What is the PhD Thesis Defense Examination?
A doctoral student is required to write their thesis in accordance with the writing guidelines approved by the Senate and defend it orally before a jury.
What must be done to take the PhD Thesis Defense Examination?
Before the thesis defense (and in the case of revised theses, after completing the revisions), the student submits the completed thesis to their advisor. The advisor declares that the thesis is ready for defense by filling out Form_D_9 and submits it, along with an unbound copy of the thesis, to the department head. This form must also include a plagiarism report generated by a similarity detection software, the proposed thesis defense jury, and the proposed defense date. It must be signed by both the student and the advisor.
Who serves on the PhD Thesis Defense Jury?
The PhD thesis defense jury is appointed based on the recommendation of the thesis advisor and department head, and with the approval of the Institute Board. The jury consists of five faculty members, including the thesis advisor, three members from the student’s Thesis Monitoring Committee and at least two members from outside the university. If a second advisor is assigned, they may attend the jury without voting rights. Assignment letters and the unbound thesis copy are delivered to jury members by the student.
How is the PhD Thesis Defense Examination conducted?
The jury must convene within one month after receiving the thesis. The defense includes a presentation of the thesis by the student, followed by a question-and-answer session. The thesis defense is open to faculty members, graduate students, and experts in the field.
How is the result of the PhD Thesis Defense announced?
After the defense, the jury deliberates in a closed session and reaches a decision by simple majority acceptance, rejection, or revision. If the thesis is accepted, the student is deemed successful. This decision is submitted to the Institute by the department head within three days after the defense using Form_D_10. If the thesis is rejected, the student is dismissed from the university. If revision is required, the student must complete the necessary changes and defend the revised thesis before the same jury within six months. A student who fails the second defense will also be dismissed from the university.
