Any clever people with doctorates in the house?
04 October 2006, 04:56 PM
#1
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Any clever people with doctorates in the house?
My sis is due to finish her viva (sp*) in about 5 mins. anyone know what there like? how tough they are?
04 October 2006, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by andythejock01wrx
Pretty tough. Made in the late 70's by Vauxhall. A bit on the slow side though!
I thought the same but you beat me to it Anyhoo WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE off to the correct forum for this one
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06 October 2006, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by GazTheHat
I had a two-tone blue viva in NZ. 
Great car for £30, but never made it up the mountain passes
Great car for £30, but never made it up the mountain passes
).Mine was £200, but I did sell it for £500 2 years later !!
06 October 2006, 01:15 PM
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Apart from the Vauxhall its a spoken test where a panel ask you loads of questions about the subject you are studying.
Nerves and lots of pressure as you can't take a deep breath and read the question again.
It can be hard to revise for, as they can ask questions on anything that was on the course.
Well done your sis!!!
Nerves and lots of pressure as you can't take a deep breath and read the question again.
It can be hard to revise for, as they can ask questions on anything that was on the course.
Well done your sis!!!
06 October 2006, 01:22 PM
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Yes, I have a PhD.
Vivas are very stressful. Experiences vary; some report a very positive experience, some are reduced to tears!
Mine was long: about 4 hours, but went very well and the examiners only requested editorial amendments to my thesis, which still takes time given that the thesis was about 100,000 words long
Congratuations to your sis, buy her a drink, she'll need it!!
Ns04
Vivas are very stressful. Experiences vary; some report a very positive experience, some are reduced to tears!
Mine was long: about 4 hours, but went very well and the examiners only requested editorial amendments to my thesis, which still takes time given that the thesis was about 100,000 words long
Congratuations to your sis, buy her a drink, she'll need it!!
Ns04
06 October 2006, 01:46 PM
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BTW for those that don't know, a Viva is an oral examination of your Ph.D thesis, which basically consists of a literature review and a series of studies (the nature of which depend on your subject matter). The award of PhD requires that you demonstrate a significant body of work that makes a novel contribution to your field, is of publication standard and that you can defend your work in a viva.
The viva happens at a point where you're usually very tired (having done the work and written the thesis) and no-one looks forward to it.
The viva itself involves at least two examiners (although more is common), the examiners must be recognised experts in your field, one of whom must be independent from your university (for obvious reasons). In reality your uni would be most unlikely to contain two experts in your field anyway! I had two external examiners. They basically get as long as they like to grill you on your thesis. Viva generally last at least a couple of hours, although they have been known to go on for a whole day. It's a very intimidating, intense experience.
At the end of the viva, the examiners have a number of options open to them:
They have to make a decision on your performance on the viva. Either, yes, you did well and will not have to sit another one regardless of what amendments they request to the thesis. Alternatively, you may be asked to come back for another, even if they think the thesis is absolutely fine!
They also have to make a decision on the thesis, obviously!
-They can say the thesis is absolutely fine. Job done. VERY rare!!
-They can request minor editorial amendments to the thesis. In reality, this is outcome everyone wants, as we all accept that there are unlikely to be no typos etc in a document that long.
-They can ask for more substantial amendments ranging from reorganising to re-writing certain chapters, even to conducting more work. I have a friend who was asked to conduct a further study and re-submit.
-They can decline the award of a PhD outright and suggest you submit for the lesser award of Mphil. I know someone who had to submit for Mphil too.
-They can say, sorry pal, see you in another 3 years!! Rare, as a thesis that is so obviously below par, should never make it to viva. It does happen though!
Ns04
The viva happens at a point where you're usually very tired (having done the work and written the thesis) and no-one looks forward to it.
The viva itself involves at least two examiners (although more is common), the examiners must be recognised experts in your field, one of whom must be independent from your university (for obvious reasons). In reality your uni would be most unlikely to contain two experts in your field anyway! I had two external examiners. They basically get as long as they like to grill you on your thesis. Viva generally last at least a couple of hours, although they have been known to go on for a whole day. It's a very intimidating, intense experience.
At the end of the viva, the examiners have a number of options open to them:
They have to make a decision on your performance on the viva. Either, yes, you did well and will not have to sit another one regardless of what amendments they request to the thesis. Alternatively, you may be asked to come back for another, even if they think the thesis is absolutely fine!
