MS Project

Forms:

• MS Project Proposal Template
• MS Project Presentation Notice
• MS Project Completion Form

Additional Information:

• MS Project: Co-Op and Internship Guidelines
• MS Project Abstract Template (IEEE)

Definition of a Master’s Project:

• A Master’s Project is an open-ended project related to the field of Biomedical Engineering.  It may be completed within a laboratory setting at WPI, or in collaboration with an outside sponsor (e.g. industry partner or clinical partner).
  • All projects must include the following components:
    • Goals statement and a defined Sponsor/client
    • Written documentation, including a literature review and defined methods and analysis.
    • Examples include engineering processes, designs, plans, or computational modeling.
    • Examples include a report, prototype, patent, or other product.
  • The project must:
    • include data collection/generation/analysis.
    • include statistical analysis/testing in some context
    • represent novel work by the student(s)
  • The project may include one or more of the following integrated project based experiences:
    • Internship or Co-Op (BME 5900)
    • Master’s Design Project (BME 5910)
    • Clinical Preceptorship (BME 5920)
  • Finally, the project must be presented publicly in some format.

• Terms:

  • Advisor refers to the WPI faculty member who is responsible for ensuring the student fulfills all Departmental requirements for the project.
  • Sponsor denotes the primary technical advisor on the project.
  • For off-campus projects, the Sponsor is usually the student’s direct supervisor.  For on-campus projects, the Sponsor is typically also the Faculty Advisor.
    • For off-campus projects, the student is also required to have a BME Faculty Advisor to ensure that the student fulfils departmental requirements for the project
  • A Departmental Committee consisting of the Advisor and two members of the Graduate Studies Committee will be responsible for approving the Master’s Project.

• Expectations:

  • Approval for the project is contingent upon the Project fulfilling all Departmental requirements.  If the project is performed with an external Sponsor, the committee shall consult with the sponsor prior to approving the final product.
  • The project may be used to fulfill competency and technical depth requirements for the Project-based MS degree.
    • The Faculty Advisor may designate up to two (2) competencies that will be met through project work.
    • Students may designate up to 3 credit-hours of project work towards their defined area of technical depth.
  • Minimum of 4-5 hours per week of work on the project per credit hour
  • The project is above and beyond your expected job duties. You are expected to spend time outside of a paid internship or coop on this project.
  • Regular check-ins with project advisor, to be agreed upon between student and advisor

MS Project Process and Timeline:

Step 1:

• Identify MS project advisor and work with them to develop a project. 
  • You should have selected an advisor ideally by the end of your first semester and no later than the end of your first year. 
•  NOTE: **If you are doing an EXTERNAL project, please reach out to the grad committee at BMEGradProgram@wpi.edu as there may be additional considerations and requirements.** 

Step 2:

• Work with the Project Advisor to complete and submit the MS Project Proposal Form to BMEGradProgram@wpi.edu. 
  • This form should be submitted within 6 months of selecting an advisor. 
  • Submission form is then reviewed by the Grad Committee and signed off on by the grad coordinator. 

Step 3: 

• Register for BME 597: Master’s Project
  • Register your project on eProjects
    • More information on how to register on eProjects can be found here: https://help.wpi.edu/kb?id=654
    • NOTE: Depending on timing, you may need to register prior to your project being formally approved, register for “Directed Research” credits in the meantime.
  •  Work with your faculty advisor to create a BME 597 MS Project – Sample Syllabus
    • **NOTE: This is only an example. Each student must work out the exact details with their advisor.**

Step 4:

• Work with your MS Project Advisor to form a MS Project Committee to evaluate your project prior to graduation.
  • Please reach out to potential committee members to see if they would be willing to serve on your MS Project committee.
  • Committee Requirements:
    • The committee has a minimum of three (3) members (but can have more if needed)
    • Ideally, it is made up of members who are able to judge the research.
    • The Chair and at least one other member shall be BME Program Faculty
    • Your Project Advisor cannot be the Chair
    • At least one member must hold a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at WPI
    • NOTE: If you are doing an external project, at least one member of your committee MUST be a member of the Grad Studies Committee.
• Send your potential committee list with a brief explanation as to why you would like them to be on your committee to BMEGradProgram@wpi.edu. 
• The committee will be reviewed and approved by the BME Graduate Studies Committee upon the recommendations of the Research Advisor and the student.

Step 5:

• Meet with your MS Project Committee to ensure the project is appropriate and on track
  • You can definitely meet more than once as well!
• NOTE: If you are doing an external project, work with your advisor to make sure any necessary non-disclosure agreements (NDA) or other paperwork has been completed.

Step 5.5:

• Schedule MS Project Presentation and Examination
  • Typically, this consists of a 20 minute presentation with public Q&A then a 1 hour closed examination with the committee, 30 minute examination with a 30 minute buffer since there are some formalities)
  • Coordinate with MS Project Committee and the grad studies administrator for scheduling (total time scheduled should be 1.5 – 2 hours  … flexibility if needed).
• NOTE: If you are doing an external project, work with your advisor and the company as you may need to only present internally and to your committee.

Step 6:

• Submit the completed MS Project Presentation Form at least 2 weeks (14 days) before presenting
• Committee members must receive the project report at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled examination.

 Step 7:

• Present your MS Project and complete the closed examination.
• Submit the MS Project Completion Form to the department with the deliverable.

FAQ:

• How do I identify a sponsor, faculty advisor, and topic for a project (BME 597)?
  • You are responsible for identifying your own project topic.
    • If you plan to complete this requirement at WPI, you should have conversations with faculty members who are doing work that is of interest to you.  These individuals may be willing to work with you to identify a project topic and serve as sponsor for that work.
    • If you are planning a graduate co-op or internship, you should discuss a possible project with your supervisor at the beginning of the experience or even prior to beginning your experience.
    • If you are interested in completing a clinical-related project, you may identify a clinician of any discipline (e.g. dentist, physician, veterinarian, physical therapist etc) either through the Clinical Practice course (BME 592), by talking to faculty members, or through personal contacts.
    • Regardless of your project location, you must work together with your sponsor to identify a project topic, scope, and timeline.

• I’m a BS/MS and want to do a project along with my co-op. But the rules say that I can’t register for BME 5900 until I’m at least 12 credits into a MS degree. What am I supposed to do?
  • You should look at all of the courses that you are planning to count towards your degree, including those that you can “double count”.  Many students complete their senior year with more than 12 credits of MS work.  For example, each 4000 level undergraduate course is 2 credits, and each graduate course is 3 credits.  You may double count up to 9 credits total, including 3 4000-level classes, towards both your BS and MS degrees.  You may pursue a co-op outside of the official graduate co-op designation.