Up to 120 minutes in length, varies depending on Committee size (~10-15min per examiner).
The Exam Committee questions the student on their knowledge of technical and theoretical matters related to thesis, and on general knowledge of the research area.
Discussion
The student leaves the room, and the Exam Committee has a closed-door discussion of the thesis and its defence and deliberates the outcome. Approximately 15 minutes.
Possible Outcomes of the PhD Oral Exam (taken from the SGS website)
At the conclusion of the PhD thesis defence, the Exam Committee decides whether or not the written thesis and oral defence are acceptable. If the thesis defence is deemed unacceptable, then the examination is adjourned. The PhD candidate will fail and be ineligible to receive the PhD degree if the thesis remains unacceptable at a reconvened examination.
If the thesis defence is deemed acceptable, the Committee decides whether:
The thesis is acceptable in its ‘present’ form
The thesis requires ‘minor corrections’. Minor corrections involve typographical errors, errors in punctuation or problems in style; they must be correctable within one month. The Supervisor will inform the Candidate of the necessary corrections and must certify in writing to the PhD Examinations Office (via our Graduate Program Coordinator) that the corrections have been made. Or
The thesis requires ‘minor modifications’. Minor modifications are more than changes in style and less than major changes in the thesis. A typical example of a minor modification is clarification of textual material or the qualification of research findings or conclusions. Minor modifications must be feasibly completed within three months. The Chair of the Examination Committee must appoint a supervising Subcommittee to be approved by the Examination Committee and a Convener is thus designated. The Convener of the Subcommittee shall report with a brief written statement the necessary minor modifications preferably before the Examination Committee disperses, but as soon after the examination as possible and ensure that the Candidate, Supervisor, and PhD Examinations Office receives a copy of the statement (via our Graduate Administrator). The Convener of the Subcommittee shall also within three months of the date of the examination report in writing to the PhD Examinations Office and the Examination Chair the state of completion of the required minor modifications (via our Graduate Administrator).
