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Dissertation Formatting

Have questions on how to format your thesis or dissertation?

We’ll help you align your document to fit Rackham Graduate School requirements. 

Use our formatting guide

Our Guide to Microsoft Word for Dissertations includes a template you can modify, along with links to the Rackham Dissertation Handbook and formatting checklist. It also covers how to:

• Apply styles to maintain consistency
• Create a table of contents that keeps itself up to date 
• Include properly formatted landscape pages
• Insert page numbers, footnotes, images, figures, and more

LaTeX guidance

Most of our support is based on using Microsoft Word. If you plan to use LaTeX for your thesis or dissertation we recommend starting with  a LaTeX template designed to meet Rackham’s requirements.

We also have  a workshop recording on using LaTeX to format your U-M dissertation .

Make an appointment

We’re happy to discuss your document or help you solve a problem.

Make an appointment .

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Dissertations and Theses (Ph.D. and Master's)

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Dissertations and theses submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for master's or doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan. This collection also includes theses written by U-M faculty.

Ph.D. dissertations at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor are awarded by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies .

Recent Deposits

• University of Michigan Library
• Research Guides

Microsoft Word for Dissertations

• Introduction, Template, & Resources
• Formatting for All Readers
• Applying a Style
• Modifying a Style
• Setting up a Heading 1 Example
• Images, Charts, Other Objects
• Footnotes, Endnotes, & Citations
• Cross-References
• Appendix Figures & Tables
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures/Tables
• Chapter and Section Numbering
• Page Numbers
• Landscape Pages
• Combining Chapter Files
• Commenting and Reviewing
• The Two-inch Top Margin
• Troubleshooting
• Finalizing Without Styles
• Preparing Your Final Document

Help with Microsoft Word

Members of the University of Michigan community can get dissertation & thesis formatting assistance from the experts at ScholarSpace:

Please  visit this link to make an appointment , or send an email to [email protected].

We're here to solve any formatting problems you've run into, and can give you guidance about captioning figures, solving numbering issues, creating a List of Tables/Figures/Appendices, and more.

Contact Information

Introduction to Word for Dissertations

Formatting your dissertation (or thesis) will likely take more time than you expect. But using the special features described in this Guide will save you a great deal of work , particularly if you use our template (available in the box below). The earlier you begin to use these tools, the more time you'll save and the less stress you'll have as your submission deadline approaches. Students at the University of Michigan are also encouraged to contact the experts at the Library's ScholarSpace anytime you run into a problem or have a question.

To meet  Rackham’s Dissertation Formatting Guidelines  you will need to modify the standard settings that Microsoft Word uses. This guide will show you how to use the tools to make the necessary modifications.  While we do follow the requirements from Rackham’s formatting guidelines to demonstrate the tools, in the end, you are responsible for verifying that your document meets the requirements that Rackham sets.

To save yourself time and effort , please consider using our Dissertation Template (link available in the box below). Many of the settings discussed in this Guide are already included in that document.

Please note that, as a University of Michigan student, you have free access to the Microsoft Office suite of tools -- including Microsoft Word. Visit this link to learn more and to download Office to your own computer.

Dissertation Template and other Resources

• ScholarSpace Template for Dissertations This Microsoft Word document comes with many of the Rackham formatting guidelines built in, and can be used for dissertations and theses. Please note that this template doesn't follow the formatting direction of any particular Style Guide. It is your responsibility to make sure you are following the Style Guide predominant in your field, and to make any relevant formatting changes to heading styles, numbering, captions, etc... How to make many of those changes is described throughout this Guide.
• Rackham Dissertation Handbook Rackham's Dissertation Guidelines and Handbook
• Dissertation Formatting Checklist Rackham's list of formatting issues to watch out for in your dissertation.
• Using Microsoft Word for Large Documents (non-dissertation specific) Handout (This document was written for an older -- much older -- version of Word, but nearly all of the information is still accurate and useful)
• Guide to Copyright for Dissertations

A word about LaTeX

LaTeX is a writing and markup language often used in science and engineering documents because it allows for great control in creating complex equations and formulas. ScholarSpace does not maintain a template for dissertations created with LaTeX, and we can only provide very limited support for it. That said, there is a community of U-M folks who actively maintain  this LaTeX template to keep it in line with Rackham's guidelines .

Here are some other very useful resources:

• Video recording of a  UM Library Workshop on Dissertation Formatting with LaTeX
• Documentation for LaTeX and Overleaf
• Bibiliography Management with LaTeX
• How to Write a Thesis in LaTeX
• A huge collection of LaTeX resources

Can I use Google Docs for my dissertation?

No. Google Docs can get you pretty far down the road to something that looks like what Rackham requires, however, it's going to take a lot more work to get that far, and as you approach the finish line there will be obstacles that Google Docs just won't be able to get around. The issue is that Google Docs was not designed for complicated documents like a thesis or dissertation. To get it to do many of the special things that Rackham requires, you'll have to do a lot of work that Word will just do for you . A few examples:

• Rackham requires 1" margin on all pages, but a 2" margin at the top of each new section. You'll have to manually adjust every relevant page yourself in Docs to get this, but Word will just do it automatically.
• Docs gives you three choices for how your Table of Contents will look, none of which are suitable for Rackham. While you can adjust the format, many aspects of it (such as spacing) will revert to the original every time you update it.  With Word, you're in charge of what your ToC looks like.
• In Docs, you'll have to manually type in your figure numbers ("Figure 3.6") and change them every time you add or move them. But Word will manage numbering and caption placement for you, it will renumber figures or tables as you add or move them, and it will create your List of Figures/Tables automatically – correct page numbers and all. 
• With Word's figure/table numbering, you can also insert cross-references so when you refer to "(see Figure 4.2)" but then you add some new figures before that, not only will Figure 4.2 renumber itself automatically, but anywhere you've referred to it will be updated, too. No more anxiety about whether you've updated everything accurately.
• Page numbers: Rackham wants the first two pages to have no page numbers, the rest of the frontmatter to have small roman numerals, and the body of the document to have arabic numerals.  Docs just plain can't do that. 

If you're concerned about the learning curve of using Word, please know that this Guide goes over how to do everything, AND the Word template found here has nearly everything already set up for you. We also regularly offer a workshop that serves as an introduction to the most useful features, and you can set up a meeting with a ScholarSpace expert anytime you run into something that you can't figure out. 

Writing Assistance

This Guide is all about how to properly format your dissertation -- how to make it look the way Rackham wants it to look. But what if you need help with the actual composition  of your content? Our friends at the Sweetland Writing Center offer such assistance, through their Writing Workshop program. From their website:

These are just a few quick but especially important tips to help you get started. See our more expansive Tips & Troubleshooting section for suggestions that are a little more complex.

• Save early , save often, and create backup versions as you go along. Consider setting up Microsoft OneDrive (you have free access with your umich login credentials). With this, you can turn on "Autosave" in Word to automatically save your document at regular intervals.

• Use our template (available above), it will save you lots of time. Nearly all of the difficult formatting stuff we discuss in this Guide is already built into the template. Consider doing all of your writing in it -- even if you're working in separate files for each chapter, you can use a copy of the template for each one of those chapters.
• Set the margins including the two-inch margin for chapters titles  ( Setting Margins ) .
• Define styles for Headings 1-3, Normal, Captions, and Quotes – these are most common; you may need others ( Working with Styles ).
• If headings need to be numbered (for example, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, etc.), define a multi-level list ( Automatic Numbering ).
• If captions need to include the chapter number, define a multi-level list ( Automatic Numbering ).
• Share your file(s) with your advisors using Track Changes ( Commenting and Reviewing ) .
• If you use EndNote to manage your citations and create your bibliography, use only one EndNote library for your entire dissertation (see our EndNote Basics guide).
• Did we mention that you really ought to try out our template (available above)?

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

Faculty of Graduate Studies

University of manitoba.

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Thesis and practicum examinations and MSpace submission

When you have finished writing your Master’s or Ph.D. thesis or practicum, it must be examined and passed by your examining committee before being revised, if necessary, and submitted to MSpace, the university’s digital repository, where it will become available worldwide.

On this page

Thesis submission deadlines and requirements, submitting your ph.d. thesis for examination, thesis examination process, submitting your thesis or practicum to the mspace digital repository, thesis and practicum submission checklist, archiving of your thesis and practicum.

Procedures for the submission and examination of Master’s theses and practica may vary between programs and are carried out at the unit level. For details, please consult the program’s supplementary regulations .

Doctoral theses must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies office via the Graduate Studies Hub (University of Manitoba account login required) to initiate the written examination process. The Ph.D. thesis examination process is carried out by the Faculty of Graduate Studies; please see below for details.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit their theses and practica well in advance of the relevant deadlines outlined in the table below to ensure that they will be able to graduate in their intended graduation period (May, October, or February).

Timelines for completing thesis examinations and satisfying outstanding requirements can vary significantly; students who leave the distribution of their theses and practica until the deadline often have difficulty getting their work approved in time to meet graduation deadlines. Failing to meet these deadlines will result in delays to your convocation.

Table notes:

1 The “Approval to Proceed to Thesis Examination” form verifies that each member of the advisory committee has read the complete version of the thesis and has provided the candidate with a detailed review and comments including any necessary revisions. Please contact your unit/department for internal procedures and deadlines regarding review of your thesis by the internal examiners.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements are delivered to the Faculty of Graduate Studies office by the deadline noted.

• Students cannot be added to the potential graduand list after the final deadline listed in the table above.
• When a submission date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Before submitting your thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for examination, your advisory committee must verify that they have read the complete thesis and provided you with a detailed review and comments, including any necessary revisions, by signing the Approval to Proceed to Ph.D. Thesis Examination form (PDF available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Forms page ). This form must be signed by all parties and submitted by the student alongside the thesis. Signing the Approval to Proceed form does not constitute a formal evaluation of the thesis.

The thesis will be eligible for examination if:

• No more than one (1) member of the advisory committee indicates on the Approval to Proceed to Ph.D. Thesis Examination form that they do not support proceeding to the formal examination of the thesis; and
• The department/unit indicates on the Approval to Proceed to Ph.D. Thesis Examination form that they do support proceeding to the formal examination of the thesis.

Once the Approval to Proceed to Ph.D. Thesis Examination form is signed by all parties and the thesis is ready for examination, you must submit it, your thesis, and any related files (if applicable) to the Faculty of Graduate Studies via the Ph.D. Thesis Submission Form on the Graduate Studies Hub (University of Manitoba account login required). Below are complete instructions on how to submit your thesis to the committee and for what to expect after your thesis has been submitted.

