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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on June 13, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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Mechanical Engineering

How to Write a Project Proposal

Contents of proposal.

A recommended template for an MS project or thesis proposal is provided at the following link, from which you can make a Google Docs copy or download a Microsoft Word file:

ME 295 and ME 299 Proposal Template

Proposal Approval Process

The project proposal must be written so that it provides a strong evidence of a student’s thorough understanding of the topic and the capabilities to carry out the work successfully. There are three levels of approvals and signatures required to ascertain that the student in fact has the understanding and capabilities to complete the project successfully. First, the proposal is reviewed, evaluated, and signed by the advisory committee. Next, the signed Proposal Evaluation Form  is attached to the proposal, along with the completed Proposal Cover Sheet and submitted to the ME office for approval and signatures of the Graduate Advisor and the Department Chair. Refer to the Projects and Thesis tab for proposal deadline.

See our detailed instructions [pdf] for submitting the project proposal in DocuSign to help guide you through the process. 

Proposal Deadline

The proposal must be approved by the advisory committee, the Graduate Advisor, and the Department Chair prior to the university deadline for adding a course, usually the second week of February for the Spring semester and the second week of September for the Fall semester. The add-code for the first term project is issued by the ME office only after the approved project proposal has been received. Failure to meet the deadlines can delay your graduation.

Sample Proposals

The following are some representative examples of project proposals. Your proposal may have additional requirements depending on your project committee chair.

• Sample 1 (Bicycle brake)
• Sample 2 (Collapsible cup)
• Sample 3 (Object detection)
• Sample 4 (Metamaterial)
• Sample 5 (Battery)

• Honors Undergraduate Thesis
• Program Resources

Thesis Proposal Examples

The Honors Undergraduate Thesis program requires students to submit a research proposal to the Office of Honors Research prior to advancing to the Thesis semester.

Generally, a scientific research proposal will include a brief introduction to the research topic, a literature review, and a methodology that will explain how the student plans to meet the objectives of the research. A proposal in the Arts and Humanities will generally include an introduction and a creative work (e.g. screenplays, short stories, artwork) or theoretical analysis.

Students will create a signature cover page for the thesis proposal that will list the entire committee and HUT Liaison. The Thesis proposal cover page template can be found here .

The following are examples of substantially researched, properly formatted research proposals and their respective signature pages. These examples should be used for reference only and not necessarily as templates. Students should his or her Thesis Chair and committee regarding the structure of the proposal, information that should be present, and documentation style.

What is a Thesis Proposal?

A thesis proposal is a document that outlines the thesis topic, defines the issues that the thesis will address, and explains why the topic warrants further research. It should identify a problem and provide a proposed solution to that problem.

Proposals representative of the sciences (both hard sciences and social sciences) should generally include the following:

• A brief introduction, which will define the thesis topic and explain the purpose of the thesis.
• A literature review that outlines the most relevant readings and theories which pertain to the thesis topic.
• A methodology section, which should include the research questions, hypotheses, participants, materials, and procedures.
• A bibliography or reference list. Most of the sources should be from peer reviewed articles or books. As with other academic papers, the use of internet sources should be limited.

For students conducting more theoretical or comparative analyses, the structure could also take the form of chapters that define and specify each concept, and a concluding chapter that brings all of these ideas together.

For students in the arts, a proposal and thesis may take the form of a creative project. In this instance, the proposal may include:

• A brief introduction, which includes the thesis statement, general intent of project, what the project should accomplish, and justification for considering the project a legitimate endeavor.
• A literature review, which includes any supporting literature that justifies the intention of the project.
• A method for accomplishing the project. Include any necessary background or equipment needed for the project, where the project will be conducted, and a proposed timeline for completion.
• A bibliography or reference list.

An alternative structure would be for students who are writing their own short stories, novellas, or screenplays.

Here, the thesis should include a clear mastery of the skill set by producing chapters of the novella, poetry selections, or the working/final screenplay. [/accordion-item][/accordion]

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Where do I begin? Navigating the Thesis Proposal Process

Introduction.

The thesis proposal is a challenging task to complete itself and does NOT need to be any harder. In this article, we outline the steps needed to complete the thesis proposal, some common challenges graduate students face, and resources to help you navigate them. If you have specific interest in the written thesis proposal, we encourage you to check out our guide on the thesis proposal document . If you want to learn more about the oral component of thesis proposal, check our guide to the oral component .

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Planning Your Thesis Proposal

Timeline. The following timeline should give you a general sense of when you need to complete each step in the process. Make regular appointments with Comm Fellows to keep yourself accountable to internal deadlines you set for yourself!

Choosing your committee. Your thesis committee serves as subject matter experts and technical consultants to your research project. Therefore, you want to choose faculty members whose expertise is closely related to your research project and who you are comfortable going to for advice, feedback, and consultation. Aside from your thesis proposal and thesis committee meetings, you are encouraged to have frequent one-on-one interactions with committee members to discuss technical aspects of your project. In addition, your committee members will potentially serve as recommendation writers for your career beyond your PhD.

You should work with your advisor to carefully select committee members who fit these characteristics and will best help you achieve success in your PhD. In doing so, consider the following requirements from the graduate student handbook:

“The Thesis Committee must have two or more members in addition to the research advisor(s). At least two members of the Thesis Committee must be faculty members in Chemical Engineering. At least one committee member must be a Chemical Engineering faculty member who is not the research advisor. The research advisor will serve as the Thesis Committee Chairperson. For students in the PPSM program, the research advisor need not be a Chemical Engineering faculty member, but must be a PPSM faculty or affiliate. For students in the CSE PhD program, the Thesis Committee must contain a member of the Center for Computational Engineering (CCE).”

