thesis submission ucd

UC Davis Graduate Studies

Filing your thesis or dissertation, filing topics, filing deadlines, filing process.

• Filing Paperwork
• The Title Page

Formatting Guidelines

• Submitting Electronically
• Publishing Options & Copyright

Degree Conferral Letters

• Transcripts & Diplomas
• Computing Account
• Ordering Printed Copies

Review the Academic Dates & Deadlines Calendar  for quarterly filing dates. The filing date for each degree list is a firm deadline.  It is highly recommended that you send your paper draft to your committee members for review and approval at least four weeks prior the date you plan to file with Graduate Studies.  Per policy and to ensure timely communication, committee members are allowed four weeks to respond to the draft. 

If you will need a Degree-Awarded transcript earlier than shown below, please read the Expedited Degree Awarding section on the Diplomas, Transcripts and Verification page. 

Filing your Thesis or Dissertation Workshop

Grad Studies Senior Academic Advisors (SAAs) host quarterly Filing Workshops with step-by-step guidance and answers to your questions.  All graduate students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend!

Upcoming Zoom Filing Workshop:  

  ►Wednesday May 22, 2024 - 2pm ( Zoom Link )

Please join our Senior Academic Advisors from Graduate Studies to learn more about the filing/graduation process and prepare you for the final steps of your graduate degree journey. You'll learn to navigate the filing dates and deadlines, the GradSphere filing process, formatting, publishing options, conferral letters, bell ringing, and more. Bring your questions for the chat or Q&A at the end. This workshop will be recorded and posted.

Past Workshops: 

FILING WORKSHOP SLIDES - coming soon!

Have filing questions or want to talk through the process?

The  Graduate Studies Senior Academic Advisors (SAA's)  will assist you throughout the filing process, answer questions, review your paperwork and formatting.

• Pre-Filing Appointments: You are not required to make an appointment to file, as you'll be submitting your paper and paperwork electronically.  You are welcome to schedulin a Pre-Filing Appointment with one of the SAA's.   During a pre-filing appointment, the SAA can answer your questions and review your final steps.  You can schedule a pre-filing appointment at any time during the quarter.
• Email the SAAs:  If you have questions or would like support, but don't need to meet, find your SAA on your Program Page .

Two Steps to File

After you upload your thesis or dissertation to ProQuest ETD, a member of the Academic Services Unit will be assigned to manage your filing and support your last steps. After your paper has been accepted in ProQuest and your filing received via GradSphere, a member of the Academic Services Unit will file you to graduate in the system and email you a degree conferral letter that confirms your degree has been completed. All documents and the original upload of your completed thesis/dissertation must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the day of the filing deadline. 

1. Upload your completed and approved thesis or dissertation to ProQuest ETD .

ProQuest will automatically send a notification of your upload to the Academic Services Unit.  One of them will conduct a formatting review to ensure your format matches the requirements included on this page.  Formatting edits and acceptance notices are sent to the email address you use to create your ProQuest account.  

2. Upload all your paperwork including your signed title page through Gradsphere .

Gradsphere will prompt you to upload all required paperwork.  Your filing package will be reviewed and approved via GradSphere.

Required Filing Paperwork

Required for both master's and doctoral students:.

• The signed title page with signatures from all committee members (Plan A Final Exam-Only members do not need to sign).  Digital signatures accepted.  See Title Page Sample and Template below. 
• Please add your name and student ID at the top of the abstract submitted through GradSphere (not the version in your ProQuest upload).
• Collected via GradSphere prompt
• Embargo requests longer than 6yrs require additional approval from the Chair of your graduate program and Graduate Council
• Future Contact Information

Doctoral students only must also submit:

• An individual four-digit code will be generated on the final screen after you complete the survey.  Please save this code and enter it in your GradSphere filing process.
• Upload the PDF Certificate of Completion via GradSphere

Doctoral students in a Plan A or C Candidacy program must submit:

• Plan A Report
• Plan C Report 
• Students in Plan B Candidacy doctoral programs do not have a Final Exam Report

Doctoral students completing a Designated Emphasis must submit:

• Designated Emphasis Report (only required if you completed the requirements for a DE)  - Information collected via GradSphere

The Title Page 

Title page resources.

• Sample Title Page  
• Title Page Template   (.docx)

Two Versions of the Title Page

• The title page in your ProQuest upload will be unsigned with blank signature lines.
• The signed page is uploaded to GradSphere.

The title page is the most common place for formatting edits.  This is the front page of your thesis or dissertation, on which the signatures of your committee members will signify your completion. All signatures must appear on the same single title page. We recommend you review the Sample title page, and/or use the Template to include as the first page of your thesis or dissertation.  The template is an editable MS Word document.  If your thesis/dissertation is not in Word, you can save the completed template as a PDF and insert or replace the version in your paper.  

The spacing, language, and capitalization on your title page must match the sample/template exactly.  You may change the font, text size, and position of the page number in the template to match those used in the rest of your paper.  Consistency is key.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the format of your thesis or dissertation conforms to the UC Davis standards below.  Formatting areas not included here (content of material, order of pages, style of reference, etc.) are not reviewed by Graduate Studies, but should be guided by your committee based on standards in your field.

Important note regarding formatting templates such as LaTex : UC Davis does not currently have an official or Graduate Studies sanctioned formatting template.  You are welcome to use LaTex or any other formatting tool, but please be aware that our formatting guidelines may have changed since the template was created, and editing these templates may be challenging.  If using a template, we encourage you to review our sample or template title pages and the formatting instructions below.

• Your thesis/dissertation must be submitted through the ProQuest ETD website as a single PDF file.  File compression, encryption, and password protection are not permitted.
• Title/Signature Page

Review the Sample Title Page , or use the Title Page Template  for correct formatting.

  • Please limit the title to 180 characters or less.   • Graduate Studies requires one copy of your title page signed by all committee members. Electronic signatures are accepted, and committee members may use any format or application to sign, except only typing their name.  The signed title page must be submitted via GradSphere during your Filing Process.   • The title page in your ProQuest ETD upload will be unsigned, and include   blank signature lines.

The thesis or dissertation must include an overall abstract which should be included in your preliminary pages (lower-case Roman numeral page numbers).

A separate abstract is submitted to ProQuest during the electronic upload process, and must be formatted following the guidelines on the ProQuest ETD website .  Your abstract should provide a clear description of the content, because ProQuest will publish the abstract exactly as submitted.

  • A copy of only your abstract must be included with your filing paperwork submitted through GradSphere.   • Students completing their requirements under Doctoral Plan A should provide copies of the abstract to their dissertation & exam committee prior to the examination.

