Templates

Please use the following templates for the proposal manuscript and slides.

• Proposal Manuscript Template
• Proposal Slides Template

Process

• MS Chem (Thesis Option) Student must defend his/her proposal when enrolled in his/her first 3 units of Chem 300.
• PhD Chem Student must defend his/her proposal when enrolled in his/her first 6 units of Chem 400.

The steps that lead to the proposal defense are as follows:

Note that schedules for proposal defense are usually on the 3rd Monday of the month.

1. Student writes research proposal with the guidance of his/her Thesis/Dissertation Advisor (and Co-advisor, if any).
2. Advisor emails a copy of student’s written proposal to his/her Academic Group for endorsement.
3. Advisor emails a copy of student’s proposal to the IChem Graduate Committee (GradCom) for perusal by the Senior Faculty. Proposal must be received by the GradCom on or before the 4th Monday of the month preceding the the target defense month. Example: If the target defense month is December, the deadline for submission of proposal to the GradCom is the 4th Monday of November.
4. Student prepares an oral presentation of his/her research proposal.

During the proposal defense:

• The proposal defense is open to the public and is usually held at the Chemrez AVR (IChem Teaching Building).
• The GradCom (must reach quorum) and the student’s Thesis/Dissertation Advisor (and Co-advisor, if any) must be present during the proposal defense.

1. IChem DDRE introduces the student and moderates the defense.
2. Student orally presents proposed research. Length of presentation must not exceed 15 minutes.
3. Student answers questions from the public and the GradCom.

After the proposal defense:

1. GradCom deliberates on whether to approve the student’s proposal. Deliberations are done privately.
2. If approved, GradCom assigns a Thesis/Dissertation Reader based on the student’s research topic. Only those who are present during the proposal defense can be recommended as a Reader.
3. DDRE announces the decision to the student and provides the student with the necessary forms for completion.
4. DDRE submits the required forms/documents (Approval of Proposal, Request for Appointment of Advisor and Reader, Abstract of Proposal) to the CS Grad Office.