Thesis Proposal
The thesis is original scholarship and makes a distinct contribution to knowledge. It shows familiarity with previous work in the field, and demonstrates the ability to plan and carry out research, organize findings, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. It is succinct and reflects the standards of the discipline, recognizing the value of music and music research beyond the 鈥渁cademia鈥�.
Doctoral Thesis Proposal Guidelines
The development of the thesis proposal unfolds through the following steps:
- Selection of Proposal Committee, consisting of the supervisor and co-supervisor/second reader and one member external to Area (either from another Area of the Department of Music Research or from the Performance Department)
- Completed thesis proposal form PhD/D.Mus. Dissertation Proposal Form
- Sample Syllabus: Preparation of a syllabus for a 13-week undergraduate class for music students on a topic related to the dissertation subject area chosen in consultation with the DC. Syllabus includes:
- Course description
- Readings (including articles from the musicological literature)
- Music listening
- Required work (assignments, papers, exams)
- Full Proposal: 7-8,000 words plus bibliography explicating the objectives of the research and its original contribution, context, guiding theoretical approach and/or hermeneutical lenses, specific methodological detail, anticipated outcomes and relationship to broader issues.
The Proposal Meeting:
- When: Scheduled by the supervisor, within 9 months of successful completion of the comprehensive examinations
- Length: 2 -3 hours
- Content: Discussion of syllabus and proposal submitted to the committee two weeks before the meeting
Candidates should be prepared to discuss syllabus choices and issues (content and approach) encountered in its construction.
With the thesis proposal, discussion will address content, bibliography, methodology, and the research鈥檚 relation to broader issues in musicology.
Thesis Proposal Evaluation:
- Sample syllabus and proposal are both subject to revisions until all three committee members have expressed their approval.
- Once approved, the supervisor(s) signs the thesis proposal form, and submits the form and proposal to the Music Graduate Studies Office.
In the event of a dispute, the matter will be brought to the Music Research Graduate Sub-Committee for resolution.
For Ph.D. proposals only, it will be standard practice for Graduate Studies to circulate the approved proposals to the Graduate Music Research Sub-Committee members, so that further comments and suggestions may be offered to the candidate.
Thesis Submission
Thesis Evaluation Criteria
The thesis document will be reviewed by an expert from outside the University (external examiner), and a Schulich School of Music faculty member in discipline expertise (internal examiner).
Each of the following criteria are ranked on the following scale, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Fail.
- Evidence of originality and creativity;
- Resourcefulness, alertness to significance of findings;
- Diligence, care, technical skill in the research;
- Usefulness of the results to other workers in the field; value as a contribution to knowledge;
- Grasp of subject, powers of criticism and general adequacy in review of previous work;
- Quality of presentation (coherence, lucidity, grammar, style, freedom from typographical errors).
Thesis Submission:
Your supervisor may find some useful tips for selecting examiners on the Graduate Supervision website.
- At least two months before initial submission:
Students must submit their 鈥淚ntent to Submit Thesis鈥� through myThesis.
Complete and detailed thesis guidelines including general requirements, preparation of a thesis, initial thesis submission, thesis examination, doctoral oral defense, thesis FAQ, deadlines and final thesis submission can be found on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office website: /gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines.
Note that students in composition may be asked to submit hard copies of their thesis upon request of the examiner(s).
Other Resources
Tools for writing and research (including the Schulich School of Music Style Sheet)