Graduate Studies Hub

Note on advisors, co-advisors, and internal examiners from outside of the University of Manitoba Individuals who do not have a UMNetID and University of Manitoba email address (e.g., faculty from the University of Winnipeg who do not have an appointment at the University of Manitoba) must be added to the University of Manitoba's Microsoft user directory in order to access the Graduate Studies Hub and the administrative processes hosted on that site, including the Ph.D. thesis examination process. For additional details, please see the External Users page on the Graduate Studies Hub site (University of Manitoba account login required).

Those who hold adjunct appointments or are otherwise eligible to claim a UMNetID must claim their UMNetID to be able to access the Graduate Studies Hub and other University of Manitoba services and systems. For additional information, please visit the Claim UMNetID page on the University of Manitoba website.

If your Advisor, Co-Advisor, and/or examining committee members do not have an appointment (including adjunct) at the University of Manitoba, they must be granted access to the Graduate Studies Hub before you submit your thesis for examination.

Submission instructions

The Ph.D. thesis examination process is located on the Graduate Studies Hub Sharepoint site, which is accessible to all faculty, staff, and students. This is the method Ph.D. students must use to submit their thesis for examination.

To access the thesis submission form, you will need to:

• If you accessed the login page from a link to the Graduate Studies Hub, you will be directed to the Graduate Studies Hub home page once you have logged in using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). If you were already logged into your account in your web browser, you will not be prompted to log in again.
• If you accessed the login page from another link (e.g., portal.office.com), you can navigate to Sharepoint from the Apps waffle menu in the top left-hand corner of your screen. Once you are on the Sharepoint homepage, search for the Graduate Studies Hub using the search bar at the top of the screen. For more information on navigating Sharepoint, please visit the Microsoft website .
• From the Graduate Studies Hub home screen, select the “Ph.D. Thesis Examinations” button or navigate to the page from the navigation toolbar at the top of the screen (under “Program Requirements”).
• Read the “Before you begin” section on the Ph.D. Thesis Examinations page for details about submission requirements. Ensure that you have all of the proper documents and information available before navigating to the submission form.
• Once you are ready to submit your thesis, select “Submit your Ph.D. thesis for examination”. This link is available in multiple places along the right-hand side of the screen and will open in a new tab in your web browser upon selection.
• Preamble (eligibility for examination and anticipated graduation date)
• Student Information (student name, number, email address, program)
• Thesis Information (title, abstract, PDF thesis file, Approval to Proceed to Ph.D. Thesis Examination Form, supplementary file(s) and/or descriptions of revisions, if applicable)
• Examining Committee Information (for each examiner: name, email address, role, department/unit)
• Review all information entered for accuracy before proceeding to the next section and ensure that the correct documents are uploaded. When you are ready to submit the form, select the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after the thesis has been submitted.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] .

As per University policy, students are required to check their @myumanitoba.ca email account regularly as continuous information is emailed to students throughout the examination process.

The Ph.D. thesis examination process consists of the examination of the written thesis by an examining committee comprised of the Advisor/Co-Advisor, internal examiners, and an external examiner selected by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. If the thesis is passed at the written examination stage, it will be permitted to proceed to the oral examination.

The Ph.D. thesis examination process begins with the submission of the Ph.D. Thesis Submission Form (including the thesis and Approval to Proceed form). Once this form has been successfully submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies:

• The student will receive an email confirming that their thesis has been received.  
• The thesis submission number and student number (included in the email notification);
• The Advisor (and Co-Advisor, if applicable) name and email address;
• Full name, email address, department/unit, and University
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing their scholarly publications, research activities, and Ph.D. student supervision/examination experience in Word or PDF format;
• A short statement explaining the rationale for the nomination; and
• Acknowledgements of each of the eligibility requirements with room to elaborate, if necessary.  
• If there is a Co-Advisor, they will receive an email asking them to approve the nominations. This email will contain instructions for submitting their approval or rejection.  
• The external examiner will be chosen and invited to serve by the Faculty of Graduate Studies Associate Dean and will remain anonymous until the external examiner’s report is received.  
• The student and Advisor/Co-Advisor informing them that the thesis examination has begun. They are reminded that while the thesis is undergoing review, no communication is permitted with examining committee members regarding the thesis until all internal and external examiner reports have been received
• Internal and external examiners providing them with a link for accessing a .pdf copy of the candidate’s thesis (and supplementary files if applicable) and instructions for submitting their report. Internal and external examiners are requested to submit their detailed reports via the appropriate Report Form within four (4) weeks. Automated reminders will be sent one (1) week before the report deadline and one (1) day after the deadline. The Faculty of Graduate Studies will contact examiners who have not submitted their report by one (1) week after the deadline.  
• Once all examiner reports are received, they will be reviewed by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and sent via email to the Advisor/Co-advisor, internal examining committee members and the Department/Unit Head. The Advisor/Co-Advisor will be asked to share the reports with the student. If the written examination is passed, they will also be provided with information concerning scheduling the Ph.D. Oral Examination at this point.

Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Guide for policies and regulations regarding the Ph.D. thesis examination process.

The Ph.D. oral examination Please visit the Ph.D. oral examination page for details about Ph.D. oral examination scheduling and procedures.

If both the written and oral examinations are passed, the final copy of the thesis (including any necessary revisions) must be submitted to MSpace.

All theses and practica are submitted electronically to MSpace, the University of Manitoba digital repository. Here they become searchable and available to a worldwide audience.

You must submit your thesis or practicum to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by the deadlines indicated in the Academic Schedule in the Graduate Calendar to be eligible for graduation for a specific graduation period. The Faculty of Graduate Studies does not provide extensions for thesis or practicum submissions beyond these final deadlines.

You submit your thesis or practicum to MSpace following the approval of the work by the examining committee and the completion of any revisions required by that committee. The digital copy is required for the University of Manitoba library and remains the property of the University of Manitoba.

To be eligible to receive your parchment and official transcripts, you must pay all outstanding university fines and fees (library, parking, tuition, etc.) and your file must not be on hold.

Learn more about MSpace

Benefits of mspace.

Having your thesis or practicum in the university's digital repository has a number of advantages.

Global exposure and self-promotion

Your thesis/practicum can be read from anywhere in the world in full text by prospective employers, researchers, colleagues, friends and relatives. You can promote your thesis/practicum by adding its MSpace URL to your CV and your home page.

Faster and wider accessibility

Your thesis/practicum will be processed quickly and will be accessible from MSpace, Google, Google Scholar, the UM Libraries’ catalogue, and elsewhere. 

URLs and accompanying files (including multimedia files)

You can add URLs with active links within your e-thesis. You can also add audio or video or other accompanying files to MSpace as separate files.

Lower costs and less paper

You save money and trees by providing everyone with the MSpace URL to your thesis/ practicum.

Before you submit your thesis or practicum

Please review these points to ensure you are prepared to submit your thesis or practicum. 

Log in to MSpace

You log in to MSpace using your UMNetID user name and password.

Prepare your thesis/practicum PDF

• You must submit the electronic version of your thesis (”e-thesis”) in portable document format (PDF). 
• Convert your electronic thesis into a single unsecured (not password protected) PDF file with fonts embedded. The PDF file must remain unsecured for full text indexing and processing. For help, please see the Libraries’ Depositing Help page .
• Name the PDF file as your last and first name.  For example: doe_jane.pdf
• Remove signatures and personal information. Make sure your thesis does not contain any personal contact information (e.g., addresses, email addresses, and/or telephone numbers).
• Any signatures on scanned letters or forms should be removed before sending your thesis to the printer (if stipulated in your program’s supplementary regulations) and submitting to MSpace.

Information to have on hand

Before posting your thesis, please review  What you need before you deposit  

Submitting additional files

Please review What you can deposit .

Submit an electronic thesis

• Submit one electronic copy of your thesis or practicum according to the instructions on the MSpace website. Ensure there are no missing pages in your document. Submit additional files separately.
• You will be asked to agree to the MSpace license before your submission can be completed.

Submit to the Faculty of Graduate Studies:

• Master’s students: The original Thesis/Practicum Final Report form. This is signed by your examining committee after you have successfully defended and/or completed your thesis and practicum revisions.
• PhD students: The Faculty of Graduate Studies provides the Chair Report Form and the Final Approval of the Ph.D. Thesis Form to the Chair of the Ph.D. oral examination. These forms must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by the Chair and Advisor/Co-Advisor, respectively, following the oral examination.

Other Requirements:

• The Thesis Release form – this is a copyright license declaration form that you must complete in MSpace when you submit your thesis
• A copy of the Ethical Review Board approval letter (if applicable) received from the Research Ethics Board and any other pertinent access approval forms (if applicable).

It is your responsibility to provide copies of your thesis or practicum to your department if required in the supplementary regulations for your program.

Please see  Expectations and obligations in a deposit for more information.

Delay before your thesis appears on MSpace

After you post your e-thesis, it goes into the MSpace submission pool, and the status will appear as “Awaiting Editor’s Approval”. Your e-thesis will appear in MSpace after a Graduate Studies staff member has reviewed and accepted it.

For help and information about submitting electronic theses, please see Depositing help & FAQ .

Thesis Proposal Exam

The Thesis Proposal Examination consists of the preparation of a written research proposal (15 pages maximum) and an oral presentation and defense of the same before a faculty committee. The purpose of the examination is to judge the student’s apparent ability to plan and conduct high-quality, PhD-level research in chemical engineering. The topic, magnitude and significance of the proposed research should be suitable for the ensuing doctoral program.

There are no restrictions on candidate/advisor consultations, but the extent of these interactions must be disclosed to the examining committee and the graduate office.

The examination will be taken no later than May 31 in the year after passing the Doctoral Candidacy Exam (DCE). For most students, this thesis proposal exam will be taken during their second year in the graduate program. Failure to take the thesis proposal exam in a timely fashion, absent approval of a petition to the faculty for special consideration, constitutes a lack of satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree and constitutes grounds for removal from the PhD program.

The examination date must be chosen in consultation with the candidate’s advisor and the other committee members at least three (3) weeks in advance of the proposed examination date. After scheduling the exam, the candidate informs the graduate program office by completing and submitting the  Request for Thesis Proposal Examination Form (PDF).

A one-page  Project Summary  (PDF)for the written research proposal must be submitted with the Written Proposal. The Written Proposal and Project Summary must be distributed to the Graduate Program Office and the committee members at least one week in advance of the scheduled examination date.