Scheduling your proposal. Once you have identified committee members, you should personally invite them to be part of your thesis committee. If they accept, you can immediately start planning a date for your oral presentation, which will dictate your individual timeline. Consult with your advisor (or their administrative assistant) to identify a series of potential dates and times, and relay these to your committee members (and their administrative assistants). Once you establish a date and time, you should immediately reserve a conference room – your group’s administrative assistant can help with this. Consider resources you will need when presenting, such as whiteboards/chalkboards, projectors, and ample seating.

Typically, in the fall, thesis proposals will be anywhere from late October to mid-December, depending on your committee’s availability. When scheduling, keep in mind major conferences in your field that may restrict availability, such as AIChE, BMES, etc.

Advisor input

Advisor input on your thesis proposal varies widely across the department and there are no uniform guidelines. Some advisors will treat this as an exam and provide little to no support while others will be with you every step of the way. Discuss with your advisor how much input/feedback you can expect and what their expectations are for your proposal before you begin the process.

Identify the idea of your proposal

Interact with your advisor and peers to evolve your idea. Interesting ideas usually arise from interpersonal interactions, where multiple parties sharing different perspectives all contribute to the ideation process. If you are unsure what topic is appropriate for your thesis proposal, you can seek suggestions from your advisor. Summarize the data you have so far (it can be your preliminary data, data that others in your lab have collected, or literature data), give some thoughts on your own ideas for your thesis proposal, and ask your advisor for feedback. If you don’t have an idea in mind, be honest with your advisor and ask for your advisor’s opinions. Apart from your advisor, who might be too busy to give you timely feedback, you could also seek suggestions from your lab mates. They are the ones who have recently gone through their own thesis proposal, and they may have invaluable insights for you to learn!

Create a bulleted list of your project’s vision and impact. When you have a clearer understanding of your project, a good way to organize your thoughts is to write, item-by-item, a list of your project’s vision and impact. This list could serve as a reference when you are writing them in a coherent way.

List out a set of aims to solidify your idea. Once you have a clearer idea in mind, the next step is to list out a set of aims to solidify your idea. These aims should provide achievable steps that allow you to approach your thesis. Again, consult your advisor or your lab mates to see if they agree with your plan, or they can suggest other alternatives for you to consider.

Understand your Committee

Your thesis committee members are your only audience. This is a unique situation, because you know who your audience is and their technical background. While this defined audience and scope is different from what you typically experience, you could use this to your advantage to effectively motivate them.

Learn your committee’s background. One of the important steps to motivate your audience is to learn their background. Once you are aware of who will be on your committee, you can tailor the amount of background and technical content directly to your audience. Consider what your committee members already know as experts in their specific field. Provide enough detail that all committee members will be able to understand your proposal. Consult with other students in your group or in classes above you who have had overlapping thesis committees to get a sense of the background and technical detail required for each committee member.

Your committee should be your ally! Consider your committee members as your allies who are trying to help you to navigate the field that you will be exploring. They want to learn your critical thoughts on a scientifically challenging problem, because that is what is going to help you grow to become an independent researcher. To cultivate this independence, you can provide your problem with a scope and show what you are feasibly planning to accomplish.

Tips for preparing your thesis proposal

Seek help regardless of where you are in the process. Not only ideation, but also the rest of the process, needs participation and help from others. It is through interacting with others that we gain insight from our practice and grow as a researcher. Talk to your advisor, lab mates, friends, and Comm Fellows and ask for help! This shouldn’t be a lonely process . Comm Fellows are often the most available and accessible resource for you to discuss about the content and structure of your thesis proposal. We provide a safe space for you to share concerns about your work. You can sign up for an appointment at any point in the process. Book an Appointment here .

Begin with the end in mind. You will need a plan to carry out your thesis proposal, as this is typically a weeks-long project to complete. Reverse plan from the day you will finish your thesis proposal presentation, to the day you need to submit a copy of your written thesis proposal, and eventually to the day that you need to start. Lay out what needs to be finished and when it needs to be completed, which will allow you to keep yourself accountable. Allow for some flexibility in your plan so you can adapt to the roadblocks and new challenges that arise along the way.

Focus on the now and your plans. Sometimes, worries about limited data and past challenges can be overwhelming and distract you from preparing your proposal. In addition, you may feel stressed leading up to the day when you hand in or present your proposal. It is perfectly human to have concerns about the past and future, everyone experiences them to some degree. What you have control of is the present and your plans for future events. Focusing on these tangible aspects will give you a much better sense of control and reduce your worries.

If you are concerned that your committee might ask about your past work, you can prepare a response to their inquiry, and ask your advisor or your lab mates for feedback. If you think that the state of your research is unclear to the point that you don’t feel comfortable presenting it, then you could consider moving your proposal timeline to a later time. If you decide to do this, make sure to consult with your advisor and propose a timeline to verify that you are on track.

Start small and start often. Instead of trying to tackle the entire document at once, which often will lead to anxiety, burnout, and frustration, see if you can break it down into manageable steps. Often, we fall into the trap of worrying about the completion of the document, despite the worries themselves not helping us in anyway. Gently remind yourself to focus on starting instead of finishing, because that is what you can choose to act on. Starting small will give you confidence and starting often (for even half an hour) will lessen your workload.

