Thesis or Project, MSCE Transportation

Hello,

I would appreciate a little input. But first some background.

I am full-time graduate student and graduate research assistant, focusing in transportation engineering. I switched schools after one year due to a better funding situation and more research opportunities and some personal reasons. That being said, at the end of this term (Fall 2014) I will need to complete 21 credits.

If I opt for the project option, I can graduate at the end of Summer term. If I opt for the thesis, I will most likely graduate in Fall or Winter of next school year.

My question is how many people have completed a project vs. thesis?

What are your thoughts on the differences?

Does one look better than the other?

Any input on this topic would be great.

Thank you

D

I personally did a coursework / final oral exam option because I didn't have time to put in all the effort required for a research project (family, military duty, full time job, etc). I'd say that unless you intend on going for a PhD or working in a research type job, the thesis is not going to add significantly more value to your career (assuming you do what most transportation engineers do and design roads or do traffic calcs). That said, if you just simply want to do research, go for it, there is a lot to be said about really liking what you are studying and it also will open doors later.

I guess it depends on you, do you want to put in the extra effort and do the research / thesis and wait longer to graduate, or do you want to get the degree and get out in the work force? Only you can answer whether or not you can financially afford to wait for employment or will benefit from the research option.

I've completed two Master's Degrees. The first was in Mechanical Engineering and I took the thesis route. The second was in Engineering Management and I took the project route. Looking back, it would have been beneficial to do the project route for both. Like Sapper stated, unless you plan on working in research, want to pursue a PhD, or simply like research, there's no reason to go the thesis route. If you are doing a Master's degree to boost your credentials, make yourself more marketable, gain further insight into engineering etc., then you would accomplish that with the project.

You should definitely weigh the pros/cons of each approach based on what you want to accomplish. If you pursue the thesis route be prepared for extra expense, extra time and effort etc. Hopefully, if you do the thesis route, you have an active thesis adviser who is invested in your project and is willing to provide constructive feedback etc. If you don't, you could be stuck in the program for a while.

Thank you Sapper and ramnares for the replies.

You both "hit the nail on the head" as far an my thoughts on the differences between the two options. I am young so I do have time on my side, but that being said, I want to be done with school. A master's was not in my original plan, it has become more of a personal goal that will lead to a career that I truly enjoy.

Honestly, as someone who does the hiring and interviews, I'd rather see the project (real life) experience than a thesis that shows you your ability to apply engineering theory. It really depends on what you want to do though. If you plan to stay in academia, the thesis is probably the better route.

John Q said:

Honestly, as someone who does the hiring and interviews, I'd rather see the project (real life) experience than a thesis that shows you your ability to apply engineering theory. It really depends on what you want to do though. If you plan to stay in academia, the thesis is probably the better route.

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John, thank you for the response. That is great to know. I do not want to stay in academia. I would like to get out into industry and get some more experience in order to sit for the PE.