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Thesis or Dissertation Defense and Public Seminar Presentation
Policy in Catalog:
MS Degree Requirements in the School of Marine Science Graduate Catalog
PhD Degree Requirements in the School of Marine Science Graduate Catalog
Forms:
Final Draft Distribution & Defense Scheduling Form
Defense Acceptance Form
Resources:
Important Deadlines and Dates for Graduation
Roles and Responsibilities of Students, Advisors, and Committees
Select a Moderator
Reserve a Room
Interim Guidelines for Defenses:
Interim guidelines for defenses are in effect until further notice, due to COVID-19 continuity planning. View the interim guidelines, approved on 3/18/2020.
General Information:
When Should I Schedule My Defense?Begin with your anticipated graduation date and work backwards to determine your defense timeline. Keep in mind, students are expected to distribute a final draft of the thesis or dissertation to the advisory committee at least thirty (30) days prior to the defense date. In the event the final draft is distributed less than (30) days from the defense date due to unforeseen extenuating circumstances, signatures from all members of the advisory committee and the moderator will be required before the defense can be scheduled. Submit your final draft distribution and defense scheduling form to the [[registrar, SMS Registrar]]. Following the defense, students should allow enough time to incorporate any additional edits recommended by the Advisory Committee before the thesis or dissertation submission deadline. |
How Do I Schedule My Defense?
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Seminar Presentation and DefenseAll students are required to present a seminar to the marine science faculty, staff and students on their thesis or dissertation research. The seminar is open to any interested individuals and will be advertised by the SMS Registrar in the Academic Studies Digest and on the VIMS Internal Events calendar. Immediately following the seminar, students will undergo an oral examination, the defense of his or her thesis or dissertation, by the student's Advisory Committee. The defense will be chaired and administered by a moderator who is not a member of the student's committee. SMS policy prohibits audio or video recording of exams and defenses, although exceptions may be made for students with documented disabilities. Additional guidelines for the defense can be found here. The SMS Registrar will compile the milestone forms to be signed at the defense at least one business day prior to the defense date. Hard copies of the forms will be printed and made available for pickup by the moderator or faculty advisor from the SMS Registrar's office. Electronic files will be shared with the moderator and faculty advisor via Box if electronic files are needed for external committee members. |