ph.d. stage III

Stage III, the last stage of the Ph.D. degree, consists of carrying out the proposed research and
passing an oral examination on the doctoral dissertation. The dissertation must be an original and significant research contribution to the field of atmospheric sciences. During Stage III the student is required to set up a yearly progress review with his/her Dissertation Committee. This consists of a presentation by the student followed by a discussion with the committee.

Dissertation Seminar

When the dissertation is near completion, or is completed, the student is required to give a seminar on his/her research. The seminar is intended to share the results of the student’s research with the departmental faculty and students, as well as other interested members of the University community. If the student expects to complete the thesis during the summer, the student must either schedule the seminar for the previous spring or return to give the seminar during the fall semester. Only in extenuating circumstances (e.g., prolonged illness) will the possibility of a summer seminar be considered; in the rare case of a summer seminar, a majority of the departmental faculty must be present.

Dissertation

All departmental format regulations must be satisfied before the final approval of the Ph.D. dissertation. Formatting guidelines for the dissertation may be found on the Graduate College Thesis Handbook.  Students should be aware of these guidelines prior to writing their dissertation.  A format check will generally be performed by a member of the Graduate Affairs Committee or department staff. The costs associated with typing and copying official copies of the thesis for the Graduate College are borne by the student.

Final Examination

The student’s thesis work forms the basis for the final oral examination. The student is responsible for scheduling the Final Examination and submitting copies of his/her thesis to each member of the Final/Dissertation Committee at least two weeks before the date of the Final Examination. Decisions other than pass are the same as for the Preliminary Examination.  The committee may require additional revisions of the dissertation to be done prior to a decision of pass is rendered.  The advisor makes the final decision of whether these revisions are acceptable.