MS Thesis Proposal

Current practice in the GEOS department concerning the MS thesis proposal seems to be:

1. Advisor works with candidate to define thesis. Candidate prepares
1. proposal document (up to 10 pages including figures and references; should include timeline)
2. presentation (about 20 min; should include hypothesis or research question, background, etc.)
2. Candidate, advisor and advisory committee members attend proposal
1. Proposal is public and may be attended by any interested student or faculty
2. The advisor presides over the proposal meeting, introduces the candidate, etc.
3. At the proposal meeting, the candidate...
1. gives brief overview of his/her background (home town, undergrad, etc.)
2. gives presentation (about 20 min) on proposed research
3. answers committee questions
4. Committee asks questions to clarify or set scope on proposed research.
5. No committee vote is taken. Committee members either 
1. approve the proposal by remaining on the committee, or 
2. disapprove the proposal by stepping off the committee