ucf thesis defense

College of Engineering and Computer Science – Policy on Dissertation/Thesis Defenses

The dissertation/thesis defense must be open to the public and announced two weeks prior to the date of the defense. Virtual dissertation/thesis defenses (student off-campus defenses) are not permitted. The dissertation/thesis defense must satisfy the following:

– The student must be present at the campus location of the public defense.

– The committee chair must be present at the campus location of the public defense.

– All committee members must be present at the campus location of the public defense with the following exception: the in-room attendance of at most one committee member can be substituted by virtual attendance via videoconferencing.

Requests to deviate from the above policy due to extenuating circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The requests will be evaluated and approved or disapproved by the chair of the program and the dean.

Procedures for Thesis and Dissertation Approval Forms

As we approach the Spring 2020 defense deadline on April 3, it is essential to have procedures in place for remotely routing, signing, and submitting thesis and dissertation approval forms.

As a reminder:

• All defenses should be held virtually until further notice
• Each student must access their individual thesis or dissertation approval form in the Thesis and Dissertation Services site Approval Form page
• Students can update the name, defense date, and title fields on the preview of the form then hit enter to save
• They must select the “Download and print” button on the page to obtain the form in PDF format (they should not print the web page itself)
• Forms must display the correct committee information as well as the thesis/dissertation release information before being used
• All forms should be fully signed before being emailed to the College of Graduate Studies at [email protected]
• We prefer forms to be in PDF or image file format, but we will work with other formats, as long as everything is legible

Helpful tips:

• Forms can be signed electronically using the Adobe Acrobat e-signature feature or another signing software
• If e-signatures are not possible, the form can also be printed, signed, and scanned (or a photo can be taken, as long as the image is clear)
• We recommend students collect their committee signatures then email the form to their program
• Once the program representative signs, if at all possible, the form should be forwarded to the department and college on behalf of the student to save time routing back and forth to the student

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Commonly Used Forms

To help you navigate your academic program, there are several processes that are in place. Some processes are conducted electronically, while others require manual processing with physical signatures. Forms included in this section are either Portable Document Format (PDF) files, dynamic forms, or HTML files that may be downloaded, filled out, and given to the appropriate university officials for approval. Many of these forms have been implemented by the College of Graduate Studies and have been adopted across UCF’s various colleges. Some forms are specific to CECS. Regardless, this list is not comprehensive, and your department may have additional forms to support your academic progress.  For College of Graduate Studies (CGS) forms, please visit: https://graduate.ucf.edu/forms-and-references/

Registration

• The deadline for Restricted Registrations/Overrides for Summer 2024 Registration is May 10, 2024 by 4pm .
• If you receive an email from [email protected] , this is because there is an issue with your registration.  Please read the email as there is very important information therein that will prevent the Office of Graduate Affairs from registering you for the requested classes.
• UCF CECS Registration Agreement Dynamic Form – THIS IS NOT THE OVERRIDE FORM! This form is a dynamic form for CECS Special Registration Agreement .  This form is needed for graduate students to register for any Variable Credit Hour Course in our college (XXX 6908, XXX 6918, XXX 6946, XXX 6958, XXX 6971, XXX 7919, or XXX 7980) .
• UCF CECS Graduate Override Dynamic Form : The Graduate Override form is only for access to a class where a prerequisite is required, 0V91 section of courses AFTER APPROVAL FROM COVE , or for IDS 6999.
• Administrative Record Change Registration/Override Attachment form : Please use this form when needing an Administrative Record Change completed by the department after the late registration deadline.
• SACM AND FULLBRIGHT ONLY:   If you are a SACM or Fullbright student please use this Override Dynamic Form to register for Section 002 courses ONLY.
• For Student guides on how to fill out the dynamic forms, please see the Guide for Restricted Registration – Student Edition and the Guide for Override Forms – Student Edition .
• For Instructor Guides on how to fill out the dynamic forms, please see the Instructor’s Guide on How to Complete Override Forms and Instructor’s Guide on How to Completed Restricted Registration Forms .