• Style and Form
• Your committee determines the appropriate style of your thesis or dissertation according to standard practice in the field.  The Graduate Chair has Graduate Studies does not set requirements on the form of the bibliography, appendix, footnotes, etc. as long as they are formatted in a consistent and recognized manner approved by your committee.
• All pages must include a one inch (1") margin on all sides (top, bottom, left and right), including   all figures, charts, graphs, illustrations and appendices.   The page numbers may appear outside the 1" margins.  The 1" margin specification applies to all figures, charts, graphs, illustrations and appendices.
• The thesis or dissertation must be double spaced , except in specified places on the title page, and places where conventional usage calls for single spacing – footnotes, indented quotations, tables, and the bibliography.
• Landscape Pages
• You may include pages in landscape orientation, but you must still maintain the one inch margin on all sides, and adjust the page numbers so they are in a consistent location if the paper was printed.   • Page numbers on landscape oriented pages must be centered, on the left-hand side, and turned sideways - as if you turned a portrait oriented page ninety degrees clockwise. 
• Page Numbers
• The preliminary pages, beginning with the title page, are numbered with lower-case roman numerals.  All pages following the preliminary pages (usually the Introduction or Chapter 1 page) are numbered with Arabic numerals beginning at 1.  All page numbers must be centered at the bottom of the page, with the exception of landscape pages - see below • Do not renumber pages at any point in the body of your thesis or dissertation.  • Your thesis or dissertation should include no blank pages, and no unnumbered pages, with the exception of an optional copyright page.   To change from lowercase roman numeral to Arabic page numbers in MS Word : 1) include a "Section Break - Next page" between the section of your document where the numbering will change, and 2) unlink the second section's footer from the one previous. 
• Preliminary Pages
• Preliminary pages are those prior to your introduction.  The title page & the abstract are the only required preliminary pages, but many students choose to include more information leading to the body text.  Preliminary pages may be placed in any order with the exception of the title page and the optional copyright notice   Examples of preliminary pages include:   • Title Page (required) - The title page is always page i.   • Copyright Notice - if including a copyright notice, it should be located after the title page, and is typically unnumbered and skipped in pagination.  For formatting, review the Copyright FAQ.       • Acknowledgements and/or Dedication   • Permissions/Acknowledgements for use of Copyrighted Materials   • Abstract (required)   • Table of Contents   • List of Figures/Tables   • Other pages approved by your committee
• Typeface/Font
• Any font type is acceptable, as long as the font is legible and used consistently throughout.    Use a font size between 10 and 13 points.  All your fonts must be embedded fonts - see the instructions for embedded fonts on the ProQuest ETD website .
• Overall Appearance
• You are responsible for the overall appearance of your manuscript in PDF.  Once released through ProQuest and eScholarship, your thesis or dissertation will be accessible to the public, including to publishers and researchers in your field.  
• Tables, Graphs, Figures, and Captions
• Tables, Graphs, Figures, and Captions may be placed horizontally or vertically, but in either case must fit within the 1" margins on all sides.  Each figure or table must be numbered consecutively and include a caption. Do not renumber these in each chapter unless you include chapter numbers, e.g., Fig.1.1, Fig. 2.1, etc.
• Photographs, Illustrations, and Maps
• Plates, figures, illustrations, maps and photographic reproductions must be clear and distinct. Page numbering must be consistent throughout.
• Oversized Material
• Consult the ETD website guidelines for uploading supplemental files with your manuscript.
• Material Previously Published or Pending Publishing
• Published or publishing pending material may be used with permission from the copyright owner, if not you, and the Graduate Chair, if you are not the first-author.  See the Copyright FAQ for information about permissions when using published material.  Material you have authored, and which has been previously published or is pending publishing, may be used in its published format with three exceptions:   1) Margins - You must maintain 1" margins on all sides throughout the paper.   2) Pagination - page numbers must follow the UC Davis standards.    3) The title page must follow UC Davis standards and you must include an overall abstract.

Submitting Electronically (ProQuest ETD)

UC Davis requires all theses and dissertations to be submitted electronically through the ProQuest Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) website.  Please note that once approved and uploaded, theses and dissertations cannot be edited. Start by creating an ETD account on the ProQuest (ETD) website , selecting publishing and copyright registration options, and upload your manuscript.  

Instructions for Uploading

• You may make required formatting corrections, but may not update content following upload to ProQuest ETD.  If you find an error in your content, notify your SAA .  
• Ensure that your thesis or dissertation meets all of the formatting requirements listed above.
• Discuss embargo and copyright registration with your major professor prior to uploading.
• Review instructions for submitting your thesis or dissertation on the ETD website .    
• (IMPORTANT) Traditional or Open Access Plus publishing  - All students should select 'Traditional' publishing in ProQuest ETD, and NOT pay the fee for Open Access Plus publishing.  Your thesis or dissertation will be open access released on the UC eScholarship platform for no cost at the same time ProQuest releases your paper to account holders.  Don't pay a fee for a service you'll receive for free.
• How to select embargo in ProQuest ETD - In the Publishing Options section, you will select a response to the statement I want my work to be available in ProQuest as soon as it is published .  If you plan to embargo, select No, I have patents pending, or another reason why I need to delay access to the full text of my work , then select the length of embargo.
• Copyright Registration - If you are requesting the copyright registration service from ProQuest, select that option during the upload process and pay the fee at that time.  For information about copyright and copyright registration as well as a less expensive registration option through copyright.gov, review the information on Publishing Options, Embargo, & Copyright .
• Purchasing bound copies - You may order printed copies of your thesis or dissertation from ProQuest at the time you upload.  See information about printed copies below for a recommended alternative - UC Bindery .  

Theses and dissertations are delivered to ProQuest after degrees have been awarded - about two months following the degree conferral date.  Theses and dissertations cannot be edited once approved and uploaded. If you have questions or concerns about electronic submission or formatting guidelines, contact the Graduate Studies Senior Academic Advisors (SAAs).

Publishing Options and Copyright

Information explaining open access release, why or why not to embargo, using copyrighted material, and copyright protections for your thesis or dissertation is available on the Publishing Options, Embargo, & Copyright page .  

The Graduate Studies Academic Services unit will email you a PDF degree conferral letter after they have received your final documents, accepted your thesis or dissertation in ProQuest ETD, and have filed you to graduate. The conferral letter, signed by the Dean of Graduate Studies, confirms you have completed all graduation requirements and will be awarded your master's or doctoral degree on the conferral date.  Many employers, organizations, and governments who require verification of degree will be satisfied by this letter in the time before your transcript is updated and your diploma is mailed. Please see our  Diplomas, Transcripts, and Verification webpage  for more information.

Transcripts, Diplomas, and Additional Verification

Learn how to obtain your diploma, when your transcript will be updated, and more on our  Diplomas, Transcripts, and Verification webpage .

Computing Account & @ucdavis Email

Information about your UC Davis Computing Account (access, email, listservs, Library, etc) after graduation is available on  Knowledge Base: IT .  You maintain student-level access until the end of your final enrolled or filing-fee quarter. 

Ordering Printed Copies of the Thesis or Dissertation

If you’d like to purchase printed and bound copies of your dissertation or thesis you may order from ProQuest when you upload your paper, or after your paper is publicly released.  Please note, copies ordered through ProQuest will not be printed and shipped until after Graduate Studies delivers papers to ProQuest - approximately 8 weeks following your graduation date.

As a faster and less expensive alternative, we recommend ordering bound copies from UC Bindery based at UC Berkeley.  Fill out the online order form and upload a PDF of your thesis or dissertation.  Orders are typically shipped within two weeks.

