Thesis and Committee
MS students will work with their advisor to identify a suitable master’s research topic. Up to six of the 30 credits toward the MS will typically comprise thesis research via the SYS 8999 listing. The MS candidate and their advisor will also select an MS thesis committee comprising at least three UVA faculty members. One of these three members may be from outside SIE. At least two of the three members must be faculty members with non-zero percentage appointments in SIE. The thesis committee must review and approve the student’s academic requirements report, written thesis, and oral thesis defense. MS students should check the accuracy and completeness of their academic requirement report in the Student Information System (SIS) frequently, at least at the start and end of each semester and in consultation with their faculty advisor. The Appointment of Final Examination Committee form to appoint the MS thesis committee must be submitted at least 14 days before the proposed final defense date to the SIE student services coordinators, as they will obtain graduate program director approval and submit the request form to the graduate office. Degree candidates must apply for graduation in SIS at the beginning of the semester in which they’re expected to graduate.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to email the SIE student services coordinators their announcement information which consists of the committee members list with the chair and advisor identified, the meeting date, time, and location information, and the thesis defense title and abstract at least two weeks before the final defense. The SIE student services coordinators will provide the chairperson with the relevant forms (Report on Final Examination and Thesis and Dissertation Assessment) for the final defense. In addition, after successful completion of their final defense, the candidate must submit the dissertation via Libra (see Graduation Procedure).