Thesis or non-Thesis

[Vanitha Sugumaran]

Hi,
(Not sure whether I can post here..)
When doing MS in computer science how to decide whether to go thesis option or non-thesis option?
My advisor suggests doing Thesis. But I think if I am going for a job interview it would be best to show them a good project work.
How to decide? what are things to consider? After deciding where should I look for topics? I am reading some computer journals..
thanks a lot,
Vanitha.

[SJ Adnams]

I thought an MSc without a thesis is just a diploma?

[shankar vembu]

thesis would be a better option. it gives u an opportunity to do independent research work, though not at a Ph.d. level.here in germany, its included in the curriculum and we dont have a "thesis/non-thesis" option. We gotto to do a project work + masters thesis. and in my opinion thesis will lay the groundwork for further studies(phd, if interested). as far as the topic is concerned, I would choose a field i am interested in and concentrate only on that area. example neural networks, signal processing, networking etc. and search for topics in that area. I would also talk to the professors in the concerned areas and seek their advice in choosing the topics. over here, the professors offer topics to students for their projekt work + thesis as it compulsory. otherwise we search for them in the industries.

[Mark Herschberg]

Personally I don't see a significant difference. If you're going into academia/research, do a thesis.
What are the tradeoffs of doing one / not doing one?
--Mark

[Vanitha Sugumaran]

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies.
I also thought that if I want to do research then do thesis, but I am really not interested in research....I will think about Mark's question what are the tradeoffs of doing one / not doing one?
thanks again,
Vanitha.