Overview of the Dissertation Defense
The Defense (Ph.D. Final Exam) is a final oral examination taken after preparation of a written Ph.D. dissertation. Each student will prepare and present a seminar defending the scientific importance of their dissertation before a 3+ member Dissertation Committee and interested faculty and graduate students in the program. Following the open presentation, the audience will be excused, and the committee will continue to examine the student regarding the presentation and dissertation work. This examination is usually restricted to the members of the committee, but may be open to faculty members and guests, with the consent of the student and all the members of the dissertation committee.
Timeline:
- 8 weeks prior – Set date of exam and reserve room (allow two hours for presentation and examination period)
- 2-4 weeks prior – Share Dissertation with Committee Members
- 2 weeks prior – Share Defense details with BME Community (email details to Graduate Program Coordinator for distribution)
- Defense exam (exam should be conducted in person, one remote member allowed)
- Dissertation Chair submits PhD Final Exam Report in GradSphere
- File Dissertation, once approved by all committee members
- Refer to Graduate Studies Filing Your Dissertation process
- Initiate Filing Process in GradSphere
Committee Requirements:
- Established at the time of Advancement to Candidacy for the Ph.D.
- Three members (5 maximum)
- The chairperson is required to be a member of the BMEGG and is normally the Major Professor
- Representation from both engineering and biology/medicine
- All potential committee members must meet the Graduate Council Policy on Service on Advanced Degree Committees
- Individuals from outside the University of California are considered External Members and may be approved with additional review. External members include faculty, researchers, or other professionals who are not employed by the University of California, and who possess special expertise and/or experience not matched by eligible UC committee members. Please be prepared to upload their current CV/Resume and justification of expertise not available within the UC System.