The Division of Graduate Studies recognizes that the student s research may deviate substantially from that originally proposed. If such a situation arises, the graduate research advisor with the written approval of the Graduate Advisory Committee submits to the associate dean for Graduate Studies and Graduate Council a written request for permission to conduct the research off-campus. Following approval of the Graduate Advisory Committee that the thesis is ready for defense, one copy of the final draft of the thesis must be available to the associate dean for Graduate Studies not less than two weeks before a date is set for the student s final examination. After making final corrections, the original and one copy of the thesis, approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee, associate dean for Graduate Studies, dean of respective school and dean of Research, and ready for binding, must be in the Graduate Office two weeks prior to graduation. The thesis must comply with the regulations contained in A Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations which is available in the Graduate Office.
Students are responsible for all costs related to preparation of the thesis.
Each candidate is required to pass a general oral examination covering the major field and the thesis. This shall begin with a formal presentation with appropriate slides and shall be at least 30 minutes in length for the MS candidate. The Graduate Advisory Committee will have primary responsibility for evaluating the student s research, including the written thesis, and the formal oral presentation which is open to the College Community. Approval of the the final examination by the Graduate Advisory Committee, with no more than one dissenting vote, is necessary to recommend the awarding of the degree. The decision of the Graduate Advisory Committee is forwarded to the associate dean for Graduate Studies.