Ph.D. viva defence

[Dr Delphi]

So tomorrow is my Ph.D. viva, where I will be defending my thesis to two separate examiners. My question is has anyone here completed their defence, and do you have any advice for the viva itself?

 

[Dr Delphi]

Thanks for the comments guys, fingers crossed that I am confident enough in my work for them tomorrow!

 

[Dr Delphi]

As stated above, remember you are the expert on the subject. You don't get to do a PhD in something that is already known which automatically makes you the expert in it.
I took my viva 11 years ago now but I remember all of it. I had three "examiners"; although one was my supervisor, so he was more there for moral support, then there was the (university) internal chap,who didn't really ask much and, finally, the external. That was the potental issue for me as a large part of my thesis refutted things that he had published and showed the basic errors in his work. I was a bit worried about that. Not about the quality of my research but about how he would take it. All credit to the man, we got to the relevant section of the thesis, he asked me a couple of questions, sat back in his chair and said - and I really can quote this verbatim, even now - "There is nothing wrong with being proven incorrect by a well made argument supported by good data. Congratulations Chris. That really was a beautiful piece of work." At that point I knew I had it in the bag.

Good luck tomorrow, future-Doctor.

As an aside, one of the best moments in the whole thing for me happened about 2 days after my viva. I went into the university branch of HSBC and asked to speak to an advisor. The woman who I got to talk to was just plain rude and obvious thought of students as lowly scum. I played along until she said "now Mr Smith*...", To which I said, "Actually, that's why I came in. I'd like to change the name on my account to Dr Smith*". Instantly, I went from being scum to proto-deity. It was hysterical. She suddenly couldn't do enough for me. Enjoy that moment.

* Name changed to protect my super-hero identity.

Again many thanks for your comments - I just got a bit stressed as just heard from my supervisor and she just decided to give me some areas I really should brush up on - it doesn't help I only got back from America for interviews a couple of days ago...

Anyway I believe I have done as much as possible for it, so we'll see where we end up tomorrow - either way theres a **** up tomorrow night after its all over!

Thanks everyone for your comments - this is why I <3 OcUK forums so much

 

[Dr Delphi]

all the people in there will have refereed many PhD's before and have done one themselves so they know what its like - they aren't out to get you.

I think thats the important point for me to take from this thread - its not some giant conspiracy to stop the candidate from getting their Ph.D.