Research Progress Report and Milestones

The progress report helps monitor students' progress in their program by evaluating achievements over the past year and setting objectives for the year ahead. It also provides an opportunity for students and thesis supervisors to review research progress, discuss any necessary adjustments and agree on goals and expectations for the coming months. Multiple revisions of the report may be needed before it is finalized.

Students must submit the progress report to their thesis supervisor. The progress report must be submitted through a Service Request in uoZone.

The supervisor will then assess the student's progress. Once reviewed and approved by the thesis supervisor, the report will be submitted to the department's Director of Graduate Studies.

Finally, the report will be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office for a final review. In cases requiring additional review, the report may be submitted to the Vice-Dean of Student Affairs and Social Engagement.

First progress report

Students must fill out and submit their first progress report during their second term of enrolment. 

• For students beginning their program in September, the first progress report must be submitted by April 15 of their first year. 
• For students beginning their program in January, the first progress report must be submitted by August 15 of their first year.

Second and subsequent progress reports

Students must submit their second and subsequent reports once per year, by April 15, until the submission of the thesis.

Students who have been granted an extension to complete the program must submit a progress report each term.

Students requesting a leave of absence must submit a progress report in order for the request to be reviewed.

The thesis supervisor and the Director of Graduate Studies each complete a section of the report and evaluate the student's progress using the assessment scale applicable to their role.

• The thesis supervisor assesses the student's progress as excellent, very good, good, poor, or unsatisfactory.
• The Director of Graduate Studies assesses the student's progress as satisfactory, grounds for concern or unsatisfactory.

When a student’s progress is assessed as unsatisfactory or grounds for concern or at the request of the thesis supervisor, Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Studies Office, the student may be required to submit progress reports more frequently.

Students whose progress is assessed as unsatisfactory in two progress reports, based on the Director of Graduate Studies’ assessment scale, will be considered to have an unsatisfactory academic standing and will be withdrawn from their program of study.

If you have not yet identified a thesis supervisor, consult the Thesis supervision section of the Thesis Handbook for tips and useful information.

Some programs may require that a potential supervisor be identified at the time of admission.

At the Faculty of Arts, students must officially appoint a thesis supervisor before the end of the second term of enrolment in the program.

To have the name of your supervisor officially recorded on your file, submit a Service Request from the uoZone Application tab (link to procedure page).

The thesis topic must be determined in consultation with the student's thesis supervisor.

Master’s students must submit their thesis topic before the end of the second term of enrolment in the program. This deadline coincides with the deadline to submit the name of your thesis supervisor. 

Doctoral students must submit their thesis topic before the end of the third term of enrolment in the program.

To submit the topic of your thesis, submit a Service Request from the uoZone Application tab (link to procedure page).