Be patient with yourself. Everyone’s thesis proposal has some challenge – it is universal and unavoidable. Being aware that the process is nonlinear for everyone and expecting setbacks when you start can help you respond more efficiently when difficulties occur. Be kind and patient towards yourself, because you need them to take care of yourself. Ask yourself: What can I do now to make myself comfortable when working on my proposal?

Use tools to manage your reference. As the number of references you are reading and citing during your preparation stage becomes larger, it is easier to organize them using a dedicated citation management software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, Endnote). A citation management software not only does a good job in bookkeeping, it also can help you to track your own ideas that stemmed from the literature. Since you will be likely to co-write and edit manuscripts with your lab mates, you can use the same citation management software as your lab. Plan ahead some time to install the software and become familiar with how to use it – it might take more time to learn than you think.

Engineering Proposals

Consulting engineers aren't the only engineers who write proposals. For instance, in academia, engineers write proposals to receive funding for their research or even to initiate a project. Some engineers produce proposals to be read and approved by management while others send proposals to specific funding agencies or clients.

Definition of Proposals

A proposal is a description of the work you will complete on a project. The details included in a proposal depend on the project's scope and who will read the document. Typically, organizations advertise a need for proposalsand consulting engineers respond to the need. However, as an engineer, you may determine that a problem exists, and therefore, propose solutions to an organization. In this case, you must first convince the agency that the problem exists before proposing your solutions.

Types of Proposals

Different types of proposals are necessary for different projects. In academia, engineers produce grant proposals or research proposals in order to receive funding from government agencies and non-profit organizations. In industry, engineers, especially consultants, write proposals or "bids." Engineers produce these proposals for the company where they are working or for other organizations.

A proposal's audience is those supporting the proposed project. The details you provide in a proposal may change, depending on your audience. For instance, if you submit a Proposal to your company's management, you may not have to include project costs or other background information. On the other hand, if you produce a proposal for an organization outside your company, you may need to provide more details. These details might include a rationale for why they should fund your project, as well as the necessary materials and costs. Before writing a proposal, you should always research your audience's background. This way, you will have a better idea about what information to include in your proposal.

General Format

You can submit a proposal in several ways, depending on your audience. For example, proposing a project to your supervisor may require a phone call or a quick e-mail. Or, you may write a short memo, outlining your ideas. On the other hand, you may have to produce a lengthy proposal that provides project background and completely describes the proposed work. Typically, you will know which format to use based on the proposal's context.

When you write a lengthy proposal, you will have to spend time conducting research before you begin writing. This research might include locating other designs and theories to refer to as examples or to critique. A proposal might also include graphics to help an audience visualize your ideas. You might incorporate other data, such as dollar figures and time schedules, so your audience knows exactly how long the project will take to complete and much it will cost them To read more, choose any of the items below:

Introduction

In the proposal's Introduction, you should provide information about the need for a proposal. In other words, here is where you state why you are writing the proposal in the first place. You should also provide an overview of what the rest of the proposal includes.

Qualifications

In the Qualifications section, you should show that you and your organization (if applicable) are skilled and capable of completing the proposed work successfully. You should view this section as a "resume" since in it, you will depict your skills and experiences. If your audience is your supervisor or other managing decision-makers, then you may not need to include this section.

In the Background section, you should depict the problem/situation that lead to your writing a proposal. Here, you should show that you thoroughly understand the problem. If your audience already knows the Background, you may not need to include this section. For example, your supervisor or other managing decision-makers may already be familiar with the specific problem. Therefore, you don't need to tell them what they already know.

Work Schedule

The Work Schedule section does exactly what its name implies: It presents the time frame in which you will complete the proposed work. This section informs your audience of what to expect from you and when. It also helps to keep you organized. If, after you begin working, you are unable to keep this schedule, you should always communicate changes in deadlines to the appropriate people.

Proposal Statement

In the Proposal Statement section, you should inform your audience of exactly what you are proposing. You should also include what you aren't proposing. For example, if you are proposing partial work on a project, state this and then verify what your work will not include.

In the Cost section, you should present what costs you anticipate your project will involve. To do this, divide your expenses into categories and provide dollar figures. For example, labor costs for each worker, materials, etc. Then, you might provide a total cost.

In the Results section, you should discuss the outcome of your proposal. The types of outcomes resulting from a proposal cover a wide range. For example, you may be creating a design, building an actual construction, or even producing a lengthy report. Be sure to state exactly what the Results will be.

The Conclusion section is similar to the ending of a cover letter. Here, you should summarize why you should be considered and how you can be contacted. You might also reiterate why you are the best person or group for the project.

Methodology

In the Methodology section, you should present how you will complete the project's work. This is similar to a Lab Report's Procedures section in that you have to discuss the steps you will have taken to reach a final goal.

Perspectives on Proposals

Dave alciatore, mechanical engineering.

Internal Proposals

"You're likely to write internal proposals if you work with a product development group in a big company. For example, you might conduct research on possible new product lines. Then, you would write a proposal to communicate that you want to pursue this product, but that it will involve testing and development. In other words, it's going to cost money. In order to get financial support, you have to write a proposal that presents your plans. This includes the benefits of the product in terms of profit."

