Decisions, decisions…
Posted in School on 08/14/2009 04:56 pm by enjanerdThe drama that is school…
So I logged into my student account last week to check that I was registered for my class next semester. I was not… and I had a hold on my account which prevented me from registering.
It turns out I’m supposed to fill out an Academic Report every spring. So I have to do that before I can register. Ok, cool. Took ~5 mins, I send to my adviser, then he sends to the person in charge of these forms for the department.
But then it turns out my adviser isn’t officially my adviser. I can’t have him submit that until I have my Plan of Study. And I can’t submit my plan of study until I choose my adviser and 3 committee members. And I can’t choose adviser and committee members until I choose a thesis topic, so I know that the professors I choose are the right ones to support my thesis work.
So. To take a 3-credit class next semester, I need to pick a thesis topic. And soon.
08/14/2009 at 18:28
You let me know if I can help you get this squared away quick; I am not taking Aero/Hydro on my own.
Just say you want to do “stability” and work with Dr. McCue or something. I plan on having my topic be “ship design.” Give yourself some latitude.
08/14/2009 at 19:06
Option 1: Improve the open-source seakeeping software I used last semester that I found really interesting, but would be challenging because seakeeping isn’t my strongest area. It would involve a lot of research on the front end to see what analyses exist that aren’t already integrated into the software and trying not to over-reach and avoid having to do model testing to support my calculations. Adviser: Dr. McCue/Committee Member: Dr. Neu.
Option 2: Using the ASCal designs from last semester — full design in MAESTRO, ABS rules, weight optimization and response surface model, producibility and fabrication, cost model, alternative aluminum alloys, a.k.a. “Ship Design.” This is slightly less interesting to me, but very relevant to my company and my current work. I would get to start doing work on this right away and might be a little easier since it’s clear what my end product would be and I’m moderately more confident about being able to defend this. Adviser: Dr. Brown/Committee Member: Dr. Hughes.
Please decide for me.
08/14/2009 at 19:15
For what it’s worth, I think school is about learning to do what you don’t already know how; doing the seakeeping thesis extends your abilities into new areas, instead of evolving skills you already possess. Option 2, you will be what you are now, just more so. Option 1, you’re a stability and seakeeping expert with a strong background in ship integration and design. Plus, it’s what you’re interested in. My two cents. Having said that, when it is my turn to choose a thesis I plan to completely wimp out and take the path of least resistance, because I’m in this to get paid.