Explore UCD

• (opens in a new window) University Strategy
• University Governance
• President's Office
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Campus Development
• Study at UCD
• Current Students
• Campus Accommodation
• International Student Experience
• Access & Lifelong Learning
• Careers Network
• Sports Clubs
• (opens in a new window) Student Societies

Research & Innovation

• Innovation at NovaUCD
• Graduate Studies
• Support for Researchers
• (opens in a new window) Find a UCD Researcher
• UCD College of Arts and Humanities
• UCD College of Business
• UCD College of Engineering and Architecture
• UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences
• UCD College of Science
• UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
• All Colleges and Schools
• News & Opinion
• Work at UCD
• UCD in the Community
• Global Partnerships
• (opens in a new window) UCD Foundation
• University Relations

Key Services

• Staff Directory
• Sport & Fitness
• IT Services
• (opens in a new window) Commuting
• (opens in a new window) UCD Map
• (opens in a new window)

e Thesis System

The  eThesis  Examination system was developed to facilitate the ONLINE processing of research theses: from initial submission, through the examination process, to Academic Council Committee on Examinations ( ACCE ) decision; resulting in the student being conferred with an Award.

eThesis Zoom one to one Drop-in Clinics

(opens in a new window) New -  eThesis Zoom one to one Drop-in Clinics UCD eThesis Support will be hosting live one-to-one drop in zoom clinics ahead of the next  thesis fee submission date  on 8 May 2024.

The team will be available over zoom to offer one-to-one support for those going through the Graduate Research eThesis Submission Process. The drop in zoom clinics are open to students, faculty and support staff. Anyone interested can drop in at any point on the following dates and times: To Be Confirmed 

To drop into a session and meet with a member of the Assessment team please log into the below link:

(opens in a new window) Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 614 6127 0733 Passcode: 244797

Research Repository UCD (RRU) FAQ

What is Research Repository UCD (RRU)?   Research Repository UCD ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Research Repository UCD (RRU) is a digital collection of open access scholarly publications from University College Dublin. Managed by UCD Library, the repository collects, preserves and makes freely available a wide range of publications created by UCD researchers. These include peer-reviewed articles, working papers and conference papers. 

UCD is a signatory to the (opens in a new window) National Principles for Open Access and all research degree theses completed at the university are expected to be made publicly available as soon as possible following the award of a degree. This allows the University to demonstrate the quality of its research and the rigour of its research degree programmes. Therefore, the default position of the university is to not place an embargo on a research thesis.

Further information available at  (opens in a new window) https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/

What are the benefits of hosting your thesis on Research Repository UCD (RRU)? • Maximises timely dissemination of your research to a global academic audience. • Increases the visibility of your research. • Enhances its discoverability through Google Scholar. • Increases the impact of your research as evidenced by increased citation rates. • Showcases your own research and that of your School. • Enhances UCD’s reputation and international standing.

What happens to your electronic thesis once it is hosted on Research Repository UCD (RRU)?  In line with UCD's  Intellectual Property Policy ' page"> Intellectual Property Policy  your electronic thesis is deposited in the  University Repository (RRU)  ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) University Repository (RRU)  via eThesis system. Your thesis will become publicly available to download, unless embargoed. Once in the RRU it is assigned a persistent identifier which allows for easy discoverability. In depositing your work in the RRU the author(s), copyright owner or assignee, grant a worldwide non-exclusive, royalty free, irrevocable, perpetual licence to UCD to make the work available online via the UCD repository and to translate the work to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation or accessibility within the confines of the  Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 . The electronic copy of your e-thesis, when available online, will be subject to the terms of use permitted by the specified  licence ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) licence .

How does the thesis transfer to the RRU? Theses submitted for examination after 13 September 2021  Following ACCE approval of the degree award, any thesis submitted through the University’s eThesis Exam system after 13 September 2021 will automatically transfer to the RRU, unless embargoed. Theses submitted for examination before 13 September 2021  Following ACCE approval of the degree award, any thesis submitted through the eThesis Exam system prior to 13 September 2021 can be transferred to the RRU with the student’s written permission. You can email  [email protected] ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected]  to give permission for the thesis transfer. When is my electronic thesis transferred to the RRU, making it publicly available to download? Your electronic thesis is automatically transferred to the RRU  2-3 working days  after ACCE approve your award recommendation, unless embargoed. Therefore this transfer to the RRU takes place before you confer. If embargoed, only the title and the abstract of a thesis will appear in the RRU. The full text of the thesis will become available for public view when the embargo period expires.

What is a thesis embargo? A thesis embargo will delay the release of a thesis to the RRU for a specific period. Once embargoed, only the title and the abstract of a thesis will appear in the RRU. The full text of the thesis will become available for public view when the embargo period expires. See Graduate Studies webpages for  Thesis Embargo information ' page"> Thesis Embargo information

How is an embargo set up? An embargo can be set up through application to the Graduate Research Board (GRB). A Research Thesis Embargo request form can be accessed via the  GRB webpages ' page"> GRB webpages . The form is completed and submitted following preparation of supporting documentation and discussion with your Supervisor. To seek an embargo on a research thesis, evidence must be provided that the research thesis contains personal, security or commercially sensitive information or the thesis contains material intended for future publication and the publishers specifically require that the thesis is restricted. Once the embargo has been approved, the GRB will enter the embargo details on the eThesis Exam system record. Do students still need to submit a hard-bound copy of the thesis if it is being hosted on the RRU? Yes. A UCD research degree award requires candidates to submit a final hard-bound copy of the thesis to the UCD Student Desk. This is an archival/preservation copy which will be held in closed store in the Library.  See the section on Hardbound Thesis Information (Graduate Research Degrees) on the  ACCE website ' page"> ACCE website  for further details.

Student eThesis Examination System Guidebook

Student eThesis Guidebook

eThesis FAQs - Students

Q: I keep getting an error message when I try to submit my thesis on the ethesis form, what do I do? A: Ensure that you have not exceeded the character limits in the text boxes on the online form. The limits are located in the bottom right corner of the text boxes. If there is an error saving the form it is recommended to copy the text into this web site and ensure the byte value is less than or equal to the 4000 character limit: https://mothereff.in/byte-counter OR A: The filename for the thesis you are uploading could be too long

Q: What do I do if I submit my thesis and I have uploaded an incorrect document? A: Your supervisor can reject the uploaded document, which will then allow you to upload the correct document i.e the version of your thesis your supervisor agreed to be uploaded for examination.  Please ensure this is done ahead of your  thesis fee submission deadline ' page"> thesis fee submission deadline . Only one upload is allowed and only under exceptional circumstances can a different version be uploaded after the deadline has passed.

Q: Will I be charged additional fees if I submit an incorrect document and have to upload again, or if my supervisor is not available to accept the uploaded thesis for examination?  A:  The date and time on which you first submit your thesis will be taken as your submission date, even if your supervisor is not available to approve it for examination. It is recommended that you engage with your supervisor in advance of submission to agree a timeline so that this situation does not occur. If the supervisor does not provide you with confirmation to upload your eThesis, then you will incur additional fees until confirmation is provided. Students can apply for extenuating circumstances. Consult with the School and  Graduate Research Board to apply. 

Q: I am trying to submit my eThesis but there is no submit button. A: Check your registration is correct and up to date. You can review your registration in the UView section of SISWeb .

Q: What is the latest time I can upload my thesis on the day of the thesis fee submission deadline without incurring any fees? A: Once you are eligible to submit, you can upload your thesis up until one minute to midnight (23:59) on the day of the thesis fee submission deadline. eThesis support will be available until 5pm on deadline day so please endeavour to upload your thesis in advance of 5pm in case you encounter any issues and require support from the eThesis team. Please refer to the  thesis fee submission schedule ' page"> thesis fee submission schedule  for details.

