Courses Programs - Thayer School of Engineering - Dartmouth ...

graduate studies
54
Specialization: Thesis Proposal
The candidate demonstrates mastery of an area of specialization by writing and
defending a thesis proposal within the first 18 months of candidacy. A thesis
committee, approved by the director of the Ph.D. program, advises the candidate
on the proposed thesis research and administers the defense of the thesis proposal.
The thesis committee is chaired by the thesis advisor and includes at least 3 other
members. Three committee members (including the chair) must be full-time
Dartmouth faculty members; of whom 2 must be from the Thayer School. One of
the 4 should be from outside Thayer School (normally outside Dartmouth) and a
recognized expert in the research area.
The candidate’s proposal—a presentation of the proposed thesis research—explains
the scope and importance of the proposed research and plans for its completion.
The defense presentation should be understandable, at least in a general way, to
students and faculty not in the subject area.
Two weeks before the defense, candidates must:
■ submit the thesis proposal in writing to their committee.
■ submit an electronic copy of the defense notice to the Thayer registrar for
distribution to the faculty and for posting.
Students who do not pass may be permitted to defend the proposal—one time only
—within the following 3 months.
Professional Competence: Ph.D. Professional Workshops
The candidate demonstrates professional competence by completing ENGG 197
Ph.D. Professional Workshops, which is offered each winter term by the faculty and
outside experts. The workshop emphasizes skills in completing competitive proposals,
business funding, patenting, research team organization, teaching, résumé and CV
creation, and job search techniques. The candidate generally completes the workshop
in one of the latter years in residence.
Each candidate completes a competitive research proposal or a business plan for
critique by 2 expert referees selected from among faculty, outside experts, and/or
corporate representatives.
Candidates who have submitted a competitive research proposal to a funding
agency or a business plan to a venture capitalist or financial institution prior to
completing the workshop may petition to have the proposal or business plan fulfill
this requirement.
Original Research
Candidates demonstrate their significant contribution to engineering knowledge
and professional expertise in the chosen area of study by performing original
research. The thesis committee is chaired by the thesis advisor and includes at least
3 other members. Three committee members (including the chair) must be full-time
Dartmouth faculty members; of whom 2 must be from the Thayer School. One of
the 4 should be from outside Thayer School (normally outside Dartmouth) and a
recognized expert in the research area.
The research is reviewed through all of the following means:
Presentation
Dissertation
Oral defense*
Paper
Elements of the research presented at a professional meeting with the
candidate as first author
Written abstract followed by detailed explanation of the research,
approved and signed by the Ph.D. thesis committee (copyright held
by the Trustees of Dartmouth College)
Presentation of the dissertation in a forum open to the public
Elements of the research accepted for publication with the candidate as
first author
* A two-week notice of the defense is required. Each student must submit an electronic copy of the
notice to the Thayer Registrar for distribution to the faculty and for posting.