For graduate students, thesis/dissertation writing represents a crucial phase during their entire academic programs. It not only further integrates and applies theoretical knowledge that graduate students acquired, but also helps them hone the abilities to do practical work and scientific research. Topic selection is key to the thesis/dissertation process, and the thesis/dissertation proposal is an important prerequisite for ensuring the progress and the quality of the thesis/dissertation. To ensure the quality of graduate thesis/dissertation, we hereby set forth the principles and requirements for master's and doctoral students in topic selection and thesis/dissertation proposal.
I. Topic Selection and Thesis Proposal for Master's Students
(I) Topic Selection
1. The selected topic shall take into account the development of the discipline and practical applications.
2. The selected topic shall be in conformity with key issues raised in scientific research projects approved by the government.
3. The selected topic shall be both advanced and appropriately difficult, requiring theoretical analysis as well as experimental validation (hardware-related works shall be assessed by relevant organizations).
4. The selected topic shall meet the following requirements: it belongs to the relevant discipline, major, or engineering fields; it enjoys the essential physical conditions (funding, instruments, equipment, test conditions, etc.) for its execution; and it can be completed on schedule with reasonable efforts.
5. Supervisors shall fully understand the proficiencies and deficiencies of master's students, and guide the selection of thesis topics after considering their strengths and interests.
6. Graduate students are encouraged to either propose their thesis topics in person or work with their supervisors through separate topic proposal and mutual discussion. Regardless of the approach, the topic shall be based on thorough investigation and integrated with the research fields of the discipline or major.
(Ⅱ) Thesis Proposal
1. Thesis proposal of master's students shall be completed in the third semester. The thesis proposal application shall be submitted online at least one week in advance, and be reviewed by the Graduate Secretaries of the Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes).
2. Master's students should write thesis proposal based on their topic selection and practical survey. Thesis proposal shall be publicly reported and demonstrated within the scope of the discipline (field). Generally, three to five experts (doctors, associate professors and those who hold higher titles) in relevant disciplines (fields) shall be invited to the thesis proposal defense. At least five experts (including at least one industry expert) shall be invited to the thesis proposal defense for full-time professional master’s students. The thesis proposal defense for master’s students shall be organized at the second-level discipline (field) level as a minimum requirement.
3. Dissertation proposal shall include the followings:
① The source of the thesis topic (from the State, the Ministry of Education, the provincial, municipal and corporate level, or self-selection), topic basis (research trends of the topic at home and abroad should be addressed), methods of undertaking the research, and the ultimate objective.
② Theoretical and practical value of the thesis topic, and the possible achievements.
③ Methods and means to be applied in the research, experiment conditions for the completion of the thesis, etc.
④ Difficulties or obstacles to be expected during the research, and the possible solutions and measures.
⑤ Thesis workload.
4. Thesis proposal shall be carefully discussed by experts to make a resolution on thesis quality. The resolution shall be carried out by voting and thesis proposal shall be passed only if more than two-thirds of all members vote in favor. Master's students shall fill out the Schedule for Thesis Proposal and Writing in duplicate and submit the result within one week after the conclusion of the thesis proposal defense.The written documents must include the supervisor's comprehensive opinions, with one copy delivered to the Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes) for archival and reference purposes, and the other copy shall be kept by the student.
5. Master’s students can proceed with thesis writing once their thesis proposal is approved and can apply for thesis defense at least half a year after thesis proposal is reviewed online by the Graduate Secretaries of the Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes).
6. Research fields, in principle, shall not be changed once dissertation proposal is approved. If a master's student needs to change the research field in special cases, a written application must be filed by the student, signed by the supervisor, reviewed by the head of the discipline and approved by the heads of the Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes), and then submitted to the Graduate School for filing. New thesis proposal shall be submitted alongside the resolution on the thesis proposal defense within 2 months.
