Stanford Engineering
Computer Science
Engineering

PhD | University Oral Examination

Overview

Stanford University requires an oral examination for the PhD program. The Department chooses the format of the University Orals Examination. In the Computer Science Department, it is a defense of the dissertation. The format of the oral examination is a public presentation lasting approximately one hour, followed by a private session with questions from the examining committee (maximum total of 3 hours).

The university oral examination must be completed a quarter before the degree conferral. Orals may be scheduled any time after a substantial portion of the dissertation is complete. The University prefers that orals not be scheduled during the first two weeks of the quarter, finals week, or during breaks.

University Orals Examination

Deadline

The university oral examination must be completed at least a quarter before the degree is conferred. Orals may be scheduled any time after a substantial portion of the dissertation is complete. The University prefers that orals not be scheduled during the first two weeks of the quarter, finals week, or breaks.

Submit the University Oral Exam schedule form (PDF) and a copy of your dissertation abstract at least two weeks before the proposed orals date to phdstudentservices@cs.stanford.edu

The PhD Student Services Office will ensure the committee is adequately composed. Jay Subramanian, Director of Graduate Admissions and PhD Program, approves all forms on behalf of the Department chair. The CS PhD Student Services Team will collect her signature after you submit your form/s.

Composition of the University Oral Exam Committee

The oral committee must have at least five members, including one chair and four voting members. Four of the five must be members of the academic council. The orals committee will consist of the following:

  • Chair. The advisor and the student select the chair of the oral committee. The chair must be a member of the Stanford Academic Council and may be a professor emeritus.
    • The chair of the examining committee may not have a full or joint appointment in the advisor's or student's department but may have a courtesy appointment in the department.
    • The chair can be from the same Department as any other member(s) of the examination committee. It can be from the student's minor Department, provided that the student's advisor does not have a full or joint appointment in the minor Department.
    • To maintain impartiality, the oral chair may not simultaneously serve on the student's dissertation reading committee.
  • Readers. The student's reading committee members must serve on the orals committee.
    • Readers who are not academic council members (limit 1) need prior approval from the CS PhD Student Services Office to sit on the Orals Committee by filing a petition form and submitting a copy of the non-academic council member's CV.
  • Advisor. The student's advisor/s must be member/s of the committee.

How to fill out your form?

University Oral Examination Form

  1. Enter the student information.
  2. Fill out Examination Information. Confirm Date, Time and Location.
    • Work with your faculty’s admin to schedule a room for your defense or email PhD Student Services Office to request a room. Please plan accordingly as reservations fill up fast.
  3. Enter your Orals Exam Committee Member details. No signatures are required.
  4. The PhD Student Services Office should previously approve Committee Members who are not Academic Council Members. Students must submit the petition form and a copy of the CV of the proposed Committee Member.
  5. Students are not required to collect the Department Chair’s Signature. Once you have filled out your form, please submit it to the PhD Student Services Office Include a copy of your abstract.
  6. The PhD Student Services Office then reviews the form to make sure that it accurately reflects the University and Departmental requirements.
  7. An email confirmation will be sent with instructions on how to post your announcement.

What to do after the University Oral Examination result has been submitted?

The PhD Student Services Office must receive the student’s result after the defense to update the student’s record. An email confirmation is sent to the student and their advisor (s) once the record has been updated. The email will include the next steps for submitting your dissertation.