Dissertation Defense
The dissertation defense is similar to the Comps III examination. A committee of at least 5 members should be chosen following the rules for the Comps III committee with the added requirement that one of the members of the committee must be a regular CU Boulder faculty member from a department other than physics. This outside member should not be in either the faculty or affiliate faculty list.
Students preparing for a thesis defense must complete the following requirements:
- Complete online application to graduate at beginning of semester that you will defend.
- Schedule the exam. Please note: Spring term ends the Friday before summer session begins. If you defend during Summer term, you must be signed up for 5 dissertation credits in Summer.
- Fill out the Doctoral Final Examination Form (Workflow Process) on the grad school website two weeks in advance of your exam.
- Submit the Defense Announcement (Poster) Form at least two weeks before your defense. The “abstract” is limited to 100 words. It is not meant to be your official abstract. Regard it as a three sentence elevator pitch.
- Pass the final oral examination (thesis defense).
- Complete and submit thesis and paperwork according to Graduate School deadlines.