Presented by the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, College of Engineering, the Graduate College, Hanson Center for Communication, and University Writing Center, 

Register Today space is limited – Registration Form

This full 2-Day Workshop Features

  • Dedicated Writing Time
  • Optional Workshops on editing, formatting, creating citations, and a few others.
  • One-on-one support from Engineering Library, Writing Center, and Graduate College.

Thesis Boot Camp: What is it?

Thesis Boot Camp is a multi-day hybrid workshop which provides current engineering and computer science graduate students with the opportunity to spend two days dedicated to making serious progress on their dissertation or master’s thesis. Along with a comfortable, quiet working environment, writing and research support, and snacks and lunches, the workshop offers students community and motivation in that final push towards the completion of their dissertation or thesis.

Registration and cost

Thesis Boot Camp is FREE and will be limited to 30 registrants in person, on a first come-first served basis.

Please plan on staying for two days from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Who should attend?

Thesis Boot Camp targets current engineering and computer science graduate students at both the PhD and Masters level, who are currently writing their thesis / dissertation.  Participants will benefit from the structured time, space, professional advising and peer support of the program.

Services and supports during the Boot Camp

Writing facilitators, liaison librarians, and members from the graduate college will be on hand to provide assistance at the point of need.

Location & When

This event will be hybrid where students can either choose to be in person in the Seamans Center Student Commons & Lichtenberger Engineering Library or join sessions and seek assistance using Zoom. Zoom Links will be sent to registered individuals prior to beginning of event.

May 17 & 18, 2023

DRAFT Schedule

*This schedule and speakers are subject to change.*

Day 1 – May 17, 2023

Time Event Workshops Speaker Location
8:30 am – 9:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast SC
9:00 am – 9:30 am Welcome & Opening Activity SC
9:30 am – 10:30 am Dedicated Writing Time How I Write a Scientific Paper: Selling Your Data with Power Writing [Optional] Dr. Garry R Buettner CS
11:00 am – 11:45 pm Thesis Submission & Word Formatting [Optional] Dr. Erin Kaufman
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Catered Lunch SC
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Dedicated Writing Time 5 Tips for Scientific Writing [Optional] Dr. Michelle Schrer CS
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Creating ORCiDs and Why is it important? [Optional] Marina Zhang CS
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Break & Snacks [Optional] SC
3:00 pm – 4:15 pm
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm Wrap Up SC

Day 2 – May 18, 2023

Time Event Workshops Speaker Location
8:30 am – 9:00 am Continental Breakfast SC
9:00 am – 9:30 am Opening Activity SC
9:30 am – 10:30 am Dedicated Writing Time Data Visualization & How to make a good graph[Optional] Dr. Michelle Schrer CS
10:15 am – 12:00 pm
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Catered Lunch SC
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Dedicated Writing Time Introduction to LaTeX & Overleaf [Optional] Marina Zhang CS
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Finding the Good Stuff Fast: Setting up good search strategies[Optional] Kari Kozak CS
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Break & Snacks [Optional] SC
3:00 pm – 4:15 pm
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm Wrap Up SC

SC – Student Commons
CS – Creative Space (Room 2001C)

Questions

Please contact Kari Kozak at kari-kozak@uiowa.edu with questions regarding the Thesis Boot Camp.