A reminder of the various due dates will be sent to the student and committee after the examination is scheduled.

Examining Committee

The Thesis Proposal Examination Committee consists of at least three faculty members from chemical engineering (including the proposed Dissertation Committee Chair(s)) and at least one cognate faculty member from outside the Chemical Engineering Department. Most students use the Thesis Proposal Exam Committee members as their Dissertation Committee members as well.

The examination consists of the preparation of a written research proposal and an oral presentation and defense of the same before the Thesis Proposal Examination Committee. At the oral examination, the candidate will present a 20-30 minute summary of the research proposal and subsequently be asked questions on the proposal and related matters. The total time for the examination is typically 60–90 minutes. The committee may be expected to pose any question relating to the substance and background of the proposed research and the applicant’s preparation for conducting the research.

Immediately before the oral examination, the advisor shall inform the other committee members of the extent of the collaboration with the candidate and also give an impression of the candidate’s performance in research already conducted.

In evaluating the thesis proposal examination, the primary criterion will be the applicant’s apparent ability to plan and conduct high-quality, PhD-level research in chemical engineering, as measured by the scholarly and technical breadth and depth displayed in the examination.

The examining committee will rate the written proposal and oral presentation as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor and provide a few comments to explain the basis for the rating. A rating of Good signifies a proposal and presentation that just meets minimum standards and is the lowest possible passing score. These ratings and comments will be shared with the student and given to the graduate office.

Success on the examination fulfills one of the requirements for the PhD degree. A student who does not pass the thesis proposal exam in their first attempt may take it a second time but no later than October 15. Failing twice to pass the thesis proposal examination is considered sufficient reason to terminate the applicant’s enrollment in the Department’s Doctoral Program.

Thesis Proposal Exam Results Report

Guidelines for Preparing for the Thesis Proposal Examination

• The applicant should read the  Proposal Writer’s Guide  (Office of Research and Sponsored Projects of The University of Michigan). The discussion of the Introduction, Background and Description of Proposed Research sections will likely be the most useful.
• The  written proposal (WP)  may be organized in any form that the applicant feels is most appropriate but should include the items listed below. Some suggestions for suitable preparation for the  oral examination (OE)  are also indicated.

Introduction  (including a statement of the problem, purpose and significance of the research).

Background  (including a literature survey and a description of research already performed by the applicant).

WP:  The literature review should be selective and critical.

OE:  The applicant is expected to be intimately familiar with the relevant literature, the opinions of previous workers in the subject, and to be critical of shortcomings in earlier work.

Description of Proposed Research  (including method or approach and expected difficulties). This must constitute about 50% of the text of the written proposal. The Project Description should provide a clear statement of the work to be undertaken and must include: objectives for the period of the proposed work and expected significance; relation to the present state of knowledge in the field and to work in progress at Michigan and elsewhere. The Project Description should outline the general plan of work, including the broad design of activities to be undertaken and, where appropriate, provide a clear description of experimental methods and procedures.

WP:  A specific research program should be put forth (e.g., identify variables to be studied and their levels); the expected research program sequence; decision points expected during the course of the research; the methods of data reduction, evaluation, interpretation and presentation, etc.

OE:  The applicant is expected to display a thorough grasp of the physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, etc., relevant to the conduct of the theoretical or experimental research program. The methods used by others or proposed to be used should be thoroughly understood.

A  timetable  for conducting and reporting the research: The timetable should be clearly based upon the scope of the work described in the description of the proposed research.

List of references . Each reference must include the names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article and journal title, book title, volume number, page numbers and year of publication.

Curriculum Vitae .

The written research proposal must not be longer than 15 pages of text (including figures, excluding title page, list of references, and CV), of which about 50% must be the description of the proposed research.

Use one of the following typefaces: Arial, Times, Times New Roman, Palatino (if using a Mac), Courier New, Palatino Linotype, Computer Modern family of fonts at a font size of 11 points or larger. A font size of less than 11 points may be used for mathematical formulas or equations, figure, table or diagram captions and when using a Symbol font to insert Greek letters or special characters.

No more than six lines of text within a vertical space of one inch.

Margins, in all directions, must be at least an inch.

While line spacing (single-spaced, double-spaced, etc.) is at the discretion of the proposer, established page limits must be followed.

The  project summary  (pdf) is not more than one page, and it should be a self-contained description of the activity proposed. The summary should include a statement of objectives and methods to be employed. It must clearly address the intellectual merit of the proposed activity. It should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and, insofar as possible, understandable to a scientifically or technically literate lay reader. Potential hazards and safety precautions should be identified. The members of the proposed dissertation committee should be included on the Project Summary.

• Mardigian Library
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Advanced Criminology & Criminal Justice Research Guide

Your master's thesis.

• Online Library Access
• Start Finding Sources
• Search Databases
• Find Laws, Cases, & Data
• Find/Browse ebooks
• Your Thesis Proposal
• Identify Research Gaps
• Develop A Research Question/Hypothesis
• Read & Analyze Your Articles
• Select Your Sources
• Use Your Sources
• Avoid Plagiarism
• Write & Cite in APA Style
• Write & Cite in ASA Style
• Manage Your Sources & Citations
• Browse Journals

Nadine Anderson, Behavioral Sciences and Women's & Gender Studies Librarian

Thesis writing can seem like a very daunting task but your Criminology & Criminal Justice librarian, Nadine Anderson, is here to help. Contact me at [email protected] with your questions about identifying research gaps, finding sources for your literature review, and putting together your thesis proposal.

1.  Identify a research gap : your thesis should address a research gap which you identify in the literature, a research question or problem which has not been addressed in your area of interest.

2.  Build and defend your thesis proposal : a written document that outlines what you're going to study and why it's important, as well as the methods you will use to study your thesis topic.

3. To graduate after successfully defending your Master's thesis:

The Graduate Studies Office requires you to have your thesis submitted to  Deep Blue (the University of Michigan's institutional repository) in order to release your final grade. You and your advisor can choose from either of the following process options below to have your thesis submitted to Deep Blue

The deadlines for submission for either option  are:

• Fall 2023: December 4, 2023
• Winter 2024: April 14, 2024

Option 1: Submit your Master's Thesis for a format check before you have it submitted to Deep Blue

• Your thesis needs to be finalized and approved by your Thesis Chair before you submit it for a format check
• Use the Master's Thesis Formatting Checklist below to make sure that your thesis meets the Graduate Studies Office formatting requirements for Masters theses. 
• Library staff will check your thesis once using the Master's Thesis Formatting Checklist (see below) against the Graduate Studies Office formatting requirements for Masters theses.
• Library staff will send you an email that includes the formatting revisions needed as well as a link to the Deep Blue Submission form 
• You will also add information about your thesis needed for Deep Blue submission
• You will then submit your Master's Thesis as a pdf file with embedded fonts for Deep Blue

Option 2: Waive a format check and just submit your thesis to Deep Blue

• Fill out the Thesis/Dissertation Waiver Statement  and have your committee chair sign it
• This statement must be  signed by your committee chair before you submit it
• Library staff will send you an email that includes the link to the Deep Blue Submission form 

To help you format your Word document correctly , use:

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Thesis Research, Statistical Analysis, and Writing

Thesis Writing & Research

• Conducting Your Literature Review (2020)
• Dissertations & Theses from Start to Finish (2020)
• How to Write a Thesis [ebook] (2011)
• Succeeding With Your Master's Dissertation: A Step-By-Step Handbook [ebook]  (2015)
• Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide (2013)

Statistics & Data Management

• From Numbers to Words: Reporting Statistical Results for the Social Sciences [ ebook] (2017)
• Managing Your Research Data & Documentation (2018)
• SPSS Statistics for Dummies [ebook] (2015)
• Introductory Statistics Using SPSS (2017)
• Intermediate Statistics Using SPSS   (2018)
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The goal of the PhD program is to create a culture of scholarship and high impact research that produces articulate researchers who are called upon first to hold leadership positions in society and academia.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree is the highest degree awarded by the Mechanical Engineering Department and is recommended for students who are interested in leadership careers in academia (e.g. as a faculty member of a university), industry, or government.

Sections of this Page:

Milestones to the Ph.D.

Research and coursework, qualifying examinations.

Dissertation Proposal Exam

Dissertation

Ph.d. research at the university of michigan.

Research involves active, student-directed inquiry into an engineering topic. A student’s research experience forms the core of the PhD program. There are two goals for conducting research: 1) to learn the general skills to conduct independent research and 2) to develop new knowledge in mechanical engineering.

Conducting research requires combining knowledge gained in the classroom with the ability to read the scientific literature, identify critical knowledge gaps, structure complex problems, formulate and test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, and present and discuss technical results. Engineering research also requires significant experimental, computational, and analytical skills. A student learns these core skills as she pursues her research topic.

Many of these skills cannot be learned in the classroom setting, but instead must be developed in the laboratory, library, and conference room as the student actively interacts with faulty, other students, and researchers around the world. Independent, non-classroom based learning and problem solving is a core aspect of the PhD degree. Upon completion of his dissertation the student should be an international expert in a technical area. Dissemination of new knowledge at technical conferences and in peer-reviewed archival publications is an important part of research.

There are three student profiles in the ME PhD program: (1) Direct PhD students that are admitted without a relevant Master’s degree, (2) students who enter the PhD program with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field, and (3) students who enter the PhD program with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field from the University of Michigan. The differences in the three tracks toward the PhD vary at the coursework level. Please be mindful of the requirements listed below. A student should always discuss academic plans with his research advisor.

The major ME program milestones all PhD students complete:

• Qualifying Examination (RCC & RFE)
• Advancement to Candidacy
• Dissertation Proposal Examination
• Thesis Dissertation (written) and Defense (oral)

In addition to the academic component of the PhD, students are encouraged to participate in professional development. The Rackham Graduate School has partnered with divisions around campus to develop a central location to promote workshops, training sessions, forums, and talks relevant to graduate students. It is recommended that students visit the Professional and Academic Development  website on a regular basis to stay informed about the activities on campus.

Timeline & Satisfactory Progress

The ME department will adhere to all Rackham policies regarding academic progress, probation, dismissal and appeals as outlined here in the Rackham Academic Policies (Section 3.5).

The timeline for completing these milestones and other program requirements and expectations.

