DP Dissertation Exam & Defence of PhD Thesis

Dissertation Exam

Before submitting (i.e., uploading the final version to AIS) the written part for the dissertation exam or the dissertation thesis itself, the PhD student is required to send the document electronically to the director, the guarantor of the doctoral studies at SAS, and the scientific secretary for review to ensure that it meets all necessary requirements.

The written part for the dissertation exam should include the current state of knowledge on the given topic, an outline of theoretical foundations, the methodology for addressing the issue, and the objectives of the dissertation.

FEI STU

The dissertation exam must be completed within 18 months from the start of your studies—usually by February 28 of the second year. The written part of the dissertation exam (so-called “minimovka”) should be submitted by the end of January, preferably by January 27 of the given year.

The optimal length is around 30 pages, and the minimovka must include the dissertation theses at the end. Print and bind one copy using comb binding.

Submit the copy along with a request addressed to the director of the Institute at the director’s office. Once the director approves it with a signature, you will upload the minimovka to AIS.

Submit the request addressed to FEI STU at the doctoral studies department of FEI STU. If the minimovka is written in English, you must attach a Request for approval to prepare and defend the written part for the dissertation exam in a language other than the official state language.

FMFI UK

The exam must be completed within 22 months from the start of your studies. It consists of two parts: written and oral (defence of the written part). Since preparing for the exam takes some time, the written part of the dissertation exam (the so-called “minimovka”) must be submitted within 16 months from the start of studies.

The optimal length is around 30 pages. Two copies must be submitted along with the Application for the exam. The exam itself will take place after the reviewer submits his/her report and the examination committee convenes.

Defend of PhD Thesis

After finalizing your PhD. thesis you have to defend it. Keep in mind, that time between submission of your thesis till defence can take ca. 3 months.
For all details ask Mrs. Gömöryova.

The PhD thesis should include an analysis of the current state of knowledge in the given field, a description of the objectives, a detailed explanation of the methods used (work procedures, materials), the results obtained, their evaluation, discussion, conclusion, and a list of references.

FEI STU

Once you and your supervisor agree that the PhD thesis is ready for defense, the following formal steps need to be completed:

  • Don’t forget that the dissertation must include the assignment, which you can download from AIS.
  • The abstract must be written both in Slovak and English.
  • AIS – check the status of your studies, e.g., whether any additional information is missing. If so, add it according to the relevant instructions. After that, you can download the Dissertation Assignment with the registration number.
  • Follow the procedure for uploading documents to AIS as outlined in the official instructions.

The rules for printing and binding may change — the following applied in the academic year 2020/2021. Check the FEI STU website or contact Ms. Anna Gömöryová for up-to-date information. She can also assist with printing using the department’s printers and comb binding (make sure to arrange an appointment in advance).

Once you have printed all copies of your dissertation, fill out the Request for permission to defend. Your supervisor will include a proposal for the opponents/reviewers.

Submit the following documents to Dr. M. Španková:

If your dissertation is written in English, you must also submit a Request for approval to write and defend the dissertation in a language other than the official state language.

From this point on, it is just a matter of waiting. The reviewers should submit their reviews within four weeks. After the committee is formed and the defense date is set, you will receive an official invitation.

FMFI UK

Once your dissertation is written, print and bind 7 copies.

Fill out the Request for permission to defend form of ElÚ SAV, v.v.i.

Your supervisor will include a proposal for opponents/reviewers in the request.

Submit the following to Dr. M. Španková:

  • The printed and bound copies of your dissertation
  • The completed request form
  • Your updated CV
  • List of your publications

AIS:

Check the status of your studies in AIS –make sure there is no missing or incomplete information.

Upload your dissertation to AIS.

After the plagiarism check (which usually takes a few hours to a few days), download and print the following documents:

  • Protokol o originalite (Originality Report)
  • Licenčné zmluvy (License Agreements)

Submit the following documents to the Study Department of FMFI UK:

  • Request for permission to defend (Žiadosť FMFI UK o umožnenie obhajoby) – must be confirmed by your institute’s registry office (podatelňa)
  • 2 printed copies of your dissertation
  • A copy of the dissertation’s title page
  • The abstract of the dissertation
  • Copies of all publications and other documents (if not included in the dissertation) in the required number of copies

– If you attach a printout from the Comenius University publication database, you don’t need to submit copies of the publications

  • List of publications with full bibliographic data
  • List of unpublished scientific works
  • List of citations (and possibly reviews of those works)
  • Originality reports in the required number of copies
  • License agreements in the required number of copies
  • PhD student clearance form (Výstupný list doktoranda/doktorandky FMFI UK) – a document confirming that you have fulfilled all formal obligations toward the university before completing your PhD.

Once everything is submitted, you just wait — within four weeks, the opponents should submit their reviews. After that, once the committee is formed and a defense date is set, you will receive an official invitation.