Tom Siller, Civil Engineering

Consulting Engineers

"If you are a consulting engineer, you will work in a very competitive environment because you have to sell your services. In order to get work on a project, you have to submit a proposal or give a presentation. To do this successfully, you have to know who your client is and what that client expects."

John Mahan, Electrical Engineering

Proposal Types

"Engineers write many different types of proposals. Sometimes, a proposal has to be powerful and business-oriented. Many companies don't want to look too far into the future, not even past two years. So, you have to be very specific and down to earth. You have to tell them when exactly you will complete the work. In Phase One, you'll do x. In Phase Two, you'll do y. You should also include the benefits gained during each phase."

Kowalski, Dawn. (1994). Engineering Proposals. Writing@CSU . Colorado State University. https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=81

Thesis Proposal

In the thesis proposal, the PhD or DES student lays out an intended course of research for the dissertation.  By accepting the thesis proposal, the student’s dissertation proposal committee agrees that the proposal is practicable and acceptable, that its plan and prospectus are satisfactory, and that the candidate is competent in the knowledge and techniques required, and formally recommends that the candidate proceed according to the prospectus and under the supervision of the dissertation committee. It is part of the training of the student’s research apprenticeship that the form of this proposal must be as concise as those proposals required by major funding agencies.

The student proposes to a committee consisting of the student’s advisor and two other researchers who meet requirements for dissertation committee membership.  The advisor should solicit the prospective committee members, not the student. In cases where the research and departmental advisors are different , both must serve on the committee.

The student prepares a proposal document that consists of a core, plus any optional appendices. The core is limited to 30 pages (e.g., 12 point font, single spacing, 1 inch margins all around), and should contain sections describing 1) the problem and its background, 2) the innovative claims of the proposed work and its relation to existing work, 3) a description of at least one initial result that is mature enough to be able to be written up for submission to a conference, and 4) a plan for completion of the research. The committee commits to read and respond to the core, but reserves the right to refuse a document whose core exceeds the page limit. The student cannot assume that the committee will read or respond to any additional appendices.

The complete doctoral thesis proposal document must be disseminated to the entire dissertation committee no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the proposal presentation. The PhD Program Administrator must be informed of the scheduling of the proposal presentation no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the presentation. Emergency exceptions to either of these deadlines can be granted by the Director of Graduate Studies or the Department Chair on appeal by the advisor and agreement of the committee.

A latex thesis proposal template is available here .

PRESENTATION AND FEEDBACK

The student presents the proposal in a prepared talk of 45 minutes to the committee, and responds to any questions and feedback by the committee.

The student’s advisor, upon approval of the full faculty, establishes the target semester by which the thesis proposal must be successfully completed. The target semester must be no later than the eighth semester, and the student must be informed of the target semester no later than the sixth semester.

The candidacy   exam  must be successfully completed  before  the  proposal can be attempted.  The proposal must be completed prior to submitting the application for defense. [Instituted by full faculty vote September 16, 2015.]

Passing or failing is determined by consensus of the committee, who then sign the dissertation proposal form (sent to advisors by phd-advising@cs.  Failure to pass the thesis proposal by the end of the target semester or the eighth semester, whichever comes first, is deemed unsatisfactory progress: the PhD or DES student is normally placed on probation and can be immediately dismissed from the program. However, on appeal of the student’s advisor, one semester’s grace can be granted by the full faculty.

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President Bollinger announced that Columbia University along with many other academic institutions (sixteen, including all Ivy League universities) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York challenging the Executive Order regarding immigrants from seven designated countries and refugees. Among other things, the brief asserts that “safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities.”

This recent action provides a moment for us to collectively reflect on our community within Columbia Engineering and the importance of our commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming community for all students, faculty, researchers and administrative staff. As a School of Engineering and Applied Science, we are fortunate to attract students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, from across the country, and from around the world. It is a great benefit to be able to gather engineers and scientists of so many different perspectives and talents – all with a commitment to learning, a focus on pushing the frontiers of knowledge and discovery, and with a passion for translating our work to impact humanity.

I am proud of our community, and wish to take this opportunity to reinforce our collective commitment to maintaining an open and collegial environment. We are fortunate to have the privilege to learn from one another, and to study, work, and live together in such a dynamic and vibrant place as Columbia.

Mary C. Boyce Dean of Engineering Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

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M.s. degree thesis requirements.

Thesis requirements apply to all students in the thesis option, including part-time and online students.

Thesis credits

Students in the thesis option need to register for a total of 12 thesis credits: ME 700.

Thesis supervisor and committee

To formally opt into the thesis track, students must complete the following three steps. There is no hard deadline by when these steps must be completed; however, students are recommended to enter the thesis track as soon as possible after enrolling in the MS program.

• Identify their faculty supervisor
• Identify at least two additional members of their thesis committee
• Submit their thesis proposal , including their faculty supervisor's signature

The ME Department requires that students who plan to write a thesis have at least three committee members, including the faculty supervisor who serves as Committee Chair. These must be members of the graduate faculty. The Committee Chair must be from the Mechanical Engineering Department core faculty. Core faculty comprises Mechanical Engineering Faculty in all ranks with tenure or tenure-track appointments, and research, emeritus, and joint appointments. Faculty with adjunct and affiliate ranks are not included. The Department further requires that at least one committee member be core Mechanical Engineering faculty.

