PhD defense

Who is responsible for what tasks and when

WHEN

WHO

WHAT

Two weeks before planned submission

Main supervisor

Sends the following to GSTS:

  1. A filled in ‘Members of the assessment committee’
  2. Main supervisor statement

When the date for the defense has been set

PhD coordinator

Books a room for the defense once the date has been settled

Planned submission date

PhD student

Submits PhD thesis and additional documents to GSTS

As soon as possible

GSTS PhD administration

  1. Sends the PhD thesis to screening
  2. Sends out the PhD thesis and other relevant documents to the assessment committee
  3. Sends information about the assessment committee to the PhD student

Immediately after the PhD thesis has been sent to the assessment committee

Chair of the assessment committee

Contacts the committee and coordinates the completion of the written assessment (recommendation)

No later than two weeks after PhD thesis submission

PhD student

Sends a photo and a summary in both Danish and English to GSTS

Seven weeks after the submission date but no later than three weeks before the defence

Chair of the assessment committee

Sends a signed version of the recommendation to GSTS. Attached is also e-mails from external members of the committee stating that they agree with the final version of the recommendation.

As soon as possible

GSTS PhD administration

Sends to recommendation to the Head of School for final approval

As soon as possible (the PhD student must receive the recommendation no later than two weeks before the defence date)

GSTS PhD administration

Sends the recommendation to the PhD student and Main supervisor

After receiving positive recommendation from GSTS

PhD coordinator

Orders lunch for the assessment committee and supervisor. The PhD student’s section, the Head of Department and the assessment committee are invited to join the defence. The PhD student invites partners, family and friends.

No later than one week before the defence date

GSTS PhD administration

Announces the defence on the GSTS website

DEFENCE

Within 24 hours after the defence

Chair of the assessment committee

Sends a signed version of the final recommendation to GSTS

As soon as possible

GSTS PhD administration

Sends the final recommendation to the PhD student

Within two months after the defence

GSTS PhD administration

Sends the PhD diploma (via digital post)

Procedure at the defence

Timeframe: The defence should not exceed 3 hours including breaks.
 

  • The chairman of the assessment committee explains the procedures

Informs about time schedule, the order of opponents and the possibility of asking questions.
 

  • Presentation of the PhD thesis (45 minutes)

The presentation should represent the content of the PhD study (hypothesis, material and methods / experimental design and results) including a general introduction to the research area and a general discussion accounting for further research perspectives.
 

  • Break

Members of the audience who would like to ask questions should notify the chairman during the break.
 

  • Examination (1 hour - approx. 30 minutes per external opponent)

The examination will be based on the content of the presentation and the PhD thesis. The aim of the examination is to give the student the opportunity to prove thorough knowledge of the topic covered, and to create a constructive and fruitful discussion.
 

  • Closing the examination

The chairman may ask some supplementary questions about the content of the PhD thesis and then close the examination by posing a few overall questions, allowing the PhD student the possibility to put the conducted research into a broader perspective.
 

  • Questions from the audience

The audience can ask questions as agreed with the chairman during the break.
 

  • Conclusion of the defence

The chairman of the assessment committee concludes the defence by thanking the PhD student and the participants.
 

  • Final recommendation

The assessment committee leaves the lecture hall to make their final recommendation. The chairman of the assessment committee ensures that the entire committee signs the document “Final Recommendation PhD Degree”.
 

  • Announcement of the recommendation

The assessment committee enters the reception and the chairman of the committee announces their recommendation.
 

  •  Submission of the Final Recommendation to GSTS 

The chairman of the assessment committee submits the final recommendation to the Graduate School of Technical Sciences.

More information

You can find more information about the defence and the handing in of the thesis on GSTSs website.