Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Each student will submit a written report on his/her research, make an oral presentation, and answer questions relating to their proposed research.

COURSE DETAILS:

Chem 802 is a 3-credit course intended only for M. Sc. students (Chem 802 cannot count towards a Ph. D. degree). M.Sc. students will enroll in this course in the semester immediately following their successful completion of Chem 801. Their grade will be determined by an examining committee comprised of the students Supervisory Committee and the Chem 802 Instructors. All 802 students are required to submit a proposal document by email to the Chem 802 Instructors and their Supervisory Committee by mid-February (date to be determined).

Each student will submit a proposal document on his/her research, make an oral presentation, and answer questions relating to their proposed research.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Proposal Details:
Limit of 10 pages (includes figures and references), single spaced, 12 pt font

The proposal should address the following points.

Objectives
Define the short- and long-term objectives of your research project.

Literature review
Discuss the literature pertinent to the proposal, placing the proposed research in the context of the state-of-the-art.

Methodology
Describe the methods and proposed approach, providing sufficient detail to allow the committee to assess the feasibility of your planned research activities.

Impact
Explain the anticipated significance of your proposed work.

In addition, all Chem 802 students are required to give a 20-min presentation on their proposed research and address questions on the topics of their research proposal as well as questions of fundamental nature relating to their area of research. The presentation/question period will be one hour). The presentation dates/times are yet to be determined. The scheduled presentation date will be determined by suggestion first by the students (in arrangement with their supervisors) and then approved by the course instructors. Unless prevented by teaching assistant responsibilities, Chem 802 students are required to attend all of the Chem 802 presentations (face-to-face). The students should email the presentation file by a date to be determined (likely late February) to all members of the examining committee.

Evaluation of Chem 802 students by each member of the examining committee will take into consideration the questions listed below, for which the student will be graded on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 = unsatisfactory, 2 = satisfactory with concerns, 3 = satisfactory, and 4 = exceptional). If a student receives a grade of 2 by any examiner for any question, the student will be required to prepare a written document (acceptable length to determined by the committee) that addresses the specific area of concern or weakness. This document will be evaluated by the entire examining committee and the student’s grade changed accordingly. Grades of 3 or 4 require no further action. If a student receives a grade of 1 for any question, this result will be considered as a failure of the course and the progress in the Graduate Program will be judged as Unsatisfactory (see section 1.8.2 General Graduate Regulations). The student will be provided one opportunity to retake this course within the following semester. If, at the subsequent examination, the student receives a grade of 1 for any of the listed questions or they fail to schedule the re-examination in the following semester, the student will be required to withdraw from the graduate program.

Assessment questions for Chem 802 students:

1. Does the student understand the fundamental aspects of the proposed research?
2. Does the student have a clear understanding of the objectives of the proposed research?
3. Does the student have a sufficient understanding of the scientific methodology required to undertake the proposed research?
4. Does the student appropriately summarize the current state of the field?
5. Does the student recognize the potential challenges of the proposed research?
6. Does the student demonstrate oral communication skills appropriate for a M.Sc. student?
7. Does the student demonstrate written communication skills appropriate for a M.Sc. student?
8. Does the report provide sufficient background and rationale for the project?

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES: