Defense Readiness Seminar

Catalog description

This course is a zero-credit, fourth-year capstone that evaluates and strengthens a Ph.D. candidate's readiness to defend in the following year. Through a departmental research seminar, an updated dissertation outline, and a draft of the dissertation's Introduction chapter, students consolidate results and demonstrate both oral and written proficiency. Following the seminar, the thesis committee holds a closed-session review and renders a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (Pass/No Pass) decision. As a formal checkpoint, the course clarifies remaining milestones and ensures a concrete plan for timely completion in year five. Prereq: CHEM 605 and CHEM 606 .