Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

The dissertation proposal should be completed within two years of completing the research exam (doctoral qualifying exam). The proposal should indicate the purpose and objectives of the work to be undertaken, the current state of the art with bibliography, and the strategy to be followed and techniques to be employed in the research. Preliminary data, calculations, and/or theoretical developments may be included in support of the proposed work. The proposal will be presented orally and discussed publicly. The doctoral advisory committee will serve as the dissertation proposal exam committee.

If in the judgment of the advisory committee the student's proposal is not satisfactory, the student may be required to submit a revised proposal for further discussion with the advisory committee.

The purposes of the dissertation proposal are:

1. To determine if the student's knowledge of the area chosen for research and the pertinent literature is adequate
2. To determine whether the proposed work, if completed, would provide the basis for an acceptable dissertation
3. To advise the student on general approaches and specific techniques that may be helpful in the proposed research

So you are ready to Defend your dissertation and GRADUATE.

Here are some things you need to be sure to do:

Always read your emails from Jayne Weber. They will have specific deadlines for things like step 1:

STEP 1 : APPLY TO GRADUATE IN SIS : Here is a how-to:

https://virginia.servicenow.com/its?id=itsweb_kb_article&sys_id=26d33eb8db809f004f32fb671d96191f

There is also a deadline to defend by each semester, become familiar with that date – Jayne Weber will email it out.

Once you have applied to graduate:

STEP 2: Committee Form This form will need to be filled out 2 weeks prior to your dissertation:

https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_final_examination_committee.pdf and either email to Angela Skubon ams2fm@virginia.edu

• Your proposed examining committee must be approved by your program and the Dean’s Office two weeks prior to the exam. *Make sure your defense is on your committee’s calendars*
• At least one month before the end of the semester: Distribute your thesis to committee members.
• At least 2 weeks prior to the deadline: Defend, complete any required corrections and additions, and have a final copy of your thesis/dissertation ready to submit before the deadline.

Talk to the chair of your committee about whether you wish to have a private question and answer period with faculty only. If so, the chair of the committee would excuse the non-faculty participants after their questions are finished.

 STEP 3: ABSTRACT TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR DEFENSE PLEASE SEND ANGELA SKUBON AN EMAIL asm2fm@virginia.edu  WITH YOUR COMMITTEE, THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF YOUR DEFENSE- THE EXACT TITLE AND AN ABSTRACT FOR DISTRIBUTION.

STEP 4: DAY OF DEFENSE: ON THE DAY OF YOUR DISSERTATION DEFENSE YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL YOUR COMMITTEE CHAIR THESE THINGS:

• This form should be filled out with the exception of the Satisfactory/UnSatisfactory boxes and the signatures (that will be done by the faculty via DocuSign after) and emailed to your committee chair.  
• https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_report_on_final_examination.pdf
• Also fill out the top and email  to your committee chair: https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_thesis_dissertation_assessment.pdf
• List of publications
• And completed Approval Sheet& Title page
• If you have an embargo request for your dissertation thesis upload fill out this form: https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/embargo_request_form.pdf and email it to the committee chair prior to your defense. Do NOT upload to Libra until you receive an email that the embargo has been processed.

Here is the link to help you with Title formatting: https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/Dissertation_Title_Recommendations.pdf

STEP 5: Libra Upload and Survey of Earned Doctorate (if you have an embargo request wait on this until you get specific instructions from Libra)

After you pass your final defense:

• Complete this: https://sed-ncses.org/GradDateRouter.aspx
• Print the Certificate of Completion and email it to Jayne Weber.  
• It may take a few days to update in SIS to show satisfied.
• Once it is satisfied in SIS: Upload your thesis or dissertation
• Go to Libra here is the link: https://www.library.virginia.edu/libra/landing/

Follow the instructions for how to upload

• Verify that grades are reported for all the courses you are currently registered in.

For more details about this process use this link: https://engineering.virginia.edu/current-students/current-graduate-students

STEP 6: KEY, ID & FORM TURN IN

We will need you to return your keys to the Front Desk, as well as your ID.

You will need to turn in the Lab Check-Out Form http://engineering.virginia.edu/ChE_Lab_Checkout, this can be sent to Angela Skubon by email or you can drop it by 117B.

Please also fill out this alumni information: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Ypsef2awkdpwto

Step 7: CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION!

Use this link to find out about your diploma http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/diploma.html

Make sure to let us know if you plan to participate in ChE Graduation Ceremony!

Watch for emails about cap and gown! Regardless of when you graduate – your health insurance is paid for throughout the end of summer (usually around July 31). You are not eligible for Cobra with student insurance.

YOU DID IT! WAY TO GO!

Checklist for PhD Graduation

More Detailed Instructions

• Apply to graduate in SIS?
• Complete your committee form and send to Jen Lamb?
• Send your abstract to Angela Skubon?
• Do you need to embargo your dissertation for any reason? Talk to your advisor and let Jen Lamb know asap.
• Day of Defense bring with you:
  • Final Examination Form
  • Dissertation Assessment Form
  • Transcript you got from Jen Lamb
  • List of publications
  • Completed Approval and Title Sheet
• Passed your Defense? (WAY TO GO!)
• Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorate and Email to Jayne Weber
• Upload dissertation to Libra
• Verify your grades are reported for all the courses you are registered in
• Turn in Lab-Check out Form and Alumni Information
• Turn in Keys & ID to the Front Desk
• CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
• Make sure your diploma delivery address is correct in SIS
• If you are attending a ceremony please let us know
• Look out for emails for cap and gown information from SEAS
• Health insurance is typically good until end of summer of the year you graduate, you are not COBRA eligible. CLICK HERE for the exact date your insurance coverage will end.

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