The PhD Viva gillian.gray@ed.ac.uk PI in the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, QMRI, BQ GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The PhD Viva gillian.gray@ed.ac.uk 1989 PI in the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, QMRI, BQ experienced my own viva supervised 30 PhD students PGR committee member, chaired >20 thesis committees Examined 24 PhD as external, 13 as internal GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The PhD Viva GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The PhD Viva An opportunity for you to discuss and defend the research that you have worked hard to produce over the previous 3 or so years GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The PhD Viva=Thesis Defence The examiners will want to establish that • the work in the thesis is largely original and of publishable quality • you carried out the work and you can defend the choices and conclusions made • you have have developed critical analysis skills and can appreciate your conclusions in the light of others working in the field • you can understand the limitations of your work and suggest alternative approaches and future directions GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
be confident-you are the expert on the work presented in your thesis GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
Advance Preparation & On the Day ……..over to post-docs………
In advance check out the university guidelines on vivas ( CMVM PGR Wiki) make sure that you are up to date with relevant literature know your thesis thoroughly, where are the weaknesses, have thought about how to discuss them be able to explain how your thesis fits into the big picture make sure that you understand your stats do a little research on your examiners , what are they likely to ask ? have a mock viva with your supervisor if you think it will help, but not essential GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
On the day Dress smartly- it puts you in the right frame of mind for the occasion Check timings and arrange to wait somewhere e.g. supervisors office to be called for your defence Bring a soft bound printed copy of your thesis Take some paper and a few pens, incase one runs out, for taking notes or to make drawings that might help the discussion Take some water, usually supplied, but just in case GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
Spare a thought for your supervisor GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The Viva Format (Edinburgh) Internal Examiner (plus Non-Examining Chair if internal is new and has no experience) External Examiner ( 2 if you are a university employee, includes clinical fellows) Some Universities allow the supervisor to sit in but I have not come across this in Edinburgh, in my experience everyone more relaxed without them
The Viva Format (Edinburgh) Internal Examiner (plus Non-Examining Chair if internal is new and has no experience) External Examiner ( 2 if you are a university employee, includes clinical fellows) Some Universities allow the supervisor to sit in but I have not come across this in Edinburgh, in my experience everyone more relaxed without them The examiners will have submitted pre-viva reports, usually they will meet for 15 mins or so before viva to discuss reports, any points of focus/contention for viva and how they will work together in discussion. They will call for you when ready to start GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The Viva Format introductions, internal or NEC will explain the set-up and process sometimes a short presentation-agreed between examiners and candidate in advance, can be helpful to set the scene, but probably won’t change the questions much GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The Viva Format Usually some informal chat first- what are you planning after the PhD? etc to make you feel more relaxed Thesis discussion, front to back or free discussion and everything in between GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The Viva Format Timing can vary, typically around 2-2.5h GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
What can go wrong ? Thesis is poorly written or presented : not a great way to start with the examiners! Usually because you have not involved your supervisor enough in preparation ( or they have not engaged with corrections). Usually means major changes after the viva. Statistics : incorrectly applied or you can’t defend them You can’t defend the experiments or explain the conclusions adequately, you don’t know the literature: poor preparation Plagiarism : even unintended, check out the rules and make sure you stick to them
What can go wrong ? Failure, downgrade to MPhil and requests for new experiments are rare , and usually when there has been a breakdown of communication with the supervisor(s) regarding submission Requirement for substantial changes and rewriting is more common if there are issues GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
The Viva -the end ! you will be asked to leave the room for a short period so that examiners can decide on recommendation to PGR committee, agree on time to be offered for changes, usually 1 mth or 3mths if no additional experiments are required . GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
Its all over… agree on changes and how they will be handled, usually checked by internal GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
Its all over… put your supervisor out of their misery …. and hope that they remembered to organize some Good luck! GAG Pop-up IAD, June 2020
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