So........... come on, don't disappoint your adoring public!

I think Cakeman will not wake up before late afternoon ;) must have been partying all night. But when you do CM, plz leave us some advice about how to prepare for the viva and what to expect.

Hi Guys,

It's me, we had the viva yesterday, and it was a pass with minor corrections, not too many of them either. The internal said I could probably get them sorted for this year's congregation, and so get it all knocked on the head and be graduated next month.

More details to follow, probably monday, but am heading out again now, so will fill you all in at a later date

Ooh excellent - congratulations! (up) Welcome to the post doc world! :-)

Well done!

Congrats!!! :-)(up)(gift)

Excellent news! Congratulations.

Congratulations, Dr Cakeman!

Fantastic, congratulations! Looking forward to hearing more about your viva experience.

Hi Guys

Before i forget, here's my experience in a bit more detail.

It was an afternoon viva, stinkingly hot day, as it has been all weekend. The most nervous moment was probably the car journey into my (former) institution, and reflecting upon what might happen.

When I got in, 1st question was a very basic summary question, I'm told this is not uncommon so as to give the candidate an easy question to awnser, settle the nerves etc. We then moved onto a few key aspects of the project and got some more in depth methods type questions, and relating these to the validity of my arguements. There were really quite few, or indeed any questions at all that strayed that heavily of topic, this was my biggest fear, as by the time you've written a thesis, anything on that thesis will probably come back to you with prompting.

I think the viva was helped by the fact that examiners were v positive regarding grammer, presentation etc so these things do make a difference. Also I had a fair number of bigger picture style questions, and what would you do now type questions at the end. All in all it was wrapped up in about 3 hours.

My advice to prospective viva candidates

1. make time to read your thesis a few times, in detail
2. background reading, probably not essential if you can remembr your thesis writing well enough, but will allow you to embelish your awnsers with further info - makes it look as if you really know your field.
3. don't panic, I think at this stage most examiners actually want you to pass (there are tyranical exceptions, but these are relatively few)
4. Relating to previous point, choose external and internal very carefully, both of mine were very good to me, I've heard this will not always be the case.
5. Get some idea where your external is coming from with his/her work, but don't get to scared if it's slightly not your area or you don't quite understand some aspects of it, the external is there to examine your work not theirs.

Finally, I suspect the biggest fear in a viva situation is probably the unknown. Do not panic, prepare as best you can, and you should be ok, most people are.

As for me, I now have a few corrections, not too many, and I might just get it done for this summer's congregation, although I won't go to the ceremony, it will be good to have it nice and official. Back to work for me tommorow

Cakeman

Anybody wanting any elaboration on any of these point can pm me if they wish