Learning Goals

The purpose of the course is for you to learn to:

  • Conduct a research and development study (R&D study) in the Information Technolog (IT) field
  • Apply IT concepts, computational approaches, and computing tools in the process of developing, evaluating, and writing about a project that addresses an authentic issue or problem of interest
  • Gain professional experience and develop your own computing professional identity through practicing professional competencies.

In addition, a Master’s Thesis will give you the opportunity to:

  • Choose an original topic in consultation with your thesis advisor
  • Conduct literature review to delimit the scope of the topic
  • Identify and apply appropriate research methods
  • Write the thesis manuscript following the UNH Graduate School guidelines to
    document all thesis R&D work

Once the thesis is presented to the thesis committe and successfully defended, the publication will be submitted to the UNH library for archiving. The thesis option is most appropriate for students who desire to develop additional research skills and plan on pursuing a Ph.D. or seek a career in research.

Professional Competencies

  • Analyze the project’s computing problem and requirements to identify a technically sound solution
  • Design, implement, and evaluate the project’s computing-based solution
  • Communicate effectively with your classmatespeers, faculty advisor, course instructor, and thesis committee members
    • Master’s Thesis: In addition, communicate effectively with thesis committee members
  • Demonstrate professional responsibility in all project activities and make informed judgments based on legal and ethical principles
  • Participate and contribute effectively as a member of this class
  • Reflect on your learning experiences and your best possible self
  • Persist in working with difficult problems
  • Adapt, adjust, change course, be flexible as needed
  • Tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity
  • “Walk in another’s shoes” to learn more about other perspectives, show empathy, consider various points of view, and recognize and avoid bias
  • Have confidence in dealing with complexity