Guidelines for thesis writing and defense presentation

Ashwin Vijayasai

Thesis
Thesis is a compilation of research work/ co-op project.
Why?

hmmm?

Availability of your research/ project work to scientific community Improve writing skills Highlights your accomplishments in particular topic

You will definitely be one step above the rest of the crowd who graduate with only MSEE.

How thesis begins

TTU
Professor assigns topic mentions his goals/ objectives Theoretical review Literature search Start working towards the assigned objectives Assign committee members Organize periodic meetings to show results obtained Write semester report Mention accomplishments/ F.A. Still ambitious mention more objectives attained

TI
Group manager assigns rolesmentions goals/ objectives Learn from log reports/ other documents Start working towards the assigned project Be active in weekly meetings to show results obtained Write monthly report Mention accomplishments/ F.A. Be more ambitious mention more objectives attained

Full-time position prospects

Contents
Typical report ~ 60-100 pages
THESIS WRITE-UP

Your project Committee Texas Instruments TTU research lab

Typical Flow
Chapter 1: Introduction Overview of your topic Motivation Various other technologies Literature review Chapter 2: Theoretical Background Different types of systems (this may have sub-topics) Any modeling/ circuit simulation? Any important statistical concepts that needs to be addressed Chapter 3: Experimental Setup A B C Complete system (A+B+C) Chapter 4: Other Systems/ Setups if you have worked on D E F Complete system (D+E+F) Chapter 5: Results Result 1 Result 2 Result 3 ........ Chapter 6: Future work and Conclusion 1 or 2 page write-up

How to start?
Gather all results Is the results + discussion in your thesis sufficient for at least 40 pages If necessary - revisit project lab/ work area Choose appropriate topic Submit an outline to your thesis advisor Submit 1 chapter / correction

Thesis format reference

Check with your seniors --- Best source Ask and get to know among friends --- Good source Pick related area/ similar topic
MEMS group:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Dr. Rangith Ranganathan, Dr. Ganapathy Sivakumar, Aug 2010 Sundar Rajan, M.S., Dec 2009 Sandesh Rawool, M.S., Aug 2009 Hao Gu, M.S., Aug 2009

Google search Thesis TTU

Other thesis: 1. Andrew Syrus, Aug 2005, capabilities of VLCT 2. Daniel G. Gomez, May 2009, Gomez Mitigation, correlation and optimization of ATE 3. Rollman Darren, Dec 2009, Package stress on integrated circuits 4. Gabriel Carl, May 2010, Two-Mode Hybrid CAN Development and Implementation into Vehicle 5. Heasley Brian, Dec 2010, PESSIMISM OF MEMORY BUILT IN SELF TEST

>50 search results

When to start
Typically ~ 4 weeks to compile + check ~100 pages Maintain weekly report writing habit Check all pages before final submission to anastasia coles, thesis supervisor TTU Do not wait till last moment

Defense presentation
Concise presentation of your thesis report with the following: 1. Lot of results - images/ graphs/ experimental setups 2. Videos working demonstration 3. Highlight all accomplishments regarding your project 4. Approx. 30 min. 40 min. 5. During defense 1 copy of thesis report, slide handouts, samples, etc. 6. Mention journal/ conference publications 7. Mention other side projects in TTU/ TI 8. Future plans ???

Slide background Font size min. 24 Always in bold fonts

Thank you