In addition to detailing well-established rules and procedures for advanced degree programs, the Committee of Graduate Studies (CGS) defines the general policy and specific requirements of Graduate Studies, (i.e., Master, PhD and some professional degree programs).

CGS consists of specialists, related major representatives, and graduate students elected or appointed by the Graduate Student Council.

A graduate degree candidate, together with his/her supervisor(s), must submit a plan of study to CGS.

This plan has to be approved by CGS and signed by the candidate and his/her supervisor and should consist of:

• a list of required and elective course and their credits
• a title and brief summary of the proposed research work (thesis, dissertation, or research project)

Depending on the graduate program and the candidate’s academic background, a different proportion of courses to independent learning and research work is possible.

There are at least three types of Master’s degree studies involving research that is to be carried out by the candidate according to his/her plan of study.

These include the following:

• a master thesis
• a report or specific project
• only the required and elective courses along with their papers or practical work without any separate research work

A Master’s thesis is worth some number of credits (usually between 6 and 8), and reports and projects are also worth a number of credits, but fewer than the thesis

Masters programs exist to prepare the student for advanced work in industry and in various institutions, as well as for further graduate studies (usually for PhD programs).

PhD programs are designed to prepare the student for advanced research.

The PhD degree is awarded in recognition of the creation of new knowledge and an increased depth of research.

The plan of study of the candidate for PhD degree must include some information about the proposed research field and subject of the dissertation, as well as information on the completion of a definite group of advanced courses of study.

The PhD dissertation is usually worth 10-12 credits but in some exceptional cases the number of credits for a PhD dissertation may by increased.

For each Master thesis and PhD dissertation, CGS will develop a Thesis Committee (for master and professional degree, if they anticipate some final research work) or a Dissertation Committee (for PhD degree) which normally consists of four (five) members including the supervisor and outside experts.

The candidate for graduate degree and/or his/her supervisor and/or Dissertation (Thesis) Committee may ask for a modification to the plan of study (e.g., addition of one or more courses, change the title of dissertation or thesis, etc.)

Any change in the plan of study must be resubmitted to CGS at least two weeks before the degree commencement.

Every doctoral candidate and masters candidate with strong research work must pass a final oral defense of his/her dissertation (thesis) and demonstrate wide knowledge of the major field and the role and significance of the dissertation (thesis) with relation to the field.

The Dissertation (Thesis) Committee is the examination body for the final oral examination.

Before submitting the final version of his/her dissertation (thesis) to CGS, the candidate must obtain the approval of his/her supervisor and of some members of the Dissertation (Thesis) Committee.