To continue in the Ph.D. Program and remain fully funded, you must maintain satisfactory progress in the following ways:

• Maintain Cum. GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Engage in research with faculty by the end of 1st semester.
• Solidify faculty advisor by the end of 1st semester.
• Identify thesis topic by the end of 2nd semester.
• International students must take and pass the GSI OET by the end of the 3rd semester.
• Pass the RCC by the end of 2nd semester (an extra semester may be granted via petition if necessary, but no more).
• Complete ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success prior to advancement to candidacy (Fall 2021 and later cohorts).
• Demonstrate preliminary results in research by the end of the summer term after the first year (in preparation for the RFE). If you have concerns about your progress, email the Grad Coordinator to schedule a meeting with Grad Chair.
• Pass the RFE by the end of 4th semester. Change-of-Program students pass the RFE within two semesters of beginning the Ph.D. Program. An extra semester may be granted in either case via petition if necessary, but no more.
• Complete Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE) and form dissertation committee within one year of passing the RFE. (For students who take the RFE in their 3rd semester, it is desirable to complete the DPE by the end of the 2nd year in the PhD program.)
• Maintain progress toward publications and dissertation completion with the guidance of advisors. If you have concerns about your progress, email the Grad Coordinator to schedule a meeting with Grad Chair.

You are welcome and encouraged to speak to the Graduate Coordinator and Chair at anytime.  You and your advisor both have opportunities to confirm progress or express concerns regarding your progress via the Annual Progress Update.

Probation : If a student is not making satisfactory progress in one or more of the areas outlined above, the student will be put on probation.  The terms of probation will be individually designed based on the student’s situation and as agreed upon by the Graduate Chair, the faculty advisor, and the student. The ME Graduate Program Committee will also review and approve all probation agreements.  When a the terms of probation are agreed upon, a probation agreement will be completed and enforced by the Graduate Chair.

Length of the Probationary Period : The probationary period will be no shorter than two months and, unless otherwise stated, conclude at the end of that term. If a student is placed on probation within two months of the end of the term, the probationary period will extend into the following term for at least two months.

Funding During the Probationary Period : Doctoral students will continue to receive funding during the probationary period.

End of the Probationary Period : At the end of the probationary period the student will either be returned to good academic standing or dismissed from the program.

Appeals Process for Probation and Dismissal : Students may appeal academic probation or dismissal decisions. Appeals pertaining to a students’ academic performance or progress in the program will be overseen by the Graduate Program Committee. The Rackham Graduate School will handle appeals relating to procedural issues of fair and equal treatment by the program.

Finding a Research Advisor:

To select a research advisor, the student should talk to faculty members in potential areas of research interest. If the research topic is of an interdisciplinary nature, the student can choose to have two research advisors as long as at least one advisor is from Mechanical Engineering. 

It is expected that the faculty advisor will have research support or other available funding in order to finance tuition, stipend and benefits costs of the degree.

Recommendations and tips for finding a research advisor:

• Talk to senior graduate students about their advisors. Share your interests and ask them for suggestions about whom you should meet.
• Familiarize yourself with various research groups.
• Make a list of faculty to contact who are involved in research areas that interest you. A list of faculty by research areas can be found here .
• Read about faculty research in journals, conference proceedings, or on their website.
• Visit their labs. A list of labs can be found here .
• Schedule meetings with faculty members. Typically this is done via email which includes an introduction and requests time to meet with them. Be knowledgeable about their work in order to have an active discussion about their previous and ongoing research.
• Sometimes working in their lab for academic reasons only (not as a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) ) will provide you with the opportunity to prove your researching capabilities and may lead to a GSRA with that faculty.
• If possible, enroll in classes being taught by faculty whose work interests you.
• Do well in classes relevant to your research interest and get to know the faculty.
• Consider doing a small project supported intellectually by a faculty member. ME 590 research credits are taken.
• If you are unsuccessful with securing a research advisor, it is recommended that you meet with the Graduate Program Chair immediately to discuss the situation.

Research Requirements

Regardless of whether or not the Ph.D. student has a Master’s prior to attending U-M or not, all students should take at least 6 credits of research ( ME 590 ) in the first two-three terms of the PhD program.  This will help ensure that the student meets Rackham’s requirements to candidacy upon successfully passing of the qualifying exams.  Change of Program students are not required to enroll in addition ME 590 credits after matriculating to Ph.D. as they have already completing the credit requirement for advancing to candidacy.

Students should complete 8 hours of  responsible conduct of research and scholarship  (RCRS) training by the end of their 3rd term of enrollment. 

Once a student has completed 6 credits of ME 590, they should take 8 credits of ME 990 per term.

Once a student reaches Candidacy, 8 credits of ME 995 research credits are taken every term until the student defends their dissertation.

Coursework Requirements

For Direct PhD students (i.e. students admitted without a relevant Master’s degree):

• It is necessary to complete all of the academic requirements for the Master’s degree which includes 30 credits . Please visit the Master’s Degree page for specific degree requirements. This type of Master’s degree is referred to as an “embedded” master’s, a master’s degree awarded “on-the-way” to the PhD. In addition to their MSE degree, direct PhD students must complete:
• At least 6 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990 and ME995.
• (Fall 2021 cohort and later) ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success. This class should ideally be taken in the first year but may also be taken in the second year if needed. This 1 credit course may be counted towards the additional 6 credits of letter graded coursework.

For PhD students entering with a relevant Master’s Degree :

• At least 18 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990, and ME995.
• Of the 18 letter-graded credits, 3  credits must be cognates . The cognate requirement may be satisfied by having completed a UM Master’s degree which included a cognate component.
• (Fall 2021 cohort and later) ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success. This class should ideally be taken in the first year but may also be taken in the second year if needed. This 1 credit course may be counted towards the 18 credits of letter graded coursework.
• A PhD student entering with a relevant Master’s degree that decides to pursue an additional master’s degree at the University of Michigan may apply the 18 credits required for the PhD to the master’s degree in another department. The student’s advisor should approve of the second degree.

For PhD students entering with a Master’s Degree from the UM ME Department (i.e. change of program students) :

• At least 6 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S- Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990, and ME995.

For students who completed the SUGS program :

• Additional credits of letter-graded graduate coursework equal to or greater than the number of credits double counted in the SUGS program.

The PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) consists of two components: the Research Core Curriculum (RCC) (formerly GCC) and the Research Fundamentals Exam (RFE).

Research Core Curriculum (RCC) Exam

The goal of the RCC is to ensure proficiency in technical topics both within and outside of the student’s primary research area.

Students can submit their RCC plan here.

All PhD students must take four Research Core Curriculum (RCC) courses in the first two semesters. Typically students will enroll in two Research Core Curriculum courses in the first term, however some exceptions exist where students will only enroll in one or will opt to take three. During the second term of study, the remaining Research Core Curriculum courses are taken. Change-of-program students should refer below.

The RCC consists of four 500+ level graduate courses that satisfy the following course distribution requirements:

• At most, three may be in the student’s research area
• At least one must be outside of the student’s research area
• At most, one may be from a department other than Mechanical Engineering. Note: Multiple cross-listed courses in the RCC plan will prompt additional consideration by the Graduate Program Committee (GPC)

In consultation with their research advisor a student should develop and submit a RCC plan . If a student does not have a research advisor, the student should submit a preliminary RCC plan by the Friday before the first day of classes. The ME Graduate Chair will then work with the student (if necessary) to arrive at a satisfactory plan. An RCC Plan is comprised of the following components:

• A list of the four courses on which the RCC will be based (a list of all ME graduate-level courses scheduled for the Fall and Winter terms is located here ).
• A short (3-4) sentence statement that specifies how the courses fit into the student’s current or intended research plan (this can be general if the student does not yet have a research advisor).
• The approval of the student’s research advisor and/or the ME Graduate Chair.

The GPC will review and (if appropriate) approve RCC course plans based on their accordance with the course distribution requirements specified above and their academic rigor. The GPC will monitor the historical record of GPAs for courses selected on the RCC, and may ask a student to revise the student’s RCC plan if the plan is judged to be insufficiently rigorous.

RCC plans may need to change after the start of the semester or between the first and second semester of the RCC. Typical circumstances that may necessitate a revision include course cancellations and a change in the student’s research area and/or research advisor. Revised RCC plans require GPC approval. Requests for modifications to RCC plans should be submitted via the RCC form prior to the add/drop deadline for the term..

GPC approval is required for dropping a course after the above dates and will only be given in rare circumstances. Changes in research area and/or research advisor are not sufficient reasons for dropping an RCC course.

Evaluation of the RCC (for those who entered the PhD program after Winter 2014):  The grades students receive in RCC courses will be averaged to determine an RCC GPA. The GPA is based on Rackham’s new 4.0 scale where A+ = 4.3 , A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, and B+ = 3.3. The RCC GPA will be used to determine the outcome of the RCC and will follow these guidelines:

*Note: A student must demonstrate proficiency by performing very well on the RFE (as judged by the RFE examiners) to pass the PhD qualifying examination. The student has two tries on the RFE to perform very well.

**Note: The student may petition the GPC to take an additional course in the third semester if that course grade could increase the overall GPA (of all five courses) to at least a 3.5 (or a 6.5 via the old Rackham 9.0 scale).

Petitions for a deviation from the above guidelines due to rare and extenuating circumstances can be made to the GPC. There are no course retakes in the RCC.

Change-of-Program Students. The GPC will evaluate the prior courses taken by a change-of-program (i.e. MSE to PhD) student to determine which (if any) courses may be eligible to include in an RCC plan, thus reducing the total number of RCC courses required to be taken after the student enters the PhD program. In some cases, a student’s previously completed coursework may satisfy the RCC entirely; thus, the student would not be required to take any additional coursework.

Research Fundamentals Exam (RFE)

The RFE is an oral examination to test the student’s potential to conduct independent research at the PhD level along with her written and oral communication skills. There are four primary objectives:

• Assess the depth of knowledge in the area of research specialization and the ability to relate this to research, 
• Assess the ability of the student to propose an interesting and relevant problem for PhD research
• Test ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and 
• Assess written and oral communication skills and the ability to respond to questions.

Students who have a research advisor and have successfully completed the RCC coursework or who have successfully petitioned are eligible to apply for the RFE. Students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to take the RFE. If a student does not have this GPA, they are required to submit a petition  form to the graduate chair for consideration to take the RFE.

PhD students who successfully complete the RCC coursework must take the RFE the following semester. Change of Program students must take the RFE within one year. It is not mandatory for Change of Program students to take the RFE in their first semester as a PhD student.

Exams are held in the last two weeks of October and last two weeks of March (winter).   The RFE is an oral exam lasting for 45 minutes which is structured with a 15 minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of question and answer with two faculty members.