Q: What if my supervisor will not allow me to submit my thesis? A: As per  Academic Regulations ' page"> Academic Regulations  7.56 a) your supervisor must approve submission of your thesis for examination and will only do this if in agreement that it is ready for examination. If you are of the opinion that your supervisor is unreasonably withholding permission for thesis submission, you may make an appeal to your Head of School.

Q: After my thesis has been accepted for examination, can I replace it and resubmit it if I notice an error? A: You can only upload your thesis once, even if there is time left before the thesis fee submission deadline. This must be the version for examination, as agreed with your supervisor. And once your thesis has been submitted and accepted by your supervisor, it cannot be withdrawn as per  Academic Regulations ' page"> Academic Regulations   7.57

Q: How do I get supplemental material that should accompany my thesis to my Examination Committee? e.g. maps, data, etc   A: All material should be contained in the one PDF that is uploaded to the eThesis Exam system. Supplemental information can be in the appendices at the end of the document.  See tutorial on how to merge your Word documents. ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) See tutorial on how to merge your Word documents.  The School is responsible for ensuring the Examiners have access to the material that cannot be included in the appendix.

Q: How long will my thesis be retained in the eThesis Exam system after my degree has been awarded? A: Your thesis will be automatically  transferred to the RRU ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) transferred to the RRU  (unless  embargoed ' page"> embargoed ) where it becomes freely available to view and download. The version contained in the eThesis Exam system will be retained in line with UCD Registry’s retention guidelines (normally 13 months - currently under review), after which time it will be removed from the system.

Q: How can I track the progress of my eThesis? A: The eThesis Exam system will update the status as it progresses through the examination process so that you can keep track of the progress. Log on to UView on SISweb to review this.  

Q: What if I have extenuating circumstances that prohibit me from submitting my thesis? A: Your supervisor/School should be your first point of contact as they will be able to provide you with guidance on the most appropriate action relevant to your situation. Your School can request an extension to your submission deadline due to exceptional circumstances.

Q: What if I have extenuating circumstances preventing me from attending my viva voce? A: Contact the Chair of your Exam Committee to reschedule.

Q: How does the examiner overseeing the revisions submit a sign-off form for me? A: There is no traditional sign-off form needed in the eThesis Exam system. The revisions and final version will first be overseen and agreed outside the system. Then, you must upload the final revised version onto the eThesis Exam system and the examiner approves this version online.  

Q: How do I see the revisions needed after examination? Revisions do not come through the eThesis Exam system. The Chair and their nominee will contact you separately from the ethesis system to provide you with the revisions required. Then, you must upload the final revised version onto the eThesis Exam system and the examiner approves this version online.

• If you believe you are eligible to submit and the submit button is not appearing, please contact  [email protected] ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected] . 
• For fees related queries contact the Student Desk on  www.ucd.ie/askus ' page"> www.ucd.ie/askus .
• For technical support on using the eThesis system please contact  [email protected] ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected] .

eThesis Summary Checklist

eThesis How-To-Videos

Video 1:  (opens in a new window) Supervisor permits upload

Video 2:  (opens in a new window) Student uploads thesis

Video 3: (opens in a new window) Supervisor approved thesis for examination

Video 4:  (opens in a new window) Student upload of final thesis

Hardbound Thesis Information (Graduate Research Degrees)

Please see the Hardbound Thesis Information (Graduate Research Degrees) section on our Assessment  ACCE Webpage  for further details.

Contact the eThesis team at  (opens in a new window) [email protected]

Contact the Student Desk

www.ucd.ie/askus

• Peter J. Shields Library
• Blaisdell Medical Library
• Mabie Law Library
• Archives & Special Collections
• Study Spaces
• Print, Scan, Copy
• Events & Workshops
• Library Tours
• Accessibility & Safety
• Library Accounts
• Borrow, Renew, Return
• Course Materials
• Books / Physical Items
• Scanned Articles or Chapters
• Shipping Service
• Suggest a Purchase
• Lending to Institutions
• Equipment & Lockers
• Services for People with Disabilities
• Services for Remote Sites
• Getting Started
• Schedule a Research Consultation
• Research Sources & Search Tools
• Data Analysis & Management
• Open Access
• Author Rights & Copyright
• Preserve Your Research
• Student Research Prizes
• Custom Course Guides
• Course Reserves
• Open Educational Resources (OER)
• Request Library Instruction
• Class Visits to Archives & Special Collections
• Copyright & Teaching
• Videos & Music
• Collections Overview
• Food & Wine
• Digitized Collections
• Points of Pride
• News & Events
• Leadership, Mission & Strategy
• Partnerships & Projects
• Careers & Student Jobs
• Library Policies
• Dissertations and Theses
• Collections
• Archives and Special Collections
• Our Collections
• University Archives

Available Formats

Electronic copies.

As of September 2010 all doctoral dissertations and masters theses are submitted to the  Proquest Dissertations & Theses database. Electronic copies of doctoral dissertations began to be available in 1997 while masters theses began to be available in September 2010. After a dissertation or thesis is submitted to Graduate Studies, it can take up to several months for it to appear in the database.

As of Spring Quarter 2021, theses and dissertations are also submitted to eScholarship .

Paper Copies

Masters theses from mid-2003 to September 2010 are located in the Shields Library book stacks.

Microfiche Copies

UC Davis theses and dissertations issued between 1978 and mid-2003 are available for use in the Microcopy Collection, Lower Level, Shields Library. Microfiche copies are available for inter-library loan and for reading, copying, or scanning within the library.

Archival Copies

UC Davis theses and dissertations issued before 1978 are typically only available in Special Collections. These are stored offsite and are for use only in the Blanchard Special Collections Reading Room. They can be requested at  aeon.library.ucdavis.edu . Turnaround time is 48-72 hours.

Locating Dissertations and Theses

Via uc library search.

UC Davis dissertations and theses can be located via the library’s online catalog,  UC Library Search . The item record will indicate the location of each thesis and dissertation.

Search Tips

Dissertations and theses do not receive standard “subject” headings. Dissertation titles are required to be descriptive, so title word searches are often effective. Another strategy, applicable for dissertations only, is to search in Proquest’s Dissertations & Theses Database (limiting to UC Davis if desired), where one can search titles, abstracts, and subject descriptors.

Note: with our new catalog options, searching by dissertation subject heading is less used, but in case you need to know, UC Davis catalogs its theses and dissertations with a limited subject heading, constructed of the phrase Dissertations, Academic — University of California, Davis plus the name of the department in which the degree is granted, for example:

• Dissertations, Academic — University of California, Davis — Genetics

For 1989 and earlier, use the heading Dissertations, Academic — California plus the name of the department in which the degree is granted, for example:

• Dissertations, Academic — California — Soil science

Via the Dissertations & Theses Database

The  Dissertations & Theses Database  via Proquest includes citations for theses and dissertations from 1861 to the current year. Entries for dissertations from 1980 forward include 350-word abstracts, written by the author. Citations for master’s theses from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts. UC Davis submits only doctoral dissertations for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses via Proquest.

Search Dissertations & Theses by:

• The keyword of the title or abstract
• School (“Davis,” for example)
• Advisor name
• Other fields

Some UC Davis dissertations are not sent to ProQuest at the request of the author. In such cases, locate the bibliographic record in the UC Library Search online catalog. There may be a microform or print copy available for use, or you may request retrieval of the archival copy via Special Collections.

