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Academic English & Research vocabulary · Graduate Study and Supervision

Thesis defense

Meaning in academic english & research, with examples

nounCore term

In academic english & research, thesis defense means: An oral examination in which a candidate presents a thesis and answers questions from a committee of examiners, who then decide the result.

In Turkish: tez savunması, tez savunma sınavı

How it is used

American usage; British English spells it defence and usually calls the PhD exam a viva (viva voce). Candidates prepare for and pass a thesis defense, and the committee may accept the thesis, ask for corrections or reject it.

Example sentences

  1. Her thesis defense is scheduled for 14 May, and two external examiners will attend.

  2. He passed his thesis defense with only minor corrections.

Common collocations

  • pass the defense
  • defense committee
  • public defense
  • prepare for the defense
  • defense date
  • thesisA long piece of original research written for a university degree; also the main idea or position that an essay or article argues for.
  • dissertationA long, formal piece of research writing completed for a degree; in the US usually a doctoral thesis, in the UK often a final project for a bachelor's or master's.
  • PhDDoctor of Philosophy: the highest university research degree, awarded after several years of original research and a thesis.
  • supervisorAn academic who guides a student's thesis or research project, giving feedback on plans, drafts and progress.

More terms: Graduate Study and Supervision

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