Thesis and Final Oral Examination

The purpose of the thesis is to provide evidence that the student is capable of conducting independent research in a professionally accepted manner.  

Thesis research should be concerned with significant problems involving analysis rather than merely compiling data or surveying the existing literature, and it should be sufficiently limited in scope to allow a thorough analysis of the issue.  

Typically a piece of thesis research resembles an article in a high quality journal, although other formats may be appropriate. Ideally only minor modifications are needed to prepare the article for submission to an academic journal. 

Sometimes a thesis consists of one such article, but it is also common for a thesis to consist of two or three such essays. 

The thesis must display substantial expository skill as well as mastery of the related literature and relevant data sources. 

When the thesis is complete, it is submitted for approval to the student's committee, which includes the adviser. 

When approved, it is defended at the final oral examination. 

The final oral exam begins with a public seminar and concludes with a private examination by the student's committee. 

For a guide on the steps to complete your final exam and PhD degree, please reference the The Degree Completion Steps: PhD guide.