LTI MLT students may optionally elect to complete a
thesis. The thesis is not required for MLT students. Students who
intend to apply for the Ph.D. program should consider the M.S. Thesis as
one of several ways to demonstrate their research potential. (Other
possibilities include innovative research in a research project or class
project work. Which choice is best for a particular student should be
discussed in detail with one's advisor.)
The M.S. Thesis must be completed according to the
following guidelines:
-
There are two course components required for students who elect to
complete the M.S. Thesis: 11-928
- Masters Thesis I (with the chosen thesis advisor, typically
for 12 units, typically in the Fall of their second year) and
11-929 - Masters
Thesis II in the following Spring.
-
The M.S. thesis may focus on either a significant research result
or a significant implementation of a new technology. The student
should work with their advisor to define an interesting but bounded
thesis research project. The M.S. thesis culminates in a
publication-quality paper that clearly describes the work in terms
of its research significance.
-
The M.S. thesis committee will be composed of a thesis advisor and
two additional readers, to be chosen by the student in consultation
with the advisor, during the Fall Masters Thesis I course. At least
two (2) of the 3 committee members must be SCS faculty working in
Language Technologies.
-
To receive a final grade for the first semester's course, the
student must have prepared a written proposal of at least five pages,
describing the scientific thesis to be investigated, any relevant
research already completed by the student, a comparison with related
work by others, and a detailed description of the work to be done in
the next semester. The proposal MUST be accepted by the committee by
the end of October, or the student will not be allowed to enroll in
11-929 - Masters
Thesis II!
-
Sometime during the semester when the student enrolls in
11-929 - Masters
Thesis II (typically, their final semester), the student will
distribute a draft of the thesis to the committee for initial
review. This should be done as early as feasible, to avoid
last-minute surprises that could delay final approval of the
thesis.
-
The thesis work culminates in submission of the final version of
the thesis document, followed by a public presentation of the work in
an LTI seminar (or other suitable public forum). Since the defense is
public, the LTI graduate program administrator must receive all the
information required for a public announcement at least one week
before the defense. The Masters Thesis presentation is somewhat less
rigorous than a Ph.D. thesis defense. The presentation must communicate
the research work done, similar to a conference paper presentation.
The committee will observe the presentation, and then decide whether
the thesis and presentation were acceptable, or whether further work
is required. Unlike a Ph.D. defense, only a simple majority vote of
the committee is required for approval.
-
Although students are required to enroll in the appropriate course
sequence of two Masters Thesis courses, it is not required that
students finish the thesis by the end of that second semester. If a
student requires more time to revise the thesis to the committee's
satisfaction, and adequately present the work, an incomplete grade
will be assessed in the M.S. Thesis course, until such time as the
work and presentation are accepted. The student will still be allowed
to walk in Spring Commencement, if all other requirements for the
MS degree have been completed. Students should note that any
financial support beyond the end of the semester will be on a
case-by-case basis, and must be arranged in advance with the project
supporting them. Students are strongly encouraged to finish the
thesis work within one (1) year following the semester they enroll
for the first M.S. Thesis course.