CHEM*7970 M.Sc. Research Paper - Guidelines for Completion

The CHEM*7970 Research Paper is an experimental project to be completed during one term (or equivalent) of full-time research in the laboratory of a Centre faculty member. A written report is required, and an open, public seminar based on the content of the report will be presented.

CHEM*7940 and CHEM*7970 will usually be taken after the six regular courses have been completed, but students may certainly complete the seminar and project earlier if they wish.

The CHEM*7940 Master’s Seminar is to take place prior to beginning the Master’s research work and should be completed before the beginning of the graduate student's last term.

Format of the M.Sc. Research Paper

The research paper should be written in same format as a typical M.Sc. thesis, including a literature review, experimental methods, results, discussion, and references. The expectation is that the length of the research paper will be between 80-100 pages.

Thesis regulations can be found on the graduate studies website: www.uoguelph.ca/graduatestudies/current-students/preparation-your-thesis

Please review the following website regarding academic integrity (plagiarism): academicintegrity.uoguelph.ca/

Research Paper Presentation

A public presentation based on the content of the paper will be presented to the CHEM*7940 Chair, the Research Advisor and Committee Member.

Students should follow the guidelines for a M.Sc. thesis defense in terms of length and format

Evaluation

The Master’s Research Paper committee (the Research Advisor and Committee Member) will read the project report and attend the seminar, and will provide grades of satisfactory/unsatisfactory for both. If the student's performance is judged unsatisfactory in either area, they will be given the opportunity to repeat the seminar presentation or submit a revised report within 6 months. The project requirements will be deemed to be completed when both the seminar and report are judged to be satisfactory, and a printed and bound copy has been distributed to the Advisor.

Course Requirements Checklist

  1. Choose a Research Advisor and Advisory Committee. Before starting this project, the student must choose a Resarch Advisor in an appropriate sub-discipline of Chemistry or Biochemistry. Any member of GWC2 on the Guelph campus can act as a supervisor. The Research Advisory wil provide laboratory facilities to the student to allow completion of an experimental project of about three months duraton.
  2. Agree on the nature of the project with your Advisor. Financial support may be available (but is not guaranteed) to a student carrying out an experimental project.
  3. Meet with your advisory committee at the beginning of the semester to establish a timetable for completion of the research paper within that semester.
  4. Carry out research on a full-time basis according to the established timetable.
  5. Create a written research paper in the same format as a typical M.Sc. Thesis.
  6. Provide a copy of your Research Paper to your Advisory Committee at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the seminar.
  7. Inform the Graduate Program Assistant of the title, date and time of your presentation at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the seminar.
  8. Present your work at the CHEM*7970 Research Seminar
  9. Make any required corrections
  10. Forward an electronic copy of your research paper to the Graduate Program Assistant so that they are able to make arrangments for the supervisor to have one bound and printed copy of the research paper.