The Thesis

At the end of your higher degree by research candidature, you will present a thesis for examination by experts in your field of study. In most cases the award of the degree depends entirely on the thesis. For those few programs such as the Master of Engineering Science and the Master of Science in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, which involve compulsory coursework, all coursework must have been satisfactorily completed before you submit your thesis for examination. An oral examination is not normally required.

The purpose of the thesis is to clearly describe the research you have undertaken, the methodologies employed and your research outcomes in the context of the broader discipline area. Ultimately, the intellectual content and presentation of the final thesis is your responsibility and it is important to ensure that the text is cogently written and free of grammatical, spelling and typographical errors, with a style and structure appropriate to your field of study.

It is recommended that you discuss the length, composition and format of the thesis with your supervisor at an early stage of candidature and that you take the time to review the document "Specifications for Thesis", which describes in detail the current requirements for the preparation and presentation of a higher degree by research thesis. For your information the 2009 version of "Specifications for Thesis" has been reproduced in Appendix 6. However, as you will submit your thesis for examination post 2098, you will need to consult the version of the "Specifications for Thesis" document that is valid for your year of submission. This will be available online at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/program_rules/ and may also be found in the Postgraduate Calendar of the relevant year.

Note that if you are a scholarship student, you may be eligible for an allowance to assist you with the costs of producing your thesis. Please consult your scholarship "Conditions of Award" in Appendix 2, or contact the Graduate Centre for further information.