MSc Project

Hi everyone, some advice needed!

I'm currently in the final semester of my MSc, and therefore looking at starting my final thesis. I've worked really hard this year and I'm on target for a distinction.

I planned my thesis with my supervisor a few months ago, and it was my dream project, couldn't wait to get started. However, I saw my supervisor last week and they have come up with a new project for me which they say is much more exciting and relevant. The problem is, I have no interest in this new topic, the methods of analysis seem far too simple for a MSc project (I feel like I could complete the entire project in a few weeks at most), and I feel like it is too simple to be able to get a distinction and I'm going to be disadvantaged later if/when I want to apply for PHDs.

My supervisor is really great, very well respected and I really do value their opinion, however, the project they are suggesting is (in my opinion) really dull, I have no motivation at all anymore.

Should I be saying no to this new project? I really don't want to seem disrespectful to my supervisor - I'm sure they know a lot more than I do!

Reply 1

beautifulbigmacs

19

A distinction is no less valid in topic x than topic y so I don't think that is a problem.

Push for your first topic choice by saying the other one is interesting but you want to develop a specialism for PhD and you feel that's really important to you.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot by dissing the topic they suggest just yet because you don't want to show a lack of enthusiasm to the people who may be marking this work (especially if they practically insist on the topic) and if the suggested topic is as easy as you say it is then that could be a massive perk in terms of managing your workload over the summer (I'm seeing my supervisor today and I'm hoping so much for reduction in complication of project!)

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 2

notapop

OP

I get what you're saying but I really don't think I can achieve a distinction in this new project as it's not complex enough to display the amount of critical thinking a distinction would require. I came to do a masters because I wanted to be challenged, I want it to be difficult (I know I probably seem like a crazy person here!). I was initially offered a project by another supervisor in an area I had worked in extensively before (outside of academia) and I turned it down because I wanted a challenge of something new, not an easy ride through the course.

I can't imagine, if I have to go for interviews for a PhD, any enthusiasm for this subject coming through, but as you say I don't want to come as rude to the people that I will have to work with and who will inevitably be marking my work. Erghhh, I hate how complicated this has become, this time last week I was so enthusiastic and couldn't wait to properly get started with this work!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 3

Duncan2012

19

Your supervisor will probably be the first person marking your project - if they've suggested the topic then they obviously think it's appropriate/complex/interesting enough for MSc level. You risk antagonising them if you push back against their new project too much. At the end of the day, it's only another 3-4 months and once you get in to the detail of the work you may be glad for the apparent simplification!

A distinction is a distinction, but you're not there yet, and no-one is likely to be too interested in how you got there. Good luck with whatever you end up doing!

Reply 4

beautifulbigmacs

19

No matter what the project is you will have to be willing to be steered by your supervisor. I'd prefer to write whatever I want too but it's often more complex than that.

Reply 5

Ftmshk

12

I was in a bit of a similar position with my MSc dissertation. Although I wasn't dead set on the topic I wanted to do, I was not keen on any of the options suggested by my supervisor. I did myself a list of pros and cons for each option, then had this fresh in my mind when I went to see him. He was absolutely fine about it and had just been trying to suggest something suitable. After I explained my reasons he fully supported me on my choice.
Is your supervisor saying that your choice isn't suitable, or are they just making suggestions of alternatives?

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Reply 6

notapop

OP

Original post by Ftmshk

I was in a bit of a similar position with my MSc dissertation. Although I wasn't dead set on the topic I wanted to do, I was not keen on any of the options suggested by my supervisor. I did myself a list of pros and cons for each option, then had this fresh in my mind when I went to see him. He was absolutely fine about it and had just been trying to suggest something suitable. After I explained my reasons he fully supported me on my choice.
Is your supervisor saying that your choice isn't suitable, or are they just making suggestions of alternatives?

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They're not saying that the project is unsuitable at all (just more difficult - which is what I want! - And 'less exciting'). I just feel like I've been forced into this new one because I'm just too afraid to say no to anyone. Your idea of writing the pros and cons before I go and see them is actually really good, thank you! I just don't want to be stuck with something i'll get bored with, my attention span is awful when I'm not interested in something.

Reply 7

sj27

14

Original post by Duncan2012

Your supervisor will probably be the first person marking your project - if they've suggested the topic then they obviously think it's appropriate/complex/interesting enough for MSc level. !

At my uni, supervisors specifically are not involved in grading dissertations/projects. So that assumption is not always valid.

I think the OP should have a chat to the supervisor about the fact that s/he wants to do the original project and see what the supervisor says. Lack of passion can come through quite clearly in all sorts of ways and I personally wouldn't have wanted to spend the time doing my dissertation on something I was uninterested in. If you have no interest in something it's difficult to get motivated to do all the proper work on it.

Reply 8

Duncan2012

19

Original post by sj27

At my uni, supervisors specifically are not involved in grading dissertations/projects. So that assumption is not always valid.

Fair enough. At the 3 universities I've been to my supervisor has always been the main marker. Thanks for the alternate perspective.

Agreed that a student needs to be interested in the project otherwise it's a 3-month long uphill battle with frustration and resentment bubbling away.

Reply 9

sj27

14

Original post by Duncan2012

Fair enough. At the 3 universities I've been to my supervisor has always been the main marker. Thanks for the alternate perspective.

Agreed that a student needs to be interested in the project otherwise it's a 3-month long uphill battle with frustration and resentment bubbling away.

One of my colleagues who graduated from LSE said supervisors don't grade there either so maybe not that unusual. I would have thought there would be a potential conflict of interest in a supervisor grading a dissertation they've been advising on? I guess similar thinking to exams being graded anonymously (which I presume you did have). In any case, whether or not the supervisor is grading it, the student needs to 'own' it. "I got a mediocre grade because I did a project my supervisor wanted" is not a mitigating circumstance!!

Reply 10

Ftmshk

12

Stick to your guns! I completely agree that your dissertation should be a challenge ( and the right kind of challenge). If they can see how passionate you are hopefully they will let you do it.

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