IT 990 - Dissertation Topic Preparation and IT 991 - Engineer Project Presentation

The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering

George Mason University

Prof. Dr. Daniel A. Menascé

Location:Nguyen Engineering Bldg, Vangent Conference Room, 2nd floor, room 2901, Fridays from 4:30pm to 7:10pm.

Catalog description: This course covers Ph.D. dissertation and engineer project proposal preparation.

CS 990/IT 990 Dissertation Topic Presentation (1:0:0). Prerequisite: Completion of all course requirements for Ph.D. in IT or permission of instructor. Opportunity for Ph.D. students to present their research proposal for critique to interested faculty and students. Covers the presentation of the research topic for the Ph.D. in Information Technology, and is required of all Ph.D. students. The student will complete a dissertation research proposal.

IT 991 Engineer Project Presentation (1:0:0) Prerequisite: completion of all course requirements for the engineer degree in information technology, or permission of instructor. Opportunity for engineer degree students to present project proposal for critique to interested faculty and students. Covers presentation of project topic for engineer degree in information technology, and is required of all engineer degree students. Students complete project proposal. May be repeated with a change in topic, although degree credit is only given once.

Important: You should only be taking this course if you already have an advisor and if you have a topic for your dissertation. Otherwise you should wait until you are ready to start preparing your proposal.

Useful books:

"Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis," Joan Bolker, Owl Books; ISBN: 080504891X; (August 1998).

"Writing the Doctoral Dissertation: A Systematic Approach," Gordon B. Davis, Clyde A. Parker, Barrons Educational Series; ISBN: 0812098005; 2nd edition (June 1997).

Important questions to be discussed:

  1. What is a Ph.D. degree?
  2. Why do I need a Ph.D. degree?
  3. What should I expect to have accomplished after I get my Ph.D.?
  4. What is a Ph.D. dissertation?
  5. How do I find a Ph.D. research topic?
  6. What are the elements of a Ph.D. dissertation proposal?
  7. How do I select my advisor?
  8. How do I select my committee?
  9. What is the role of my advisor?
  10. What is the role of the committee?
  11. What are the possible hurdles that I may face in the process?
  12. How to avoid getting stuck?
  13. How do I know that I am done?
  14. The importance of bibliographical research.
  15. The importance of proper experimental design and data analysis.
  16. The importance of validating your results.
  17. The importance of publishing and when to publish.
  18. The importance of good writing, correct grammar and correct spelling.

Useful Dissertation/Paper Writing Links:

Page with several useful links and resources on how to write good research papers, good research proposal, how to give a good research talk, and how to write an elevator pitch regarding your research.

The Researcher's Bible

How To Write A Dissertation, or, Bedtime Reading For People Who Do Not Have Time To Sleep

Writing and Presenting your Thesis or Dissertation, by S. Joseph Levine, Michigan State University.

Important Resources:

  1. Mason's Academic Integrity Policy. GMU is an Honor Code university; please see the University Catalog for a full description of the code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic integrity is taken very seriously and violations are treated gravely. What does academic integrity mean in this course? Essentially this: when you are responsible for a task, you will perform that task. When you rely on someone else's work in an aspect of the performance of that task, you will give full credit in the proper, accepted form. Another aspect of academic integrity is the free play of ideas. Vigorous discussion and debate are encouraged in this course, with the firm expectation that all aspects of the class will be conducted with civility and respect for differing ideas, perspectives, and traditions. When in doubt (of any kind) please ask for guidance and clarification. To help you better understand the consequences and what constitutes plagiarism, I strongly recommend that you read Prof. Sean Luke's article. See more details here.
  2. University Research Policies.
  3. School's research news.
  4. School's Graduate news.
  5. OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS.
  6. WRITING CENTER: A114 Robinson Hall; (703) 993-1200.
  7. COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS): (703) 993-2380.
  8. ACADEMIC POLICIES: All members of the university community are responsible for knowing and following established policies. See Graduate Policies.

Important Dates:

Class meets: September 16, 2011, October 21, 2011, and December 16, 2011 (student presentations).

Deliverables:

October 21, 2011: 2-page abstract of the proposal including: the title of the proposed dissertation, your name, your advisor's name, and a brief description of 1) the problem you will solve, 2) the methodology you will use, 3) the method you intend to use to validate your claims.

Each student will be given a few minutes to stand up and explain his/her ideas to me and to the class. This will be a very informal discussion. No slides or use of the whiteboard allowed.

December 16, 2011: A written dissertation/engineer project proposal and slides for a 10-minute presentation.

Last updated: September 15, 2011.