Registration of Master's thesis title and advisor

Note that only professors and persons with habilitation (Dozenten) which are employed by the University of Vienna are allowed to supervise your Master's thesis (see Par. 15 in the Satzung/Studienrecht). Under extraordinary circumstances, persons with a Ph.D. (in mathematics) can be allowed to supervise a thesis; this includes the case that none of our professors are available to supervise that particular thesis topic, and also if the thesis work is conducted within an excellence award. Co-supervision is also possible in this case, if the main supervisor asks for it (form available at the SSC).

Once you have agreed on a topic with a potential advisor, you have to formally apply at the SSC (StudentServiceCenter) with this form, including the signature of your advisor and a tentative thesis title. Along with that form, the following legal form (in German) Kenntnisnahme der Regeln der guten wissenschaftlichen Praxis must also be submitted signed, recognizing the rules of scientific conduct and practice, and agreeing to abide by them. Typically, the confirmation of advisor and thesis title is only a formality, so you will be contacted only in case of questions or problems (otherwise no explicit notification is sent to you).

Electronic record of exams and completed modules

At least one month prior to the completion of your studies, make sure that your electronic records of exams are up-to-date with all grades assigned to the correct modules (in cases where you do not have the right to move items yourself, ask the SSC for help), and all possible recognition of external grades confirmed (after having picked up the Bescheid über Annerkennnungsantrag, see here in German).

As soon as you have completed all your exams, please reach out to the SSC via e-mail if there are any courses assigned to the wrong module.  In that case, please send us a list with the courses that are currently in the wrong module and to which module those courses belong.

Submission of the Master's thesis

There is a strict format for the title page of the Master's thesis (find the Vorlagen at Formulare), the regulations are explained here. A PDF version of your Master's thesis has to be uploaded electronically to the central HOPLA server of the university (details about the PDF and info about the procedure at the link given).

For the final step of the submission of the master thesis you have to hand in to the StudienServiceCenter via Email:

• signed upload confirmations (HOPLA)
• Einreichungsformular
• Sperrformular (optional, if you apply to block the publication)

 2 printed hard copies of your thesis have to be submitted as well either via the post or personal appointment.

Detailed information about the Master's thesis and the final procedure can be found here (in German, with title page instructions in English).

 Copyright & image usage

Information about copyright and the correct use of images in scientific work can be found here (in German, with image usage guidelines in English.

The Master's defense

The Master's defense may be officially applied for using the form "Anmeldung zur Defensio", only after having completed the following:

• all modules in your area of specialization (core and electives)
• the modules MOA and MFE
• the submission of your Master's thesis.

The Master's defense starts with a 30-minute presentation by the candidate in front of the defense committee, followed by an exam on a subject chosen from the scientific area of the thesis by two examiners (one of them is usually the advisor). The defense committee consists of the two examiners and a head (Chair) of the committee. We recommend that you try to find an agreement about possible dates with the two examiners. When the possible dates are fixed write an e-mail to vorsitz-mathematik@univie.ac.at to ask for a Chair of the defense: the subject of the e-mail should be the "Studenkennzahl" (066 821), and in the body of the e-mail, be sure to include the topic of your thesis. When a Chair for the defense is fixed, send the SSC via e-mail the form Anmeldung zur Defensio.

Approximately two to four weeks after a successful defense, your documents about your Master's degree will be ready for pick-up at the SSC, and you may apply for the academic ceremony of the University via u:space.