Appendix C
Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal is normally completed within one year of completing the comprehensive exam and approved by your supervisory committee at least one year prior to the dissertation defense. It is a comprehensive statement about proposed research that will contribute to the knowledge base of your focus area in the Computing program. Normally one-third of the research has already been completed.
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Forms to Complete
Prior to your proposal presentation complete or update the Appointment of Supervisory Committee Form.
Note: The ASC form requires the name of someone who will serve as your Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR). Please contact the Computing PhD Program Coordinator to request a GFR before you submit this form. You do not need to find your own GFR; the Program Coordinator will identify a GFR for you and will provide you with their name. Your GFR is only required to attend your dissertation defense--not the proposal. Please allow 2-3 weeks for staff to secure a GFR.
At least two weeks before your proposal presentation submit the Presentation Notification form
The day of your proposal presentation: submit the Dissertation Proposal Acceptance Form after your presentation.
After your proposal presentation: After successfully proposing your dissertation you may work with your advisor to complete the Application for Admission to Candidacy.
Preparing your written proposal
Boise State dissertation templates may be used for formatting the proposal: https://www.boisestate.edu/graduatecollege-success/thesis-and-dissertation-template/
The proposal should be clear, concise, compelling, and a maximum of 15 single-spaced pages. The dissertation template is double spaced so you will need to adjust. The 15-page limit excludes the pages you’ll need for title, index, and bibliography.
At a minimum the proposal should include:
Title
A concise statement of purpose/research objective (similar to an abstract)
A literature review
Motivation and expected contributions
Preliminary results
The scope and overall framework or methodology in which the research will be pursued and interpreted, including metrics you will use to evaluate the success of your work
A proposed timeline to complete publications and dissertation chapters
Bibliographic references
The Computing PhD program keeps a repository of previous dissertation proposals. Students must request access to view this repository via the prompt at this link.
Proposal Presentation Scheduling
With the permission of your advisor, schedule the time and date of your proposal presentation with your committee members. Schedule at least two hours.
If presenting online or hybrid, create a Zoom link, generated through your student account.
If presenting in person or hybrid, request a room reservation from the Computing PhD Program Coordinator.
Finally, assemble all the essential meeting details in one Google calendar event and add your advisor, all committee members, and the Computing PhD Program Coordinator as "guests" using your official student email address. Be sure to include your Zoom link and assigned conference room or classroom in the calendar invitation, as applicable. (Your assigned GFR only attends your dissertation defense.)
Once you’ve determined a time, submit the Presentation Notification form.
You will need to include a short abstract from your proposal. Proposals are open to the public and an email notice will be sent to current computing students and faculty.
The final draft of the proposal must be approved by your dissertation advisor before submitting it to the supervisory committee at least two weeks before you plan to present your proposal. (You may need to make changes.)
Within one week of receiving your written proposal your supervisory committee will contact you and your advisor and either:
Request that you make changes, resubmit and possibly reschedule your proposal presentation.
Give their approval to proceed with the scheduled proposal presentation.
After the proposal presentation, the supervisory committee will determine if the proposed research constitutes doctoral research. They will also make suggestions regarding additional background that should be considered and how the research problem or methods should be modified.
Proposal Presentation Format
The proposal presentation consists of a 45-minute public presentation of your dissertation proposal, including a public question and answer session, followed by a closed-door period of questioning by your supervisory committee.
The supervisory committee will conduct a closed-door oral examination based on the proposal and on the relevant background from your program of study. Only the committee members may attend the closed-door session.
After the examination, you will be asked to leave, and the committee will discuss and vote on your performance in the oral examination. The majority approval of the supervisory committee is required to pass.
Failure
If a student fails, they may be allowed to reinitiate the dissertation proposal once with the approval of the supervisory committee. Students who fail a second time or do not receive approval to re-submit the proposal will be administratively withdrawn from the program.
Dissertation Proposal Timeline/Checklist
Download a printable version of this checklist
At least one month prior to presentation:
Have completed approximately one-third of the dissertation research.
Request a Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR) assignment from the Computing PhD Program Coordinator.
Update the Appointment of Supervisory Committee Form. (If changed since your comprehensive exam.)
Check-in with your Supervisory Committee to determine a tentative proposal date.
At least two weeks prior to presentation:
Have completed approximately one-third of the dissertation research.
Request a Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR) assignment from the Computing PhD Program Coordinator.
Update the Appointment of Supervisory Committee Form. (If changed since your comprehensive exam.)
Check-in with your Supervisory Committee to determine a tentative proposal date.
One week prior to presentation:
Follow up with your committee to confirm that your proposal can go forward.
Notify the Program Coordinator that your proposal is approved and request distribution of an announcement.
Day of presentation:
Follow up with your committee to confirm that your proposal can go forward.
Notify the Program Coordinator that your proposal is approved and request distribution of an announcement.
After proposal is accepted:
Submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy.