The Proposal

Sometime during your first year, you should sit down with your thesis advisor and discuss the writing of your research proposal. This is a 10-20 page document (double-spaced, excluding references) that outlines and defends the specific aims of your Master's research project. Once submitted and approved by your advisor and thesis committee, you will be allowed to register for Biol 691, University Thesis units, in partial completion of your MS degree. 

Writing Your Proposal

While you must be self-motivated to review the literature and write the proposal, your research advisor will provide guidance throughout this process. The list below links to documents that may also help.

• Proposal Writing Guide
• Elements of Style for Scientific Writing 
• The Proposal Rubric: How to Judge A Good Proposal

Submitting Your Proposal

To become eligible to register for University thesis units for the first time, please follow the steps outlined below: 

By the first deadline, one week prior to the first day of classes for the semester you wish to enroll in University Thesis units**, you need to

1. Email your advisor-approved proposal as an attachment to all committee members (CC your thesis advisor and the graduate coordinator).
2. Complete the proposal submission form. Make sure you type all email addresses in correctly! 

The proposal submission form will first be routed to your thesis advisor for signature (NOTE: Starting in Spring 2024 this procedure will change to include you as one of the signatories). Once signed, the form will be routed to the graduate coordinator who will accept. Your advisor should also submit a Special Registration form for University Thesis units (BIOL 691) on your behalf (1-5 units). Discuss this number with your advisor. Exactly five University Thesis units are required for graduation. You can take these units over multiple semesters. University Thesis units expire in 5 years (no exceptions). 

Once the proposal submission form is accepted by the graduate coordinator, it will be routed in parallel to each committee member for signature. Each committee member should sign when they HAVE READ AND APPROVED THE PROPOSAL sent to you via email prior to the first deadline. That said, committee member signatures must be received by the second deadline (at least one week after the first day of classes). It is OK to send out a gentle reminder as the deadline approaches (Once you are included as a signatory you will be able to open the document in adobe sign to see who has signed already and who has not). 

Finally, the form will be routed back to me for signature. Once I sign, someone in the science hub will be informed that the proposal submission form has been signed by all parties and will begin to enroll the student in University thesis units (provided the advisor submitted the special registration form.

**NOTE: You do NOT need to wait until the deadline to email your proposal to the committee. In fact, I would encourage you to seek feedback at any time in the proposal writing process.