PhD Final Exam

A. Preliminary Acceptance of the PhD Thesis

Before the thesis is forwarded to the Arm’s Length Examiner (External to the University), the supervisory committee members shall declare in writing to the supervisor(s) either that the thesis is of adequate substance and quality to warrant that the student proceed to the final examination or that the thesis is unsatisfactory and the student should not be allowed to proceed to the final examination. The purpose of this process is to ensure the thesis is vetted by the supervisor(s) and all supervisory committee members and to verify that it is of sufficient substance and quality to proceed to the final examination in accordance with the Preliminary Approval of PhD Thesis for Examination.

B. Oral Examination

An open presentation shall precede the formal portion of the final examination. All faculty and students are welcome to attend. At the end of the presentation, the Chair of the examination committee may allow 5-10 minutes of general questions from the guests. The examining committee will withhold questions until the formal oral examination.

The oral examination is closed. In special circumstances, guests may attend, but not participate in, the examination. Supervisors must bring such requests to the Associate Dean, well in advance of the examination date (see oral examination procedures).