Program of Study

• Each graduate student must have a Program of Study on file by their 12th hour in their program.  These forms can be located on your department’s home pages and are simply the courses you have completed and plan to complete to meet your degree’s requirements.
• CECE – https://www.cece.ucf.edu/graduate/
• CS – https://www.cs.ucf.edu/academics/current-graduate-students/
• ECE – https://www.ece.ucf.edu/graduate-programs/
• IEMS – https://iems.ucf.edu/graduate
• MSE – http://mse.ucf.edu/graduate-program/
• MAE – http://mae.ucf.edu/advising/graduate-forms/
• Modeling & Simulation – https://msgrad.ist.ucf.edu/Forms.aspx

CECS How to Access Unofficial Transcripts

Here is a step by step guide on how to access your unofficial transcripts through your myUCF Portal.

Committee Forms

• The College of Graduate Studies has both the Doctoral and Thesis Committee Forms in dynamic forms.
• For doctoral students (at a minimum), you must have three members from your department and one member from outside of your department.  For both thesis and dissertation students, most of your committee members must be Graduate Faculty members.
• Before submitting either a thesis or dissertation committee for approval, please make sure that your Program of Study is approved and processed by the College of Graduate Studies.  These eForms originate by your program’s Graduate Advising Office.
• To find out committee member status, please visit the Graduate Faculty Page .
• To initiate a thesis or dissertation committee form, please fill out the dynamic Thesis and Dissertation Committee Form .
• To initiate a dissertation committee form where you need six members, please fill out the dynamic Dissertation Committee Form – 6 Members .

Graduate Procedures

• Filing your Intent to Graduate – The Intent to Graduate is filed online during the period designated on UCF Academic Calendar
• Graduate Petition Form  – Graduate students who wish to request an exception to university policy must complete this form to begin the process.
• Traveling Scholar Form – To request that courses taken at another institution apply toward completion of your UCF degree. After reading the form, complete the fields, have your advisor sign it, then submit the endorsed form and syllabus (or syllabi) to [email protected] .
• Thesis/Dissertation Approval Form – This form is used by Thesis and Dissertation students who have successfully defended.  It will be started by the student once they have completed their defense and automatically sent from member to member.  Students MUST complete their final submission before Graduate Studies will approve this form.

Student Services

• Change of Address Form
• Name Change Form 
• Student Grade Appeal Form 
• Thesis & Dissertation Webcourse ( https://webcourses.ucf.edu/enroll/EREP7Y )
• Integrity Training ( https://graduate.ucf.edu/pathways-to-success/#Academic Integrity Workshops)
• Binding Services for students who want their Thesis and Dissertation presentation bound

Forms for Research-Oriented Students

• Defense Link – Submit your request to convene your thesis/dissertation defense.

Performance Assessment

• PhD Annual Review
• GTA Assessment  

More graduate forms can be found at: https://graduate.ucf.edu/forms-and-references/ .

7-Year Plan

Students nearing 21 semesters since their admit term will need to complete a   7-Year Plan .

Probation Plan Agreement

Students who are placed on probation by the College of Graduate Studies are required to meet with their graduate program director to create a Probation Plan .

How to Apply for an IRB

NOTE: You must complete CITI Training before submitting an IRB application.

Follow these steps to complete an IRB application:

• If you are a graduate student, new submissions require principal investigator, faculty advisor, and departmental sign-off prior to submission to IRB. Complete form HRP 251  and upload it with your study submission.
• Visit HURON and login with your UCF NID.

• Once you have submitted the study, you can check your task list (items that require clarification) and track the IRB work-flow by selecting the study in “My Inbox.”

