MSVS Thesis Defense

Thesis Defense

The student must be registered for VSC 791 Thesis Research during the term intended for thesis defense. Before scheduling the thesis defense, the student must have completed or plans to complete all required coursework at the end of the current term.

Two weeks before the defense, the student must deliver a written manuscript approved by the thesis advisor to the thesis committee and the Program Director.

The student defends the thesis to their thesis committee in written and oral forms. Passing the thesis defense requires unanimous agreement from the thesis committee, with revisions if necessary. In the case of an unsuccessful defense, 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.

Before the degree is conferred, the student must obtain final written approval from all thesis committee members and submit the approved electronic copy to the Director of the VSG Program, and deposit it in the university library.

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.