Current Students in Robotics & Autonomous Systems
Welcome to the Resources Page for our current students in the Robotics & Autonomous Systems program. We have compiled all of the most requested forms and links for your convenience.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Juliana Verrelli at mechems@bu.edu.
Forms
R&AS Program Planning Sheet, Non-Thesis (pre-2025)
R&AS Program Planning Sheet, Non-Thesis (post-2025)
R&AS Internship Form
General Graduate Student Forms
R&AS Program Planning Sheet, Thesis (pre 2025)
R&AS Program Planning Sheet, Thesis (post-2025)
Thesis Proposal Form
Thesis Defense Form
Important: See the breakdown of the Graduate Program Office’s thesis defense deadlines here.
Students should reference pp. 4-5 in the Student Handbook for more information on what is expected of thesis proposals, timeline, and deliverables.
Thesis Timeline for 1st-Semester Thesis Students
| Required Paperwork / Important Action Items | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 |
| Due to mechems@bu.edu: – Written thesis proposal – proposal form (signed by thesis advisor) |
September 8, 2025 | January 31, 2026 |
Thesis Timeline for 2nd-Semester Thesis Students
| Required Paperwork / Important Action Items | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 |
| Meet with Juliana to discuss second-semester timeline | No later than September 12, 2025 | No later than January 31, 2026 |
| Due to mechems@bu.edu: – Thesis defense form with Sections 1-4 filled and signed – Most up-to-date abstract (Word or PDF) |
No later than 10 days before your selected defense date | No later than 10 days before your selected defense date |
| Last possible day to present defense *it is advised that you defend at least one week before the 12/19 deadline in order to have time for edits or revisions, if needed |
December 19, 2025 | April 17, 2026 |
| Due to mechems@bu.edu: – Thesis defense form with advisor signature and proof of passing grade (Sections 6 + 8) – Signed approval form (provided by library) – Title page (formatted to library guidelines) |
No later than 1 week after you present your defense *ideally, the student will drop off their signed defense form to the MechE office right after the defense has taken place |
No later than 1 week after you present your defense *ideally, the student will drop off their signed defense form to the MechE office right after the defense has taken place |
| Last possible day to submit approved thesis defense to BU Library | January 2, 2026 | April 24, 2026 |
Independent Study (ENG ME951) Deadlines | Fall 2025
Students should reference pp. 5-6 of the Student Handbook for information on what to include in the independent study proposal and deliverable.
R&AS Independent Study Proposal Form
Independent Study Petition Form
| Required Paperwork / Important Action Items | Due Date |
| Express interest in independent study with consent of instructor (email mechems@bu.edu) | August 15, 2025 |
| Due to mechems@bu.edu
– Independent Study Proposal form, signed by faculty member |
September 8, 2025 |
| Final deliverable due to mechems@bu.edu along with brief (one-paragraph) description of your overall project and experience with taking an independent study | December 14, 2025 |
Independent Study (ENG ME951) Deadlines | Spring 2026
Students should reference pp. 5-6 of the Student Handbook for information on what to include in the independent study proposal and deliverable.
R&AS Independent Study Proposal Form
Independent Study Petition Form
| Required Paperwork / Important Action Items | Due Date |
| Express interest in independent study with consent of instructor (email mechems@bu.edu) | January 2, 2026 |
| Due to mechems@bu.edu
– Independent Study Proposal form, signed by faculty member |
January 23, 2026 |
| Final deliverable due to mechems@bu.edu along with brief (one-paragraph) description of your overall project and experience with taking an independent study | May 4, 2026 |
People
Juliana Verrelli (Program Coordinator)