When you have completed your data collection and analysis (approximately 5 months prior to graduation), submit a 5-10 page detailed Thesis Prospectus to the Supervisory Committee and to the Graduate Studies Committee outlining your research progress to date. Importantly, this document should clearly list those studies which you feel need to be completed prior to writing the thesis. You then will meet with the Supervisory Committee to discuss the prospectus. The Committee reviews this information and helps you to formulate any new plans, if appropriate. It is common for the committee to recommend a limited number of experiments and to make specific recommendations regarding a timetable for writing of the thesis. The approval of the thesis prospectus form must be signed and submitted to the Graduate Study Committee. The Thesis Prospectus is important since it helps bring closure to your research project. After submitting the Thesis Prospectus Approval form to the Graduate Studies Committee and completing your final experiments and data analysis, you are ready to begin writing your thesis!

Schedule a Supervisory Committee meeting to be held at least 3 months prior to your defense. About two weeks prior to this meeting, you should give each committee member a copy of your thesis prospectus (see description below).

• Thoroughly discuss the prospectus and come to a consensus on what research needs to be completed to satisfy the committee.
• The prospectus and a detailed summary of the meeting needs to be sent to the Graduate Studies Committee (Ellie Warder) for inclusion in your file.