The Dissertations & Theses database provides access to the complete full-text of all University of California dissertations in addition to UC Davis doctoral dissertations from the year 1997 forward. Free 24-page previews are available for most other university theses and dissertations listed in the database from 1997 forward. Access to the ProQuest database and full-text is limited to UC computer addresses.

How to Obtain PDFs from the Dissertations & Theses Database

When displaying a citation for a dissertation, the Digital Dissertations database will indicate via a “Full text -PDF” button that the dissertation is available for full-text download. Nearly all of the UC dissertations since 1997 are available in full-text format.

• Plan Your Visit
• Class Visits
• Maps, Directions & Local Amenities
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Find Materials
• Aeon Registration for First Time Users
• How to Request Collection Items
• Request Duplication (Scans & Photocopies)
• Access & Policies

Contact Archives and Special Collections

If you have any questions or requests, please send us an email or leave a voicemail and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Explore UCD

• (opens in a new window) University Strategy
• University Governance
• President's Office
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Campus Development
• Study at UCD
• Current Students
• Campus Accommodation
• International Student Experience
• Access & Lifelong Learning
• Careers Network
• Sports Clubs
• (opens in a new window) Student Societies

Research & Innovation

• Innovation at NovaUCD
• Graduate Studies
• Support for Researchers
• (opens in a new window) Find a UCD Researcher
• UCD College of Arts and Humanities
• UCD College of Business
• UCD College of Engineering and Architecture
• UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences
• UCD College of Science
• UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
• All Colleges and Schools
• News & Opinion
• Work at UCD
• UCD in the Community
• Global Partnerships
• (opens in a new window) UCD Foundation
• University Relations

Key Services

• Staff Directory
• Sport & Fitness
• IT Services
• (opens in a new window) Commuting
• (opens in a new window) UCD Map
• (opens in a new window)

Assessing Graduate Research Theses

Contact the student desk.

www.ucd.ie/askus

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Exhibitions
• Visit and Contact
• UCD Library
• Current Students
• News & Opinion
• Staff Directory
• UCD Connect

Open Access: Theses as a Collection of Papers: Copyright

• What is Open Access (OA)?
• UCD Library OA Publishing Agreements This link opens in a new window
• Routes to OA
• Funders' Requirements
• SFI (Plan S) Compliance
• OA Requirements in Horizon 2020
• Open Science Requirements Horizon Europe
• Research Repository UCD
• OA & the Humanities
• Finding OA Materials
• Using OA Books to Support Teaching & Learning
• My Open Access Story
• Open Scholarship/Science
• OA News & Developments
• Theses as a Collection of Papers: Copyright

Copyright & Permissions

In some cases UCD allows PhD students to submit their thesis as a collection of previously published papers. This is known as "Thesis as a Collection of Papers," a "Cumulative Thesis," or a "Thesis by Publication." University guidelines on how this should be approached are available here . 

Publishing agreements may involve copyright transfer or exclusive licence to publish. These terms determine how you and others can reuse and share your publications.

Publishers usually permit either the author's final version of the paper (Author’s Accepted Manuscript, AAM) or the published version, to be included in your thesis. The AAM has been peer-reviewed and revised into its final form by you. It does not contain the publisher's formatting or logo as in the final published version.

It is essential that you have permission to share all published papers in your thesis freely online, prior to thesis submission. This is because UCD makes all PhD theses available via Research Repository UCD .

Getting Permission

Permission before article publication.

Before submitting your article for publication, you can check the “Information for Authors" section on the publishers' website. Publishers may have a policy to allow authors include published papers as part of their PhD thesis. They may say something like “Authors can include their articles in full or in part in a thesis or dissertation for non-commercial purposes.” 

If this is not clear, contact the publisher or editor of the journal to discuss inclusion of the published paper in your PhD thesis.

Rights Retention

Plan S, a coalition of funders have developed a " Rights Retention Strategy ." Your research may be funded by one of these organisations. The aim of the strategy is to ensure authors retain the copyright of their own work, and are allowed to make at least the AAM available via Open Access immediately on publication, with a CC-BY license.

If your funder requires plan S compliance, the "pre-submission letter" and the "submission cover letter" templates are available to use (see below). These can be sent to the publisher prior to submitting your work and when submitting it. More details of Plan S and rights retention are available here .

Permission after article publication

For previously published papers, look at the copyright transfer agreements under “Rights Retention.” You may also need to check the publishers' website to see if re-use is permitted. Do this for each paper.

In cases where this information is not available, contact the publisher or editor directly to get permission. Many publishers allow you to use the Rightslink service to get permission. Alternatively use the copyright request template below.

Note: if you are having any difficulties gaining permission, ensure you alert the Graduate Research Board as soon as possible.

A publisher may only allow you to include the paper with an embargo period. This means there will be a set period, after which the material can be made freely available online. An embargo can be set up by applying to the Graduate Research Board (GRB). Full details are available here .

After thesis submission, only the title, author, and basic details of your thesis will appear in the repository until the embargo expires. After this, the full text of your thesis will be available.

• Copyright Request Template PhD Published Papers
• Rights Retention pre-submission letter template
• Rights Retention submission cover letter template

University College London (2024) Guidance on incorporating published work in your thesis . Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/doctoral-school/rights-and-responsibilities/research-integrity-and-ethics/guidance-incorporating-published-work-your . University of Limerick (2024) Thesis Preparation: Copyright . Available at: https://libguides.ul.ie/c.php?g=681741&p=4918262 . University of Strathclyde (2024) Copyright & Your Thesis: Using Your Own Published Work in Your Thesis . Available at: https://guides.lib.strath.ac.uk/c.php?g=677408&p=4827028 .  

• << Previous: OA News & Developments
• Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024 3:09 PM
• URL: https://libguides.ucd.ie/openaccess

This website won't properly work without JavaScript.

Explore UCD

• (opens in a new window) University Strategy
• University Governance
• President's Office
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Campus Development
• Study at UCD
• Current Students
• Campus Accommodation
• International Student Experience
• Access & Lifelong Learning
• Careers Network
• Sports Clubs
• (opens in a new window) Student Societies

Research & Innovation

• Innovation at NovaUCD
• Graduate Studies
• Support for Researchers
• (opens in a new window) Find a UCD Researcher
• UCD College of Arts and Humanities
• UCD College of Business
• UCD College of Engineering and Architecture
• UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences
• UCD College of Science
• UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
• All Colleges and Schools
• News & Opinion
• Work at UCD
• UCD in the Community
• Global Partnerships
• (opens in a new window) UCD Foundation
• University Relations

Key Services

• Staff Directory
• Sport & Fitness
• IT Services
• (opens in a new window) Commuting
• (opens in a new window) UCD Map
• (opens in a new window)

e Thesis System

The  eThesis  Examination system was developed to facilitate the ONLINE processing of research theses: from initial submission, through the examination process, to Academic Council Committee on Examinations ( ACCE ) decision; resulting in the student being conferred with an Award.

eThesis Zoom one to one Drop-in Clinics

(opens in a new window) New -  eThesis Zoom one to one Drop-in Clinics UCD eThesis Support will be hosting live one-to-one drop in zoom clinics ahead of the next  thesis fee submission date  on 8 May 2024.

