3.1.6 Dissertation
The dissertation must represent novel research by the doctoral student that is carried out during the student's doctoral program and designed to advance knowledge in a topic area. It is organized around a series of manuscripts (a minimum of three) that are appropriate for submission to peer-reviewed journals for publication. The manuscripts do not have to be accepted for publication to be included in the dissertation. A complete version of the final dissertation must be successfully presented and defended orally at the completion of the dissertation. That presentation occurs in a public session and in a private session that includes the Dissertation Committee.