FGS has moved to electronic submission of theses as PDF/A documents. Neither the Killam Library nor the National Library of Canada are prepared to continue to handle paper theses. Once submitted, the E-thesis is sent to the Dalhousie Institutional Repository (DalSpace) from which it is then harvested by Theses Canada, sent to the National Library, Ottawa and listed in Dissertation Abstracts International or Masters Abstracts International. The National Library can then circulate copies according to the International Inter-Library Loan Code, with full copyright protection for the author. Similarly, E-theses are also stored by Dalspace where they are searchable and available to the public via the internet.
FGS does not coordinate thesis binding. Students interested in bound thesis copies can contact a binding company directly to make arrangements for binding of personal copies as needed. Supervisors and Departments will be able to access the thesis online via DalSpace, or can make arrangements with the student to obtain a bound copy.
All thesis students are required to submit a copy of their thesis to FGS for an initial format check before the thesis defence. For this purpose, a paper copy can be delivered to room 314 of the Henry Hicks; electronic copies (in pdf/a format) can be emailed to thesis.review@dal.ca
Depending on departmental preferences, the student may be asked to provide paper or electronic copies of their thesis for each member of the examining committee. In addition PhD students are required to submit one paper copy of their thesis to FGS (the external examiner's copy).
1. Specific paper forms are required by FGS before the online submission of a thesis can be completed. The original signed forms are kept in the student's file.
2. Convert thesis to PDF/A format
It is the student's responsibility to meet FGS formatting requirements for the thesis and to ensure the thesis has been converted into a compatible PDF/A version.
A PDF/A version of the final copy of your thesis is required for submission to the Dalhousie Institutional Repository (dalspace.library.dal.ca). The PDF/A is an archival version of the PDF, now based on an agreed international standard. Unlike other PDF documents, the PDF/A is machine independent, and contains all the fonts and other information necessary to fully reconstruct the thesis.
Students' PDF/A files must be saved with the following naming convention "last name, first name, degree, program, date" (eg. "Smith, John, MSc, CHEM, June 2010").
3. Register with DalSpace
DalSpace is an institutional repository that collects, preserves, and distributes digital content produced by members of the Dalhousie community. It is also a way to permanently preserve your work.
Before submitting your thesis to DalSpace you must first register/activate your account. You must use your Dal email address when registering for DalSpace.
4. Submit PDF/A version of thesis to DalSpace
To submit the final version to DalSpace (once all of the forms have been submitted to FGS), follow the instructions on the DalSpace site.