Thesis Submission and Defense
The thesis is the conclusion of the student’s research and includes: A general description of the research subject, a detailed description of the research study (including research methodology, results and discussion), and a summary.
Submission Deadline
The thesis must be submitted by the end of two years after commencing studies. If necessary, the student may file a fully detailed request with the Board of Studies to postpone submission of the thesis. If at the end of two years of studies the student has not submitted a thesis and a request for postponement was not submitted at least a month prior to the due date, or if the request was rejected by the Dean of the Graduate School, then his or her studies will be terminated. Military reserve duty or maternity leave are reasons for postponement of the thesis submission date – if a request is filed. Excluding cases of military reserve duty, severe illness, or maternity leave, FGS does not approve requests for postponing the thesis submission date for more than three months. Current information concerning the thesis submission deadline may be viewed by FGS students at a special online service.
Technical Details
Structure of the Thesis
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Title page:
In English and Hebrew featuring the subject of the thesis, the name of the student, the name/s of the advisor/s, the date of submission and the sentence “A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Science to the Scientific Council of the Weizmann Institute of Science” and the date of submission.
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| 2. |
Abstract:
Will briefly summarize the background, results, and conclusions of the thesis. One page limit.
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Introduction:
The Introduction will review and summarize the background to the topic being studied, as well as the current state of knowledge in the field in the scientific literature. This section will also raise questions and note mistakes or possible gaps in this knowledge.
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Goals:
A clear outline of the hypothesis behind the study and a clear and concise statement of the goals of the project. The scientific importance of the study should also be explained in brief.
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Methods:
A description of the materials and methods used in this study. The information should be written so that a competent researcher can replicate your results based on your protocols. You may describe protocols in detail or refer to a detailed reference in the literature (while nonetheless providing a brief overview of the protocol).
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Results:
Full description of the results obtained in the thesis work. Whenever possible, the results should be presented in the form of figures, graphs or tables with appropriate statistical analyses, where relevant. One may not include published papers in this section.
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Discussion:
The Discussion will provide a wide view of the subject matter of the thesis, its conclusions, implications, and potential future developments. The results obtained will be compared with the original hypothesis and with results and conclusions of other investigators that appear in the scientific literature.
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Literature:
The literature cited in the thesis will be presented as is customary in scientific publications; titles of articles must be presented in full.
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Defending the Thesis
The Board of Studies will appoint two examiners, in addition to the advisor/s, who will test the student on the subject of the thesis and on general knowledge in the field of his or her studies. The Board of Studies will determine the scope of the general examination of the student in that particular study major. The exam will take place only after the student has completed all other degree requisites (courses, seminars, and labs), unless otherwise authorized by the FGS. The student is to take the exam within 30 days from the day the examiners are appointed.
Grading the Thesis and the Oral Exam
After the defense, the examiners will award separate grades for the thesis and the oral exam. Please note that IF the student's GPA in courses is lower than the class GPA for the same courses THEN his/her grade for the oral exam may NOT be higher than 94.
Submission of a Copy of the Thesis
After the exam on the thesis and approval of the corrections, students are required to submit to FGS a copy of the thesis on a CD.
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Feinberg Graduate School
Physical Sciences
How to Apply
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