Want to Pursue an MS Thesis in the School of Engineering? Here’s How 

When I applied to engineering graduate programs, I knew that I was interested in the research side of engineering. I looked for schools that prioritized those opportunities while I was applying, and Tufts stood out to me. The reason for that was its inclusion of an master's (MS) thesis option, where I could pursue an independent research project for credit in a lab, all counting towards my final MS degree! 

MS theses are completely optional, so you don’t have to pursue one if it is something that doesn’t interest you; there are different tracks for different individuals with different interests. However, for someone research-oriented like me, I was very intrigued to determine what it would look like to pursue this thesis as an MS student.  

So what does an MS thesis look like?

The first semester of your classes will look exactly the same, no matter what track you choose. But, as the semester progresses, you are encouraged to reach out to professors and learn about their labs. Often, this looks like sending a “cold email” to professors explaining your background, why you’re interested in their lab, and that you’re looking to complete an MS thesis.  

Most importantly, you should ask if they would be available for a meeting, either on Zoom or in person. Ideally, these professors will respond with times they are available, and you can have some important conversations about their research, mentorship styles, and what an MS thesis would look like in their lab! Most professors are happy to chat about their work and are always looking for new MS students to mentor in the lab.  

 It is totally ok to reach out to more than one professor! I talked to four or five professors in order to get a feel for the type of research that is being conducted within my department. Ultimately, the lab I decided to join offered the best fit for my research interests, and it aligned with what I envisioned for my project.  

It is important that you have an idea of who you’d like your research mentor to be by around the end of your first semester of classes, give or take. The next steps would be to register for the one credit Original Research Proposal (ORP) class for your next semester. During this class, you will get to meet with your mentor and come up with a plan for your MS thesis, as well as get started in the lab with some experimentation.  

By the end of your MS thesis journey, it is likely that you will have completed 9 credits of research, in addition to the about 18 other credits you will have taken throughout your time as a student at Tufts (though specifics may vary by department).  

I have really enjoyed my time on the MS thesis track. This option is a great way to get involved early in a lab that excites you and allows you the opportunity to develop your own research project under the guidance of a mentor of your choosing. I couldn’t recommend it more for interested students in the School of Engineering!