Thesis defense

Thesis requirements

Students are expected to assume responsibility for knowing the regulations and requirements of the Graduate School for turning in the thesis. Please reference this information from the Graduate School in the Thesis Guide.

Thesis advisers and graduate committees have a responsibility for judicious timing of events to avoid prolonging the degree program. For example, in the initial months of residence students may become preoccupied with course work. At this time, students also should be outlining their entire program and starting to think about a thesis topic. Delays may result in time added to the program or diminished performance on thesis research. The leadership efforts of thesis advisers and committee members are needed to avoid such delays.

One hard-bound copy of the thesis (or paper) must be delivered to the Ecology Program Office where it will be placed on file after the student has received the degree. An additional hard-bound copy of the thesis (or paper) must be delivered to the student's major adviser.

Scheduling the thesis defense

The final oral examination for a PhD student must be scheduled with the Graduate School at least three weeks in advance of the exam date. A form to schedule this exam is available from the Program Office. Results of a student's final defense are reported to the Graduate School using a form provided to the Committee Chair by the Program Coordinator prior to the exam. The form requires a signature and evaluation for the candidate by each committee member.

When scheduling the Final Defense Exam, check to be sure that:

• Students must be registered the semester of both the oral comprehensive examination and the final oral examination (even if taken during a summer session).
• No missing or deferred grades can appear on a student's transcript when the candidacy exam, oral comprehensive examination or the final oral examination is scheduled.
• Students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average to schedule an oral comprehensive examination or final oral examination and to graduate.
• Doctoral candidates can be assigned letter grades for thesis research (ECLGY 600 [on campus], ECLGY 610 [off-campus]) for a total number of 12 credits. Any credits over this maximum must be changed to ‘R' before a student will be permitted to graduate.
• If the student has a minor program, at least 15 credits that aren't used to fulfill requirements in the major program must be counted toward that minor. In other words, the minor is 15 credits beyond the normal coursework.
• Time limitation: A doctoral student is required to complete the program, including acceptance of the doctoral thesis, within eight years of passing the candidacy exam. Extensions may be granted in appropriate circumstances
• Residency requirement: After passing the doctoral candidacy examination, students must be registered full time for two semesters in a twelve-month period. This may include the semester of candidacy examination if it is taken during spring or fall.
• Three or more months must have elapsed between the passing of the comprehensive examination and scheduling of the final oral examination. Three weeks notice is required for scheduling the final oral exam. The exam must be held at least 10 weeks before commencement.
• The final oral examination must be held within six years of the date the comprehensive examination was passed. If more than six years have passed, a second comprehensive examination must be given before scheduling the final oral examination. Three weeks notice is required for scheduling the final oral exam. The exam must be held at least 10 weeks before commencement.
• Continuous registration requirement. Students must be registered continuously each semester (excluding summers) beginning with the semester following the passing of the comprehensive examination and continuing each semester until the final oral examination is passed.