7. To ensure the quality of thesis proposal, the first-time pass rate of thesis proposal defenses for master's students in the same grade isgenerally set at approximately 90%. Master’s students who fail to pass the thesis proposal defense must redo thesis proposal within 2 months. Those who still fail shall be processed in line with the Measures for the Mid-term Assessment of Master’s Students of Southeast University.
8. The Graduate School conducts random inspections and evaluations on master's students' thesis proposal of Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes).
II. Topic Selection and Dissertation Proposal for Doctoral Students
(I) Topic Selection
1. The selected topic shall take into account its theoretical significance and practical value, and be closely related to the urgent practical engineering problems or key scientific research projects at national level.
2. The theoretical basis of the selected topic shall be at the forefront of the discipline, assisting in making innovative achievements with scientific value in specific domains.
3. The selected topic shall be in line with the strengths and capacity of the supervisor and his/her team.
4. Doctoral students shall be interested in and enthusiastic about the selected topic.
(Ⅱ) Novelty Search for Dissertation Proposal
To improve the scientific and cutting-edge quality of dissertation proposal, doctoral students are required to authorize the library to do novelty search before attending the dissertation proposal defense.
(Ⅲ) Dissertation Proposal
1. In principle, the dissertation proposal defense shall be completed before the end of the fourth semester ((or before the end of the sixth semester for direct-entry PhD students). The thesis proposal application shall be submitted online at least one week in advance, and be reviewed by the Graduate Secretaries of theSchools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes).
2. Doctoral candidates write their theses based on topic selection, practical survey, online searching, and understanding of the research frontiers in their discipline. Dissertation proposal shall be publicly reported and demonstrated within the scope of the discipline (field), and shall be presided over by the supervisor. Generally, five to seven experts (associate professors and those who hold higher titles) in relevant disciplines (fields) shall be invited to the dissertation proposal defense. At least one industry expert must be present at the dissertation proposal defense of doctoral candidates in engineering.
3. Dissertation proposal shall include the followings:
① The source of the thesis topic (from the State, the Ministry of Education, the provincial and municipal level, or self-selection), topic basis (research trends of the topic at home and abroad should be addressed), methods and means of undertaking the research, and the ultimate objective.
② New discoveries, patterns, perspectives, hypotheses worth exploring during the survey; plans for the next stage of research.
③ Methods and means to be applied in the research, experiment conditions for the completion of the thesis, etc.
④ Difficulties or obstacles to be expected during the research, and the possible solutions and measures.
⑤ Thesis workload.
4. Dissertation proposal shall be carefully discussed by experts to make a resolution.The resolution shall be carried out by voting and dissertation proposal shall be passed only if more than two-thirds of all members vote in favor. Doctoral students shall fill out the Schedule for Dissertation Proposal and Writing in duplicate and submit the result within one week after the conclusion of the dissertation proposal defense. The written documents must include the supervisor's comprehensive opinions, with one copy delivered to Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes) for archival and reference purposes, and the other copy shall be kept by the student.
5. Doctoral students can proceed with dissertation writing once their dissertation proposal is approved and can apply for dissertation defense at least one year after dissertation proposal is reviewed online by the Graduate Secretaries of the Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes).
6. Research fields, in principle, shall not be changed once dissertation proposal is approved. If a doctoral student needs to change the research field in special cases, a written application must be filed by the student, signed by the supervisor, and then submitted to the Graduate School for filing. New dissertation proposal shall be submitted alongside the resolution on the dissertation proposal defense within 3 months.
7. To ensure the quality of dissertation proposal, the first-time pass rate of dissertation proposal defenses for doctoral students in the same grade is generally set at approximately 90%. Doctoral students who fail to pass the dissertation proposal defense must redo the dissertation proposal within 3 months. Those who still fail shall be processed in line with the Measures for the Mid-term Assessment of Doctoral Students of Southeast University.
8. The Graduate School conducts random inspections and evaluations on doctoral students' dissertation proposal of Schools/Colleges (Departments, Institutes).
III. The above regulations shall be interpreted by the Graduate School. Where other relevant provisions are inconsistent with them, the above regulations shall prevail.