Sample RFE Presentation

The RFE is organized by research subject areas as listed below:

Registration. Eligible students must register their intent to take the RFE to the Academic Services Office. The online registration form is announced to students via email in the first two weeks of each Fall and Winter semester. In addition, students are responsible for submitting an electronic document with the following elements:

• Bio-sketch using NSF fellowship application format , 
• Research abstract describing research: the purpose of the research being examined, key related research, research hypotheses, research methodology, and results to date. The abstract should be formatted with 11 point font, single spacing, one-inch margins, and be a maximum of 2 pages. These two pages include title, citations, and bibliography.
• A list of RCC courses with discussion of how the RCC courses match the RFE topic and future research plans (less than 200 words).

If you have an approved testing accommodation or SSD-VISA and would like to have similar accommodations for the RFE, please let us know below. We will work with you and SSD to make sure that appropriate accommodations are made for your RFE.

Examiners. Two faculty are selected by the Graduate Program Committee to act as examiners for each RFE thematic area. A student’s research advisor cannot be an examiner. The research advisor is not allowed to be present during the RFE.

Grading.  Students are evaluated on a scale ranging from excellent to poor in each of the following areas:

• Synthesis of course material in research problem context.
• Input to research project.
• Research conduct and methodology.
• Research outcomes.
• Communication.

A sample grade sheet with more information about grading criteria can be found here .

All areas are considered when determining the student’s examination outcome (pass/fail). The two examiners will produce a written report to the Academic Services Office indicating if the student has passed or failed the RFE with specific reasons for their decision.

Communication of Results. The result of the RFE is communicated by the Academic Services Office to the student by way of individual email. Successfully completing the RFE does not mean a student passes the RCC.

Retaking the RFE. Only one repeat is permitted and must be taken no later than the next offering of the RFE after the original RFE. Students will automatically be sent a registration email for the next available RFE session.

Advancing to Candidacy is a prestigious milestone on the way to the PhD. Rackham stipulates that from the time of initial enrollment, Candidacy should be achieved within 3 years. There is reduced tuition associated with candidacy as well as registration constraints. 

Semester deadlines for completing the requirements to advance to candidacy are found  here .

Requirements to advance to candidacy:

• Pass the Qualifying Examination (RCC and RFE)
• Complete ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success
• Completed at least 18 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Credits elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do any ME990 or ME995 credits.
• Of the 18 credits, 3 must be cognates .
• Completed RCRS training requirement.  Workshop Schedule can be found here .

Upon successful completion of the RFE, students will automatically be advanced to candidacy if they have met all of the requirements listed above.  If a student does not wish to advance to candidacy, they should note that on the RFE registration form or notify the Graduate Coordinator in advance ([email protected]). 

Rackham’s Free Course Policy:

“Ph.D. candidates register in the fall and winter terms for 995, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 8 credit hours for a full term or 4 credit hours for a half term. No part-time enrollment is possible. A student who defends in the spring/summer term must register for 8 credit hours of 995 for the spring/summer full term.

Candidates who register for a course should seek prior approval from their faculty advisors. Candidates may elect either one course per term or more than one course for a total of no more than four credits without paying additional tuition beyond candidacy tuition. Courses may be taken for credit or as a visit (audit).

A candidate who does not elect a course during a term of 995 enrollment may, in the next term, either register for courses for no more than 8 credits or register for no more than two courses that total more than 8 credits. An additional course may not be taken in anticipation of taking none in a future term of 995 enrollment.

Candidates who choose to take more courses than those for which they are eligible will be assessed additional tuition per credit hour. ” The additional tuition will be charged to the student’s funding source for that term. Students are not to cover any additional tuition charges.  Original Source .

GSI Oral English Test (OET) Requirements for International PhD Students

GSI Oral English Test (OET) is used to review the English proficiency of international students.  Passing the exam is a requirement for international PhD students and is necessary to ensure satisfactory progress while simultaneously confirming the ability of that student to be an effective GSI. All international students must pass the OET by the end of their 3rd academic term after admission (e.g., by the end of F12 for students who entered in F11) in order to be considered making satisfactory progress toward their degree. International students whose undergraduate education was taught exclusively in English may be exempt from the OET. Additional exemption criteria can be found  here .

• Upon successful completion of this requirement, the student will then be eligible to hold a  GSI position  (see the  English Language Proficiency Requirements  section).
• If the student does not hold a GSI position within the next 18 months after passing the exam, the student must check in with the  English Language Institute (ELI)  to extend or renew their exam results. In order to continue making satisfactory progress, a PhD student must maintain valid exam results throughout their academic tenure. Please  contact  the English Language Institute to schedule a renewal interview.
• The ELI will evaluate the student’s English skills and determine if the student is qualified to extend the exam results or is required to retake the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ELI to maintain valid exam results.

Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE)

The DPE is an oral exam that provides an early assessment of the feasibility of a student’s proposed research topic for his/her dissertation. In particular, the exam is intended to assess the suitability of the topic and the student’s academic background for carrying out the proposed research. The exam is administered by a student’s Dissertation Committee. The DPE should be completed within one year of passing the RFE.

The Dissertation Committee

Students will assemble their dissertation committee prior to taking the DPE. The Dissertation Committee oversees the student’s research outcomes. Through the dissertation proposal exam, committee meetings, and the thesis defense, the committee tracks the student’s progress and provides feedback and guidance. At each of these meetings, the student presents his research and responds to the committee members’ questions. The purpose of the committee is to provide an outside perspective on the student’s research, helping the student to structure his/her work and identify opportunities. The committee is responsible for approving the student’s research plan via the DPE and signing off on the final dissertation and defense.

Dissertation Committee Requirements: 

A committee must have a minimum of 4 members:

• The chair or one of the co-chairs should be a member of the faculty in the Mechanical Engineering department.
• Three members must be from a Rackham Doctoral Program and be considered a member of “ The Graduate Faculty “, this generally means a Professor at the University of Michigan.
• Two members must be from the Mechanical Engineering department.
• One member must have a 50% appointment in a Rackham doctoral program, other than the Mechanical Engineering department (except Interdisciplinary programs) – otherwise known as your cognate member.

The committee may include a University faculty member who is not a member of “The Graduate Faculty”, a University staff member, or a qualified individual outside the University who to provide expertise in the candidate’s discipline. Any non-faculty member must be approved by the Graduate Program.  These special members require additional documentation to be submitted, ideally prior to the DPE.

The Rackham Graduate School has also developed a Quick Reference Chart for Eligibility to Serve on Dissertation Committees .

Once the committee is formed, the DPE is scheduled as the first meeting of this committee. The student will prepare a written thesis proposal for the committee to review and give an oral presentation to the committee. The format of the written thesis proposal as well as the timing of the exam is at the discretion of the committee chair.

Upon completion of the DPE, the committee chair prepares a memorandum addressed to the ME Graduate Program Chair. The memo should state the outcome of the DPE and list the dissertation committee members. ( Example memo here ) The signed memo is submitted to the Graduate Coordinator ([email protected]). This information will be used to formally process the student’s dissertation committee with the Rackham Graduate School.

After the Graduate Coordinator has submitted the dissertation committee to Rackham Graduate School:

• The student and committee chair will receive automatically generated emails to approve of the committee submission.  
• Rackham will then approve of the dissertation committee ensuring that all requirements are met.
• Once approved by Rackham, the student and the Graduate Coordinator will receive confirmation that it has been approved.  At this time the committee information will be visible in the student’s record in Wolverine Access.

The official guidelines for the dissertation and defense are established by the Rackham Graduate School. In addition, the Rackham Graduate School publishes annual deadlines by which a candidate must defend a dissertation and complete all degree requirements as set forth by Rackham. Doctoral students are expected to complete the degree within 5 years of achieving candidacy, but no more than 7 years from first enrollment.

Dissertation (Written). The dissertation is the most important aspect of the students PhD program experience, since it documents the original contributions made by the candidate as a result of independent research. In advance of graduation, the dissertation must be approved by all the members of the student’s dissertation committee. The student will prepare a rough draft of the dissertation and provide it for all the committee members for their comments before preparing the final draft. Students must provide the rough draft to the committee at least 10 days before the Defense.

Defense (Oral). The defense examination will be given after the thesis has been formally completed. This examination will be a defense of the doctoral thesis and a test of the candidate’s knowledge in the specialized field of research. The format of the examination will be a public seminar presented by the candidate, with an open question period, followed by a private examination by the Dissertation Committee.

Thesis Dissertation and Defense Timeline:

After the dissertation committee gives preliminary approval to the final draft of the dissertation, it must be formatted to meet the standards of Rackham Academic Records and Dissertations (OARD) found here . Support for thesis formatting is available from the Knowledge Navigation Center in the Graduate Library, which offers tutorials, template assistance, guides, and resources for dissertation preparation.

Before the oral defense, students are required to set up a pre-defense meeting with the Rackham Graduate School. In this meeting, students will be instructed on the process and be given Dissertation Evaluation Forms. When the final draft is distributed to the committee members together with Dissertation Evaluation Forms, a defense (oral) is scheduled for a date approximately two weeks later. Dissertation Evaluation Forms must be completed by all Dissertation Committee members at least three working days prior to the oral defense. The defense is public, and a notice is posted on the Rackham Graduate School website, and the Academic Services Office will send an email announcement to the ME students and faculty. After the oral defense, the student or committee chair should submit the Final Oral Examination Report within 48 hours of the defense. The student should then attend the post-defense meeting with the Rackham Graduate School. 

Helpful links related to the dissertation process:

• Rackham Dissertation Handbook – A thorough explanation of the dissertation procedure.
• Dissertation Timeline – Step-by-step timeline of the dissertation and defense.
• Completing the Doctoral Degree Requirements – Important information for before and after the oral defense.
• Doctoral Degree Deadlines – List of deadlines for final term of enrollment, including grace period deadlines.
• Submitting the Dissertation – How to electronically submit your dissertation.

PhD Programs

Doctor of philosophy.

The research-based doctoral program has two primary tracks: Resource Ecology Management (natural science focus) and Resource Policy and Behavior (social science focus). Students may choose between a highly specialized course of study or one that broadly addresses complex, interdisciplinary issues. Each student's course of study is tailored to their scholarly interests and guided by their faculty chair and committee. Broad areas of specialization reflect the expertise and research interests of faculty. The doctoral program's goal is to develop the creative abilities of exceptional students, thereby training them for independent work that contributes to original research and scholarship at the forefront of their chosen fields. Students will become leaders in research, teaching and training others, and developing the scientific knowledge base needed to formulate policies and practices that help sustain natural resources. Program Milestones

• Upon admission, you are assigned an advisor and faculty member(s) to serve on your interim Guidance Committee.
• In your first year, you prepare a "course of study" document that will guide your coursework and scholarly development.
• By the end of your second year, you will complete your qualifying exam and advance to doctoral candidacy.
• By the end of your fifth semester, you will submit your full dissertation proposal.
• By the end of your fifth year, you will defend your dissertation.  

