Exit Seminar
Ph.D. and M.A. Plan I students are required to deliver a 50-minute public seminar on their dissertation/thesis topic. This presentation should clearly communicate the scope, significance, and findings of the dissertation to a general academic audience.
Following the seminar, the student’s Dissertation/Thesis Committee may hold a private meeting with the student to discuss the content in greater detail.
Verification of completion must be provided by the Dissertation/Thesis Committee to confirm that the requirement has been satisfied.
Administrative Procedure
To schedule and announce your Exit Seminar:
- Reserve a room by emailing rooms@math.ucdavis.edu (Commonly used rooms: MSB 1147 or MSB 2112)
- Submit seminar details — including title, abstract, date, and time — to math-gradadvising@ucdavis.edu
- Provide a Zoom link for attendees who wish to join remotely
Filing Your Thesis or Disseration
Degrees are awarded four times each year: September, December, March, and June. To file for graduation, you must be either a registered student or on Filing Fee status.
If you miss the deadline for a specific degree list but submit your materials before the end of the quarter, your name will be moved to the next available degree list.
Please note: your thesis or dissertation must be submitted to each member of your committee at least four weeks before you anticipate making final revisions.
For a sample title page, formatting guidelines, and additional information, visit Filing Your Thesis or Dissertation from the Graduate Studies.
Filing Fee Status
Filing Fee status is an optional, one-time, non-registered status available to graduate students who have:
- Advanced to candidacy
- Completed all degree requirements except for final administrative or clerical (non-research) steps
This status is not intended for students who are still:
- Writing or revising their thesis, dissertation, or project
- Undergoing committee review of their final draft
Students approved for Filing Fee status pay a $192 fee in lieu of standard enrollment fees. This allows time to complete final degree requirements and officially file to graduate during the quarter.
Filing Fee status serves as an enrollment alternative for students who are ready to graduate but do not need to enroll in courses.
For full details, visit Graduate Studies.
Commencement
The graduate student commencement ceremony is held once a year in June. Registration typically opens in early February and closes in mid-April.
You are eligible to participate if you have already earned your degree or plan to file for graduation by September 30 of the same calendar year.
For key dates, registration details, and additional information, please visit Commencement Central.
Final Steps Before You Leave: Checklist
Before departing, please complete the following:
- Return all building keys to the department administrative office
- Return any borrowed textbooks and library materials
- Clear and clean your office space — remove personal items and tidy the area
- Provide the following to the Graduate Program Coordinator:
- A forwarding email address
- A brief note on your next steps (e.g., job, postdoc, further study)
- A PDF copy of your thesis or dissertation