The signed proposal form is required to be submitted along with the complete proposal to program office. The student may not register for thesis, capstone, or dissertation credits until the proposal is approved by the program office.
Once a student starts registering for thesis, capstone, or dissertation credits, they must continue to register until orally defending their work.
M.S. Capstone Proposal
The capstone review committee will consist of at least two members, one of which must be a faculty member of the Oceanographic Center. The major professor must have the terminal degree in a field relevant to the capstone topic. Other members of the committee must ordinarily have the terminal degree.
M.S. Thesis Proposal
The thesis advisory committee will consist of a major professor from the Oceanographic Center faculty and at least two additional members, one of whom may be from another center of Nova Southeastern University or from outside the university. In rare cases, requiring approval by the Director of Academic Programs, the major professor may be an adjunct faculty member. The committee participates in topic selection and preparation of the proposal/outline and thesis. Close coordination between student and committee during this process is strongly advised. The major professor must have the terminal degree in a field relevant to the thesis research. Other members of the committee must ordinarily have the terminal degree.
Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal
The student's Ph.D. Committee consists, at a minimum, of four people, at least three of whom must be Center faculty and one of who must be from outside the Oceanographic Center. The committee monitors all phases of the candidate's progress. The committee is formed prior to acceptance or within two terms of admission.
A candidate will defend the proposal in an oral presentation to faculty.
A written version must be submitted at least one week beforehand and reside in the program office for inspection by the faculty if desired. At the oral presentation defense, a candidate will be expected to demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the proposed research project, and to justify the chosen research topic. Presentation will be open to all faculty; a closed session with the student will follow, restricted to the committee and interested faculty. If areas of deficiency are highlighted, a candidate will be notified and will have the opportunity to modify the proposal. The committee may require a second presentation.
This progress report is required from each student registered for thesis or capstone credits by the end of each term of registration before a grade is issued. The completed report is turned into the Program Office by the student's advisor.
The report will include the following information:
student's name and date
a brief narrative synopsis of the work completed since the last report -- for example, details of experiments conducted and literature reviewed
target date for thesis or capstone completion
estimate of time spent on thesis or capstone work this term
On completion of the capstone review paper, thesis, or dissertation to the major professor's satisfaction, it is formally submitted to the other committee members. Upon agreement of the full committee, submission of the paper to the program office, and approval of the Director of Academic Programs, the defense may be scheduled.
The defendable copy must be complete, including, for example, all relevant materials, appendices, figures, and data tables. The copy (or reproductions thereof) will be available for review to any interested faculty member. Incomplete works will not be acceptable for defense. Once the defendable copy is submitted, additional revisions should not be made or circulated prior to the defense.
There are two components to a defense: public and private. For the public defense, requirements generally include a 30- to 50-minute oral presentation (with appropriate visual aids) to the faculty, student body, and other interested persons. In the case of distance students who are unable to attend their defense in person at the Oceanographic Center, alternate arrangements may be made using audio-visual software. The committee then will question the candidate in private on aspects related to their capstone or thesis work. This private session is closed and limited to the candidate, members of the committee, and interested faculty members. The committee then takes a vote in closed session. The capstone review paper or thesis may be accepted, accepted with revision, or rejected. If extensive corrections are required the student may have to register for additional thesis or capstone credits.
M.S. Capstone Defense
All M.S. approved capstone review paper defenses must be scheduled at least one week in advance through the Program office. Thus, although they may be scheduled later, a defense for a capstone review may be scheduled no sooner than one week after submission to the program office, For very long works, this time period may be extended to provide interested faculty adequate time for reading.
M.S. Thesis Defense
All M.S. thesis defenses must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance through the Program office. Thus, although they may be scheduled later, a defense for a thesis may be scheduled no sooner than two weeks after submission.
The Oceanographic Center faculty ultimately must pass on thesis acceptability. The student should consult frequently with the committee during all phases of thesis work for continuity and in order to avoid problems during the formal defense. If the paper is not acceptable, the student receives the grade of "F" for the thesis or capstone credits. If the paper and defense are acceptable, the student receives a grade of "P". If the paper is acceptable, but requires only minor corrections, the student may receive a grade of "P" when the corrected paper is received. The student will be informed of the committee's decision following the closed defense.
Ph.D. Dissertation Defense
All Ph.D. dissertation defenses must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance through the program office. Notice will be provided to the faculty. At least two weeks prior to a student's scheduled defense, a copy of the work must be submitted to, and reside in, the program office. For very long works, this time period may be extended to provide the committee adequate time for reading. The defendable copy must be essentially complete, including, for example, all relevant materials, appendices, figures, and data tables. The copy (or reproductions thereof) will be available for review to any interested faculty member. Incomplete works will not be acceptable for defense.
The defense will consist of a 40- to 50-minute oral presentation (with slides/visual aids) to the faculty, student body, and other interested persons. The committee will then question the candidate on the dissertation work and related aspects. This session is closed and limited to the candidate, members of the committee, and interested faculty members. The committee then takes a vote in closed session. The dissertation may be accepted, accepted with revision, or rejected. The Oceanographic Center faculty ultimately must pass on acceptability of the dissertation. The student should consult frequently with the committee during all phases of thesis work for continuity and in order to avoid problems during the formal defense.
