You are encouraged to discuss potential topics that you are considering with faculty members. They may provide you with guidance on which topic has the most promise.
The first step before an advisor is selected is to discuss with the MSEM Program Director the progress you have made to this point. The Program Director will discuss the potential topics and then review those faculty who would be available to serve as the thesis advisor. The advisor should be someone who has experience in the topic area, or who has a research interest in the topic, and is well-versed in the MSOE Style Guide and graduate-level research methodology.
Once you have selected an advisor, you should plan to meet and cover the following topics:
- Review your topic and proposed approach: A detailed discussion of your topic and the approach you plan to take. Your advisor should offer suggestions and provide some research direction.
- Establish a working relationship: Determine how frequently you will meet or converse about your progress
- Establish milestones: As you have probably learned during your career, without deadlines, nothing gets accomplished. The thesis requires self-discipline and establishing mutually agreeable deadlines can assist in this.
- Develop a formal proposal plan with your advisor. This is a critical step as it sets forth the direction you will be taking with your research and thesis.