They also have to make a decision on the thesis, obviously!
-They can say the thesis is absolutely fine. Job done. VERY rare!!
-They can request minor editorial amendments to the thesis. In reality, this is outcome everyone wants, as we all accept that there are unlikely to be no typos etc in a document that long.
-They can ask for more substantial amendments ranging from reorganising to re-writing certain chapters, even to conducting more work. I have a friend who was asked to conduct a further study and re-submit.
-They can decline the award of a PhD outright and suggest you submit for the lesser award of Mphil. I know someone who had to submit for Mphil too.
-They can say, sorry pal, see you in another 3 years!! Rare, as a thesis that is so obviously below par, should never make it to viva. It does happen though!
Ns04
Last edited by New_scooby_04; 06 October 2006 at 02:03 PM.
06 October 2006, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Tidgy
she got the minor amendments one so i understand, aka editorial coments, doesn't have to resit viva and has passed.
Good lass! Sorry, er Dr. Lass!
Dr Ns04
06 October 2006, 02:12 PM
#20
Yes, they can be quite stressful, especially as the examiners might be trying to out-do each other in terms of knowledge. I had two female authorities in the field (archaeology) who clearly didn't get on and made for a rather uncomfortable experience. Only lasted 2 hrs though!
However it is not as bad as the process in Germany where you have to give a public lecture on your topic and then get scrutinized by a panel of specialists. In addition, you have to privately print and distribute 500 copies of your thesis before you can claim the title - Dr.
Dr Nick (to my students)
However it is not as bad as the process in Germany where you have to give a public lecture on your topic and then get scrutinized by a panel of specialists. In addition, you have to privately print and distribute 500 copies of your thesis before you can claim the title - Dr.
Dr Nick (to my students)
Last edited by Nick_Cat; 06 October 2006 at 02:14 PM.
06 October 2006, 02:20 PM
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thanks ns04, sorry Dr Ns04 pmsl
ouch, i know she has to get a couple of copes of it, bound etc at £30 a pop, it aint cheap, but having said that you can go into waterstones and buy a copy of it if you want to
ouch, i know she has to get a couple of copes of it, bound etc at £30 a pop, it aint cheap, but having said that you can go into waterstones and buy a copy of it if you want to
06 October 2006, 02:28 PM
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Never mind Doctor, I am often referred to as "the King"
"There's the ...king lawyer" I hear them say, or "You'd better not do that until you ask the ...king lawyer."
Anyway, I often have to do an oral presentation before three members of a panel. In my case, someone's liberty could be at stake (but not my own, of course).
Well done to the newest Ph D. Next time anyone asks "Is there a Doctor in the house?" she'll be able to respond.
"There's the ...king lawyer" I hear them say, or "You'd better not do that until you ask the ...king lawyer."
Anyway, I often have to do an oral presentation before three members of a panel. In my case, someone's liberty could be at stake (but not my own, of course).
Well done to the newest Ph D. Next time anyone asks "Is there a Doctor in the house?" she'll be able to respond.
06 October 2006, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by andythejock01wrx
Was in NZ for 7 weeks this year. How long were there mate ??
I was there in '96 with the Viva, for 4 months (the winter season). Wanaka
Then in 2003, with a 3.0l v6 holden commodore, for 3.5 months (most of the winter season). Queenstown.
Oh, and BTW, if you're thinking of going to NZ for the snow, don't bother. Either wait until our winter in the alps or go elsewhere.
06 October 2006, 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Legal Eagle
I often have to do an oral presentation before three members of a panel.
.
.
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Now don't sue me legal eagle
06 October 2006, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by GazTheHat
Is there only me that read that differently?
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.
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Now don't sue me legal eagle
.
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Now don't sue me legal eagle
Think we might need a group defence here tho.
06 October 2006, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Midlife......
Viva is actually short for "viva voce"
Midlife....... with a PhD as well,
Midlife....... with a PhD as well,
This is called doing a Paul McKenna*
Ns04
*BTW For those of you who don't know, he got caught out trying to get a PhD without actually having done any research, or submitting a thesis....one of those US correspondence degree things most likely
Last edited by New_scooby_04; 06 October 2006 at 03:37 PM.
06 October 2006, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Tidgy
jst heard she passed
Now let's all celebrate.Now post of pic of your sister up, so we can see how fit she is