Dissertation Proposal:
At the discretion of the doctoral committee, the student may be required to prepare a formal dissertation proposal in the form of a research grant application. The proposal has two major functions: to outline a realistic dissertation problem after surveying the literature and to give the students experience in the process of writing research proposals complete with budget and other administrative requirements. The student should obtain grant proposal forms or "old grants" for format and should do so with minimum faculty help. Of course, this does not preclude the usual conferences that take place between dissertation advisor and student.
Oral Dissertation Proposal Examination
The entire faculty will be invited. However, the examination will be judged by the dissertation committee. The student's mentor will be present at the oral examination, but will remain silent until the summing up. If the proposal is not satisfactory, it must be revised to the satisfaction of the committee. Examiners understand that the performance of students will vary depending on how much of their research has already been accomplished. Those who are well along could add to their proposal planned future approaches as one would to a grant proposal based on preliminary work. The research proposal will be submitted to the dissertation committee at least 2 weeks before the ORAL dissertation proposal examination.
Dissertation Review
Much of the Dissertation writing and review is done under the supervision of the major professor (mentor). Thus, a sufficient period must be allowed for first and second draft revisions. This period is not dictated in any way by the University or Department and will depend on the scientific and editorial qualities of the drafts. Also, it is not unlikely that a mentor will have several theses or dissertations to review in a semester. If the dissertation has not been properly reviewed and drafted by the student and his/her mentor, the other committee members are not obligated to read or judge the document until it is in reasonable shape.
Dissertation Defense
This will be given as an advertised public seminar of approximately one hour duration with an unlimited questioning period to follow. Consult the Graduate Division for advertising deadlines.
Dissertation Copies
In addition to the requirements of the Graduate Division, students are required to provide two bound copies of their dissertation to the Department before graduation, one of which goes to the chairman of the dissertation committee.
Remember: It is the personal responsibility of each student to see that all requirements are fulfilled and all deadlines met in a timely manner. See the university general catalog for the official calendars.
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