How to Submit an MSc Thesis in Computer Science

Version 1.16, 27 February 2008

Clark Thomborson

MSc Coordinator for Computer Science

Follow these steps to submit an MSc thesis in Computer Science:

1)     Read the University’s requirements for thesis submission, and then read the University’s Guide to Theses and Dissertations one more time!

a)       Make sure your thesis fulfils all requirements.

b)       You might also take this opportunity to review the thesis-writing information in my MSc Orientation slideshow.

2)      Give four unbound hardcopies of your thesis to the University Bindery.

a)       You may use another bindery, if it appears on the department’s list of approved binderies.

b)       It is your responsibility to allow enough time for your thesis to be bound before the submission deadline!

c)       Include a signed Library Thesis Consent Form with each hardcopy.

d)       You must pay the cost of printing four hardcopies.

e)       The University requires the submission of two bound copies.

f)        The Department requires two additional copies: one for the supervisor, and one for the departmental library.

g)       The Department will reimburse you for the cost of binding these two additional copies, if you present your receipt from the University Bindery to the MSc Administrator (Conny Bluefeld) for repayment.

3)      Burn three CDs of the version of the thesis you printed:

a)       One for you, one for your supervisor, one for the department.

b)       PDF or postscript would be best (the “compiled” version)

4)      Give your supervisor an electronic copy of the version of the thesis you printed.

a)       Ask your supervisor to confirm that they can read & print your e-version, as your PDF or PostScript might not include all required fonts.  If all else fails, you should at least be able to “print-to-file” a bitmapped version.

b)       You may also want to give your supervisor a copy of your “source” version (your MSWord *.doc, or your LaTeX sourcefiles)

5)      Talk to your supervisor about publication rights to your thesis.

a)       Do you want your thesis to be posted on the departmental website http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/research/theses/msc/?

i)        If your thesis is webposted, you cannot subsequently obtain a NZ patent on inventions you disclose in your thesis.

ii)       If your thesis is webposted, you may also have difficulty with copyright on conference, journal or monograph publications that are based on your thesis.

iii)     The department might decide not to publish your thesis on our website, even if you give us permission.  We will not publish failing theses, or barely-passing ones.

iv)     You may want to consult a lawyer, or to talk to UniServices about intellectual property issues, before you make your final decision on publishing.

v)      Our webposting copyright release form is available on line, see and http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/msc/CSWebCopyrightV3.1.doc.

b)       Do you want to give permission to the University library to circulate your thesis? 

i)        At minimum, your thesis must be available for people to read if they physically go to our library.

ii)       Read the Library Consent Form for MSc theses – you’ll have to sign this form in step 6!

c)       You may also apply for an embargo, preventing publication of your thesis for up to 24 months.

6)      Consult the Guide to Theses and Dissertations for instructions on how to submit your hardcopy thesis to the Graduate Centre.

a)       When you submit your hardcopies to the Graduate Centre, you will be issued a time-stamped submission receipt, and you will be required to sign a Library Consent Form for MSc theses.

b)       A yellow examination sticker will be affixed to two of your four bound hardcopies.

7)      Give your submission receipt and the four bound hardcopies to the MSc Administrator (currently Patricia Rood) as soon as possible, so that your examination is not delayed.

a)       The MSc Administrator will give you an opportunity to sign our webposting copyright release form.  If you agree to sign, you must give her one of your thesis CDs.  We would appreciate receiving one of your thesis CDs even if you do not agree to sign, as this will be convenient for our administrative work.

b)       You’re done!  Now all you have to do (and this may not be easy) is to wait until your thesis is examined and your grade is reported to you via nDeva.

Questions and comments regarding this document should be addressed to the MSc Coordinator for Computer Science.