Introduction

As part of the thesis submission process, the University mandates that you must submit the following forms and be aware of the following regulations.  Please:

1. fill in (when applicable) and print out each of these forms
2. complete the forms before submitting your thesis to the library
3. bring the completed forms to the library when you submit your thesis
4. avoid hole-punching these forms.

The forms and regulations outlined here are governed by the University's Graduate general regulations.

Supervisor Revision Memo

Your Supervisor must complete a Supervisor Revision Memo after:

• you have made any required revisions to your non-defended or defended thesis and
• your non-defended or defended thesis has been approved.

Note:

• If the date signed by supervisor is older than 3 weeks at submission to the library or if there is no date, your Graduate Assistant must:
  • sign and date the form
  • hand-print their name, position, and department.
• Return the original copy of this form with its original signature(s) to the library.  Do not submit a copy of the form.
• It is not necessary to fill out this form:
  • for a Master's degree in Publishing
  • if your thesis has an Approval page with a two-member committee
  • when a "Supervisory Committee" is stated on the signed Approval Page.

Partial Copyright Licence

Complete the Partial Copyright Licence (PCL) for inclusion in the Archives copy (ARCH) of your thesis.

(Declaration of) Partial Copyright Licence

This licence accompanies the Partial Copyright Licence and is used in the Library's circulating copy (CIRC) of your thesis.

If you did not use the thesis template that includes this page, print the Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence.

Theses Non-Exclusive Licence

Complete the Theses-Non-Exclusive Licence.

This licence is often referred to as the Library and Archives Canada or LAC licence.

• Enter the full name of your degree (e.g. "Master of Arts" not "Masters" or "MA" or "Doctorate").
• In the space provided for "Date Degree Awarded." enter the date of your thesis defence (for a defended thesis) or enter the date approved (for an undefended thesis).
• Sign either by hand or digitally. 

The personal information you provide on the Library and Archives Canada Theses Non-Exclusive License will be disclosed to and stored by a Library and Archives Canada service provider located outside Canada.  The University discloses the personal information in compliance with Library and Archives Canada requirements.  Since it is optional, the University recommends that you do not provide your date of birth on the form.  If you have any questions about this disclosure of personal information, please contact theses@sfu.ca

Ethics approval

Ethics approval for human research is granted through the SFU Office of Research Services. Ethics approval for animal research is granted through the University Animal Care Committee.  A copy of your ethics approval is required when you submit your Thesis Package to the Library. 

Ethics Statement

If the research for your thesis required ethics approval, please print the Statement of Ethics Approval and submit it in your Thesis Package to the Library.

Obtaining copyright permissions for works not owned by you

If your thesis incorporates the work of others, e.g. images, photos, maps, diagrams not created by you, you must obtain permission from the authors of those works to use their content within your thesis.  A copy of each permission must be included in your Thesis Package.

See copyright@sfu for instructions on how to obtain copyright permissions.

Postponement of Publication requests

Postponement is sometimes requested when, for example, the thesis:

• references a pending patent,
• is in the process of being published by a publisher, or
• persecution may result from immediate publication of the thesis.

Complete the Thesis Postponement of Publication Request Form if you would like to postpone the publication of your thesis. 

Note:

• Submit this form to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies for approval 1 to 1.5 months before submitting your thesis to the library.
• Postponement applies to digital and print versions of the thesis.
• There is a one year limit on postponement.  For a postponement of more than one year, you must reapply.
• The public listing of the title and the abstract of your thesis, together with your degree credentials, will appear in the library catalogue and other library databases but the full text of your thesis will not be publicly accessible.

Issues, costs, and benefits associated with the digitization of theses

While not mandatory reading, you are welcome to familiarize yourself with the University's rationale for digitizing theses which is outlined in Digital Access to SFU Theses: Advantages and Issues.