Alternatively, non-core faculty may act as Committee Chair, but in that case, the remaining members of the thesis committee must include at least two core faculty members. All M.S. thesis committees must include at least two core Mechanical Engineering faculty.

Thesis proposal

The thesis proposal should be submitted by the student, to the ME Graduate Adviser, as soon as possible after the student identifies their supervisor and before the student may begin registering for thesis credits (ME 700). The proposal should include:

• Justification for conducting research
• Approach and methodology
• Schedule of work
• Estimated cost

The ME Graduate Adviser will provide the thesis proposal to the ME Department Chair for review.  Students will be notified of the outcome of the review via a formal letter emailed to them on behalf of the Department Chair.  Students whose thesis proposals are approved must save their approval letter, as they must provide it when officially notifying the ME Department of their M.S. thesis presentation during their final quarter (see instructions below)

Thesis approval and presentation

During the student’s final quarter, they must request graduation from the Graduate School; have their written thesis approved by their committee; and make their M.S. thesis presentation (prior to the last day of class instruction) before an audience that includes their committee, other faculty, and invited guests.

Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with Graduate School policies about Submitting a Thesis/Dissertation during the beginning stages of research.

At least one week before their M.S. presentation, the student must formally notify the ME Department of their presentation by completing the M.S. Thesis Presentation Information web form and providing the following details:

• Exact title
• Date, time and room number of the presentation
• Names and affiliations of the committee chair and additional committee members
• Attach a copy of the thesis proposal approval letter sent to them on behalf of the Department Chair when their thesis proposal was approved

The morning of the presentation, the student must stop by the ME office to pick up their Master's Degree Graduation Committee Signature Form and Masters Supervisory Committee Approval Form. Both documents must be signed by the committee at the conclusion of the student's presentation or when the committee determines that the student's thesis is ready for submission to the Graduate School.

After their M.S. presentation, the student must return the signed  Committee Signature Form to the ME office.

By 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the quarter, students must submit a final, electronic copy of their thesis and Master's Supervisory Committee Approval Form to the Graduate School through the ETD administrator site.

Students who make their M.S. presentation but cannot submit their thesis by the deadline should consider applying for the Graduate Registration Waiver Fee  or registering for the following quarter.  Students should see the ME Graduate Adviser immediately to learn about their options in the case that they cannot submit their thesis by the deadline.

Promoting education and literacy through the works of American author John Steinbeck.

Steinbeck in the Schools Program

The Steinbeck in the Schools website is a free resource for grammar school, middle school, high school, and university teachers and students. Browse the world's most comprehensive collection of reading guides on Steinbeck's works and an archive of classroom-tested lesson plans. Everything is free to download and customize for your classroom.

Resources for Both Students and Teachers

Lesson plans.

Browse our archive of lesson plans on Steinbeck's works. All course materials are free to download. Customize them for use in your classroom.

Reading Guides

View plot summaries, character descriptions, and critical reception for Steinbeck's most popular works.

English Language Learner Resources

Download expert advice from SJSU education professors on how to use Steinbeck with English Language Learners.

Geographical Context

Learn about the many settings depicted in Steinbeck’s works and their connection to real-world places.

Historical Context

Explore the times and places depicted in Steinbeck's fiction, including the 1930s Dust Bowl and the migrant-worker camps of Depression-era California.

About the Author

Learn about John Steinbeck's life, views, influencers, awards, and more.

Popular Steinbeck Works

Find Reading Guides and Lesson Plans for each work.

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the Harvest

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Of Mice and Men

Essay questions.

Use these essay questions for writing prompts, journal assignments, assessments, or discussion starters.

Short Answer Questions

Short answer questions test student understanding and reading comprehension for Of Mice and Men.

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An in-depth, section by section breakdown of short writing prompts for use in journal assignments, assessments, and discussion starters.

Literary Terms

This guide includes a comprehensive list of literary terms, their definitions, and examples of their usage as found in the novel.

Discussion by Section

Breakdown major events, themes, and discussion topics. This is a rich source of information to help frame an entire unit plan for Of Mice and Men.

The Grapes of Wrath

Short answer questions test student understanding and reading comprehension for The Grapes of Wrath.

Discussion Topics and Writing Prompts by Chapter

A chapter by chapter breakdown of the major discussion topics and writing prompts to help frame an entire unit plan for The Grapes of Wrath.

Controversial Topics

Prepare students for the controversial issues they will encounter in the classroom while reading The Grapes of Wrath.

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Providing free resources to educators across the U.S.

It is more than a well-rounded website. It needs to be a go-to for educators.

Union City, California

I have been looking for materials that package the historical context in a clean, concise way. I also feel these are solid literacy skill building activities.

Lincolnshire, Illinois

Since this site labels the Common Core standards that are covered in the lesson plans, it's a great resource for teachers in transition.

Chula Vista, California

I already am looking forward to incorporating materials into my lesson plans. As we make the shift to the Common Core, I find Steinbeck in the Schools to be a valuable resource that meets many of the Common Core requirements and standards.

—Kristina J.

Santa Clara, California

Thank you so much for the answers, and thanks for what you do. It means a lot that people are working to preserve all of this great content. Steinbeck meant a lot to me in high school and your work is helping to pass that on my students.

—William H.

Reno, Nevada

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Aerospace Engineering

Sample project/thesis proposal.