The team will be available over zoom to offer one-to-one support for those going through the Graduate Research eThesis Submission Process. The drop in zoom clinics are open to students, faculty and support staff. Anyone interested can drop in at any point on the following dates and times: To Be Confirmed 

To drop into a session and meet with a member of the Assessment team please log into the below link:

(opens in a new window) Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 614 6127 0733 Passcode: 244797

Research Repository UCD (RRU) FAQ

What is Research Repository UCD (RRU)?   Research Repository UCD ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Research Repository UCD (RRU) is a digital collection of open access scholarly publications from University College Dublin. Managed by UCD Library, the repository collects, preserves and makes freely available a wide range of publications created by UCD researchers. These include peer-reviewed articles, working papers and conference papers. 

UCD is a signatory to the (opens in a new window) National Principles for Open Access and all research degree theses completed at the university are expected to be made publicly available as soon as possible following the award of a degree. This allows the University to demonstrate the quality of its research and the rigour of its research degree programmes. Therefore, the default position of the university is to not place an embargo on a research thesis.

Further information available at  (opens in a new window) https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/

What are the benefits of hosting your thesis on Research Repository UCD (RRU)? • Maximises timely dissemination of your research to a global academic audience. • Increases the visibility of your research. • Enhances its discoverability through Google Scholar. • Increases the impact of your research as evidenced by increased citation rates. • Showcases your own research and that of your School. • Enhances UCD’s reputation and international standing.

What happens to your electronic thesis once it is hosted on Research Repository UCD (RRU)?  In line with UCD's  Intellectual Property Policy ' page"> Intellectual Property Policy  your electronic thesis is deposited in the  University Repository (RRU)&nbsp; ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) University Repository (RRU)  via eThesis system. Your thesis will become publicly available to download, unless embargoed. Once in the RRU it is assigned a persistent identifier which allows for easy discoverability. In depositing your work in the RRU the author(s), copyright owner or assignee, grant a worldwide non-exclusive, royalty free, irrevocable, perpetual licence to UCD to make the work available online via the UCD repository and to translate the work to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation or accessibility within the confines of the  Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 . The electronic copy of your e-thesis, when available online, will be subject to the terms of use permitted by the specified  licence ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) licence .

How does the thesis transfer to the RRU? Theses submitted for examination after 13 September 2021  Following ACCE approval of the degree award, any thesis submitted through the University’s eThesis Exam system after 13 September 2021 will automatically transfer to the RRU, unless embargoed. Theses submitted for examination before 13 September 2021  Following ACCE approval of the degree award, any thesis submitted through the eThesis Exam system prior to 13 September 2021 can be transferred to the RRU with the student’s written permission. You can email  [email protected] ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected]  to give permission for the thesis transfer. When is my electronic thesis transferred to the RRU, making it publicly available to download? Your electronic thesis is automatically transferred to the RRU  2-3 working days  after ACCE approve your award recommendation, unless embargoed. Therefore this transfer to the RRU takes place before you confer. If embargoed, only the title and the abstract of a thesis will appear in the RRU. The full text of the thesis will become available for public view when the embargo period expires.

What is a thesis embargo? A thesis embargo will delay the release of a thesis to the RRU for a specific period. Once embargoed, only the title and the abstract of a thesis will appear in the RRU. The full text of the thesis will become available for public view when the embargo period expires. See Graduate Studies webpages for  Thesis Embargo information ' page"> Thesis Embargo information

How is an embargo set up? An embargo can be set up through application to the Graduate Research Board (GRB). A Research Thesis Embargo request form can be accessed via the  GRB webpages ' page"> GRB webpages . The form is completed and submitted following preparation of supporting documentation and discussion with your Supervisor. To seek an embargo on a research thesis, evidence must be provided that the research thesis contains personal, security or commercially sensitive information or the thesis contains material intended for future publication and the publishers specifically require that the thesis is restricted. Once the embargo has been approved, the GRB will enter the embargo details on the eThesis Exam system record. Do students still need to submit a hard-bound copy of the thesis if it is being hosted on the RRU? Yes. A UCD research degree award requires candidates to submit a final hard-bound copy of the thesis to the UCD Student Desk. This is an archival/preservation copy which will be held in closed store in the Library.  See the section on Hardbound Thesis Information (Graduate Research Degrees) on the  ACCE website ' page"> ACCE website  for further details.

Student eThesis Examination System Guidebook

Student eThesis Guidebook

eThesis FAQs - Students

Q: I keep getting an error message when I try to submit my thesis on the ethesis form, what do I do? A: Ensure that you have not exceeded the character limits in the text boxes on the online form. The limits are located in the bottom right corner of the text boxes. If there is an error saving the form it is recommended to copy the text into this web site and ensure the byte value is less than or equal to the 4000 character limit: https://mothereff.in/byte-counter OR A: The filename for the thesis you are uploading could be too long

Q: What do I do if I submit my thesis and I have uploaded an incorrect document? A: Your supervisor can reject the uploaded document, which will then allow you to upload the correct document i.e the version of your thesis your supervisor agreed to be uploaded for examination.  Please ensure this is done ahead of your  thesis fee submission deadline ' page"> thesis fee submission deadline . Only one upload is allowed and only under exceptional circumstances can a different version be uploaded after the deadline has passed.

Q: Will I be charged additional fees if I submit an incorrect document and have to upload again, or if my supervisor is not available to accept the uploaded thesis for examination?  A:  The date and time on which you first submit your thesis will be taken as your submission date, even if your supervisor is not available to approve it for examination. It is recommended that you engage with your supervisor in advance of submission to agree a timeline so that this situation does not occur. If the supervisor does not provide you with confirmation to upload your eThesis, then you will incur additional fees until confirmation is provided. Students can apply for extenuating circumstances. Consult with the School and  Graduate Research Board to apply. 

Q: I am trying to submit my eThesis but there is no submit button. A: Check your registration is correct and up to date. You can review your registration in the UView section of SISWeb .

Q: What is the latest time I can upload my thesis on the day of the thesis fee submission deadline without incurring any fees? A: Once you are eligible to submit, you can upload your thesis up until one minute to midnight (23:59) on the day of the thesis fee submission deadline. eThesis support will be available until 5pm on deadline day so please endeavour to upload your thesis in advance of 5pm in case you encounter any issues and require support from the eThesis team. Please refer to the  thesis fee submission schedule ' page"> thesis fee submission schedule  for details.

Q: What if my supervisor will not allow me to submit my thesis? A: As per  Academic Regulations ' page"> Academic Regulations  7.56 a) your supervisor must approve submission of your thesis for examination and will only do this if in agreement that it is ready for examination. If you are of the opinion that your supervisor is unreasonably withholding permission for thesis submission, you may make an appeal to your Head of School.

Q: After my thesis has been accepted for examination, can I replace it and resubmit it if I notice an error? A: You can only upload your thesis once, even if there is time left before the thesis fee submission deadline. This must be the version for examination, as agreed with your supervisor. And once your thesis has been submitted and accepted by your supervisor, it cannot be withdrawn as per  Academic Regulations ' page"> Academic Regulations   7.57

Q: How do I get supplemental material that should accompany my thesis to my Examination Committee? e.g. maps, data, etc   A: All material should be contained in the one PDF that is uploaded to the eThesis Exam system. Supplemental information can be in the appendices at the end of the document.  See tutorial on how to merge your Word documents. ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) See tutorial on how to merge your Word documents.  The School is responsible for ensuring the Examiners have access to the material that cannot be included in the appendix.

