Research Seminar Students are required to make a research presentation, on campus, in a manner to be determined by the department and the Advisory Committee. Dissertation A dissertation, based on original investigation, is required which gives evidence of mature scholarship and critical judgment, indicates knowledge of research methods and techniques, and demonstrates the ability to carry out independent investigation. Preparation of the dissertation must comply with the regulations contained in A Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations, which is available in the graduate office. Following approval of the Advisory Committee, one copy of the final draft of the dissertation must be available to the graduate office not less than two weeks before a date is set for the student's final examination. The typed original and two copies of the dissertation, ready for binding, must be in the graduate office prior to receipt of the diploma.
Students are responsible for all costs related to preparation of the dissertation.
Publication of doctoral dissertations is required of all Ph.D. students. This service is provided by University Microfilms International and includes preparing a master negative microfilm of the dissertation, storage of the negative in the University Microfilm vault, printing the abstract in Dissertation Abstracts International, and listing the dissertation in Comprehensive Dissertation Index. Each candidate is required to pass a general oral examination directed primarily to the defense of the dissertation. This shall begin with a formal presentation with appropriate slides and shall be at least 30 minutes in length for the Ph.D. candidate. The examination is conducted by the Advisory Committee, with its chairperson presiding.