AE295A - Master’s Project Proposal Presented to Dr. Nikos Mourtos by Joshua Benton

September 1, 2011

Miniaturization, Integration, Analysis, and High-Altitude Flight Testing of a Scalable Autonomous GPS-Guided Parafoil for Targeted Payload Return

Background and context.

A parafoil is a special type of airfoil that is non-rigid and relies on dynamic pressure in flight to retain its shape. Due to their being non-rigid (and therefore foldable/packable), parafoils lend themselves very well to applications where controlled descent is required, but limited stowage is available for any sort of traditional wing structure. Also, compared to a traditional round parachute, parafoils have much greater directional control, improved glide performance, and the ability to adjust rate of descent by deforming the shape of the airfoil via control (or “toggle”) lines. These attributes of parafoils have made them very popular for human aerial descent, where the entire parafoil as well as a redundant backup can be stowed in a backpack and deployed rapidly when necessary.

In addition to manned applications, parafoils provide an attractive means to deliver a variety of payloads (e.g. military supplies, emergency equipment, food packages) to remote or inaccessible locations with a moderate degree of accuracy. This accuracy can be further improved by including an autonomous control system on the payload, which can effectively steer the parafoil in the same fashion as a human would, guiding it with a higher degree of precision to its landing point. In the last decade, several independent research efforts have focused on doing exactly this, providing complete, “intelligent” parafoil systems which autonomously steer themselves to a pre-defined landing point to deliver payloads (typically military supplies). Recent research efforts have improved accuracy of these systems from a few kilometers landing error to orders of magnitude less, depending on prevailing winds and initial drop altitude.

In my work at NASA Ames Research Center, we have identified a need to return small payloads (such as biological samples and small science experiments) from the International Space Station when desired or necessary, independently of the larger manned or supply vehicles which visit the Station with relative infrequency. Our proposed solution to this problem requires a means to guide the payload on the final leg of its journey to a selected landing point, with a high degree of precision, to aid in simple and immediate retrieval. The volumetric space available in the proposed return system eliminates rigid wing structures as a solution, and the gliding device for atmospheric descent must remain stowed until post-reentry. For these reasons, a parafoil system appears to be a very attractive solution.

In addition to ISS return applications, a well-developed autonomous parafoil system could be scaled larger and used for a number of other applications of interest to us, including the return of experiments from sub-orbital sounding rocket flights, which currently relies on slow, expensive, and frequently- unsuccessful water recovery from rented boats.

We have identified and worked with researchers at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, California, on a GPS-guided parafoil device they are developing. From our collaboration, we have built our own version of their GPS-guided return device, and have drop-tested it several times from low altitudes (~3000 ft. AGL) from an autonomous UAV. We have also collaborated with colleagues and a student team at the University of Idaho in 3 high-altitude balloon drops of the device, but two of these drops resulted in failures: the first, failure to separate from the balloon due to tangling; and the second, failure for the parafoil to fully inflate.

Problem Definition and Approach

Though we have already fabricated a prototype version of the autonomous parafoil return device we wish to use for the ISS, there are still many problems to solve to make it a practical and feasible solution:

• Miniaturization of the autonomous control system : At present, the autonomous steering system that hangs below the parafoil is much too large volumetrically to fit within the confines of the ISS sample return system. A design of the physical structure and a more efficient packaging scheme are required to miniaturize the control system while still maintaining reliability and functionality. Smaller steering servos, more efficient line rigging and tensioning, and a smaller battery (while still maintaining design margin) are necessary to achieve this.
• Characterization of high-altitude parafoil aerodynamics : Due to the nature of the application we wish to use this device for, it is advantageous to attain steering authority at as high an altitude as possible. In doing so, the maximum achievable ground range of targeted landing is improved. Unfortunately, the functioning of a parafoil relies on dynamic pressure to maintain its structural shape, and high-altitude use is problematic due to collapse and “nose-diving” of the parafoil over its payload. To understand the maximum glide capability we can achieve with a parafoil return device, the aerodynamics of the parafoil at high altitude/low pressure need to be characterized and validated, through analysis and testing. CFD, vacuum chamber testing, and another high-altitude balloon test in April 2012 will be used to analyze and validate the performance of the parafoil at high altitude.
• Semi-rigidization of the parafoil structure : To eliminate the problem of parafoil collapse in low dynamic pressure, a method of self-deployment while maintaining packable stowage capability will be developed. A system of lightweight spring-like material will be added to the parafoil to make the structure “semi-rigid” and capable of maintaining its shape in a low pressure environment. Vacuum chamber testing will provide a means of validation prior to balloon flight testing of the integrated system.
• Software porting of advanced guidance code to a newer control board : At present, our version of the Naval Postgraduate School’s GPS-guided parafoil device uses a different microprocessor board than their device. Previously, I have only programmed our board to steer the device to a specified heading, rather than to a specific set of landing coordinates. A ported version of the advanced code exists, but is written for an older version of our control board, and has yet to be tested/de-bugged. As part of the development effort, the ported code requires modification for compatibility with the new version of the control board, debugging, and ground-testing.

As noted above, an opportunity exists to flight-test the entire system from a high-altitude balloon in April 2012 with the collaboration of the University of Idaho’s RISE balloon team. This is the same team we have worked with in the past and have developed an excellent working relationship and understanding of all necessary procedures and protocols for safe flight testing of the parafoil system. During flight, the payload and balloon are tracked via redundant GPS transponders on the APRS radio network (amateur HAM band), enabling precise recovery of the payload systems.

