Ph.D. Thesis Timetable

This timetable follows the guidance recommended by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and has been tailored for the Alloy Design & Phase Transformations Research Group. It outlines a structured six-month writing-up schedule starting in April of Year 3, assuming the project began in October, ensuring steady progress and timely submission by the end of the funded period. The plan assumes research work is substantially complete, allowing full focus on drafting, revising, and finalising the thesis. Additionally, it anticipates that interpretations are well developed, and no major challenges will arise in synthesising an overall narrative. While unexpected hurdles, such as the need for further experiments or data analysis, may occur, their impact can be minimised by publishing key findings during the research phase.
Stage Duration Details
Introduction 3 weeks Write a clear, concise introduction framing the research problem, objectives, and context.
Methods & Results 6 weeks Document experimental/theoretical methods, data, and key findings with supporting figures.
Discussion & Supporting Material 6 weeks Analyse results in depth, prepare tables, figures, and references; integrate with existing literature.
Typing 2 weeks Typeset the complete thesis (LaTeX/Word); finalise figure placement and captions; ensure consistent referencing, cross-references and numbering; generate lists of figures/tables; compile and check the PDF for layout, hyperlinks and page breaks.
Supervisor Consultation 1 week Discuss draft with supervisors, obtain feedback, and identify key revisions.
Revision 2 weeks Address supervisor comments, refine arguments, improve clarity and consistency.
Final Preparation 3 weeks Finalise typing, figure formatting, proofreading, and compliance with submission guidelines.
Binding & Submission 1 week Print, bind, and submit thesis; upload digital copy if required.
Total: 24 weeks

Source: Adapted from EPSRC guidance and the University of Cambridge Phase Transformations Group timetable.