Q: How long will my thesis be retained in the eThesis Exam system after my degree has been awarded? A: Your thesis will be automatically  transferred to the RRU ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) transferred to the RRU  (unless  embargoed ' page"> embargoed ) where it becomes freely available to view and download. The version contained in the eThesis Exam system will be retained in line with UCD Registry’s retention guidelines (normally 13 months - currently under review), after which time it will be removed from the system.

Q: How can I track the progress of my eThesis? A: The eThesis Exam system will update the status as it progresses through the examination process so that you can keep track of the progress. Log on to UView on SISweb to review this.  

Q: What if I have extenuating circumstances that prohibit me from submitting my thesis? A: Your supervisor/School should be your first point of contact as they will be able to provide you with guidance on the most appropriate action relevant to your situation. Your School can request an extension to your submission deadline due to exceptional circumstances.

Q: What if I have extenuating circumstances preventing me from attending my viva voce? A: Contact the Chair of your Exam Committee to reschedule.

Q: How does the examiner overseeing the revisions submit a sign-off form for me? A: There is no traditional sign-off form needed in the eThesis Exam system. The revisions and final version will first be overseen and agreed outside the system. Then, you must upload the final revised version onto the eThesis Exam system and the examiner approves this version online.  

Q: How do I see the revisions needed after examination? Revisions do not come through the eThesis Exam system. The Chair and their nominee will contact you separately from the ethesis system to provide you with the revisions required. Then, you must upload the final revised version onto the eThesis Exam system and the examiner approves this version online.

• If you believe you are eligible to submit and the submit button is not appearing, please contact  [email protected] ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected] . 
• For fees related queries contact the Student Desk on  www.ucd.ie/askus ' page"> www.ucd.ie/askus .
• For technical support on using the eThesis system please contact  [email protected] ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected] .

eThesis Summary Checklist

eThesis How-To-Videos

Video 1:  (opens in a new window) Supervisor permits upload

Video 2:  (opens in a new window) Student uploads thesis

Video 3: (opens in a new window) Supervisor approved thesis for examination

Video 4:  (opens in a new window) Student upload of final thesis

Hardbound Thesis Information (Graduate Research Degrees)

Please see the Hardbound Thesis Information (Graduate Research Degrees) section on our Assessment  ACCE Webpage  for further details.

Contact the eThesis team at  (opens in a new window) [email protected]

Contact the Student Desk

www.ucd.ie/askus

• Search This Site All UCSD Sites Faculty/Staff Search Term
• Meet the Dean
• Meet the Team
• Professors of the Graduate Division
• Funding Opportunities
• Alumni & Friends
• Prospective Students
• Degree Programs
• Requirements
• Admitted Students
• Admission FAQ
• Compliance/Health and Safety Information
• Tuition & Fees
• Fellowships
• Third-Party Payments
• Non-UC Visiting Grads
• Financial Support FAQ
• News & Updates
• Progress to Degree
• Enrolling at UC San Diego

Preparing to Graduate

• Policies & Procedures
• Student Academic FAQ
• Merkin Graduate Fellows Program
• Student Updates
• Health & Wellbeing
• Professional Development
• Student Spotlights
• Programs and Resources
• Postdoctoral Affairs
• Dissertation & Thesis Submission

Review the information below on the requirements and process for doctoral and master’s students writing a dissertation/thesis and preparing for their defense. Please refer to the Dissertation/Thesis Defense Timeline Snapshot below for a general timeline to dissertation/thesis submission, defense, and degree completion.

Preliminary Review

Prior to your defense, follow the steps below: 

Contact your department's graduate coordinator to review your dissertation/thesis committee and to discuss the process for scheduling your defense. New or reconstituted committees must be submitted to GEPA by your graduate coordinator and approved by GEPA prior to the defense (at least two weeks).

Review the requirements regarding committee participation at the defense here for doctoral students and here for master's students .

The doctoral dissertation/master's thesis should be submitted to each member of the doctoral/thesis committee at least four weeks before the final examination/defense .

Preliminary Appointment with GEPA (recommended before your defense):

At this appointment the dissertation/thesis formatting is reviewed and instructions are given on the final preparation and submission of the dissertation/thesis. 

• Schedule a preliminary appointment with GEPA Academic Affairs prior to your defense (we recommend 2-4 weeks prior to the defense).  Appointments will be conducted via Zoom .  
• All dissertations/theses must conform to the formatting guidelines .
• Dissertation/thesis templates are available online.
• Review the Dissertation/Thesis Release Form prior to the appointment.
• More information on permission letters can be found here .
• Examples of permission letters can be found here and on pages 45-46 of the formatting manual .
• Review the guidelines on acceptable electronic signatures .

Final Review (after the defense)

Department graduate coordinator will initiate the Final Report Form in DocuSign, generally on the day of the defense. Committee members and department chair/program director are notified to sign.

Final Review: The date you plan to submit all of your final degree forms, including the final, approved version of your dissertation/thesis, to GEPA. GEPA Academic Affairs will review your dissertation/thesis and paperwork, and provide an update via email. There is no meeting.

• The final review will be scheduled with the GEPA advisor during the preliminary appointment.
• Finalize content and formatting of the dissertation/thesis. Upload the final version to ProQuest .
• Upload fully signed Dissertation/Thesis Release Form to ProQuest.
• If applicable, upload all permission letters to the Kuali  Permission Letter Form . Review the guidelines on acceptable electronic signatures .

SDSU Joint Doctoral Students only:

• Students initiate the dissertation signature page through DocuSign. Committee member signatures will be collected electronically through DocuSign and the form will be routed electronically to GEPA (see page 12 in the formatting manual for detailed instructions). Students use the JDP signature page link here .
• Thesis Submission Fee (master’s students only):  All Master’s students pay a thesis submission fee. It will be assessed to Tritonlink once the degree is processed, after the end of the quarter. A billing statement will be emailed when fees are assessed.
• Filing Fee/Readmission Fee/Readvancement Fee (if applicable): Students may need to pay the filing fee/readmission fee/readvancement fee. Any fees will be discussed during the preliminary appointment and marked on the Final Report Form. Fees will be assessed to Tritonlink once the degree is processed, after the end of the quarter. A billing statement will be emailed when fees are assessed.

Dissertation/Thesis Submission & Formatting Webinar

The Dissertation/Thesis Submission & Formatting webinar is held quarterly and provides an overview of the dissertation/thesis submission process and formatting guidelines.   Please refer to the full formatting manual for detailed formatting information. RSVP for the next webinar via the "Register Now" button in the "Attend a Formatting Webinar" section below this one.

The slides from the April 16 Spring 2024  dissertation/thesis submission & formatting webinar can be found here .

 If you are unable to attend a webinar, the information is available in 4 topic-based recordings below. 

Recordings:

► Webinar Part One: Degree Filing Process & Submitting Dissertation/Thesis

►  Webinar Part Two: Degree Paperwork

► Webinar Part Three: Dissertation & Thesis Formatting Manual

► Webinar Part Four: Permission Letters

Attend a Formatting Webinar

The next Dissertation/Thesis Submission & Formatting Webinar is on Tuesday, April 16 at 10:00am (PT)

Unable to attend the next Webinar? Click here to access a recorded version . 

