March 2015
Global Health and Environment Program : Guidelines for Masters Project Paper
For more information contact Prof. Kirk R. Smith <>, Prof. Michael Bates <> or Norma Firestone <>
Every GHE student is required to conduct a research project as part of their degree requirements. Normally, the topic will be chosen in collaboration with the student's advisor and result in a project Paper with the following characteristics:
--Cover a GHE-related topic in detail beyond a typical term paper
--Be 30-40 pages in length (single-spaced, blank line between paragraphs, 12-pt type), including title page, executive summary, tables, figures, and references
--Project Papers that report primary field data usually consist of three chapters: 1. Short intro; 2: Main body, framed like a journal article; 3. Short conclusion with lessons learned and suggestions for future research.
--For Project Papers reporting using secondary data or library research, see your advisor for the format.
--Contain an executive summary, i.e., an extended abstract for the GHE website.
Formatting (section headings, reference style, tables, etc.) is flexible, but should follow some standard model (i.e., a major journal). Reference style, however, should always include the full title of the cited article (i.e., not the style of Science). It is suggested that referencing be done using EndNote software.
Examples of past GHE papers are in the GHE student room.
The paper will be read by the advisor (first reader) and one other faculty member (second reader) chosen by the student in collaboration with the advisor. The student will have the responsibility of contacting the second reader in advance. After the advisor has agreed that the paper is ready, the student or advisor may formally submit the paper to the second reader who will fill out the first part of the evaluation form, forward it to the advisor, who will complete the form and submit it to the EHS Graduate Group Chair, Prof. S. Katharine Hammond, for a final decision.
At least one of the readers must be a UCB Academic Senate member. See the School website or Norma if you are uncertain who these are. The other reader may be another UCB academic or research staff member; for example, an adjunct faculty member or a research scientist.
After the paper has been approved by both readers and the Graduate Group Chair, and all editing completed, two spiral-bound, single-spaced copies with clear plastic covers are to be submitted to the GHE Program office and, if requested, additional copies provided to the advisor and second reader. Spiral-bound is a type of binding that can easily be taken apart for duplication.
Please also send an electronic copy of the executive summary to Prof. Kirk Smith for posting on the website.
Students typically will finish all requirements by the end of the summer after their fourth semester. In some cases, however, students may be able to finish by the end of the fourth semester (May).
The project title and short description should be submitted by the end of semester previous to the semester/summer during which the degree will be finished. Usually, this will be student’s fourth semester. This information will be put on the GHE website. This title and description may be changed later, with the advisor's consent.
If a project does not involve fieldwork, a bibliography should be submitted by the end of Spring Break in the same (4th) semester; for projects involving fieldwork, a preliminary data analysis is due at that time. The name of the second reader should also be submitted by then.
Note: If the project should run into a 5th (fall) semester (see below), the corresponding submission deadline is the Monday after Thanksgiving.
The student must register to be advanced to candidacy for the semester (or summer) during which they expect to finish the project. The deadline for this registration is usually in the second or third week of the semester. A short written description of how the student will have completed all GHE course requirements by the end of that semester must also be submitted to the GHE Program office at the same time.
The student and advisor are urged to consult often during the project preparation and drafting stages, but the draft final project paper must be submitted to the advisor and reader at least one month in advance of the university deadline for approval of Plan 2 masters degree candidates (approximately mid-December for the fall semester and in mid-May for the spring semester), unless other arrangements are made. See Norma for the exact date.
If the project is not completed during the semester for which the student has been advanced to candidacy, it is possible to apply to be on filing fee status for the next (usually 5th) semester. This is substantially less costly, but includes few student privileges, e.g., there is no library card or health insurance.
Typical Timeline for GHE Project
(** Indicates Deadlines if Graduating in May of Second Year; push the timeline back if graduating later.)
This is not a substitute for the GHE Program Guidelines for Masters Project Paper document posted on the GHE website. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OFFICIAL DEADLINES!!!
1st YearFall Semester / Identify Topic & Advisor – Attend seminars, conferences, lectures, and speak to professors about their research.
Look for Funding – Flag any emails received about funding sources, ask about funding consistently available to EHS students (COEH Grants), look at UC Berkeley website, possibly National Science Foundation Grants, and other sources. Be aware of deadlines (usually begin in January).
Plan Courses – Talk to your advisor about any courses that might be useful or necessary before you conduct parts of your research.
Meet with your advisor – If you are trying to meet a funding deadline in January, check in with your advisor before Winter break about the feasibility of your project.
Winter Break / Refine your topic
Apply for funding
Spring Semester / Meet with your Advisor
Generate a Project Timeline – If you need to book airline tickets through UC Berkeley, it can take up to a month.
Continue to apply for funding
Apply to the Committee for Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) approval (If needed!) – This application process can take weeks to months, depending on the project and when you submit the application. Plan on having to revise your application after you submit it!!!! During breaks and at the beginning of the semester, CPHS may not be as busy and your application might get processed faster.
Summer Break
Conduct Research – If possible, try to analyze/write as much as you can while you are in the field or shortly after, as you might not remember everything a year later!
2nd Year
Fall Semester / Analyze your findings
**Submit Project Title & Short Description to Advisor
Look at the GHE Program Guidelines for Masters Project Paper document – PDF available on the GHE website--specifically the formatting requirements.
Begin writing – If you cannot begin writing (still waiting for results), at least make an outline, based on the results you have, and include when you are going to write each Chapter. You can always start with background and methods while you are waiting.
Thanksgiving Break
**Identify 2 Readers – Usually Advisor plus 1. Note: If you plan to finish in August, faculty can be unavailable during the summer and thus the student should make arrangements as far in advance as possible, particularly for the second reader.
**Submit Bibliography
Winter Break / Continue writing
Spring Semester / Continue writing
**Sumit Draft – Early April if graduating in May
**Submit Final Draft – Usually early May.
Apply for Filing Fee – If you are not finishing this semester and you do not want to be a full–time, fee-paying student in the fall, than you MUST apply for Filing Fee for the Fall semester, which will be your 5th semester. It costs just a modest amount for the entire semester, but you are not technically a student, as of August, and thus you need to make separate arrangements for health insurance and to pay to extend your library privileges (~$40). You can only go on Filing Fee for one semester, so you need to finish your project by December of that semester or you will have to pay full–time tuition for the next semester, if that is when you decide to hand in your project paper.
DO NOT lose your student ID after August, because you will not be able to get another.
2nd Summer Break/ 3rd Fall Semester – if needed
Submit Draft – At least 1 month before Final Draft is due.
Submit Final Draft – You will need to submit a final copy before the fall semester begins to avoid paying fall fees (or at least filing fee), or submit by early December to graduate that academic year and not pay full fees for another semester.
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