Thesis/Dissertation and Final Exams      

THESIS/DISSERTATION                       

Students in the M.S. and PhD graduate program must write a thesis/dissertation in accordance with the Graduate Faculty Handbook’s (GFH) definition of this scholarly endeavor. 

PUBLICATIONS

 
Master's candidates are encouraged to submit their research for publication. Doctoral candidates are expected to submit at least one manuscript to a refereed journal for publication prior to taking the final exam (dissertation defense).  Publications are the prime way of satisfying the department’s expectations of scholarly achievements by doctoral students.  A dissertation may be composed of 3 published (or submitted) manuscripts of which the student is the first author, accompanied by introductory and summary chapters.  Material included in a thesis or dissertation is required to be the student's original work.

FINAL EXAM



In accordance with the GFH (Graduate Faculty Handbook), a final comprehensive oral exam must be passed by MS, MST, and PHD candidates.  The exam will focus on a defense of the written  thesis/dissertation and other areas deemed appropriate by the supervisory committee. The final exam generally consists of a presentation by the student (~30-35 mins for MS candidates; ~45-50 minutes for PhD candidates) summarizing the results of their research. Following the presentation, questions from the general audience will be taken, followed by questions by the committee. Three hours should be scheduled for the exam.

 The thesis/dissertation will be formally accepted or rejected by the supervisory committee at this exam.  Any faculty member may participate in the final exam, but only members of the supervisory committee will vote to pass or fail the candidate.

The examination may not be scheduled earlier than the term preceding the semester in which the degree is to be conferred.  Copies of the complete thesis/dissertation to be approved (including the abstract) must be circulated to the supervisory committee at least two weeks before an examination date can be scheduled. 

Announcements of the final exam must be publicly posted at least one week in advance of the exam.  Students are responsible for scheduling the exam and reserving the room and projector, if needed.

Students will be allowed only two opportunities to pass this exam.  A retake of the final exam must be scheduled no sooner than one semester after the first attempt.  All work for the doctorate must be completed within 5 years after the qualifying examination or the examination must be repeated.
 
Prior to your exam, be sure to contact the program assistant in the geology office to get the final exam form to be signed by your committee

SUBMISSION OF THESIS OR DISSERTATION


The Graduate School requires that any student entering after Fall 2001 must submit their thesis or dissertation in electronic form (ETD).   More information is available at the web site,  http://gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu/editorial/introduction.html or from the Graduate School Editorial Office 168 Grinter Hall. Important information on deadlines can also be found at this site.

The Department requires each graduating student to supply two copies of their thesis/dissertation bound in black, hard-covered, spring binders to the Department.  Alternatively the student can provide electronic versions of their thesis/dissertation in WORD.  One of these copies will be permanently placed in the Department’s collection and the other will be given to the student’s supervisory professor.