2.ThA Haven


This page is a repository of 2.ThA information, especially the communication aspects.
Questions? Ask Dave Custer, x3-7787, custer@mit.edu

During the IAP of 2008, one section of the 2.ThA CI-M class is offered. No 2.ThA CI-M class will be offered during the spring of 2008.

The IAP 2008 class meets Mon Jan 14; Wed Jan 16 & 23; Mon Jan 28; and Wed Jan 30. Class meets from 03:30-05:00pm, in room 1-277. On Jan 30, class meets in 1-132.



Presentation slides examples (.pdf format):
analysis of fatigue failure in d-shaped carabiners
the effect of load rate, placement, angle, and ice type on ice screw failure load
the yowie factor, a simple estimate of load rate...
the evolution of climbing equipment standards
bike isea 2004

Class 1 handouts:

2.ThA syllabus, IAP 2008 (html)
2.ThA deliverables listing, IAP, 2008 (pdf)
2A thesis intent form, IAP 2008 (pdf) should be filled out by registration day.
2A thesis proposal cover page (one page .pdf printable version)
2.ThA proposal and thesis structure notes, Fall 2007 (pdf)
2A thesis proposal template (MSWord) or .pdf printable version (but the .pdf won't help out much as a template...)
2A thesis proposal "fill-in-the-blank" outline (MSWord) or .pdf printable version

2.ThA research homework, IAP 2008 (pdf)
information types worksheet (pdf, courtesy of Angie Locknar/Tracy Gabridge)

information types handout (pdf, courtesy of Angie Locknar/Tracy Gabridge)

Class 2 handouts:


Copies of the marked up introduction might well represent "class notes" about the structure of a proposal introduction.

Class 3 handouts:


first draft assessment form
oral presentation notes

Class 4 handouts:


informal oral presentation assessment form
homework & semester's trajectory

Class 5 handouts:


homework & semester's trajectory
Oral Presentation Schedule
reviewer checklist form

Final class(es) handouts:

2.ThA oral presentation check list:
homework & semester's trajectory

Stray documents:

IAP 2007 welcome SPAM e-mail of Oct 30, 2006



Assorted 2.ThA Forms

IAP/Spring 2007 2A thesis intent form (The Fall 2006 2A thesis intent form is still available.
2A Thesis Proposal Template (MSWord) or .pdf printable version (but the .pdf won't help out much as a template...) If there is demand, someday I might invent the latex version....
advisor meeting agenda
2A Thesis Proposal Cover Page (one page .pdf printable version)
Fall 2005 2.ThA End of Term Questions Part 1 (one page .pdf printable version)
Fall 2005 2.ThA End of Term Questions Part 2 (one page .pdf printable version)
2.ThA oral presentation check list:
2.ThA proposal check list:



A number of students have inquired about a guide to 2A thesis writing. No such guide exists. Consider using these references as the basis of your thesis:
The MIT libraries' guide to thesis preparation
the 2.671 Journal Article Guidelines (.pdf)/the 2.671 Journal Article Guidelines (.htm hypertext), courtesy of Barbara Hughey & the 2.671 folks.
2A Thesis Proposal Template (MSWord) or .pdf printable version (but it won't help out much as a template...)


Assorted links of varying relevance:

21W.783 Class Notes: Dave Custer's pet peeves about writing (from a class Dave once taught)
"The Science of Scientific Writing": the "prerequisite" to 2.ThA
"The Mayfield Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing": a handy reference, available wherever MIT web certificates are accepted....
Michael Alley's "The Craft of Scientific Presentations": a handy reference for power point slide ideas.

sample proposals, including archive of 2.ThA thesis proposals: (requires MIT web certificates)
sample presentation slides: