Except by the expressed permission of the chair of the department, the dissertation should not exceed 100,000 words. Once members of the committee approve the dissertation, an oral defense is scheduled. After the student s thesis director has approved the dissertation and the dissertation committee has agreed that it is ready for defense, a final oral defense is scheduled before a panel of five faculty members appointed by the chair of the department or the director of graduate studies. The GSAS regulates the procedures for this defense. The department expects students to complete the dissertation and its defense within four years after finishing course requirements.
Students are free to change their adviser at any time during their residence.
They should inform the DGS of such changes. Advice for fall registration may also be given at this meeting. The DGS notifies all first-year students of the need to schedule this meeting with the adviser and sends a copy of each notice and report form to the adviser. Following the meeting, the adviser submits a brief report to the student s file. Students should keep this committee informed about the progress of their research.