A Ph.D. candidate in the ACM Program must pass a Dissertation Defense Examination. A Master's student in the thesis-based option must successfully pass a Master's Thesis Defense Examination. All of these examinations are conducted by the student's Supervisory Committee.
Dissertation/Thesis Defense ExaminationA Master's Thesis and a Ph.D. Dissertation must be successfully defended at a final Dissertation/Thesis Defense Examination. The student must provide the thesis/dissertation to the Supervisory Committee sufficiently in advance of the examination. The student should check University requirements but 4 weeks is typical. If the requirement is not met the University Representative on the Supervisory Committee is required to comment on the effect, if any, on the conduct of the examination.
The Supervisory Committee determines by a detailed examination of the thesis/dissertation and questioning of the student if the research novel and of the depth sufficient for the Master's or Ph.D. Degree in the ACM Program. The Supervisory Committee may require modifications to the thesis/dissertation and a specific procedure by which the modifications are to be validated. This may entail reconvening for further questioning of the student. Once the thesis/dissertation is accepted by the Supervisory Committee the student is eligible to receive the Master's or Ph.D. upon satisfying any remaining requirements of the University.