Your PhD will be granted by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies . The school's Doctoral Handbook provides key information, such as a timeline and outline of expectations and requirements. For more information, contact [email protected] .

We're still accepting applications for fall 2024!

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Biostatistics Ph.D. Program

Requirements of the ph.d. program.

The Ph.D. degree requires successful completion of:

• Core courses
• Electives in Biostatistics and Statistics
• Epidemiology requirement
• Public health requirement (Foundations of Public Health Practice, online non-credit course). Students with an MPH from a CEPH-accredited institution are exempt.
• Electives in a cognate area
• Approaches to the Responsible Practice of Biostatistics (BIOS 810)
• Qualifying Examinations in Theory and Applications

Dissertation

• Presentation of proposal for research including an extensive literature review
• Writing of the dissertation
• Oral defense of the dissertation
• Mandatory Form for Scheduling a Proposal or Defense

After successful completion of coursework and the Qualifying Examinations, the student is advanced to candidacy and begins work on his/her dissertation.

Financial Support

All students admitted to one of our residential programs are considered for financial support. There are four types of financial support that we offer our students: Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA), Training Grants and Fellowships.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)

Graduate Student Instructors are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week. This appointment includes full payment of tuition, health insurance coverage, registration fees and a monthly stipend. GSI’s are appointed to help with the instruction of Biostatistics courses offered to students from other Public Health Departments. The duties of a GSI can include preparing materials for and teaching labs, holding office hours, grading homework and exams, and tutoring.

Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA)

GSRA’s are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week on a research project. This appointment includes full payment of tuition, health insurance coverage, registration fees and a monthly stipend. GSRA’s generally work closely with a faculty member who is a principal or co-investigator on the research project. The duties of the GSRA can involve analysis of biomedical research data or statistical research. Currently, GSRAs are working on projects involving statistical methods development and application to bioinformatics, cancer, clinical trials, dentistry, diabetes, environmental health, epidemiology, genetics, health education, kidney disease, and survival analysis.

Training Grants

Students are also supported through involvement in training grants which provide support similar to the GSRA or GSI appointments. Currently, the Department has three training grants. Information can be obtained by clicking on the links below.

• Genomic Science Training Program
• Training Program in Cancer Research (PDF)

Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

Awards for tuition assistance are available and are granted without a work obligation. These awards are generally made on the basis of academic merit, expected contribution to the field, and underrepresented backgrounds. Some examples of awards our students have received include:

• the Shapiro Award
• the Rackham Merit Fellowship for Historically Underrepresented Groups
• the Rackham Non-Traditional Fellowship
• the Rackham Regents Fellowship
• the School of Public Health Tuition Assistance Award.

Other award/scholarship opportunities exist for continuing students. They include:

• the Rackham One-Term Dissertation Grant
• the Barbour Scholarship
• the Pre-doctoral Fellowship
• the Susan Lipshutz Award
• the Rackham Travel Award .

The Rackham Sources of Aid page lists various sources of information on financial assistance available to students on campus.

Prospective students interested in applying for specific awards should contact Student Services at 734-615-9817 or [email protected].

Financial Aid

Many of our students are offered funding as GSIs, GSRAs or fellows. If a student does not receive such an offer, he or she may apply for financial aid through the University of Michigan’s Office of Financial Aid . This office requires applicants for any and all types of financial aid to complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) provided by the American College Testing Center (ACTC) . A FAFSA will be sent to you directly if you indicate your interest in financial assistance on the admission application form. FAFSAs are available from most high school or college libraries and financial aid officers, as well as from the School of Public Health Office for Student Engagement and Practice. FAFSA is also available at www.fafsa.ed.gov .

Prerequisites

Minimum requirements.

• three semesters of calculus
• a course in matrix or linear algebra
• an introductory course in statistics or biostatistics

Students entering with a relevant master's degree in biostatistics or statistics are likely to have completed several of the courses required for the Ph.D. program. For this reason, we outline two programs of study: one for students with a relevant master's degree and one for students without a relevant master's degree. Each student should determine the details of the program of study after consultation with his/her faculty advisor.

Courses for a PhD Student with a Relevant Master's Degree

Typically, a student entering with a relevant master's degree will have had the following courses or their equivalents:

• BIOS 601 Probability and Distribution Theory
• BIOS 602 Biostatistical Inference
• BIOS 650 Applied Statistics I: Linear Regression
• BIOS 810 Approaches to the Responsible Practice of Biostatistics
• MATH 451 Advanced Calculus I
• Foundations of Public Health TBA, starting Fall 2018
• One or two electives in Biostatistics or Statistics

This accelerated program is not possible unless the student has already completed the first three courses listed above. MATH 451 can be taken in the first term of year 1, if necessary.

* Or another advanced probability course.

It is assumed that students entering with a relevant Master's degree will have taken equivalent courses that will enable them to be exempted from 3-6 hours of this requirement.

B. Electives (15 credit hours)

Electives may be selected from Biostatistics at the 600/800 level, from Statistics at the 500/600 level, or with approval of the Candidacy Committee, from courses taught in other departments. At least 12 of these hours should be in formal courses and 9 of the 12 hours should be at the 800 level in Biostatistics or 600 level in Statistics. A formal course is defined to be a graded course that is taught in a lecture format.

C. Epidemiology Requirement

All students in the School of Public Health are required to demonstrate competency in biostatistics and epidemiology. The epidemiology requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:

• Completing Epidemiology 601 (Fall) or PH 512 (Fall & Winter).
• Taking and passing the Epidemiology exemption examination.
• Completing Epidemiology 516 and any necessary prerequisites to that course. (Option available to MS student but not to MPH students)
• Epidemiology 621 as an option for students funded by the Training Program in Cancer Research.

D1. Open Elective Requirement

Depending on the number of credit hours used to complete their epidemiology cognate, Ph.D. students will take 7-10 credit hours of "open elective" courses to be selected from an approved list. If the Epidemiology course taken is 515/516, the student needs 7 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 601, then 9 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 503, then 10 credits. All current Biostatistics students are granted access to the approved list, which is maintained on a Google Drive document. The approved list includes additional electives in biostatistics (600+ level) and statistics (500+ level), applied courses in public health or related topics, and courses in computational methods. Students who want to take University of Michigan courses that are not currently on the approved list are encouraged to request approval from the Curriculum Committee; please contact Nicole Fenech ([email protected]) and provide the name, number of the course and description.  (Courses far afield from biostatistics and public health will not be approved).

In Table 3, we present a possible sequence of courses and examinations for a student entering with a relevant Master's degree. Prior to registering for this sequence, the student should confirm with his/her faculty advisor that he/she has adequate prior course work. Also, the student should discuss with his/her faculty advisor the possibility of receiving exemptions from the Core courses listed above. BIOS 820 or 990 taken in the last term are individually-tailored reading courses in the area of biostatistics in which the student would like to do his or her literature review.

May Year 2:Qualifying Examinations

*Students who have taken BIOS 651 or equivalent prior to entry in the PhD program could finish Core courses (BIOS 801, 802, 653, 699) the first year and write the Qualifying Examinations May Year 1.

*This represents a minimal program of study for the PhD degree. The timing of electives and of cognates/open electives may be freely interchanged.

D2. Public Health Requirement 

All MS and Ph.D students (who do not have MPH degree) are required to take a 1-credit course on "Introduction to Public Health" (PUBHLTH 610) during the first semester of the program. This course is offered in the Fall of every year.

Courses for a PhD Student without a Relevant Master's Degree

This program does not assume any relevant course work for a student entering the PhD program. In practice, students with a relevant Master's are likely to have had some courses that are equivalent to requirements in this program. Therefore, prior to registering for courses the student should discuss with his/her advisor the specific courses that should be taken.

At least 15 credit hours of electives are required. They may be selected from Biostatistics at the 600/800 level, from Statistics at the 500/600 level, or with approval of the Candidacy Committee, from courses taught in other Departments. At least 12 of these hours should be in formal courses, 9 of the 12 hours should be at the 800 level in Biostatistics or 600 level in Statistics. A formal course is defined to be a graded course that is taught in a lecture format.

• Completing Epidemiology 601 (Fall) or PH 512  (Fall & Winter).
• Completing Epidemiology 516 and any necessary prerequisites to that course. (Option available to MS students, but not to MPH students)
• Epidemiology 621 as an option for students funded by the Training Program in Cancer Research 

D1a. Cognate Requirement (for entering class prior to Fall 2015)

PhD students must complete at least 9 hours of course work in a cognate area. This should consist of a coherent set of courses in an area (or in related areas) of application of biostatistics; the courses should be approved for graduate credit and may be from more than one department. Cognate courses should be primarily applied as opposed to mathematics/statistical in nature. For example, courses in areas such as mathematics, statistics, operational research, computer science, econometrics and psychometrics would most likely not qualify as cognate courses. Courses from other departments in Public Health or in areas such as genetics, biology, psychology, economics and many other similar areas will likely qualify as cognate courses. Courses in Bioinformatics that are biological or experimental in nature would typically count toward the cognate, whereas those that are more quantitative or technical would not. Courses taken to satisfy the epidemiology requirement count toward the cognate requirement. Faculty advisors can provide guidance and recommend approval of cognate courses. If questions arise on review by Student Services, the Curriculum Committee will make the final decision.

Waivers of cognate requirements .   It is possible to have cognate courses taken in a graduate program elsewhere recognized and to receive a partial or complete waiver. It should be noted, however, that if the previously taken courses were applied toward a degree, the required credit hours for the UM degree will not be reduced. A waiver of cognate requirements should be discussed with your advisor and must be approved by the Curriculum Committee and all requests must go through the Department's Student Services office.

