The thesis defense is a public event and must occur no earlier than two weeks after the Assessment Committee's recommendation and within three months following the thesis submission, as outlined in PhD order § 20, paragraph 2. The chair of the Assessment Committee collaborates with committee members, the principal supervisor, and the author to set a suitable date for the defense and informs the department's PhD secretary.
In cases of exceptional circumstances, the Head of the PhD School can decide to postpone the defense. Any such postponement requires an agreement among the author, chair of the Assessment Committee, and the Head of the PhD School, including an agreement on the duration of the postponement, per PhD order § 20, paragraph 3.
The defense takes place at SDU. In extraordinary situations, the Dean may permit the defense to occur outside SDU.
The chair of the Assessment Committee is responsible for ensuring that a suitable room is reserved for the defense, which is coordinated with the departmental PhD secretary. The department handles practical tasks related to the defense, such as room reservations, sending invitations, and reception arrangements.
The PhD School sends notifications of the defense, including the lecture topic, to the author, members of the Assessment Committee, the University Library, and the department.
The department is responsible for promoting the defense under the "Upcoming events" section on SDU's website. Additionally, the PhD thesis is made publicly accessible at the University Library of SDU well in advance of the defense.
Procedures for the defense of the PhD thesis
During the defense, the author is expected to present their work and defend the PhD thesis in front of the Assessment Committee. Prior to the defense, the Assessment Committee has already informed the author about the lecture topic.
The defense should not exceed a total duration of 3 hours, with approximately 30-45 minutes allocated for the author's lecture.
The defense follows this general plan:
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The chairman of the Assessment Committee (moderator) introduces the author and Committee members and conducts the defense proceedings
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The author delivers a 30-45 minute presentation
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The moderator may allow questions from the audience specifically related to the lecture given
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- Each of the three Assessment Committee members comments on the thesis and poses questions to the author. The moderator ensures that this phase does not exceed 1 hour and 30 minutes, with the time divided among the members as per their internal agreement. The questions should focus on key topics in the thesis
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The moderator concludes the defense proceedings, and before doing so, may allow the author to make a brief comment
It's important to note that it is not expected for the main supervisor or co-supervisors to make a contribution during the defense. However, the moderator has the authority to permit the supervisor(s) to speak if requested by the Assessment Committee. In such cases, the supervisor(s) are limited to a 30-minute speech.