Thesis Outline

Students are required to submit a two-page, single-spaced outline of their thesis project signed by the Primary Supervisor and other members of the Supervisory Committee (if applicable) no later than February 28 of their first year. At the time of submission, the supervisor and student are to submit three names of faculty members for the review at the proposal stage. The outline will be reviewed by two faculty members. The submission should be sent via email to the Graduate Assistant.

The outline is intended to provide an overview of the intended project with respect to the following:

Title
Purpose (~ ¼ page)
Background and Rationale (~ ¼ page)
Empirical Objectives (~ ¼ page)
Study Design and Methods (~ ¾ page)
1. Data management and analysis strategy
Ethical Considerations (~ ¼ page)
Feasibility Issues (e.g. access to the required data) (~ ¼ page)
Timeline for Proposal development and Project Completion noting key dates (additional ½ page)
References (additional ¼ page)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Supervisor/Committee Members & Date (additional ¼ page)

NOTE: Students with first-class standing who show exceptional promise in their research may be considered for promotion to our doctoral program in Epidemiology without completion of the Master’s degree. This is called completing a Mini-Master’s. Application to complete a Mini-Master’s is normally made following two terms of full-time enrollment, and prior to the end of the fifth term of study. Ideally, the Mini-Master’s option would be discussed at the thesis outline stage.

Program Contacts

Affiliated Research Groups