D1b. Open Elective Requirement (for entering class Fall 2015 or later)

Depending on the number of credit hours used to complete their epidemiology cognate, Ph.D. students will take 7-10 credit hours of "open elective" courses to be selected from an approved list. If the Epidemiology course taken is 515/516, the student needs 7 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 601, then 9 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 503, then 10 credits. All current Biostatistics students are granted access to the approved list, which is maintained on a Google Drive document. The approved list includes additional electives in biostatistics (600+ level) and statistics (500+ level), Math 451, applied courses in public health or related topics, and courses in computational methods. Students who want to take University of Michigan courses that are not currently on the approved list are encouraged to request approval from the Curriculum Committee; please contact Nicole Fenech ([email protected]) and provide the name, number of the course and description.  (Courses far afield from biostatistics and public health will not be approved).

D2. Public Health Requirement (new requirement for MS and Ph.D students beginning Fall 2013 cohort)

In Table 4 we present a possible sequence of courses and examinations for students entering without a relevant Master's degree.

Spring/Summer Year 2: Qualifying Examinations

* This represents a minimal program of study for the PhD degree. The timing of electives and of cognates may be freely interchanged. These courses also allow a student to receive a Master's degree at the end of the second year. Three additional electives would be taken in year 3 for a total of 15 credit hours of electives. BIOS 820 or 990, which are individually-tailored reading courses in the area of biostatistics in which the student would like to do his or her literature review, are particularly recommended.

Qualifying Examinations and Advancement to Candidacy

Qualifying examinations.

As a rule, students must be admitted to the Biostatistics Ph.D. program before taking the Qualifying Examination. This rule may be waived in exceptional circumstances, subject to written consent of the Admission and Candidacy Committees. The Qualifying Examination is not individualized to the student. They are prepared and graded by the members of the Candidacy Committee.

The Qualifying Examination is offered once each year, in late May. Questions will be at the level of the final exams used in our required Biostatistics core courses (601, 602, 650, and 651). In addition, students are required to take and pass 699 before taking the Qualifying Examination.

Full-time Ph.D. students entering without a relevant master's degree are expected to take the Qualifying Exam within two years of entering the program, while students entering with a relevant master's degree are expected to take it within one year of entering the program. 

The requirements for part-time students are prorated, so that, for example, a half-time student entering with a relevant master's degree will be required to take the Qualifying Examinations within two years. A student retaking a Qualifying Examination must retake it the next time it is offered. If a student wishes to delay the examinations, he/she must submit a written request to the Candidacy Committee, justifying the delay.

A student who has failed the Qualifying Examination and wishes to continue in the Ph.D. program, may retake the examination. If a student fails the examination twice, then he/she will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancing to candidacy requires passing the Qualifying Examinations and completing the required coursework. Once these requirements are met, the student should apply for candidacy by submitting the Candidacy Requirements form to the chair of the Candidacy Committee. The Candidacy Committee then makes the final decision regarding advancement.

Departmental Guidelines for Ph.D. Dissertation

Dissertation committee.

In accordance with Rackham Graduate School regulations, the dissertation committee must have at least four members, with at least two from within and at least one from outside the Department of Biostatistics. A member whose research interests are closely aligned with those of the student is the committee chair, unless this member is from outside the Department, in which case this member and a member from within the department are designated as co-chairs. The dissertation committee is selected by mutual agreement between the student and committee members and is nominated to the dean of the Graduate School by the chair of the department. The committee directs and reviews the student's doctoral research, conducts the oral defense of the dissertation, and decides whether or not the dissertation is approved.

• Ph.D. candidates should form their dissertation committee within 12 months of reaching candidacy; it is recommended that meetings with the committee members take place every six to 12 months.
• Candidates are expected to present their thesis proposal within 24 months of achieving candidacy. The proposal presents an opportunity to practice writing skills for the thesis and to present the materials to the members of the dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal does not require a complete outline of the dissertation or the very near completion of the work. Rather, the proposal should be presented along the lines of an NIH grant proposal and generally address questions of overall aims, carry out a comprehensive literature review in the research area, present a section on preliminary results, and provide a detailed plan for additional research. Presentation of the proposal offers a very useful milestone for the student to give a more formal summary of work and to get feedback and comments from the dissertation committee. The additional purpose of the thesis proposal is for the whole committee to review and approve the proposed direction and content of the proposed research.

Dissertation Content

The dissertation research must be a creative and significant original contribution to the field of biostatistics, involving the development and evaluation of biostatistical methodology that has application to important biomedical problems. The development of software and computational techniques for novel statistical methods is an important aspect of scholarly work. Various models for the structure of a dissertation have been used and are acceptable. In some cases, the thesis consists of three separate, often fairly loosely related, papers that are judged to be of publishable quality. A more traditional form of thesis would be one that provides an in-depth treatise on a topic, that may look at various facets of a problem and may not easily subdivide into a set number of separate publishable papers. For guidance, students may wish to review the collection of Ph.D. dissertations that have been written in the department and that are on display in the departmental library.

Dissertation Submission

• It is the responsibility of the student to see that the dissertation defense is advertised within the department at least three weeks in advance of the scheduled defense time. In addition, the student is responsible for providing a copy of the submitted dissertation to each member of the dissertation committee at least two weeks in advance of the date of the defense.
• The dissertation should be submitted by the student to the graduate office in the department at least two weeks prior to the defense. The thesis would then be available for review to any faculty member or student in the department prior to the defense. The Front Office will send a note to all faculty and students regarding the availability of the thesis and lend it out to anyone interested.

Conduct of Defense (Examination)

• The chair will call on the candidate for presentation of the dissertation, typically for a 50-minute presentation and will then call on committee members for questions. It is typical to call on the external member(s) of the committee first and then on others on the committee. Once the committee has completed a first round of questions, the chair will solicit any questions from the audience. Further questions from the committee will also be invited.
• The defense is to be public; therefore, examination of the candidate by committee members and others should take place with all who are interested present. There would still be time for an ‘in camera’ deliberation of the dissertation committee, and in exceptional circumstances where more information is needed, the committee may decide to meet again with the candidate after the public meeting is complete.

Rackham Procedures

Please make sure to read important Rackham guidelines and procedures .

Ph.D. Student Directory

Frequently asked questions

For more information about the admissions process, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Nicole Fenech.

E-mail : [email protected] Telephone : 734-615-9817

Mail Department of Biostatistics School of Public Health University of Michigan 1415 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 Fax : 734-763-2215

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Welcome to the Theses Subject Guide

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations are valuable sources of highly specialized information - information that is not indexed in most commercial databases or available through search engines. The Theses Databases tab (left) provides sources which facilitate access to these resources. Theses include substantial work in often tightly defined fields of study, and therefore they often contain material unavailable elsewhere. Often they are never published, so reading the original thesis may be the only way to obtain certain information.

For information about writing a thesis at the UofM, check the UM Thesis Guidelines and Information .

Masters' Theses and PhD Dissertations at the University of Manitoba

At the University of Manitoba, masters' theses and PhD dissertations are available through  MSpace .They may be located online through the catalogue and, more recently, some are available through MSpace .

Note that you can request theses and dissertations via Document Delivery . If they are not available this way, you may have to purchase the thesis from UMI or by contacting the author(s). You may also check the library catalogues at the degree issuing institutions to locate theses and dissertations as well as searching the databases.

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• Honors Undergraduate Thesis
• Program Resources

Thesis Proposal Examples

The Honors Undergraduate Thesis program requires students to submit a research proposal to the Office of Honors Research prior to advancing to the Thesis semester.

Generally, a scientific research proposal will include a brief introduction to the research topic, a literature review, and a methodology that will explain how the student plans to meet the objectives of the research. A proposal in the Arts and Humanities will generally include an introduction and a creative work (e.g. screenplays, short stories, artwork) or theoretical analysis.

Students will create a signature cover page for the thesis proposal that will list the entire committee and HUT Liaison. The Thesis proposal cover page template can be found here .

The following are examples of substantially researched, properly formatted research proposals and their respective signature pages. These examples should be used for reference only and not necessarily as templates. Students should his or her Thesis Chair and committee regarding the structure of the proposal, information that should be present, and documentation style.

What is a Thesis Proposal?

A thesis proposal is a document that outlines the thesis topic, defines the issues that the thesis will address, and explains why the topic warrants further research. It should identify a problem and provide a proposed solution to that problem.

Proposals representative of the sciences (both hard sciences and social sciences) should generally include the following:

• A brief introduction, which will define the thesis topic and explain the purpose of the thesis.
• A literature review that outlines the most relevant readings and theories which pertain to the thesis topic.
• A methodology section, which should include the research questions, hypotheses, participants, materials, and procedures.
• A bibliography or reference list. Most of the sources should be from peer reviewed articles or books. As with other academic papers, the use of internet sources should be limited.

For students conducting more theoretical or comparative analyses, the structure could also take the form of chapters that define and specify each concept, and a concluding chapter that brings all of these ideas together.

For students in the arts, a proposal and thesis may take the form of a creative project. In this instance, the proposal may include:

• A brief introduction, which includes the thesis statement, general intent of project, what the project should accomplish, and justification for considering the project a legitimate endeavor.
• A literature review, which includes any supporting literature that justifies the intention of the project.
• A method for accomplishing the project. Include any necessary background or equipment needed for the project, where the project will be conducted, and a proposed timeline for completion.
• A bibliography or reference list.

An alternative structure would be for students who are writing their own short stories, novellas, or screenplays.

Here, the thesis should include a clear mastery of the skill set by producing chapters of the novella, poetry selections, or the working/final screenplay. [/accordion-item][/accordion]

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Thesis proposal guide

Registration to EDU 9997 is mandatory until presentation of the thesis proposal.

The student prepares a research proposal of twenty (20) pages maximum (tables and references not included), spaced at 1.5, paginated, in Times New Roman 12-point font, margins at 2.5.  It is not unusual for a student, through feedback from their supervisor and committee, to prepare multiple drafts of the thesis proposal prior to it being accepted.

This document generally contains: a theoretical framework and/or a conceptual framework, a review of literature, a description of the problem, research questions, a methodological framework (e.g., design, participants, instruments, procedure, and analyses), the contribution of the research to the field of education, and an appropriate and exhaustive reference section. The order of these components may vary.

The student must attend a meeting of the committee to receive and discuss feedback from the committee members.

There is no evaluation grid for the thesis proposal. The committee members give their written comments to the thesis supervisor before the seminar.

The student must give an oral presentation of his or her proposal, which is called the thesis seminar.

The Thesis Seminar

The thesis seminar is an opportunity for the student to present the thesis project to his/her committee and to receive advice that will contribute to the quality of the thesis. The thesis seminar is open to the public. They are publicized on the faculty  website . 

