subject Evaluation Forms |
Do this Before the End of Registration DayTurn in your signed thesis proposal cover sheet and your thesis proposal (hardcopy and e-copy) to the instructor. |
SES # | TOPICS | HANDOUTS |
---|---|---|
1 |
Introductions Proposal Specific Writing Issues Introduction to Information Sources |
Thesis Intent Form (PDF) Thesis Proposal Coversheet (PDF) Thesis Proposal and Thesis Structure Notes (PDF) Thesis Proposal Template (PDF) “Fill in the Blank” Thesis Proposal Outline Exercise (PDF) Research Assignment (PDF) (Presented courtesy of Tracy Gabridge. Used with permission.) Information Types Worksheet (PDF) (Presented courtesy of Tracy Gabridge. Used with permission.) Information Types Handout (PDF) (Presented courtesy of Tracy Gabridge. Used with permission.) |
2 |
Progress Reports Follow up on Information Sources Information Sources “Hands-on” Exercise Graphics |
Marked Up Proposal Introduction (PDF) |
3 |
Proposal Workshop Graphics Show and Tell About Oral Presentations |
Homework and Course Trajectory (PDF) First Draft Assessment Form (PDF) Oral Presentation Notes (PDF) |
4 |
Shorter, Less Formal Presentations Review of Presentations Possible Additional Topic(s) |
Homework and Course Trajectory (PDF) Informal Oral Presentation Assessment Form (PDF) |
5 | Workshop II |
Homework and Course Trajectory (PDF) Reviewer Checklist Form (PDF) |
6-7 |
Longer, More Formal Presentations Subject Evaluation Forms |
Formal Oral Presentation Assessment form (PDF) |
Other Assorted Handouts
Advisor Meeting Agenda (PDF)
End of Term Questions, Part 1 (PDF)
End of Term Questions, Part 2 (PDF)
Proposal Checklist (PDF)
Helpful Resources for Thesis Writing
The MIT Libraries’ Guide to Thesis Preparation
The 2.671 Journal Article Guidelines, by Barbara Hughey
Assorted Links and Readings
“The Science of Scientific Writing” (The “Prerequisite” to 2.ThA)
Perelman, Leslie C., James Paradis, and Edward Barrett. The Mayfield Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 1998. ISBN: 1559346477.
Michael Alley. The Craft of Scientific Presentations. (A handy reference for Microsoft® PowerPoint® slide ideas.)
Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 7 sessions for 4 weeks, 2 hours / session
Subject Description
2.ThA focuses on the communication problems encountered in researching and writing a thesis. The class is designed to be 1/3 thesis writers anonymous, 1/3 writing and speaking skills, and 1/3 project organization skills. The writing and speaking assignments culminate in a thesis proposal and an oral presentation.
Text and Other Instructional Materials
No textbook is required; all materials are handed out in class.
Teaching Approach
2.ThA is based on the following premises:
- Writing a thesis is a process that requires continual, focused effort.
- Writing, presentation, and research reinforce each other and all contribute to excellence in the final product.
- Writing and presentations improve with practice; feedback produces better writing and presentations. As a corollary, “practice” at thesis writing is difficult to obtain because an individual only writes a few theses, thus the increased need to learn from the experience of others.
Grading
Class attendance and participation lead directly to success in 2.ThA; be sure to attend the classes. Students who miss more than one of the required class sessions will require an excused absence from the dean’s office to pass. (Class meets but 7 times.)
Grading is digital. Come to class; write a proposal in a series of drafts; prepare and deliver a series of oral presentations; live long and prosper.
Term Schedule and Assignments
This class meets six times as shown below. Deliverables culminate in a written thesis proposal and an oral presentation based on the proposal. The proposal and an appropriately signed cover sheet must be turned in to the 2.ThA instructor. Finally, students are expected to fill out a pair of end-of-term evaluations, one MIT form and one 2.ThA-specific form.
2.ThA Deliverables Timeline (PDF)
SES # | TOPICS |
---|---|
1 |
Introductions Proposal Specific Writing Issues Introduction to Information Sources |
2 |
Progress Reports Follow up on Information Sources Information Sources “Hands-on” Exercise Graphics |
3 |
Proposal Workshop Graphics Show and Tell About Oral Presentations |
4 |
Shorter, Less Formal Presentations Review of Presentations Possible Additional Topic(s) |
5 | Workshop II |
6-7 |
Longer, More Formal Presentations Subject Evaluation Forms |