The research proposal and oral exam includes both a written and an oral component. The written component involves submitting an NIH-style proposal (maximum 13 pages) to the student’s dissertation committee no less than two weeks prior to defending it orally to the same committee.
The purpose of the proposal is to assess students’ progress toward the completion of a Ph.D. Degree in Biomedical Engineering. During the oral examination the student will be expected to demonstrate the following:
- Identification of an important and impactful research problem, including significant scholarly knowledge of the specific and related research areas. The student should be able to clearly articulate what the problem is and why it is important.
- Creation of a viable research strategy and specific plan to address the problem. The student should be able to clearly articulate the planned solution and the outcomes of success. The proposal and presentation should include details of the proposed experimental, theoretical and/or computational methods and a timeline for completion of the proposed tasks.
- Presentation of preliminary results. The student should demonstrate that they are able to carry out the proposed work with preliminary results using some of the proposed methodologies. The expectation is that the results of the research work are preliminary; content equivalent to a completed research paper is not expected at the time of the preliminary oral examination.
Dissertation Proposal Step-by-Step
Before Your Proposal
- Meet with your supervisor. Discuss your plan to propose and your supervisor's requirements, if any, in preparation for your proposal.
- Complete and print the Program of Work form. Once your supervisor has signed this form, send it to the Graduate Coordinator, who will work with the chair of the BME Graduate Studies Committee to submit it to the graduate school as Certification of your Academic Credentials.
- Arrange a date to give your dissertation proposal. This process takes time because all of the committee members must be present. At least two weeks in advance of your proposal, provide each committee member with a copy of your written proposal.
- Notify the BME Graduate Coordinator of the date, time, and location of your proposal.
- Complete the BME Dissertation Proposal form in preparation for all members of your committee to sign at your proposal. Save a copy for your reference when you apply for candidacy.
- Complete and print a Learning Outcomes form for each member of your committee. Complete the top portion of the form with your name, the date of your exam, and the committee member's name. This means you will have five or six copies of this form prepared before your exam.
At Your Proposal
- Give your supervisor the completed and printed BME Dissertation Proposal form from step 6. At your proposal exam, all members of your committee must sign this form to indicate approval of the proposal.
- If your committee did not approve your dissertation, make an appointment with your supervisor and the Graduate Advisor to discuss what action you need to take to address the committee's concerns. Return to step 4 to propose again once you have addressed the concerns and are ready.
- Give each member of your committee their completed and printed Learning Outcome form from step 7. Provide this form to each of them in an envelope so they may sign it, seal it, and return it to you or to the Graduate Coordinator directly. All of these forms must be returned to Graduate Coordinator.
Immediately After Your Proposal
- Provide the signed (approved) BME Dissertation Proposal form and completed Learning Outcomes form to the Graduate Coordinator.
