1. DEGREE PLANNING 101 Thesis & Non-Thesis Programs Dr. Thomas Tomasi Associate Dean of the Graduate College Professor of Biology

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5.  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)

6. Thesis Completion (final semester) (-14 weeks) stop collection data/information (-14 weeks) statistics, graphs & tables (software?) (-12 weeks) 1 st assembled draft to advisor (-10 weeks) 1 st assembled draft back from advisor (-9 weeks) 2 nd draft to advisor (-7 weeks) 2 nd 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) late April, late Nov, mid-July Thesis Deadline for semester (late April, late Nov, mid-July)

7. QUESTIONS ?????? Research Project

8. 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

9. 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

11. 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

12. Supplemental Instruction Pages Thesis Guide Thesis Template Supplemental Instruction

13. 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)

14. 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 19 th Century....... Democrats Strengths Problems Republicans Strengths Problems Independents Problems Economics of the 19 th Century Federal State Local Personal Conclusions References Primary Secondary Tertiary See a problem with this outline?

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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)

19. 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”

20. 23nd Annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Forum April 23, 2016

21. 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

22. 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)

23. QUESTIONS ??????