Program Overview

Program Details

The Master's Examining Committee for the MES thesis degree shall be comprised of:

• at least one tenured or tenure track faculty member of the student's home department who will normally be the student's supervisor(s).
• an additional tenured or tenure track faculty member from the University of Waterloo.
• and at least one additional examiner (reader) whose expertise can support the evaluation of the Master's thesis.

Step 1: Approval of Committee and Scheduling of Defence

Defences should not normally be scheduled during the last two weeks of August and the week before the University closes for the Christmas break through to when it re-opens in January. Students must begin this process a minimum of one month prior to the desired defence date.

• The Supervisor and the Committee Member sign off on the Confirmation of agreement to proceed with a thesis defense form.
• Once the Reader has been determined, the student and Supervisor(s) should select a date and time for the defence and ensure desired Committee Members are available to attend.

Step 2: Submission of Thesis & Agreement Form

At least 10 days prior to the defence date the following must be submitted:

• Title and abstract.
• Electronic copy of thesis.

Step 3: Final Thesis Approval & Submission

• After the defence, if any revisions are required to the thesis, the student must submit the final thesis to their Supervisor and/or Committee Members once completed for approval.
• The Supervisor must contact the Graduate Advisor when the final version of the thesis has been reviewed and approved.
• Completion paperwork will then be prepared and submitted to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
• Once approved the student can submit the final thesis to the university's repository.

Step 4: Apply to Graduate

Immediately after submitting their final thesis, the student should apply to graduate. Students should select the term in which they will complete their degree requirements.

Step 5: Degree Completion

• Once the thesis has been approved, the Graduate Advisor will prepare a program completion form and submit to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
• Once processed, the degree will appear as "complete" on the student's unofficial transcript.
• Students must return their office key to the Graduate Advisor upon degree completion.

Important Deadlines

• 100% and 50% tuition refund deadlines: The thesis must be approved on or before these deadlines for refunds to be automatically applied to the student's account.
• Deadlines to apply to graduate: Spring Convocation - April 30; Fall Convocation - August 31.