MSVS Thesis Defense

Thesis Defense Examination

The final examination for the degree involves defending the thesis research in front of the research committee and the public. During the term of the thesis defense, the student must be registered for VSC 791 course and has completed, or is scheduled to complete all required coursework at the end of the same term.

The student defends the thesis to their thesis committee in written and oral forms. Passing the thesis defense exam requires unanimous agreement from the thesis committee, with revisions if necessary. In the case of an unsuccessful defense exam, the student may re-defend the thesis at least 30 days after the initial defense, or appeal the failed defense to the Dean of the College of Optometry.

Once the thesis defense is successfully passed, the student must submit an electronic version of the thesis approved by the Thesis Committee and a scanned signature page by the committee members to the program director and the university before the degree can be conferred.

Degree Conferral

<Please check the conferral dates listed on the Registrar Office website.>

• A student who plans to graduate must submit an application for graduation on Boxer Online no later than Jan. 15 for the year to graduate. 
• Students must submit a complete written thesis with committee members' approved signature page to the Director of the Vision Science Graduate Program and the University Library CommonKnowledge before being awarded the degree. Please see the thesis submission guidelines.