advisor should generate a course of study, including courses and topics for self-study, that will
benefit the student's preparation for the thesis research.
The student must write a brief technical report that describes the proposed research effort.
This Research Proposal should include the motivation behind the topic selection, a brief
account of work conducted by others on the topic, the scope of work to be completed,
preliminary results, and the specific objectives of the study. The length of this proposal
document is typically limited to about 20 pages of text (single-spaced, font 10-point or larger, 1-
inch margin), plus tables and figures, and is not to exceed 25 pages, excluding citations. After an
editorial review by the advisor, the proposal will be distributed to the other committee
members.
No less than two weeks following distribution of the proposal, the student will make a
presentation of the proposed research effort to the Advisory Committee as a whole, after
which the committee will question the student on the proposed research as well as his/her
depth in specific technical areas surrounding the research topic as defined in their approved
course of study. The total time block should be approximately two (2) credit-hours, divided into
two parts. The first part is the presentation by the student followed by public questioning and is
limited to approximately 40 minutes. The second part is devoted to comprehensive questioning
of the student on the proposed research by the Advisory Committee.
Possible outcomes of this comprehensive examination are: Pass, Retake (two retakes are
allowed), or Fail. Three passes are required for an overall pass of the exam. Three fails are
required for an overall fail of the exam.
This presentation should be made no later than one year after the student has passed the
Ph.D. Qualifying examination. Approval to schedule the presentation is given by the AE
Graduate Committee in response to a written request from the advisor. At least two weeks
prior to the presentation, the student must contact the AE Academic office, provide a filled-in
Thesis Proposal Template form and ask the Academic Office to schedule and advertise the
proposal.
After the Advisory Committee has approved the proposed effort, has verified that the student is
technically qualified to conduct the effort, and has signed the Request for Admission to Ph.D.
Candidacy form. This form, and a copy of the research proposal will be submitted to the AE
Academic Office for approval by the chair and forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies and
Research.
III.3.b Final Examination
At the conclusion of the research effort, the student will write the dissertation by setting forth
in a clear and articulate form the results and conclusions of the investigation. The Institute’s
Theses and Dissertation format must be followed.