2.ThA | January IAP 2007 | Undergraduate

Undergraduate Thesis for Course 2-A

Pages

SES # TOPICS ASSIGNMENTS
1

Introductions

Proposal Specific Writing Issues

Introduction to Information Sources

Do this Before Ses #2

Find 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 #3

Prepare 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 #4

Based on the feedback in class, revise your proposal draft; turn the draft in via e-mail to the instructor.

Do this Before Ses #4

Prepare 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 #5

Further 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 #6

Peer review two of your classmate’s proposals.

Do this Before Ses #6 and #7

Prepare to deliver your longer, more formal presentation.

Do this Before Ses #7

Further 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 Day

Turn 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

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

Course Info

Instructor
As Taught In
January IAP 2007