Project and Thesis Requirements
Both a project and a thesis require the formation of a committee and a formal public defense.
A thesis must be based on original scholarship and its completion must fulfill Graduate requirements as indicated at https://grad.uic.edu/academic-support/exams-defense/masters-thesis-defense/
Project requirements are as follows:
Project requirements
Committee Composition
A three-member committee is required.
- At least one member must be tenure-track faculty.
- At least one member must be clinical faculty.
Students must establish their committee and formally propose their project via presentation, typically during the second semester.
Innovation
- The project must offer new insights, propose a novel solution, or apply existing knowledge in a creative and innovative way.
- It should demonstrate originality and independent thought, supported by a well-organized structure and a clear rationale.
Written Report
A comprehensive written report must summarize the project’s significance, objectives, methodology, and conclusions or recommendations. The report format can be:
- A rough draft of a manuscript.
- A long abstract format.
Oral Defense
Students must present and defend their project findings to their committee.
Examples of eligible projects:
- Original scholarship
- Participation in an ongoing research project
- Analysis of data obtained from previous research projects
- Writing a scientific review article