Course Details

This course is intended to provide the theoretical and methodological foundation for completing a graduate thesis in the Program of Energy Systems and the Built Environment. By the end of this course students will have produced a solid thesis proposal and have the necessary intellectual foundation to complete their thesis.

Over the semester, students will identify and refine their thesis topic, solidify their relationship with a thesis advisor and produce a thesis proposal. Regular sessions will involve discussions of relevant readings and exploration of emergent student work. As a forum for the exchange of work in progress, the seminar will allow students to share their ideas and get feedback on the development of their thesis from their peers, visiting critics and reviewers, and faculty.

In terms of this course the thesis will be introduced as a conceptual frame, identified by the key elements that cut across the different types of theses that might be produced by students. It will then address the following issues, among others:

-          topic and motivation

-          research methods,

-          case selection,

-          the craft of thesis production,

-          techniques for verbally defending a thesis.

No specific textbook required