Ph.D. Thesis Defense (B Exam)

Submission of Thesis Draft to Special Committee Membership – Prior to Scheduling B Exam

• The Graduate School’s policy according to the Code of Legislation states, “A Student must submit a complete draft of the thesis or dissertation to all Members of the Special Committee at least Six (6) Weeks before the Final Examination, unless the Special Committee modifies this requirement.” 
• The Student must confirm with their Special Committee Membership after they have reviewed the draft if it is appropriate to move forward with scheduling the B Exam.

Submission of Completed Thesis Draft to Special Committee Membership – Five (5) Business Days Prior to Scheduled Date of B Exam

• The Graduate School’s policy according to the Code of Legislation states, “At least five business days before a Final Examination (B Exam), a student must give each member of the Special Committee the thesis or dissertation, complete in all respects and editorially acceptable for final approval. The Final Examination (B Exam) for the doctor of Philosophy Degree may be scheduled until this requirement has been met. This version of thesis or dissertation may require modification following the Final Examination (B Exam).” 

Submission of Finalized Thesis to Graduate School – After Completion of B Exam

• The Graduate School’s policy according to the Code of Legislation states, “The thesis or dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School within 60 Days of a Final Examination (B Exam). Students who miss this deadline will be charged a fee.” 

Scheduling the B-Exam

The Student will need to schedule the B Exam at a time that is convenient for both them and their Special Committee Membership.

Reserving a Room for the B Exam

Once a date and time have been confirmed, the Student should reserve a Conference Room where the B Exam will be held. There are Conference Rooms of varying size available in Phillips Hall, Rhodes Hall and Duffield Hall that can be reserved. You will need to work with the ECE Administrative Staff in order reserve a Conference Room.

Schedule B Examination Form

Filling It Out, Obtaining Online Approvals, Submitting the Form, Deadline for Submission

• The Student will need to go online and fill out the Schedule B Examination Form. It can be found on the Graduate School's Forms Page listed under "Exams and Research." 
• The Student will fill out the form completely before submitting for the necessary approvals of their entire Committee Membership, the ECE Director of Graduate Studies and the ECE Assistant Director of MEng/PhD Programs (listed as "Graduate Field Assistant" on the form). 
• The Student will be responsible for obtaining the completion of all required online approvals in order for the form to be submitted to the Graduate School. 
• Once all online approvals have been submitted, an automated email will be sent by the Graduate School confirming the scheduling of the Student's B Exam. 

The completed Schedule B Examination Form must be submitted to the Graduate School a minimum of Seven (7) Calendar Days prior to the date of the scheduled examination.

There are no exceptions to this rule. Late submission of the Schedule B Examination Form will result in the examination having to be re-scheduled.

The Date, Time and Location of the Student’s B Exam will be posted on the ECE Events Calendar Page. 

Results for Final Defense of PhD Degree (B Exam) Form

Filling Out the Form, Obtaining Online Approvals, Submitting the Form, Deadline for Submission

• The Student will need to go online and fill out the Results for Final Defense for PhD Degree (B Exam) Form. It can be found on the Graduate School's Forms Page listed under "Exams and Research." 
• The Student will fill out the form completely before submitting for the necessary approvals of their entire Committee Membership, the ECE Director of Graduate Studies and the ECE Assistant Director of MEng/PhD Programs (listed as "Graduate Field Assistant" on the form). 
• The Student will be responsible for obtaining the completion of all required online approvals in order for the form to be submitted to the Graduate School. 
• Once all online approvals have been submitted, an automated email will be sent by the Graduate School confirming the receipt of the Student's Results for Final Defense of PhD Degree (B Exam) Form. 

The completed Results for Final Defense of PhD Degree (B Exam) Form must be submitted to the Graduate School within Three (3) Days of the completion of the B Exam.

There are no exceptions to this rule. Late submission of the B Exam Results Form will result in the results of the Student’s B Exam not being accepted.