203
Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
203.11 Thesis Requirement
All candidates in a thesis degree program shall present a thesis embodying the results of their research. The topic of the thesis must be approved by the candidate's supervisor or supervisory committee.
For candidates in a master's degree program, the thesis should reveal that the candidate is able to work in a scholarly manner and is acquainted with the principal works published on the subject of the thesis. As far as possible it should be an original contribution. A doctoral thesis must embody the results of original investigations and analyses and be of such quality as to merit publication; furthermore, it must constitute a substantial contribution to the knowledge of the candidate's field of study.
The thesis should normally be written in English. In some departments candidates may be permitted to write their thesis in a language other than English, provided that language has been approved for use by the supervisory committee, the department and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Theses written in a language other than English must have one abstract in the language of the thesis and one in English.
Arrangements and expenses for thesis preparation, including typing, production of photographs and tables, and duplicating are the responsibility of the student. Instructions regarding thesis format and methods of thesis submission are available from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website (www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca) under Regulations and Guide for the Preparation of Theses. In any case of uncertainty about thesis preparation students should consult the Faculty office before final production.
It is the responsibility of both the student and the supervisor to be familiar with all regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research with respect to theses, and with any specific requirements of the student's department. Students should consult their department and their supervisory committee to determine whether they should use either the traditional or the paper format in the preparation of the thesis.
It is the responsibility of the student to present three copies (four copies for Education students) of the thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research for approval before the copies are bound. Additional copies may be required by individual departments. Students should also keep in mind that it is customary for a copy of the thesis in its final form to be given to the supervisor.
Following completion of the final oral examination at which the thesis is approved (or approved subject to revisions), the candidate shall make the appropriate revisions where necessary and submit the approved thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research office within six months of the date of the final oral examination. Departments may impose earlier deadlines for submitting revisions. If the thesis is not submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research within the six-month time limit, the candidate will be considered to have withdrawn from the program. After this time, the candidate must reapply and be readmitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research before the thesis can be accepted.
If the final oral examination is adjourned or postponed, the six-month time limit will take effect from the date of completion of the examination where the thesis was approved with or without revisions.
To ensure qualification for the earliest convocation following completion of the thesis, students must submit their thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research office on or before the deadline date set by the Faculty, to allow enough time for the student's name to be included in the convocation program. Deadlines for submission of theses are found in the Academic Schedule of the Calendar.
