Master’s Thesis

MS Thesis Requirements Heading link

Students opting to earn the master’s degree by writing and defending a thesis must achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for the core courses, find a thesis advisor, and notify the Director of Graduate Studies by the end of their second semester in the program. Students must complete at least 5 credit hours of master’s thesis research (MATH 598, MCS 598 or STAT 598) beyond the 32 credit hours of advisor-approved credit required for the degree. A satisfactory thesis must be completed and successfully defended within one year of completion of 32 credit hours applicable to the degree.

All degree requirements must be satisfied before the thesis defense can be scheduled. The defense cannot be scheduled until all members of the Thesis Committee have received a copy of the thesis and had an opportunity to consult with the thesis advisor. Anyone may attend the thesis defense.

MS Thesis Checklist Heading link

Steps to completion of the MS thesis are outlined below and complete information on the Graduate College MS Thesis submission process should also be reviewed.

 

  • Petition to Graduate by the end of Week 3 of the graduating term (week 2 in the summer term).
  • Form your committee with your advisor.  This committee consists of at least three persons, one of whom must be a tenured full member of the UIC graduate faculty.
  • Complete the Committee Recommendation form 30 days in advance and send to dgs-mscs@uic.edu with your Committee Chair (thesis advisor) signature. This will then get sent to the Graduate College and an Examination Report will be sent to the Committee Chair.
  • Once your Committee Recommendation form is received by the Graduate College, you will receive notification of access to UIC iThenticate.  Students are required to review their thesis/dissertation and make appropriate adjustments, and submit the appropriate information as described.
  • Schedule the meeting with your committee, and reserve a room with Eloy Reyes (eareyes@uic.edu).
  • Submit your thesis to your committee 2-3 weeks before the defense.
  • After the MS thesis defense the Chair will collect signatures from the other committee members and Email to the Graduate College (jkolle1@uic.edu) and cc’ dgs-mscs@uic.edu. Note: If signatures are collected on paper, the Committee Chair should send a scan of the signed form to the above addresses.