Timelines and Planning
MSCS Graduate Thesis or Design Project Timeline
Timelines are shown by semester to allow flexibility for fall, spring, or summer enrollment.
Three-Semester Track
|
Semester |
Focus |
Key Tasks |
|
1 |
Foundation & Planning |
CS 6000: Explore research interests, conduct preliminary research, and complete small-scale literature review; Finalize advisor and topic, form committee, draft and submit proposal early |
|
2 |
Research |
Begin research/design work, advisor check-ins |
|
3 |
Writing & Defense |
Submit draft mid-semester, defend/present, submit final 2 weeks before graduation |
Four-Semester Track
|
Semester |
Focus |
Key Tasks |
|
1 |
Foundation |
CS 6000: Explore research interests, conduct preliminary research, and complete small-scale literature review |
|
2 |
Planning |
Finalize advisor and topic, form committee, draft proposal |
|
3 |
Research |
Submit proposal early in semester, begin research/design work, advisor check-ins |
|
4 |
Writing & Defense |
Complete work, submit draft mid-semester, defend/present, submit final 2 weeks before graduation |
Six-Semester Track
|
Semester |
Focus |
Key Tasks |
|
1 |
Foundation |
CS 6000: Explore research interests, conduct preliminary research, and complete small-scale literature review |
|
2 |
Coursework |
Continue core coursework, begin deeper topic exploration |
|
3 |
Planning |
Finalize advisor and topic, form committee, draft proposal |
|
4 |
Research |
Submit proposal early in semester, begin research/design work, advisor check-ins |
|
5 |
Writing |
Continue work, begin drafting thesis/project report |
|
6 |
Defense |
Submit draft mid-semester, defend/present, submit final 2 weeks before graduation |