Option A
ENGR 897 Research and ENGR 898 Thesis are generally taken sequentially during the last two semesters of graduate work. Before registering for ENGR 897 Research, discuss possible research topics with an appropriate engineering professor who will serve as your major professor and thesis committee chair. You and your major professor will then elect two other qualified faculty members to serve on the thesis committee. At least two culminating experience committee members must be tenured/tenure-track engineering faculty members at SFSU. No more than 6 units of ENGR 899 Special Study will be counted for graduation.
Option B
ENGR 895 Applied Research Project is taken during the last semester. An additional 3-unit engineering elective in your area of interest with completion and oral presentation of applied research project is required. Before registering for ENGR 895, you should discuss possible research topics with an appropriate engineering professor who will serve as your major advisor and committee chair. You and your major advisor will select at least one more qualified faculty member to serve on the project committee. At least two culminating experience committee members must be tenured/tenure-track faculty members at SFSU.
More information
ENGR 895 is a comprehensive research-based paper detailing the objectives, methods, and findings of the research. To register for the course, you must be a classified graduate student with Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms on file in the Graduate Division Office (see Section E, Paper Work Requirements). A two-member research committee must evaluate and approve your applied research project. Oral presentation is required for this option.
ENGR 897 is intended for you to start on the graduate research project. To register for the course, you must have completed at least 9 units of graduate work. You must have completed entry-level English proficiency requirement. You must also have an approved research topic before you register for the course. To register for this course, you must complete a "Research Proposal" form (available from the Engineering office), and obtain approval signatures from your research academic advisor and the Engineering Graduate Program Coordinator. The registration permit number is available only from the Graduate Coordinator. You must have met the entry-level English proficiency requirement before you take this course.
ENGR 898 (with/without humans or animal subjects) is intended for you to continue your graduate research project and carry it to completion. To register for the course, you must be a classified graduate student with Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement Forms on file in the Graduate Division Office (see Section D, Paper Work Requirements). A three-member thesis committee must evaluate and approve your thesis work. Ultimately, you must submit an acceptable written thesis and successfully defend your research work in a public forum.
Please go to the eForms Download page to access the required forms.