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Thesis Progress Report and Presentation

It is mandatory for students to write and present a Thesis Progress Report as outlined in the Master’s Research Milestones section. The Progress Report should include:

  • A summary of the main research problem, its importance, and the general strategy that the student is pursuing in dealing with the problem;
  • A critical review of the principal literature relevant to the thesis topic placing the student’s contribution in context, accompanied by a full bibliography of relevant sources;
  • An outline of work that the student has already carried out in the area and a discussion of results;
  • A review of the status of each task and sub-task of the work and, if applicable, a revised work-plan;
  • A provisional table of contents for the thesis.

The Thesis Progress Report (approximately 10 pages) should be submitted to the Main Advisor and Co-Advisor(s) for approval, before being circulated to RSC members. The Main Advisor will arrange for a presentation typically within two weeks of receipt of the report. The presentation will normally take 30 minutes (20 minutes for student’s presentation and 10 minutes for questions). In his/her written report and during the presentation, the student is required to:

  • Show awareness of pertinent background literature and current efforts in the thesis area of interest;
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the research problem;
  • Achieve some initial progress towards solving the research problem and constructively defend his/her results;
  • Write clearly, accurately, cogently, and in a style appropriate to purpose;
  • Construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly;
  • Demonstrate that he/she is following a plan to execute the entire work.

Following the conclusion of the presentation, the Main Advisor must forward a copy of the Thesis Progress Report and Research Progress Evaluation Report to the Department Chair (or designee), Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at the relevant College and the Graduate Studies Office.

Following successful completion of the ‘Thesis Proposal and Presentation’ milestone, students must submit a ‘Thesis Progress’ report and present it to the RSC Committee in every regular semester until their final thesis defense. This is encouraged particularly for students who stay in the program longer than the normal study period.