CME Thesis and Project Information

All graduate students are required to do a project or thesis.  They both involve a formal written report and an oral defense. 

Most graduate students will complete a project.  Students must be invited by an SJSU faculty advisor to do a thesis.  A thesis typically involves more detailed research and analysis.  The thesis is reviewed by SJSU graduate studies and bound.  It tends to take longer to write a thesis quality final report.

ChE/MatE 281: Project Proposal

ChE/MatE 281 is the first step in your project or thesis.  This is a semester long, formalized course.  During this course, you will create a detailed proposal for your project.  This will involve a study of the related industry, theoretical background, rigorous literature review, development of a detailed experimental plan, and a milestone chart.

The pre-requisites for 281 are completion of at least 9 units towards your MS degree, satisfaction of the graduate writing requirement, and good academic standing (3.0 or better)

You must find a project at least 1 month before the semester you wish to take ChE/MatE 281.  You also need to find the SJSU faculty member who will be your primary technical advisor.  You will create the rest of the reading committee (other faculty members and industry representatives) as part of the 281 course.

If you are working in industry related to chemical or materials engineering, you can do the project at your company.  You need an SJSU technical advisor as the primary member of the reading committee.  You can find out faculty's research interests and expertise on their websites.  Approach faculty in related areas about being your SJSU advisor.

If you are looking for a project, respond to the frequent emails to the department lists for internships and research opportunities.  Talk to your instructors and fellow classmates to let them know you are looking for a project.

ChE/MatE 298/299: Project and Thesis Research

The goal is to complete your project work in the semester following 281.  During this semester, all students (thesis and project) register for 2 units of ChE/MatE 298.  Thesis students then take an additional 3 units of ChE/MatE 299.  MatE project students take an additional elective.  ChE project students take one of the 3 ME courses listed on the graduate advising form.

You should keep in close contact with your SJSU technical advisor as you work through the experimental plan.  At a minimum, you are required to submit monthly progress reports and updates to your milestone chart to your SJSU technical advisor.

For more information, see the ChE/MatE 298/299 Greensheet.