In order to complete graduation requirements, all students need to confirm that all program requirements have been met and all fees have been paid, and then formally submit an application to graduate. Prior to doing so, each MASc and PhD student needs to complete the thesis and secure approval of the thesis. All graduating students are invited to attend graduation ceremonies at which the degree parchments are issued. Further information on these component steps is given below:
MASc Thesis Completion and Submission
For detailed information on thesis preparation, refer to Dissertation and Thesis Preparation.
When the thesis has been completed and approved by the Research Supervisor and second reader, the student should arrange for the submission of completed and signed Department and G+PS Thesis Approval Forms, and the thesis should then be submitted electronically following the G+PS Instructions.
The thesis needs to be approved by G+PS before a student is eligible to graduate.
When the thesis meets all G+PS requirements, it will be added to the UBC Library’s cIRcle Institutional Repository. The submitted thesis must be complete and accurate – it cannot be subsequently changed and re-submitted.
IMPORTANT: If a student wishes the thesis to be delayed from publication, G+PS approval must be obtained before thesis submission.
PhD Thesis Completion and Submission
Dissertation Completion
For detailed information on thesis preparation, refer to: Dissertation & Thesis Preparation. Normally, early drafts of the PhD thesis are prepared with guidance from the Research Supervisor, who must agree to its technical content and findings. In preparing the final draft, the thesis should be circulated to all other members of the Supervisory Committee for comments and suggestions. Upon receiving a recommendation from the Supervisory Committee, the Department Head gives approval that the thesis is ready to be submitted for examination.
Final Doctoral Examination
For detailed information on the final doctoral examination, including the appointment of the External Examiner, the constitution of the Examination Committee, and the oral defence, refer to Final Doctoral Examination.
Dissertation Submission
Upon a successful defence of the thesis and approval by the Examination Committee, the student should arrange for the submission of completed and signed G+PS Dissertation Approval Form, and the thesis should then be submitted electronically following the relevant G+PS Instructions. The thesis needs to be approved by G+PS before a student is eligible to graduate. When the thesis meets all G+PS requirements, it will be added to the UBC Library’s cIRcle Institutional Repository. The submitted thesis must be complete and accurate – it cannot be subsequently changed and re-submitted. IMPORTANT: If a student wishes that the thesis to be delayed from publication, G+PS approval must be obtained before thesis submission.
Graduation Application
Upon the completion of program requirements, a PhD candidate must apply for graduation by submitting an Application for Graduation form, and immediately thereafter inform the Civil Engineering Graduate Support Office.
Graduation Ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies, at which degree parchments are presented to graduates, take place twice a year at the Chan Centre, once in November and once in May. Attendance is not mandatory but is recommended – the ceremony will show you an additional aspect of academic life and give you a sense of the proud traditions of our academic community. [If your graduation does not exactly match the date of a graduation ceremony, please consider coming back to campus for the next one; it will be worth it to celebrate this occasion with your mentors and peers.]
Note that MASc and PhD students are able to have their degrees awarded on any one of four dates in a given year. Once Senate awards the degree, a notation will appear on the transcript. However, formal conferral at Congregation ceremonies and the degree parchments will remain available in May and November only.
Voluntary Withdrawal
In a few cases, a student may elect to withdraw from the program and not complete the degree. In order to do so, the student must be in good standing (no outstanding fees), and should then complete the Voluntary Withdrawal form and submit it to gradsupport@civil.ubc.ca.