Seminars

Candidates undertaking a research thesis must give two seminars during their course of study. These are to be scheduled as part of their respective departmental seminars.  The first presentation should be made within the first two semesters of research work and will cover the background, objectives and proposed methodology. The second seminar will cover the significant results and conclusions of the project research, and must be held before the thesis defence. The aim of both seminars is to allow candidates to obtain constructive feedback on their research from faculty as well as students. This will also aid candidates in the development of their presentation skills. The ADPSR will certify to the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies that all seminar requirements have been fulfilled by the candidate.

Thesis Examination

Before initiating the procedures for the defence of a thesis a student must have completed all required courses in the program with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and presented the two required seminars.          

In preparation for the oral defence, the candidate must submit four copies of the thesis, in temporary bindings, to the supervisor for distribution to the Chairperson and voting members of the Thesis Examining Committee. This must be done immediately following the formation of the Committee. 

Upon being advised by the Thesis Committee that the thesis is ready for examination and defence, the Department will nominate examiners, who should be appointed by the College Postgraduate Studies Committee. A copy of the thesis and a thesis examination Form (F19) will be sent to the examiners who will attend the defence.  

A Thesis Examining Committee will be formed to evaluate the thesis and its oral defence for each student. The College Postgraduate Studies Committee recommends to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies the date, time, and place of the defence at least four weeks in advance. The Thesis Examining Committee will consist of:

a.     A non-voting senior faculty member, who will act as Chairperson, and will be appointed by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies in consultation with the Dean of the concerned college.

b.     Three or four voting members, being (1) the supervisor, (2) an internal examiner appointed by the Head of Department and (3/4) one (for masters students) or two (for doctoral students) external examiners, preferably from outside the department or the Thesis Committee. The external examiner(s) are nominated by the College Postgraduate Studies Committee and appointed by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies. One of the external examiners must be from outside Oman in the case of a doctoral thesis. 

Members of the Thesis Committee may attend the oral defence. A blank Thesis Report Form should be enclosed with the letter of appointment of the three or four voting members and should be completed by them before commencing the meeting. 

Role and Duties of the Thesis Examining Committee

The Thesis Examining Committee:

a.     Reviews the Thesis Report Forms. Each voting Thesis Examining Committee member will give his/her opinion on the thesis, which is summarized in the Thesis Report Form. The latter should have beencompleted before coming to the oral defence.

b.     Conducts the oral defence of the thesis in accordance with the academic rules and regulations.

c.     Requires the Chair to prepare a report, at the end of the defence, summarizing the proceedings of the oral examination and submit it together with the Thesis Report Forms to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, with a copy to the ADPSR.

Defence of Thesis 

The defence of a thesis is not held in public and the normal procedure followed is:

a.     Preliminary session - the Thesis Examining Committee briefly goes over the Thesis Reports before the candidate is invited into the room.

b.     Presentation of the thesis - a short (i.e. 20 - 40 minutes) presentation by the candidate of the objectives and significant findings of the thesis.

c.     Question period - the Chair will regulate the time so that the whole process will not normally last more than three hours. At the end of the question period the candidate is asked to leave the room.

d.     Decision session - after a brief discussion, the Committee, by majority vote, will place a thesis in one offour categories: pass, pass pending minor revisions (i.e. will not need to be reexamined), deferred pending major revisions or no pass. For major revisions or a no pass, a second defence will be required within six months of the first defence, with the possibility of an extension, subject to the approval of Dean of Postgraduate Studies. In the case of a second defence the Committee will place the thesis in one of the following three categories: pass, pass pending minor revision, or no pass. The thesis shall be submitted in its final format to the ADPSR within one month from the date of the successful defence. This includes all minor revisions approved by the supervisor and Head of Department.

Submission of Thesis Copies

After the thesis has been approved by the Thesis Examining Committee, two bound copies of the final version of the thesis, in the correct format (Appendix A), plus an electronic copy in MS Word format, will be submitted to theDeanship of Postgraduate Studies. Extra copies might be submitted to the College upon request.

Comprehensive Examination

Before taking the Comprehensive Examination, the student must have completed all required courses in the program with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. The comprehensive examination may be given in oral and/or written format, as specified in the approved program.    

Postgraduate students taking this option are required to receive a Pass score on a Comprehensive Examination. Preparation for the examination should be a continuous process as students proceed through the course work required in the program. The Comprehensive Examination is designed to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate the application of mature and resourceful diagnostic, problem formulating and problem-solving skills. Degree candidates should consult the designated program coordinator about examination requirements and material to be covered.

Scheduling the Comprehensive Examination

Students apply to the College Postgraduate Studies Committee to take the Comprehensive Examination. Examinations are generally scheduled in the Fall and Spring semesters and should be taken during the last semester of course registration or within one month after completion of prescribed course work. A written application is lodged with the College Postgraduate Studies Committee through the program coordinator at the time of registration for the semester in which the examination is to be taken. The College Postgraduate Committee recommends to the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies the date, time and place of the examination at least four weeks in advance. After applying for the examination, a candidate may withdraw only by written notice to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies. 

Comprehensive Examination Committee

The Comprehensive Examination Committee will be formed by the College Postgraduate Studies Committee, with a copy to the ADPSR, who should inform the student. It is expected that the members of the Comprehensive Examining Committee are knowledgeable of the details of the candidate's program.  The committee will consist of:

a.     Chair, who will be appointed by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, in consultation with the College Dean.

b.     Head of department or delegate.

c.     Two faculty members from the candidate's college.

d.     External examiner from outside the department, appointed by the College Postgraduate Studies Committee. 

Duties/Role of the Comprehensive Examination Committee 

a.     In consultation with the department(s) involved, the Comprehensive Examination Committee sets, supervises and grades the examination, which is assigned a Pass/No Pass grade.

b.     The Chair of the Comprehensive Examination Committee reports the result to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, with a copy to the ADPSR. 

Repeat of Examination

A candidate who does not pass the examination may take it a second time. The candidate must retake the examination no sooner than 3 months, and no later than 6 months, after the date of the first examination. A third chance to take the examination is not permitted.