Thesis Defense Guidelines
To schedule a thesis defense, print out a copy of Application for Thesis Defense (or pick up a copy of the appication form from CS department office) and fill it up. All thesis committee members must sign the form. Then turn in the form along with an abstract of your thesis to the graduate coordinator. Please ask your thesis committee to approve your abstract before submitting it to the graduate coordinator. Thesis abstract must be well-written without any grammatical errors and it must contain the complete title of your thesis.
A thesis defense should be scheduled no later than the eighth week of the quarter while the actual defense should take place no later than the tenth week of the quarter.
A thesis defense should be scheduled and announced no less than two weeks in advance.
At least one week prior to the defense, a copy of the thesis final draft should be placed in the department office for review by interested faculty.
A defense should be scheduled during a time period conducive to wide attendance. The suggested time slots are: Monday 1 - 2pm, Tuesday 12 - 1pm, Wednesday 1 - 2pm, Thursday 12 - 1pm, or Friday afternoon.
The thesis is to adhere to the department style standards.
The purpose of the defense is to verify that the student understands the material presented in the coherent and approved written thesis.
No thesis defense should be scheduled unless the thesis committee has read and substantially approved the written thesis.
The thesis defense is not a rubber stamp process. The thesis committee and other attending faculty will meet after the defense to deliberate whether or not to pass the student.
It is also suggested that you print out two copies of your thesis cover page on cotton paper and bring the copies with you at the defense as your thesis committee may need to sign the cover pages right after your defense.