Register Now

Dissertation/Thesis Appointments

Request preliminary and final dissertation/thesis appointments via the online calendar. Appointments should be scheduled during the planned graduation quarter.

Schedule Now

Permission Letter Submission Form

Students must submit permission letters from all co-authors, if the dissertation/thesis will use material which has been submitted for publication or has been published.  Letters must be submitted to GEPA via the online form.

Submit Letters Here

• Degree Completion
• Dissertation & Thesis Manual
• Dissertation & Thesis Template

Upload to the University Digital Conservancy

Get in touch.

Need Help?  Contact us with your questions via email.  You can contact us in several ways:

University Digital Conservancy: [email protected]

DRUM: [email protected]

Data management consultations and DMSP plans email [email protected]

If you’re not sure who you need to talk to, email [email protected] , and we'll get you to the right place.

Meet our staff:

Erik Moore Digital Conservancy Director and University Archivist

Kent Gerber University Data Archivist

Sarah Barsness University Digital Records Archivist

Before you deposit

Some dissertations and theses are automatically added to the Digital Conservancy, while others are added manually.

Dissertations

Dissertations are automatically added to the Digital Conservancy as part of the submission process, which is administered by The Graduate School.  For information or questions regarding submission policies and procedures, contact Graduate Student Services and Progress office (GSSP) for the most up-to-date information on this process.

Master's Plan A theses

Master’s Plan A theses are automatically added to the Digital Conservancy as part of the submission process, which is administered by The Graduate School.  For information or questions regarding submission policies and procedures, contact Graduate Student Services and Progress office (GSSP) for the most up-to-date information on this process.

Master's Plan B/C theses, capstones, and other final projects

Plan B/C theses, capstones, and other projects may be added to the Digital Conservancy, but deposit is not required. If you are a student and would like to add your Plan B paper, please follow thee email instructions on this page.  In your email, please be sure to include the project type, the name of your degree, and the college/school where your degree is conferred.

Some graduate programs have collections of their master's projects in the Digital Conservancy.  These collections are a wonderful resource for current and former students, and highlight the role of graduate education and research in the school.  If you are a program administrator, or would like to start a collection for a program’s Plan B projects, please contact us to get started.

Undergraduate Honors theses

Please see the University Honors Program thesis submission instructions if you are a Twin Cities student looking to add your honors program thesis.

Email your deposit

The best way to for some users to deposit their items is by emailing the Digital Conservancy.  Complete the following steps to get help depositing your item:

• Read and complete the online Deposit Agreement  
• Email [email protected] your file(s)
• In your email, include the following information:
• Author name(s)
• Title of your deposit
• Date created (YYYY-MM-DD)
• Abstract of no more than 500 words (optional)
• Any subject keywords you want associated with your deposit
• The collection where your item should be uploaded.  If you're not sure, provide a quick description of your item, your campus, and any associated program, event, department, research group, etc. (e.g., UROP-Duluth Campus, Plan B thesis, Extension report, etc.)
• Faculty advisor name, if applicable
• Funding information, including sponsor name and grant number, if applicable
• << Previous: Upload your UROP project
• Next: Upload your article or preprint >>

PhD thesis offer 2024- Call for Application of a CIFRE-ANRT thesis submission

Job information, offer description.

The TEAM 5 (BRIC U1312, https://www.bricbordeaux.com/en/bric-team/recherche-translationnelle-en-cancerologie-cutanee-et-maladies-cutanees-rares/ ), which is co-headed by Dr. Rezvani and Pr. Beylot-Barry, is composed of about 40 researchers, clinicians, lecturers, technicians and engineers, with a synergistic interaction with Bordeaux University Hospital teams. This labelled INSERM team is seeking to recruit a new PhD student on a project entitled “ Study the mechanisms underlying the appearance of hypo and hyper-pigmented areas in skin”. This project will be carried out in collaboration with NAOS ILS under a CIFRE contract.

Summary of the project:

Skin, the largest organ of the human body, protects body against external aggressions (chemical, physical, microbiological, pollution, UV...). One of the protective mechanisms against the deleterious effects of UV radiation is melanin, which is produced by melanocytes within the basal layer of the epidermis, then transferred to neighboring keratinocytes before being degraded in the upper layers of the epidermis. Its distribution results in a homogeneous macroscopic pigmentation of the skin. In certain pathologies, the production-transfer-degradation cycle is disrupted, leading to the appearance of hypo- or hyper-pigmented areas. These pathologies have a significant psychological impact. In this project, we aim to identify the mechanisms involved in the appearance of hypo- and hyper-pigmented spots and to find new therapeutic targets. To this end, omics approaches (spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, etc.) will be applied on biopsies taken from hypo- and hyperpigmented areas, as well as from clinically healthy adjacent areas.

The technologies enabling spatial analysis of gene and protein expression are recent, and new bioinformatics methods specific to this type of data are proposed [PMID: 36147664]. Rapid advancements in spatial transcriptomics provide increasingly vast and complex datasets, allowing subcellular resolution and a comprehensive understanding of cellular interactions. However, processing and analyzing these massive datasets pose significant computational challenges, primarily due to the size of the data, which can reach tens of terabytes per sample. Additionally, integrating various analysis methods, such as statistical modeling and machine learning techniques, with current biological knowledge is essential for proper data interpretation. Moreover, interactive visualization and sharing of analysis results present technical obstacles, necessitating the development of new tools and platforms to facilitate collaboration and access to spatial data.

In order to identify the biological processes involved in the occurrence of hypo- and hyperpigmented patches, the PhD candidate will evaluate and compare existing analytical tools for each type of "omics" in light of the challenges mentioned above and will develop a method for multi-omics integration with biomedical knowledge bases (gene/gene interactions, gene/drug interactions). Additionally, the spatial dimension will lead the PhD candidate to investigate and integrate knowledge on intercellular communication. Finally, the PhD candidate will develop visual metaphors and an exploration and visualization tool for data and results.

The PhD student will be trained by a thesis supervisor expert in skin biology and a co-supervisor expert in bioinformatics. Additionally, this thesis will be conducted within the framework of a CIFRE scholarship, providing a unique opportunity for the PhD student to gain valuable experience in both academic and industrial environment.

Requirements

We are seeking a talented and motivated PhD student with a background in bioinformatics* to join our dynamic research team. (S)he will play a crucial role in processing, analyzing, and interpreting multi-omics datasets generated from our experimental models and patient samples using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics.

* Student holding a master's degree in bioinformatics or equivalent (or computer science with a strong inclination towards biology), with the following skills:

• Knowledge in bioinformatics, (bio)statistics, and biology
• Knowledge in omics data analysis would be appreciated
• Proficiency in Linux/Unix environment
• Proficiency in R language and a programming language (Python, C, ...)
• Motivation to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• Rigor and synthesis skills, as well as ability to work in a team.

Applicants should send a single PDF file (single-spaced, 11-point Arial) containing:

-Concise CV (2 pages)

-2 recommendation letters

This document should be sent to [email protected] .

Call opening: May 1, 2024

Deadline for applications: 31 May 2024

Interview with member of scientific committee of TRIO2 and NAOS ILS: During June

Notification of selected candidate & CIFRE ANRT thesis submission: During July 2024

Additional Information

Work location(s), where to apply.