Climate Dynamics Ph.D. - Dissertation
Preparing a dissertation proposal is an important step in becoming an independent scientist. The proposal should be a concise document which raises a scientific question, explains why it is interesting and important, and outlines how the proposed research will answer this question. The student conducts a seminar to describe and defend the proposal before the dissertation committee. The committee is encouraged to invite Climate Dynamics and COLA staff and students to the proposal presentation, in order to facilitate communication within the Mason/COLA community, though part of the defense will be restricted to committee members.
The committee will assess the proposal and assist the student in ensuring that the topic and methodology are clear. The committee will also assess whether the student has the appropriate preparation and resources to have a good chance of completing a successful dissertation in a timely manner. It is understood that in the course of the student's research, early results may suggest departures from the proposed plan, so that the student, in consultation with the advisor and the rest of the committee, can alter the research plan as it is executed. After successfully completing this requirement, the student is formally advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
The dissertation must represent an achievement in research, must be a significant contribution to its field, and should be deemed publishable in refereed journals or refereed conferences. The student prepares to defend the dissertation in consultation with the dissertation director. The date of the defense must be agreed upon by all members of the committee, and the dissertation must be made available to the committee at least two weeks before the defense date. The defense is given as a public seminar presentation of the dissertation, followed by an oral examination by the committee. When the candidate successfully defends the dissertation, the committee recommends that the final form of the dissertation be completed, and that the graduate faculty of George Mason University accept the candidate for the Ph.D. degree.