Master's Thesis and Final Exam/Defense

M.S. Thesis Exam Committee

The examination committee for the M.S. final exam will consist of three graduate faculty members, at least two of whom must be ATOC core or research faculty members. The examination consists of a 30 minute oral presentation given by the candidate on the thesis subject, followed by a period of questions for the candidate by the committee. The oral presentation is open to anyone that wishes to attend. The full examination typically does not exceed two hours in duration.

Guidelines for M.S. Thesis

The M.S. thesis must consist of original and independent research conducted by the graduate student under the supervision of the faculty advisor. The thesis topic must be related to the major field, and:

1. Represent the equivalent of 4 to 6 semester hours of course work.
2. Receive the approval of the major department at least 30 days before commencement at which the degree is to be conferred.
3. Be completed at the time the final examination is held.
4. Comply with the University of Colorado Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Specifications.
5. Be filed with the Graduate School by posted deadlines for the semester for which the degree is to be conferred.

Final Examination

Each candidate for a master's degree, thesis option is required to complete a thesis defense after the other requirements for the degree have been substantially completed. The defense may be given near the end of the student's last semester while the candidate is still taking required courses.

The following rules apply to the final thesis defense:

1. A student must be registered on the Boulder campus as a regular degree-seeking student during the semester the examination is passed.
2. Notice of the defense must be field by the major department in the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the defense. The defense must be scheduled not later that the posted deadline for the semester in which the degree is to be conferred.
3. The defense is given by a committee composed of three Graduate Faculty members appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The chair of the committee must have a regular or tenured Graduate Faculty appointment.
4. The defense must cover the thesis, which should be essentially complete.
5. A student must have an affirmative vote from the majority of the committee members to pass. A student who fails the thesis defense may attempt it once more after a period of time determined by the examining committee .