Final Examination and Termination

The format of the Final Examination for the Ph.D. is as follows. The first hour of the exam is a formal seminar open to the public. The student's presentation should last 50 minutes, and 10 minutes are allowed at the conclusion for questions from the audience. Notes, slides, charts, and the usual visual aids for a seminar are permitted. Students must bring a copy of the thesis to the examination. The student and the Examining Committee will then adjourn to a private session where the second part of the exam will be conducted. Using oral interrogation, the committee will scrutinize the student's comprehension, execution, description and interpretation of the research described in the thesis. The student is encouraged to bring a copy of their thesis to the defense for their own reference. 

After successful completion of the Final Examination and after making any required corrections in the thesis, the student must electronically submit a corrected copy of the thesis via SharePoint. The student is also expected to complete the UR Research Authorization form, provide the Graduate Studies Coordinator with an updated post defense Curriculum Vitae (C.V.), one tape bound copy of the final thesis needs to be submitted to the Department office and an electronic version of the Department Termination Form must be emailed to the Graduate Studies Coordinator. Students are required to turn in their lab key(s) and student ID on their termination date to the Department office. 

The termination date will determine when the stipend payment ceases. The student should discuss this with their advisor and share this information with the Graduate Studies Coordinator.