Step 1 - Thesis preparation

Deadlines

Before you begin preparing your thesis for submission, it's important to keep the deadlines in mind.

Spring Convocation	Fall Convocation
Apply to Graduate: January 15	Apply to Graduate: July 15
Initial Thesis Submission: March 4	Initial Thesis Submission: August 4
Final Thesis Submission: April 1	Final Thesis Submission: September 1

If you have any questions about the exact formatting or layout for your thesis, this is the section for you! It provides guidelines for both the formatting and sequence of contents. All the technical regulations are laid out here so that you can get the formatting right the first time around, leaving you with more time to focus on what matters most: the contents of your thesis!

Thesis components and format

All written components of a thesis must meet the scholarly requirements of the research discipline and be formatted in accordance with the Thesis Preparation Guide

Page Format

It must be:

Single spaced, unless otherwise required by your department
A standard font, preferably Times New Roman size 12, Arial size 11, or similar
1.0-inch (2.5 cm) margin all around. Where the size of drawings, charts, and computer tables does not remain within the normal margins to be used, the margins may be reduced to 0.5 inch on the right and 0.5 inch on the left

Page Numbering

Pages must be:

Numbered consecutively, barring Title and Signature pages (which should be counted but not paginated)
Pagination should begin with the Abstract, which must be page iii roman numerals and ends with the last page of your List(s)
The Introduction must begin with page 1 (Arabic numerals)

Component	Information	Common Problems
File Name of Thesis (PDF/A document)	Mandatory Must be saved as PDF/A document* Must be named as LastName_Degree_ConvocationYear Example: LastName_MA_S2021 (for Spring) or LastName_MA_F2021 (for Fall) *Adobe Acrobat is available at the Library Click here for instructions	Incorrect file name and PDF format
Title Page	Mandatory Page is counted as lower-case i roman numeral, but page number does not appear on page Do not include in Table of Contents The date must be month and year of the initial thesis submission (no date required)	Incorrect degree or program No copyright symbol Capitalization is inconsistent Incorrect date Page number included
Signature Page	Mandatory Lists: Name and thesis title Degree sought Names of your GPD and Faculty Dean Date of defence Page is counted as lower-case ii roman numeral, but page number does not appear on page Do not include in Table of Contents	Not following templates Listed in Table of Contents Page number included
Abstract	Mandatory Page is always numbered lower-case iii (roman numeral) Abstract must include: Title of the thesis Name of author Text not exceeding 250 words Do not include in Table of Contents	Incorrect page number Missing information (name, title, etc.)
Summary	Applicable if you have written your thesis in a language other than English or French Must be written in English or French The summary must be between 3-6 pages for Master’s as appropriate Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals	Not included Provides insufficient information
Acknowledgments	Mandatory Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Do not include in Table of Contents	Insufficient or incorrect information
Dedication	Optional The dedication is a personal rather than an academic recognition Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Do not include in Table of Contents	Placed out of order Listed in Table of Contents
Contribution of Authors	If applicable If your thesis is a manuscript-based thesis, a Contribution of Authors page must be included Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Do not include in Table of Contents	Placed out of order Listed in Table of Contents
Table of Contents	Mandatory Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Include chapter headings and levels of subheadings from your thesis body	Page numbers not accurate Listed in Table of Contents
List of Figures	Mandatory if you have tables in thesis Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Include in Table of Contents, before Introduction	No page numbers given for location Not listed in Table of Contents
List of Tables	Mandatory if you have tables in thesis Page is numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Include in Table of Contents, after List of Figures (if applicable)	No page numbers given for location Not listed in Table of Contents
List of Symbols, Abbreviations, Glossary or other	Optional Each list must start on a separate page Pages are numbered consecutively with lower-case roman numerals Include in Table of Contents, after List of Tables (if applicable)	No page numbers given for location Not listed in Table of Contents
Body of Thesis	Mandatory Includes the Introduction First page is always numbered with Arabic numeral "1" Pages are numbered consecutively thereafter, including landscape-oriented pages	Page numbers not consistently placed Page numbers out of sequence Does not begin with page 1
Bibliography or References	Mandatory Pages are numbered consecutively with body Include in Table of Contents	Page numbering not in sequence with body Not listed in Table of Contents
Appendices	Optional Pages are numbered consecutively with body Include in Table of Contents	Page numbering not in sequence with body Not listed in Table of Contents

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Thesis office

Thesis office

Step 1 - Thesis preparation

Deadlines

Spring Convocation

Fall Convocation

Thesis components and format

Review your thesis