Chapter 9: Dissertation Defense

Reference: GT Dissertation Manual

NOTE: Some program policies may be more stringent than Institute Policy. Contact your Program Coordinator and advisor.

See Chapter 8: Thesis Proposal for post-proposal residence requirements by program.

Before Announcement

• Advisor approves dissertation is ready

• Committee approves

• 3 weeks reading time is reasonable

Announcement

Send announcement emails to:

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

Must submit to Office of Graduate Studies at least 15 calendar days in advance with committee names.

Also post to git.cc.general and git.announce newsgroups at least 15 working days prior. Include: day/time/place, title, abstract, and committee members. Provide an electronic copy to the PhD Program Coordinator.

Format

1. Student presentation
2. Q&A period: chair asks non-committee/non-GT-faculty to leave, then committee asks more questions, then student leaves
3. Committee deliberates in closed-door session

Committee Outcomes

1. Approve without corrections
2. Approve with minor corrections (advisor approval only)
3. Require resubmission with major changes -- full committee re-approval required
4. Not approve

The committee may recommend one additional defense if the dissertation is resubmitted with major changes or not approved.

The candidate makes corrections, the committee signs the form, format meets published guidelines, and the dissertation is submitted to the GT Office of Graduate Studies by the deadline (typically 12-14 days before the last day of classes).

Committee Composition

• Advisor serves as chair

• At least 5 members total

• At least 1 from outside CoC (another unit at Tech or external, with a Ph.D.)

• Majority must have CoC faculty appointment

• Co-advisors count as 1 member regardless of number

• At proposal time, only 3 members are required (5 recommended)

• All members should be present for the defense (conference calls allowed in hardship cases)

HCC-Specific Requirements

See: HCC PhD Course of Study

See Chapter 8: Thesis Proposal for HCC proposal timing, committee composition, and dissertation defense committee requirements.