Carnegie Mellon University
M.S. in Automated Science: Biological Experimentation

Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department

MSAS
Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department  ›  M.S. in Automated Science: Biological Experimentation  ›  Curriculum  ›  MSAS Research Thesis Requirements and Timeline

MSAS Research Thesis Requirements and Timeline

Students who wish to complete a Master's Thesis should find a research lab. The following requirements must be fulfilled before the 5pm on the final exam day of their final semester.  

  1. Complete a minimum of 2 semesters of M.S. Research in a research lab.
  2. Form a committee with the research advisor and two or more other faculty members with relevant knowledge to assess the work.
  3. Defend the thesis in a public presentation with the advisor and full committee present. 
  4. Submit their final thesis document to the program directors and their thesis advisor.

The following steps are recommended for a successful thesis.

Step 1: Planning

Students meet with their planned thesis advisor well in advance of their graduation.  In this meeting they should review all the requirements for completing the thesis.  Establish a set of research goals for the thesis.  Discuss potential committee members.  Following the meeting, the student should e-mail the program academic advisor and CC the advisor stating that s/he is planning to complete an honors thesis and a draft title.

Step 2: Committee Make-up & Members

The student and advisor should identify at least two other faculty committee members and invite them to serve on the committee.  The thesis advisor will serve as the chair of the thesis committee.  At least two members of the thesis committee must be full-time faculty at Carnegie Mellon University or tenure track faculty from relevant departments in another university. 

Step 3: Research & Progress Report

It is expected that the student will be conducting research and data analysis during the entire academic year leading up to thesis defense and graduation.  The student should be meeting regularly with their advisor and other lab personnel and/or collaborators.  The thesis committee and academic advisor should be consulted by the student and/or advisor when challenges arise.  It is recommended that you submit at least one progress report for the committee during your research time.  This progress report should include a summary of results and progress on each specific aim and any changes to experimental design or research plan. 

Step 4: Plan & Write Thesis

A template is available here. The thesis should have the following sections:

  • Title page & Dedication/Acknowledgements.
  • Abstract (1 page).
  • Introduction chapter (4 or more pages). Separate from introduction sections in other chapters, this is a place for the student to put the entire thesis in context.
  • 1 or more additional chapter (20 or more pages each). Chapter format should be consistent and may match the format of any journal article in the field of study.
  • Bibliography (pages are enumerated but do not count toward page total). This may be a standalone bibliography for the whole thesis or each chapter may have its own bibliography.

 

Step 5: Plan & Schedule the Thesis Defense

The thesis defense recommended to be completed by the last day of exams during the student’s final semester.  Planning and scheduling should begin well in advance. All members of the thesis committee must be present for the defense. The defense will last between 1-2 hours. Once a date and time are selected the student should work with either the program coordinator or the thesis advisor to reserve a suitable room that can seat at least 10 people (or more if the student expects more).

Step 6: Publicize the Defense Date

Student contacts the Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor with:

  • Defense title.
  • Research Advisor and committee members’ names (external committee member's school and dept. must be listed).
  • Date and time of defense.
  • Location (Reserved room).

A research-related photograph should also be provided. The program coordinator will design a flyer and post it throughout the Gates-Hillman Complex and will also send an email to the department to publicize the event. The student may also invite others to attend the event.

Step 7: Finish Thesis & Prepare Defense

As early as possible prior to the defense, the student should submit a completed thesis document to the thesis committee and the academic advisor. It is strongly recommended that the student practice the thesis defense presentation with the lab members and/or their advisor.

Step 8: Thesis Defense

After a public defense and public questions, the student will remain for private questions with the committee and then the committee will confer privately without the student.  The research advisor should notify the program academic advisor of the outcome of the defense as early as possible.

Step 9: Revisions

Following the defense, any requested revisions need to be submitted to the thesis committee and the academic advisor.