Preparing for the Thesis Seminar

It is the responsibility of the student to submit all the documents related to the thesis seminar at least two (2) weeks before the proposed date of the seminar. Failure to meet the two-week deadline may result in a postponement of the thesis seminar.

To submit a request, attach the documents listed below to a  Service Request, which you create by selecting  Service Requests  from the Applications menu  in uoZone . For detailed instructions, review the  Service Requests  application.

You must attach the following documents with your request:

• An electronic copy of the thesis proposal
• A one-page abstract
• Approval of the Thesis Proposal which has been completed by the committee members

Members of the committee must attend. If a member is not able to be present and cannot participate, approval must be sought from the program director. If the program director approves the absence of one of the members, questions must be submitted by e-mail to the academic secretariat.

The academic secretariat selects the date of the defence in consultation with the members of the jury and the student and communicates the date and time to all of the members.

Seminar Procedures

The purpose of a seminar is to present the student’s research to the community. The seminar follows these steps.

• A professor chairs the thesis seminar.
• The student makes an oral presentation of the research proposal. This presentation should be between 15 and 20 minutes.
• Committee members are then invited to ask the student questions and offer comments and recommendations that are deemed helpful to the research for a maximum of 20 minutes.
• The professors (i.e., faculty members, excluding committee members) may then ask questions.
• Afterwards, other members of the assembly (who are not professors or members of the committee) may then ask their questions.
• After the question period, the Chair asks the student and the members of the audience to step outside the room while the committee members discuss the students verdicts and make further recommendations. The committee makes one of the following decisions:

Option 1 :  Satisfactory : The student is allowed to proceed with the research as proposed;

Option 2 :  Satisfactory : The student is allowed to proceed with the research under the condition that minor modifications are incorporated under the supervision of the thesis director;

Examples of minor modifications:

• Addition of new references
• Minor revisions to the methodology

Option 3 :  Satisfactory : The student is allowed to proceed with the research under the condition that major modifications are incorporated under the supervision of the thesis director;

Examples of major modifications:

• Extensive revisions to the theory and/or conceptual framework
• Important references are missing
• Addition of a section for definition of terms
• Major change or addition of data collection methods

Option 4 :  Non-Satisfactory : The student is not allowed to proceed with the research project. In this case, reasons for the decision are specified, the student must:

• submit a revised proposal to the committee and another
• seminar will have to take place.

The Chair asks the student and the audience to return to the room.

The Chair is responsible for

• communicating the decision to the student and the assembly,
• completing and signing the form, “ Evaluation of the PhD Thesis Seminar ; and
• if required, indicating the modifications required in the appropriate section of the form.

The  evaluation form  must be signed by all members of the committee including the thesis supervisor(s).

The Chair submits the form immediately to the  academic secretariat . The final grade will be entered in the students file

Ethics Approval

Once the research proposal is accepted at the seminar, the student applies for ethics approval for the research project from the University of Ottawa’s  Research Ethics Board. This approval is necessary for any research project involving human subjects. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in academic sanctions. For information on how to apply for ethics approval consult their website. The student must also submit a copy of the form “Evaluation of the PhD Thesis Seminar” as proof of successful completion of the thesis proposal.

Dissertation Proposal Defense of Holly Bushman

Princeton University School of Architecture

announces the Dissertation Proposal Defense of

Holly Bushman

From Internationalism to Globalism:

East German Architectural Knowledge and the End of the German Democratic Republic, 1976-1993

Jay Cephas (Princeton University, Co-Advisor)

Brigid Doherty (Princeton University, Co-Advisor)

S.E. Eisterer (Princeton University)

Alla Vronskaya (University of Kassel)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. S-118, Architecture Building

During the mid-1970s, the emergence of new scholarly paradigms engendered research and design practices which inserted the German Democratic Republic (GDR) into global architectural discourses. Subsequently, the GDR’s final decade saw an academic reevaluation of architecture and urbanism through historical and theoretical experimentation, as well as the development of new scholarly networks which brought together academics and practitioners from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the so-called “Global South.” This dissertation advances a history of the production of architectural knowledge during the final 15 years of the GDR, focusing on a set of intellectual, pedagogical, and experimental practices and polemics which sought to reconceptualize the East German built environment during the state’s final years. While these techniques only occasionally resulted in new building methods, I suggest that their ambition nonetheless demonstrates the cardinal priority of the GDR's historians, theorists, critics, and architects of the period: negotiating a future for East German architecture which revivified and rearticulated the potential of a socialist built environment within a rapidly globalizing world. In its first two chapters, this dissertation traces two primary thematics through which, I argue, this imperative was developed and tested at the GDR’s three schools of architecture in Weimar, Dresden, and Berlin. First, I describe attempts to derive a “usable” history from German architectural history and cultural heritage; and second, I trace the ways in which East German architectural knowledge was asserted as a global paradigm within international development and preservation discourses. A final chapter examines how these scholarly projects and practices were called on during the process of German reunification and in its immediate aftermath, in defense of the very future of the East German built environment they had been conceived to ensure. In following these intellectual trends across the historical rupture caused by the fall of the Berlin Wall, I look to demonstrate the ways in which they outlived—if only briefly—the nation state they were designed to sustain, and to show how architectural knowledge remained crucial to discourses around East German statehood and identity even after the state ceased to exist.

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Some fear University of Michigan proposed policy on protests could quell free speech efforts

Demonstrators at the University of Michigan Diag protest the university’s draft Disruptive Activity Policy on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Ann Arbor. A University of Michigan proposal aimed at deterring disruptions on its Ann Arbor campus after anti-Israel protesters interrupted an honors convocation is sparking backlash from free speech advocates. (Zena Issa/Michigan Public Radio via AP)

A group of demonstrators on the University of Michigan Diag Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Ann Arbor counterprotests as another group urges the university not to adopt a new policy meant to reduce disruptive demonstrations on campus. A University of Michigan proposal aimed at deterring disruptions on its Ann Arbor campus after anti-Israel protesters interrupted an honors convocation is sparking backlash from free speech advocates (Zena Issa/Michigan Public Radio via AP)

FILE - Santa Ono is introduced as the new president of the University of Michigan, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. A University of Michigan proposal aimed at deterring disruptions on its Ann Arbor campus after anti-Israel protesters interrupted an honors convocation is sparking backlash from free speech advocates. Violations of the policy, which has yet to be implemented, could result in suspension or expulsion for students and termination for university staff. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

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A University of Michigan proposal aimed at deterring disruptions on its Ann Arbor campus after anti-Israel protesters interrupted an honors convocation is sparking backlash from free speech advocates.

Violations of the policy, which has yet to be implemented, could result in suspension or expulsion for students and termination for university staff.

The March 24 protest by groups calling for the school to divest from companies linked to Israel is among a number of demonstrations on college campuses across the United States in which students and organizations have taken sides — in support of Palestinians or of Israel — as Israel continues its 6-month-long war in Gaza against Hamas.

University of Michigan President Santo Ono said in a letter to the campus community that the protesters who disrupted the annual honors undergraduate graduation ceremony “brought profound disappointment to students, parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives and friends.”

“We all must understand that, while protest is valued and protected, disruptions are not,” Ono wrote. “One group’s right to protest does not supersede the right of others to participate in a joyous event.”

“It was painful for everyone who had gathered — and especially so for members of our Jewish community,” Ono added.

The Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas left 1,200 people, mostly civilians, dead. Militants took roughly 250 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel’s response to the attack has been devastating. Bombardments and ground offensives have killed more than 33,600 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded over 76,200, the Gaza Health Ministry says. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

A group of demonstrators at the University of Michigan on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Ann Arbor, counterprotests as another group urges the university not to adopt a new policy meant to reduce disruptive demonstrations on campus. (Zena Issa/Michigan Public Radio via AP)

The war has ignited a humanitarian catastrophe. Most of the territory’s population has been displaced, and with vast swaths of Gaza’s urban landscape leveled in the fighting, many areas are uninhabitable.

Students Allied for Freedom and Equality, which calls itself a Palestinian solidarity group, posted on social media that students shut down the University of Michigan convocation to demand the school divest from Israel and “war profiteers facilitating genocide.”

The Associated Press left emails this week seeking comment from organizers of the protest.

Some University of Michigan students walked out of classes on April 4, protesting the school’s ties to Israel and the planned policy, which, among other things, would prohibit disrupting speakers or performers. Students violating the policy could face reprimand, disciplinary probation, restitution, removal from a specific course, suspension or expulsion.

Staff members violating the policy could face misconduct allegations, and the school “may institute discipline, up to and including termination.”

The policy, if enacted as is, would apply to all students, employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors who engage in disruptive activity.

FILE - Santa Ono is introduced as the new president of the University of Michigan, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

“We will not shy away from protecting the values we hold dear,” Ono wrote in a follow-up letter to the campus community. “Those who participate in disruptive activity will be held accountable.”

Michigan sophomore Annabel Bean said the school appears to be trying to limit and repress student protests.

“The guidelines are just really a huge overstep I think in my opinion,” Bean told WXYZ-TV . “The point of a protest is to be disruptive and if you’re saying it can’t be disruptive, then we’re not protesting, and how are you honoring your history of disruptive student protests?”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said it is concerned the proposed policy, as drafted, will impair civil liberties on campus.

“We believe the proposed policy is vague and overbroad, and risks chilling a substantial amount of free speech and expression,” the ACLU Michigan said in a letter to Ono. “We recognize that the university has an interest in carrying out its operations without major disruptions; however, in attempting to achieve that goal, the proposed policy sacrifices far too much.”

The university is reviewing comments from the community to ensure any new policy reflects the school’s mission and values, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs Colleen Mastony said in an email.

“The university will not rush the development of this new policy,” Mastony said. “We will ensure all voices have an opportunity to be heard. Our goal is to make policies clearer, ensure key terms are well defined, incorporate pathways for restorative action, and support respectful discussion of divergent viewpoints.”

As it reads now, the proposed policy lacks clarity, said Thomas Braun, a biostatistics professor.

“For faculty, who are not on the tenured track or not tenured, the worry is this overreaching policy ... it’s unclear what sanctions can be given to faculty,” said Braun, adding that there is fear of being denied tenure “because of something you participated in.”

Braun, who also is chair of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs, said there always is a debate on the school’s campus regarding freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

“I can support free speech and still be for one side or the other,” he said. “This issue has made it very clear to me that I have been oblivious to the experiences of the Palestinians in Gaza. At the same time, I can’t think I can condone the entire removal of Israel as a state. How does a campus deal with its own turmoil around this issue, while at the same time being asked to solve the world’s issues?”