Thesis Proposal Regulations

Delft University of Technology Department of Chemical Engineering

version August 30, 2010

Based on: http://web.mit.edu/cheme/resources/gradstudents/2008_2009_Handbook_PDF.pdf Adapted by: Michiel Kreutzer, Roel van de Krol, Ruud van Ommen, Marieke Bouma and Louis de Smet

TU Delft ChemE Thesis Proposal Regulations version August 30, 2010

This document contains information on preparing and presenting a PhD thesis proposal at the Department of Chemical Engineering of Delft University of Technology. It describes the general principles and regulations for preparing and evaluating the PhD thesis proposal and it gives an overview of the involved time schedule and related responsibilities.

Thesis Proposal The Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE) requires PhD students to prepare and submit a written Thesis Proposal within ten months after the start of their PhD contract. At ChemE the Thesis Proposal is part of the assessment, which is known as the Go/No go review. A go decision indicates that the (co-)promotor(s) are confident that the student has the potential to obtain a PhD degree within the remaining 3 years. The Thesis Proposal helps the committee (and the student) to make this decision. An overview of the required competences and the procedure is described below.

Required Competences The PhD student must clearly show that she/he is: a) familiar with the scientific literature that is related to the thesis topic, b) able to place the work in a broader context and indicate interfaces with adjacent disciplines, c) able to identify the most relevant research questions and to propose a strategy to solve them, d) able to define clearly the thesis objectives, e) able to present the thesis proposal in a clear way (both written and orally).

Procedure 1. A Thesis Committee is formed for the occasion and consists of at least three faculty members. It should include the (co)promotor(s) and at least one faculty member of another ChemE section. Faculty from outside ChemE can also be appointed as a member of the Thesis Committee. 2. The submission of the Thesis Proposal, not later than 2 weeks before the presentation, is carried out by the student who sends a Thesis Proposal document - of which a proposed outline is described in the following section - to the Committee members and ChemE secretary. 3. The Thesis Proposal is presented orally to a Thesis Committee. The date of the presentation is fixed within the first month after the start of the PhD appointment. 4. The presentation (30 min) and the subsequent discussion (10 min) are public and announced by the ChemE secretary. 5. Immediately after the presentation, a non-public evaluation discussion (maximum 45 min) between the PhD student and the members of the Thesis Committee takes place. 6. After evaluation, the Thesis Committee reports (orally) to the promotor who has the final responsibility of the Go/No go decision.

TU Delft ChemE Thesis Proposal Regulations version August 30, 2010

7. The promotor communicates his decision to the student, the Department Head (and ChemE secretary) and the HRM Department.

General remark: Scheduling of Thesis Proposal meetings with faculty can be a difficult problem at certain times during the academic year. It is strongly recommended that students do not leave the oral presentation of the Thesis Proposal to the very end of the 11-month period. It is the students responsibility to contact the ChemE secretary for scheduling a room and any audio/visual equipment that he/she may need for his/her oral presentation.

Thesis Proposal Format Although the format of each Thesis Proposal is a matter to be worked out between the student and his/her thesis advisor(s), the following outline may serve as a useful guideline:

1. Cover Page Provides a title, name(s) of research advisor(s) and members of the Thesis Committee, and date of submission. The mailing addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of members of the Thesis Committee outside the section or the department should also be provided.

2. Specific Aims Clearly states the thesis objectives (not to exceed one page).

3. Background Presents a rationale for conducting the proposed research studies. Reviews briefly the previous research that is relevant to the proposed studies.

4. Research Plan Discusses a timeline on the planned research with particular emphasis on expected difficulties and challenges. Presents preliminary results, if available. Indicates how the proposed experimental and/or theoretical results will serve to meet the proposed objectives.

TU Delft ChemE Thesis Proposal Regulations version August 30, 2010

5. Safety Discusses any safety-related issues. These include personal and environmental safety, as well as waste-disposal procedures.

6. Time Schedule Delineates the expected time schedule.

7. Literature Citations

8. Appendices (optional) Expands the literature review if necessary or desired. Provides experimental details or more complete theoretical derivations, as appropriate.

The length of the Thesis Proposal, including literature citations, figures, and tables, should be 6 to 12 pages, using an 11-point font and standard line spacing and margins. Brevity and clarity of presentation will be appreciated by the Thesis Committee. The Thesis Proposal is a statement of the intended plans for the research program. It is not meant to be a document containing a significant volume of research already completed by the student.

Time schedule and related responsibilities for the Education & Supervision Plan and the Thesis Proposal during the first year of the PhD contract Time after start PhD 0 0-3 months 0-10 months 9 months 10 months 10 months 11 months 11 months < 12 months Schedule date presentation Thesis Proposal Education & Supervision Plan
a

Activity

Responsibility

Promotor + PhD student Promotor + PhD student PhD student Promotor Promotor + PhD student inform ChemE secretary PhD student PhD student Promotor Promotor

Writing Thesis Proposal + preparing presentation Selection of members Thesis Committee Announcement presentation to all ChemE members Submission Thesis Proposal to Thesis Committee Preparing Results & Development (R&O) form
b

Results & Development cycle Meeting (Go/No go) Promotor informs HRM on final decision

a) http://www.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=5b3d30e2-2ef2-4f3c-86de-1d03dbd2b857&lang=en&binary=/doc/OBP%20promovendi.doc b) https://www.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=a3804b16-d9a4-47d4-b60a-bc8f6dfda8a3&lang=nl