Oral Defense scheduled
Saturday, December 31st, 2011Wednesday, January 4 is “OD-day” (Oral Defense Day)!! I am all set – my presentation had been sent to the research professor who will moderate the call, my chair Dr. M., and my two committee members, Dr. W and Dr. B.
The OD is handled via conference call, and a proctor must be present to verify that I am who I say I am. After the OD is opened by the moderator, I will provide a 30 minute presentation (PowerPoint slides) outlining my research and the results. Then, the floor will open for questions from the committee and professors in attendance. According to the Dissertation Handbook, I must “speak clearly and knowledgeably about their [my] research, justify their [my] work, and be able to articulate the significance of their [my] work for the field of specialization.” I hope I can do that!!!
Following this grilling session, I will sign off the call while the professors deliberate. Then, I call back and they will tell me their opinions. Thumbs up or thumbs down on the “PhD” thing!
After this, I will fill out the Graduation Request Form and send a clean copy of my Dissertation to the Registrar. Later, I will get my diploma in the mail! Yahoo! I plan to attend graduation in June and be hooded. Husband and I will probably visit the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam at the same time.
I have given many presentations in my career, so I am not nervous about the presenting, but I am a little nervous about what kinds of questions the professors may ask me after the presentation. Wish me luck!