Building your thesis
Know what to expect in grad school
Being a graduate student is a fun and exciting experience but has its challenges. We've developed some tips to help.
Decide on your topic and format
Talk to your supervisor about your research topic and the format of your thesis. Consider doing a non-traditional thesis and ensure you apply for ethics approval if needed.
Know your policies
Know university policies and guidelines that affect your thesis and thesis writing:
Protect your research idea
If your research may lead to a new idea, product or method, consider commercialization and connect with Innovate Calgary.
Consider a non-traditional thesis
There are many ways to pursue a non-traditional thesis and the term encompasses a wide variety of research endeavours.
While building your thesis
Your research will be made available to the public so make it the best representation of your work. Many students complete a traditional or manuscript-based thesis but many others create novels, comic books and a variety of other non-traditional outcomes. The possibilities are endless
Know general practices
Consult with your supervisor to learn more about the best practices for creating a thesis in your field of study. Many faculty websites provide information in their student handbook. We have also prepared some general guidelines for creating a traditional and manuscript based thesis
See examples
Want to see some examples of a thesis in your field? Check out the UCalgary thesis database of our Masters and PhD alumni's research. Keep in mind that formatting guidelines and trends in your field may have changed
Conduct research with integrity
Make sure you are completing your research with honesty, respect and integrity towards your research subjects, your colleagues and yourself.
Develop your communication skills
For your thesis and for life outside of grad school get more comfortable with communicating your ideas and research. My GradSkills provides resources and opportunities to practice and improve your communication.
Build on your writing skills
Connect with the Student Success Centre for resources to help strengthen your writing such as one-on-one appointments and the graduate writing community.
Get connected
You are not alone. Connect with other student researchers and/or get mentorship. Consider joining a student club, the Graduate College and/or SAGE.
Facing barriers to completing your degree? Connect with our Graduate Academic Specialist
After building your thesis
Finished your thesis? The end is in sight, but there are a few more things to do:
Defend it
Supervisors set up their student’s defence and supervisory committee. If you think you are ready to defend your thesis, let your supervisor know. Students should provide a copy of their thesis to the supervisory committee a least 3 weeks before their defence.
Make changes
Make the recommended changes by your defence committee and resubmit your thesis to them by the deadline. If you passed your defence with minor revisions you have 1 month to make the changes and submit your thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. If you passed with major revisions, you have 6 months.
Refer to the Academic Calendar for regulations on thesis exams
Apply for convocation
As you make changes to your thesis and wait for the final approval from your supervisor/supervisory committee, make sure you don’t miss the deadline to apply for convocation and the Indigenous Graduation celebration by the writing symbols lodge
Submit your thesis
Received the final approval from your supervisor(s)? Gather the required thesis documents and submit your thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by the deadline (one month from the oral defence for minor revisions and six months from the oral defence for major revisions).