TIK9080 ¨C Final seminar

Course content

The final seminar is organized at the end of the PhD period, a few months before the candidate hands in the thesis. The candidate should have a complete thesis draft at this point. The seminar has the form of a trial public defense, where an external opponent reviews the final draft of the thesis thoroughly and critically. The candidate is expected to shortly present the draft and actively discuss comments and suggestions by the opponent. The seminar is open to the public and lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Learning outcome

• Present the thesis in its entirety, including its themes, methods, theory and academic positionality.
• Receive feedback on your own work and project development
• Concretize a plan for completing the thesis.

Admission to the course

Acceptance to the PhD-programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, direction Technology, Innovation and Culture is required. The midway evaluation has to be passed.

Teaching

In the seminar, the candidate is to present his/her draft of the PhD thesis. The seminar is scheduled for 1 hour and 45 minutes. The candidate will start by presenting his/her work, approx. 20-30 minutes. Then the opponent will comment and discuss the thesis, approx. 60 minutes in total. In the last phase of the seminar the discussion is opened to all those present, and members of the audience may contribute with comments or questions to the candidate, approx. 15 minutes.

The Head of TIKs PhD program, or someone appointed in his/her place, will introduce the seminar and moderate the discussion. In addition to the candidate and opponent, the supervisors and the Head of the PhD program should all be present if possible. The seminar is announced as open to the public.?

Examination

Written material

The candidate is to submit a complete draft of his/her thesis, or as near complete as possible. The draft should be sent to TIKs administration, which will forward it to the supervisor(s) and opponents. It will be made available by the administration to others interested upon request.

Opposition

An opponent is appointed by TIK. The opponent must have relevant expertise for the thesis' topic, theoretical perspectives or method and can be from a Norwegian or foreign institution. The opponent must be external to TIK. Supervisors are not eligible as opponents.

Formal evaluation

After the seminar, the opponent decides whether the candidate has passed or failed. A "pass" means that the candidate should be able to submit a complete doctoral thesis within a few months. A "fail" means that there is substantial work still to be done. In case of a fail, the candidate will get another chance at a final seminar at a later date.

Language of examination

The seminar can be held in English or a Scandinavian language.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.