Data returned from the flight testing includes HD video (one camera up-looking to the parafoil and another looking 45 degrees to the ground); a GPS flight track including time and altitude via the APRS network as well as the data-logging control board of the parafoil device; and three-dimensional component velocity and acceleration of the parafoil payload via an on-board IMU.

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Engineering Thesis Writing Help

Undoubtedly an Engineering thesis may be one of the most demanding types of research papers to complete. It is not just to the research and experimentation that the writer of the thesis needs to studiously apply himself. Likewise, the writing of the thesis itself has restrictions against personal tones and the use of layman’s words where technical terms exist.

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Mechanical Engineering Thesis

Engineering Thesis Proposal Outline Sample (Click the image to enlarge)

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Civil engineering deals with the planning, designing and constructing and maintaining of public places like airports, bridges, dams, flyovers, warehouses, highways, canals etc.

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Electrical engineering thesis

Study and usage of electricity, electronics, telecommunications and electro magnetism in our day to day life is called study of electrical engineering. The contribution of electrical engineering to the development of technology is immense. A few examples of where electrical and electronic parts are used are computers, laptops, mobile phones, radars, digital cameras, remotes, scanners, televisions, recorders, DVD players, printers and many more. The world runs on electrical engineering. The designing, development, testing and supervision of electrical systems are in the hands of an electrical engineer.

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Moscow Metro Station Proposal

Variant Studio

Moscow, Russia

A proposal by London-based design and architectural studio VariantStudio to create a noise-absorbing metro station. The station would be covered in porous ceramic panels that would absorb the train noise and the echo from the tunnels, therefore providing a more relaxed atmosphere in the station and creating a much more positive journey. The quietest metro station in the world? Possibly!

Design Team

In the subway tunnels and its premises, the underground trains and a constant passenger flow create a lot of noise and a strong echo. The conceptual idea of the architectural design for Novoperedelkino station in Moscow is to cover the walls and ceilings with acoustic and sound absorbing elements, therefore reducing the possibility of the sound waves to bounce off the walls and ceilings and create echo.

The three dimensional pyramid and prism panels would be created from lightweight and porous ceramic, that would be sound absorbing and fire safe. The finishing of the station would not only absorb noise, but it would be also used as an element for passenger navigation. The walls, floor and ceiling would form a pattern that would point the way to the platform, nearest exits and indicate from which side the train is approaching, therefore helping the passengers to navigate easier in the subway station. Walls and ceilings are created in a neutral ochre tone, but functionally significant elements that require attention are highlighted in more bright blue indigo.

Though the station requires only low and simple maintenance, we've also developed an innovative solution for cleaning the platform wall. The platform walls would be cleaned with a method used in car washing—during the nighttime, incorporated brushes move along the wall and remove tough train grease.

The visual language of the entrance pavilions reflects the main purpose of the station: simple movement. The area between the pavilions is provided with multi-level green zones, pedestrian walkways, shrubs, flowerbeds and recreation zones. Just like the station itself, the green zone is designed to absorb noise from the nearby highway. The bushes are planted and trimmed, therefore absorbing a noise of 40 decibels from the passing vehicles.

Architectural design will provide the passengers comfort and safety.

The quietest metro station in the world? Possibly!

Learn More About This Project x

• o 2 Favorite This
• Q 3 Comment

I realize you left the brushes uncovered for visualization purposes, but as I'm sure you know, they would have to be covered so as not to fling grime on passersby! Also, I couldn't help but notice the benches facing the tracks and thought I would paste this:   http://www.core77.com/posts/35103/Designing-a-Solution-to-Stop-Drunks-from-Falling-Off-of-Subway-Platforms  -  For consideration 

There are many Montreal stations that had a bright style to them when new.  Now, half the lights are continually burned out and spider webs seem to never be removed.  Let alone the inevitable filth of 100,000 people bumping in and out everyday.

Looks annoying to clean.

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Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Presentation

IMPROVING ENERGY USE, DEMAND AND VISUAL COMFORT IN COMMERICAL BUILDINGS USING LIGHTING AND SHADING CONTROLS

By Soham Vanage

Advisor: Kristen Cetin, PhD

Windows provide occupants with natural light and a view of the outside, enhancing productivity, which is important as people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. This is especially the case during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Automated controls for window shading systems can be used to control solar radiation and daylight entering the space. Lighting controls can reduce lighting requirements, providing energy savings and better visual comfort for occupants than manual controls, which are seldom used effectively.

Past studies have explored automated lighting and shading control strategies, and reported energy savings and visual comfort improvements over their baselines. However, the assumptions for baseline models differ across different studies, making it difficult to compare these automated controls. Thus, this research uses a multi-step modeling process, including daylighting and energy simulations using RADIANCE and EnergyPlus, respectively (i) to compare existing control strategies using the same building inputs (baseline model) for a prototypical small office building, (ii) to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel integrated control strategy that uses variables such as occupancy, HVAC state, solar radiation entering the space, time of day for control, and others variables. (iii) to develop a parametric model to investgate the impact of different input variables such as building form factor, window-to-wall ratio for all different orientations, shade properties such as openness factor, and shade overhang depth on energy performance and visual comfort.

