Thesis Defense

The completion of the thesis is the culmination of the graduate program. The thesis is expected to represent original research at a standard required for publication in a high-level research journal.

The thesis must conform to MIT specifications for thesis preparation. When the thesis approaches completion, a Thesis Examination Committee is formed, consisting of the thesis advisor and two (or occasionally three) other faculty members in related fields. At least two members of the committee should be faculty from within the student's program in the department. By the middle of their final semester, students must obtain approval of their Thesis Examination Committee as follows:

• Submit by email to David Jerison (for Pure Mathematics) or Michel Goemans (for Applied Mathematics) the proposed composition of the Thesis Examination Committee
• Having obtained approval by return email, students should pick up a committee form from the Graduate Mathematics Office and obtain signatures on the form from all examiners

The student presents his/her work at a public Thesis Defense. The student's successful defense of the thesis completes the doctoral program. All members of the Thesis Examination Committee must sign the Thesis Approval Form the candidate obtains from the Graduate Office and bring to the defense.

The members of the committee should receive a copy of the thesis two weeks before the defense presentation, and the presentation should be announced on the web and department bulletin boards one week in advance. The defense usually takes place in an Institute classroom. The Graduate Mathematics Office will assist degree candidates in scheduling a room and posting notices announcing the event.