• One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
• A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or another closely related engineering degree.
• Résumé.
• Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

For international students interested in  UCF Global Pathway Program  (immersive English-language learning), please contact  Dr. Ali P. Gordon  for guidance.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Mathematics through Calculus II (MAC 2312 or equivalent)
• An undergraduate course in engineering probability and statistics
• Familiarity with at least one programming language (such as Python, C, C++, Visual BASIC, Java, etc.)
• Official transcripts
• Two letters of recommendations
• Goal Statement

Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline. Admission to the program is competitive on a space-available basis. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance and the applicant's potential for completing the certificate. • No Letters of Recommendation Required. For international students interested in  UCF Global Pathway Program  (immersive English-language learning), please contact  Dr. Ali P. Gordon  for guidance.

Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only. • No Letters of Recommendation Required.

• In addition, applicants to this certificate must provide: Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc only.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
• Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related discipline with a minimum GPA 3.0
• No Letters of Recommendation Required.
• The GRE/GMAT is required
• A goal statement. This is your opportunity to outline in 500 words why you wish to join the program, what you think you will contribute to the program, and how you feel the program will enhance you both personally and professionally in the future.
• Updated résumé.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
• A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL is required if an applicant is from a country where English is not the official language, or if an applicant’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, or if an applicant did not earn a degree in a country where English is the official language or a university where English is the official language of instruction. Although we prefer the TOEFL, we will accept IELTS scores of 6.5.
• The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
• Resume or Curriculum Vita
• The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous research and/or teaching experience. The statement should explain the motivation behind the pursuit of an MSSE. Future educational and career goals after the completion of the applicant’s master study should be discussed.
• If the applicant is interested in completing a Master thesis, then the applicant must clearly describe the particular area of research interest. The applicant should identify at least one UCF faculty member who shares a similar research focus and is believed to be best suited to serve as a potential thesis advisor. 
• The goal statement should between 500 and 1,000 words.
• The letters of recommendation should be from faculty members, university administrators, and employers with a supervisory role of the applicant. The letters, which must be current to the application and must not be for another degree program, should address the educational and career goals of the applicant. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. Letters for Master’s thesis students must discuss the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level research.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
• 2 Letters of recommendation

An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Information Technology, or Computer Engineering is desirable but not required. Applicants without a strong undergraduate background in Computer Science and Statistics must demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in upper-division undergraduate courses listed under the Articulation Section of the Curriculum Information. Applicants may choose to demonstrate their knowledge of these courses by taking these courses as non-degree seeking and scoring “B” or better in all of them.

• A bachelor’s degree in Biomedical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline. 
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or closely related discipline.
• TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5
• Letters of Recommendation (Optional)
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
• A written statement of experience and research, areas of current and future potential research interests, and future career goals.
• Multiscreen
• Projector/Screen
• Touch Screen
• Food Allowed*
• Projector Panel
• Document Camera
• A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in statistics, data analytics or a related field from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A personal statement identifying the area of research interest and a description of the applicant’s academic and professional experiences.
• The student should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all bachelor’s level work completed.
• Applicants to this program, except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

Home > Theses and Dissertations

UCF Theses and Dissertations

This collection links to Honors Undergraduate Theses (previously known as Honors in the Major), Masters Theses, Doctoral Dissertations, and other similar projects completed at UCF. Records for print, retrospectively scanned, and electronic works are included—digital copies are included where available.

For additional information about the Honors Undergraduate Thesis Program, please visit the Honors Undergraduate Thesis website, or visit them during their drop-in hours listed on the website.

Visit the full FAQ if you have questions about theses and dissertations in STARS, or reach out to us at [email protected] .

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• Department of English
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Browse the UCF Theses and Dissertations Collections:

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How to Find UCF Theses and Dissertations

• Graduate Theses and Dissertations
• Honors Undergraduate Theses
• Frequently Asked Questions

The first thesis was defended at FTU on March 15, 1972. It was written by John M. Bateman and was titled " Computer Method for Airport Noise Exposure Forecast ."