On top of improving energy efficiency and visual comfort in buildings, managing demand at the grid level is becoming more important as renewable energy gets added to the generation mix. Instead of adding more generation to balance the grid, usually using new fossil fuel-based generation, the other approach to balance the grid is to use existing building loads and reduce their demand during specific hours (also known as demand-side Flexibility Services (FS)). As buildings become smarter with the adoption of new technologies for sensing and control, more integration between buildings and the electric grid is possible. Building loads such as air conditioning and lighting in commercial buildings have the potential to provide demand-side FS. In particular, demand-side flexibility using lighting loads is not well studied in the literature. In commercial buildings, lighting accounts for approximately 10-15% of the load at any time. Past studies have shown that lighting can be dimmed by 15-20% without causing visual discomfort to the occupants. The forth objective thus of theis study (iv) if to improve the existing literature by providing building level and grid level estimates for using lighting loads for all the common commercial building types as demand-side Flexible Services (FS) for three future scenarios in the Midwest region.

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Engineering Proposal Template To Close Deals

For professional engineering firms, our sample engineering proposal template offers a great example of how to pitch your services. The template includes sections like an introduction letter, team bios, our work, project background, and fees. Plus, you can add e-signatures for faster sign-off.

All of our templates are completely customizable to suit your company, your brand, and your projects. Sign-up for a free 14-day trial to get access to the engineering proposal template and start creating pain-free proposals today.

All Proposify proposal templates are 100% customizable.

What you get inside our engineering proposal template.

Pitch your engineering services with this template. Every section is easy to customize for your business. Here’s what you get:

A well-designed cover page

Let’s kickstart your proposal with a beautiful cover page. Swap out the photos to match the type of work you do, and add contact information for your company and your client.

A compelling cover letter

The cover letter template strikes the right balance between formal and informal. Update the messaging to reflect your unique differentiators and project requirements.

An intro to your company and certifications

Introduce your company with a short bio, a list of services, and all of your associations, memberships, and certifications. Drag and drop other elements as desired.

Team lead bio

Dive deeper into the team lead’s credentials, so your client can get to know the principal who will be supporting their project. Keep it simple with one bio or include all key players.

A portfolio page

Use this portfolio page to showcase your best projects. Add an image gallery, upload a video highlight reel, or spotlight just one recent project with all pertinent details.

Project description and scope of work

Now it’s time to craft a comprehensive project background. Our engineering design proposal includes a project description, scope of work, categorized task list, and work schedule.

Project compensation details

And lastly, you’ll finish up your proposal with a detailed budget section that covers a variety of line items and individual costs to make up an accurate project total.

More proposal examples for engineering companies

You can adapt any proposal template to your needs, so long as it covers essential sections like project scope and budget. Check out these related proposal samples for more inspiration.

Landscaping Proposal Template

Landscape architects can customize this landscaping proposal template for landscaping, lawn care, garden design, and maintenance services.

Architecture Proposal Template

Architects and architectural design firms will find this sample architecture proposal template valuable when bidding on new projects.

Construction Proposal Template

This sample construction proposal template helps construction companies quote construction projects such as renovations, remodeling, home improvement, and commercial, residential, and industrial jobs.

Interior Design Proposal Template

Interior designers quoting on residential or commercial interior design projects and other decor services can customize this sample interior design proposal template to send to clients.

How to create a winning proposal for your engineering services

Win your next pitch with these advanced proposal tips. We analyzed over 1 million proposals sent with our software to bring you data-backed advice.

Increase closing rates by 26% with images

Imagery helps capture your prospective client’s attention, ensuring that they’ll actually read your proposal. Use on-brand photos, portfolio samples, and icons to boost success rates.

Use video to boost closing rates by a further 103%

You can ramp up your closing rates even more by embedding a video in your proposal. Record a short and sweet introduction to your proposal or upload a video of one of your successful projects.

Offer pricing options to increase your chances of closing by 36%

Dynamic pricing tables increase success rates even further. These fee tables allow clients to select plan options, choose add-ons, and edit quantities.

Learn why over 10,000 businesses love Proposify

Drag & drop library sections

Managing proposals is a breeze in Proposify. Save all your case studies, fees, images and team bios all in one central library.

Tag them, search them and drop them into your layout. Proposals just got... dare we say... fun?

Online previews & signatures

No more emailing big PDFs, printing and shipping proposals or faxing back signatures (ugh). Your client gets a branded, interactive proposal they can sign off electronically. No need for extra software or logins. Oh, and we tell you as soon as your client opens it.

Track everything

Keep a pulse on your the sales pipeline of your agency. Proposify lets you know your close rate, which sections of your proposals get viewed and for how long, and all kinds of insight into what goes into your most successful proposals so you can sell smarter.

Sync up your other apps

Proposals are just one part of your agency sales process. We tie together your other software, so you can import contacts from your CRM, auto create deals and generate invoices in your accounting software. We are regularly adding new integrations.

Customer Support to the Rescue

We understand that when you’ve got questions, especially when you’re on a tight proposal deadline, you NEED answers. Our customer happiness specialists are at the ready, armed with friendly, helpful, timely support by email or online messaging. We’re here to help, regardless of which you plan you’re on or if you’re just taking us for a test drive.

We Keep Your Data Safe and Private

When it comes to protecting your private information, we’ve got it locked down tighter than Alcatraz. We partner with Amazon Web Services, use 128-bit SSL encryption, and create daily backups. And we never, EVER disclose any data to third-parties without your permission. Rest easy, nothing’s getting out of here alive.

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Sign up for a custom demo to give Proposify a test drive and get all your questions answered.