Getting the doctoral dissertation ready for the preliminary examination is a great accomplishment. Congratulations!
On this page the process of the preliminary examination is described briefly. The doctoral student is recommended to read carefully the instructions for the Evaluation of Doctoral Dissertations. The official instructions and the forms can be found below.
The instructions describe the phases of the preliminary examination and the course of the Public Defence. The doctoral student can find more information also on the chapter 11 of the Study Guide. It is worthwhile to attend the public defences so as to better memorize the formalities and traditions for one’s own dissertation day.
It is also recommended that the student attends some of the public defences to familiarize oneself with the formalities and traditions of a public defense.
The last seminar
Before the preliminary examination procedure can begin, the student must present his/her proposal of research in a seminar. Together with a representative of the major subject, the student must inform the Center for the Doctoral Program (doctoral(at)hse.fi) of the exact place, topic and time of the presentation and that it is the final presentation before the preliminary examination process.
Guides and forms
Form: Request for the appointment for the preliminary examiners
Guide: Instructions to examiners for Evaluation of Doctoral Dissertations
Form: Request for the appointment of examiners for Licentiate Thesis
The abstract
The version of the dissertation submitted for preliminary examination must include an abstract and a list of key words on the first few pages. Doctoral dissertations published in article or essay form must include a list of the articles or essays. The list must include at least the following information: authors, title, publications, numbers in publication series, year of publication, and page numbers. If the essays or articles have not been published, this must be stated.
Preliminary Examination
After the student has presented the proposed dissertation in the last seminar and the dissertation is ready for the examination the doctoral candidates deliver a letter addressed to the Council for Academic Affairs to the Registrar's Office in which they request appointment of preliminary examiners for the proposed dissertation. The student can write a free-form letter or use the form above.
A copy of the research to be submitted for preliminary examination and two copies for the preliminary examiners must be submitted to the HSE Registrar's Office at least two weeks before the meeting of the Council for Academic Affairs at which the matter will be discussed.
Permission for the Public Defense
The preliminary examiners submit a statement to the Council for Academic Affairs whether they consider the study to be of doctoral dissertation standard. At the end of the statement, the examiners must state clearly that is it their recommendation to grant permission for public presentation.
Council for Academic Affairs decides on the basis of these statements whether to grant permission for public presentation for the dissertation. For the meeting to evaluate the dissertation, the Council for Academic Affairs appoints an opponent(s) and a chair person.
The Council for Academic Affairs requires completion and registration of all studies (including any supplementary studies) before consideration of a permit for public examination of the dissertation can take place.
The Public Examination
Doctoral candidates decide about printing of their dissertation after they have received permission for the public examination.
After the opponents and the chairperson have been appointed, the doctoral candidate agrees on a dissertation date with the rector, the chairperson, and the opponents. When agreeing on the date, the printing schedule, and the period for public display of the dissertation should be borne in mind.
The Public Examinations course has certain formalities and academic traditions. More information of these formalities can be read from the Instructions to Examiners for Evaluation of Doctoral Dissertations or from the chapter 11 of the Study Guide. It is also recommended is to attend some of the public defences beforehand.
The opponent(s) are required to submit a written statement, including their recommendation whether the dissertation should be accepted or rejected, to the Council for Academic Affairs within a month of the public examination.
The Council for Academic Affairs decides whether to accept or reject the dissertation after having received the opponent’s written statement.
Meetings of the Council of Teaching and Research
Fall:
August 21, 2009
September 4, 2009
October 2, 2009
November 6, 2009
December 11, 2009
Spring:
January 15, 2010
February 19, 2010
March 19, 2010
April 23, 2010
May 28, 2010