Outstanding Master’s Thesis
The Award for the Outstanding Master’s Thesis recognizes graduate students for excellence in their master’s thesis. The focus of this award is on the quality and contribution of the student’s thesis research. The excellence of the master’s thesis may be demonstrated by evidence such as (but not limited to): publications in refereed journals, awards and recognition from professional organizations, and praise from faculty members and other colleagues in the field.
Eligibility
- Graduated from a UCF master’s program in the immediate past spring, summer, or fall term
- Completed the master’s thesis within the past year (i.e., spring 2023, summer 2023, or fall 2023)
- Selected as the 2023-2024 winner of the college-level award
Students can only win the university award once.
Application Requirements
- An electronic one-page nomination letter from the chair of the department or a faculty member that discusses the thesis research of the nominee, with particular attention paid to the content and quality of the master’s thesis. This letter should address the strengths of the thesis and its contributions to the field.
- An electronic copy of the student’s completed and approved thesis.
- An electronic copy of the student’s complete curriculum vita, highlighting any publication and/or recognition of the thesis.
- A brief electronic (no more than one page) statement regarding the student’s experience in conducting the thesis, his/her interpretation of the significance of the work, and how he/she benefited from the thesis experience.
- Electronic copies of papers authored or co-authored by the student based on the thesis.
- Applications must be submitted electronically to your Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in your academic college.
Nomination Process
Nominations must be submitted electronically to your College’s Associate Dean for Graduate Studies for consideration for the college award. The college associate dean will charge a committee to evaluate the documentation submitted by the nominees and select the person to receive the college award. The selected award winner for each college will then be forwarded to the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies by email at gradawards@ucf.edu for consideration for the university award. Forwarded files must contain a letter of support from the college Dean/School Director or his/her designee.
Award
Each winner of the university awards will receive a certificate and a cash award of $1,500. For each university award, as many as two honorable mentions can be awarded and each will receive a certificate at Founders Day in early April.
Past Winners
2023
Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Science, and Life Sciences
Jaynlynn Sosa, Nanotechnology MS, College of Graduate Studies
Thesis: Atomic Layer Deposition for Personalized Drug Release Systems: 5-Aminosalicylic Acid as a Model Pharmaceutical
Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Arts, and Health Sciences
Aaron Wizenberg, Kinesiology MS, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Thesis: The Acute Effects of Continuous and Intermittent Blood Flow Restriction on Sprint Interval Performance and Muscle Oxygen Responses
2022
Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
Shahzeb Mustafa, Computer Engineering MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thesis: Optimizing Peers Election Among Internet Service Providers (ISPS)
Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Art, and Health Sciences
Randy Panzarino, Communication Sciences and Disorders MA, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Thesis: Psychological Distress and Affective, Behavioral and Cognitive Experiences of Stuttering
2021
Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
Daniela Diaz, Environmental Engineering MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thesis: Emulsion Characterization Study for Improved Bilgewater Treatment and Management
Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Art, and Health Sciences
America Edwards, Communication MA, College of Sciences
Thesis: Instructional Communication as a Primary Function of Communities of Practice During Crises
2020
Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Art, and Health Sciences
Lea Harvey, Anthropology MA, College of Sciences
Thesis: Trouble in Paradise: Impacts of Theme Park Tourism on the Mental Health of Employees in Orlando, Florida
2019
Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
Kamol Chandra Roy, Civil Engineering MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thesis: Understanding Crisis Communication and Mobility Resilience during Disasters from Social Media
Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Art, and Health Sciences
Deven Gray, Anthropology MS, College of Sciences
Thesis: Managing an Epidemic: Zika Interventions and Community Responses in Belize
2018
Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
Firat Irmak, Aerospace Engineering MSAE, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thesis: Flexible Physics-Based Lifing Method for Metals under Creep and Thermomechanical Fatigue
Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Art and Health Sciences
Eliot Arroyo, Sport and Exercise Science MS, College of Community Innovation and Education
Thesis: Effects of an Acute High-Volume Isokinetic Intervention on Circulating Levels of TNA-α and STNFR: Influence of Age