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Dear Professor ....,
It is my great pleasure to learn that the board of the Linköping Institute
of Technology has appointed you as an opponent for the doctoral thesis to be
defended by ..... Thank you very much for accepting to examine the thesis and
for contributing to the decision of the examination committee.
I have attached to this letter the "Guidelines for the Formal Procedure
at the Public Examination of a Doctoral Thesis at Linköping Institute of
Technology/Linköping University." There you can find some information
regarding doctoral studies at Linköping University, basic requirements
for a doctoral thesis, and the organisation of the public defence. Let me
only point out a few issues.
The Department of Computer and Information Science at Linköping University
is conducting research and research education at a high, international level.
Hence, our requirements regarding the quality of a doctoral thesis are similar
to those of other internationally recognized research universities. The contribution
of the opponents appointed by the board of the faculty are very important in
keeping these standards at the desired level.
The public defence at our department is organised according to the basic rules outlined in the above mentioned guidelines issued by the Linköping Institute of Technology. The defence consists of three main parts:
- The thesis is presented as follows:
a) A "popular" short presentation of the background, the area, and the subject treated in the thesis followed by
b) a presentation of the main contributions of the thesis. - The opponent conducts a dialogue ("thorough questioning", as formulated in the guidelines) with the respondent. Through this dialogue, the essential contributions made by the respondent, the strength as well as the shortcomings of the thesis have to be highlighted. At the same time, the respondent's knowledge and understanding of the subject are displayed. This part is concluded with a summary judgement from the opponent.
- Comments and questions are taken from the examination committee and the audience and are answered by the respondent.
With regard to the first point above ("The thesis is presented"), several alternative scenarios are possible:
- Both 1a and 1b are done by the opponent.
- 1a is done by the opponent and 1b by the respondent.
- Both 1a and 1b are done by the respondent.
Together with the respondent's advisor you will select the most suitable alternative.
After the public defence, the examination committee (3 or 5 persons appointed
by the board of the faculty) meets to take the final decision. The opponent
may participate in the meeting and state his view, but does not vote.
Finally, let me thank you again for your efforts and invaluable help.
With best regards,
.......
Sidansvarig: Webmaster
Senast uppdaterad: 2005-02-23
