Guidelines to Master’s project proposal
The Master’s project proposal is a key step in preparing for the Master’s thesis. It supports students in developing scientific writing and communication skills.
Learning goals
The Master’s project proposal supports students in structuring their thesis research ideas, defining clear objectives, and developing academic writing skills. Typically completed in the third semester, it aims to foster the ability to:
- Formulate a clear scientific question.
- Design an appropriate research methodology.
- Interpret and communicate scientific findings.
- Gain experience in writing scientific proposal.
Steps to follow
- Choose a topic in consultation with your prospective main supervisor. Discuss the research questions, objectives, methodology, required data, time plan, and key literature.
- Agree on an additional supervisor with your main supervisor in accordance with the Master's thesis guidelines.
- Register and enter all project details in myStudies (under “Projects/papers/theses”, course number 651-4060-00). Registration is only final once approved by your main supervisor and study advisor in eDoz.
- Submit the final version to your supervisors and study advisor by 31 January (PDF or paper). Note: for Spring Semester, the deadline is 30 June.
- Your main supervisor submits the grade in eDoz by 15 February. Note: for Spring Semester, the grade must be submitted by 15 July.
- After successful completion, upload the proposal as the task description when registering for your Master's thesis in myStudies.
Format and outline of the Master’s project proposal
The Master’s project proposal is a structured scientific document that presents your planned Master's thesis project. It should be 10–20 pages in length and it is recommended to follow the outline provided below. A detailed time plan is a compulsory component of the proposal.
Define a clear and concise title that reflects the main focus and content of your project. The title page follows the guidelines of scientific proposals set by the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Provide a general introduction to the research topic, outlining its relevance and placing it within a broader scientific or societal context. Explain the significance of the project, state the purpose of the proposal, and specify the basic knowledge required to understand and undertake the proposed research.
Clearly state the overall objective of your project and formulate the specific research question(s). Break down the main goal into specific, achievable objectives. Outline the expected outcomes and acknowledge possible limitations. Show how the project contributes to ongoing research, highlighting how both positive and negative results can be used for future studies.
Highlight the key findings, their significance, and impact. Provide a summary of your contribution to current knowledge. Evaluate the reliability of your data and methodologies, and relate your results to existing research. Reflect on any limitations of your study, and propose how your work can inspire new research directions.
Understanding types of plagiarism and avoiding them through proper citation and paraphrasing is essential in academic writing. Cite all sources consistently using an internationally recognised style. The ETH Zurich citation guidelines offer a concise overview of key rules for using third-party content.