Student must be fully ADMITTED to the PhD program before this process can officially begin. Students who are admitted conditionally must have their status changed to regular admission by the Office of Graduate Study to participate in the program.

1. The first form needed is the Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) form. The student will choose a committee chair and one member from the same department. The third member of the committee will be a member from the OU Mathematics department. After choosing and receiving the three signatures, the form is returned to the SECS Dean's office for the Associate Dean to appoint a 4th member from outside the student's department. After all signatures and members are chosen, the form is submitted to the Dean of Graduate Study for approval. After approval the student will receive a copy of the form with a Program of Study form.

    

2. The second step is to file the Program of Study form. All DAC members work together with the student to complete the form and sign it when approved. This form must be updated periodically. The Department chair's approval and signature are also required. After approval, the form is forwarded to the Associate Dean.

    

3. The form for scheduling the Comprehensive Exams must be COMPLETELY filled out, signed and filed with the Associate Dean's office at least three (3) weeks in advance of the exam. If the ORAL exam is not completed on this form, another must be filled out and filed using the same process for signatures and advance notice. It is the student's responsibility to schedule rooms for the exams.

    

4. The form to schedule the Dissertation Proposal must be signed by all DAC members and filed with the Associate Dean's office at least three (3) weeks advance of the proposal presentation. It is the student's responsibility to secure the DAC member's signatures and schedule the room.

    

5. The form to schedule the Dissertation Defense must be signed by all DAC members and the Associate Dean at least three (3) weeks in advance of the defense. It is the student's responsibility to secure the DAC member's signatures and schedule the room. Coffee and one food item (cookies, bagels, etc.) may be served, but serving food is discouraged and serving a beverage is not necessary.

The final copy of the dissertation thesis must be reviewed by the Associate Dean. A memo will be issued to the student to deliver to the Graduate School authorizing the binding of the final dissertation.

Room scheduling may be done through any SECS department or Dean's office secretary. Generally, the Hammerle (238 DHE) room is used.