The first dissertation, titled " An Associative Backend Machine for Data Base Management ," was defended in November, 1980, and it was a Ph.D. in Computer Science awarded to Alireza Hurson.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Starting in Fall 2004, as a result of UCF’s Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Initiative, ETD was made mandatory for graduate students. They began submitting ETDs during the Spring semester of 2004; electronic submission was required beginning in the Fall semester of 2004.

These titles are searchable in STARS , and may be searched by title, author, keyword, college, and  advisor or committee chair .  In most cases, the full-text is available, however some are restricted to use only while on a UCF campus.

Browse STARS for all ETDs:  http://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd

Browse all Masters Theses here:  https://stars.library.ucf.edu/masterstheses

Browse all Doctoral Dissertations here:  https://stars.library.ucf.edu/doctoraldissertations

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations (RTDs)

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations (RTDs) are scanned copies of theses and dissertations previously published only in print. 

For more information about the project or to learn about how to get your thesis or dissertation digitized, please visit the RTD website in STARS, read the  FAQ , or contact the  project coordinator .

The Library owns 2 print copies of most titles written through 2004: one copy in the General Collection which may be checked out, and one non-circulating copy in Special Collections.  The library also has one circulating copy of most theses and dissertations written between 2004 and 2007. Beginning in 2008, UCF no longer required students to submit a printed copy of any graduate thesis or dissertation.

Browse STARS for all print-only and retrospectively digitized theses and dissertations:  https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/

Where to Find Print Copies at the Hitt Library

All print copies of UCF's theses and dissertations at the John C. Hitt Library are located in the ARC and only available by request. These items can be searched and requested using the UCF Libraries Catalog.

Theses and Dissertations Written before 1988: 

• Fully cataloged with keyword, author, and title access
• Subject specific Library of Congress subject headings. 
• Unique Library of Congress call number and held in the ARC.

Theses and Dissertations Written from 1988 to 1999:

• Partially cataloged: author, title, and keyword
• Very general subject headings, not subject specific
• Held in the ARC

Theses and Dissertations Written from 1999 to Fall 2007:

• Fully cataloged with keyword, author and title access
• Subject specific Library of Congress subject headings

Browse the Library Catalog for ALL graduate theses written at Florida Technological University (1972-1978)

Browse the Library Catalog for ALL graduate theses and dissertations written at UCF (1979-present)

Search tips for the Library Catalog:

Select the Advanced Search option.

• Use the first search line to enter a search term regarding the title, author, subject, or other information. Select the appropriate field to search from the drop down menu
• For theses written prior to 1979, use "florida technological university"
• To see which items are available in print, choose "Available on Shelf"
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• Next: Honors Undergraduate Theses >>
• Last Updated: Jun 10, 2024 12:08 PM
• URL: https://guides.ucf.edu/finding_theses

Thesis Defense: Common Law

Admin options.

Announcing the Final Examination of Megan Riddell for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. 

Date: April 8, 2022

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Room: Zoom (information below) 

Thesis title:  Common Law  

Common Law is a collection of poetry which explores the unwritten laws of human nature which govern or otherwise influence the speaker’s decisions, actions, goals, perceptions, and consequently, her life. The speaker closely examines, criticizes, and challenges the legal precedents from which such unwritten laws are derived, including those established by society and/or other individuals, and especially such precedents established by the speaker’s past and present selves.

The speaker serves as the judge and jury, the petitioner and respondent, and the prey and predator at various points in Common Law to demonstrate the volatility of human nature and the underlying power dynamics embedded in same. Common Law views the power dynamics embedded in human nature through the lenses of socioeconomic status, animal hierarchies, gender, expectations of family, society, and self, as well as the mounting pressure to meet such expectations instantaneously as the speaker steadfastly approaches her thirties.

Committee in Charge:

Professor Terry Thaxton 

Professor Laurie Uttich 

Dr. Rochelle Hurt

Approved for distribution by Terry Thaxton, Committee Chair, on March 14, 2022. 

The public is welcome to attend. Please email  [email protected] at least 24 hours ahead of time for the meeting ID and passcode.