Dissertation Prospectus/Outline Exam - Graduate Handbook

Content

• Details on formatting guidelines are available from the Graduate School.
• The Dissertation Prospectus/Proposal Exam consists of two parts: a written Dissertation Prospectus/Outline and an oral examination in which you defend your Prospectus/Outline.
• The format of the written Prospectus/Outline will follow that of the Dissertation. Plan to use “paper format” in which each of your publications is formatted into a chapter, with summarizing introduction/conclusion sections. Include a table of abbreviations. A sample outline follows:
  • Chapter 1 – Introduction (if written, a review paper can serve as the introduction)
  • Chapter 2 – first publication
  • Chapter 3 – second publication
  • Chapter X – work yet to be completed

Note that the format can be different from the above. For example if there are no publications/manuscripts prepared at the time of the Dissertation Proposal presentation , the proposal can include sections comprised of Review of Literature, Specific Objectives, Materials and Methods, Preliminary Results and Future Work. This format is acceptable to the Graduate School. Your advisor will provide guidance specific to their expectations.

• The format of the oral exam will be a 20-30 minute presentation of the Prospectus/Outline. Expect to be interrupted with questions. The entire exam should be 1 – 1.5 hrs.
• The prospectus presentation will be closed, meaning only committee members may attend.
• Your advisor may help with organizing the presentation outline, but will not thoroughly edit the presentation – the presentation itself is part of the exam.
• Be able to verbally defend HOW and WHY you did (or plan to do) every aspect of your research.

Timeline

• Once the committee is selected by your advisor, the advisor emails the Graduate Program Director to appoint the committee.
• Once your advisor approves your written prospectus/outline, it must be submitted to the committee before the exam (typically 1 week prior to scheduled prospectus).
• Student must send reminder about location and date/time of exam a few days before the exam.
• The timing for the Dissertation Prospectus/Outline Exam varies widely, depending on students’ progress. It is recommended to have at least 1 publication and a significant amount of self-directed laboratory research by the time of the prospectus.
• The Dissertation Prospectus/Outline Exam should be passed 6 months prior to the  Dissertation Exam (although this can be waived if needed by a memo from your advisor to GPD).

Notes

• The Dissertation Prospectus exam committee will consist of your advisor and at least two additional members, one each from within and outside of the Food Science Department.
• After passing the Prospectus exam, the cover sheet of the prospectus must be signed by all committee members and the department head or graduate program director, and submitted to the graduate school by the candidate.