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Dissertation

The Ph.D. Dissertation represents the cumulative accomplishment of the Ph.D. process. The Ph.D. Dissertation must be an original and significant contribution to research. Results from Ph.D. Dissertations are published (except in extremely rare or exceptional circumstances), as discussed below.

The Dissertation Committee

Shortly after passing the Qualifying Exam, the student forms a Dissertation Committee replacing the faculty Advisory Committee. The student's Ph.D. Advisor chairs the Committee ¹. The Dissertation Committee evaluates the Dissertation Proposal, and reviews and approves the final Dissertation. The Committee must include at least two regular SIMS faculty members and one Academic Senate member from another department on campus ².

The Dissertation Proposal

After passing the Qualifying Exam, the student completes (with any needed revisions) the Dissertation Proposal. After the Dissertation Committee approves the proposal, and no later than the end of the semester following the one in which the Dissertation Proposal is approved, the student files an Application for Advancement to Candidacy. In approving this Application, the Head Graduate Advisor approves the Dissertation Committee as well.

Residency

Students must have been in academic residence for at least four semesters to qualify for a Ph.D. In order for a semester to count as academic residence, a student must enroll for at least 4 units of 100- or 200-level courses. (These 4 units do not necessarily satisfy the requirements for full-time study.) The graduate division requires that students be registered during the semester in which the qualifying exam is taken. SIMS also requires that students be registered in the semester in which the dissertation is approved in order to present his or her findings to the scholarly community. This second semester requirement may be waived if the student presents good reasons why residence would be difficult, with the concurrence of the student's Advisor and the Head Graduate Advisor.

The Dissertation

After receiving approval of the Dissertation Proposal, the student continues the Dissertation research and writing. During this period, the student should meet regularly with his or her Dissertation Chair and report regularly to the Dissertation Committee. Each semester, the student prepares a summary of progress, supported by copies of any writing that he or she may have done. In accord with the standards of his or her specialization, the student is expected to publish the Dissertation and Major results of the Dissertation research. To share new knowledge with colleagues and prepare for job interviews, Ph.D. students present the principal results of their Dissertation research and take questions and challenges from the community on the Dissertation work; this requirement may be waived, per 4.3 above. The Dissertation Committee and other faculty members and students from the university community, both inside and outside SIMS, usually attend. This presentation informs the university community about the research that takes place at SIMS and provides the student with valuable preparation for other research presentations (including job interviews). This presentation generally takes place in the last semester in residence or in the semester in which the Dissertation is filed. It should be scheduled so that as many interested people as possible can attend. When the Dissertation is completed, it must be approved and signed by all the members of the Ph.D. Committee. Upon successful completion of the Dissertation and all prior requirements, the student will be awarded the Ph.D.

Summary of Dissertation Requirements

1. Form the Dissertation Committee
2. Complete the Dissertation Proposal
3. Have Dissertation Proposal approved by Dissertation Committee
4. Complete and have the application for advancement to candidacy approved
5. Meet the residency requirement
6. Complete the Dissertation
7. Make a public oral presentation of the Dissertation results
8. Receive sign-off by all Dissertation Committee members

1. The Ph.D. Advisor must be a member of the Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate. The chair may be a UC Berkeley faculty member outside of SIMS, upon the approval of the Dean of the Graduate Division, but in such cases, a regular SIMS faculty member will serve as a co-Advisor.

2. If the student's Advisor leaves the university after the student has begun the Dissertation requirements, the student should consult with the Ph.D. Committee as to what course of action to follow. In some cases, the student and the Committee may decide to pick a new Advisor; in other cases, the student and the Committee may decide to keep the student's original Advisor while choosing a regular SIMS faculty member to co-advise.