Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering

Submission of the Thesis and Examination of the Candidate

At least three months before a thesis is submitted, a candidate shall give notice in writing to the Director of the Board of Postgraduate Studies with copies to the Dean of the Faculty and Chairman of the Department and an abstract outlining the general scope of work.

(a) Every thesis submitted for examination shall be in quadruplicate and in loose form, and must include a declaration by the candidate confirming that the thesis has not been submitted for a degree in any other institution of higher learning and that the contents of the thesis are the original work of the candidate. Every thesis shall bear the signature of the supervisor(s) indicating that the thesis has been submitted with his knowledge.

(b)The final version of the thesis (6 copies) after examination and approval for the award of the degree must be in bound form. All six copies shall remain the property of the University of Nairobi.

A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must make a distinct contribution to the knowledge and show an understanding of the subject and display originality of thought. It must also include a complete bibliography or references to the materials used in its preparation, whether published or otherwise; and it must also conform to the regulations for the submission of thesis of the University of Nairobi.

The Senate shall, on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty concerned, appoint in respect of each candidate presenting a thesis, a Board of Examiners consisting of;

1.  Dean of the Faculty as Chairman
2. An external examiner
3. Two internal examiners one of whom must not have supervised the candidate.
4. Two other persons competent in the candidates area of research, and at least one external to the Department, and
5. A representative of the Board of Postgraduate Studies.

The external examiner and the internal examiners shall each be required to submit to Board of Postgraduate Studies within two months, an independent written assessment of the thesis indicating:-

1. whether or not the thesis is adequate in form and content;
2. whether or not the thesis reflects an adequate understanding of the subject and show display for original thought and significant contribution to knowledge and in consequence;
3. whether or not the degree should be awarded;
4. whether or not the thesis make significant contribution to the existing knowledge.

Within a month of the receipt of all examiners reports, the Board of Postgraduate Studies in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty concerned shall convene a meeting of the Board of Examiners at which the Examiners reports, other academic matters arising from the thesis, and the candidates defence shall be considered.

A consolidated report and appropriate recommendation shall be prepared for submission to Senate through the Board of Postgraduate Studies within two weeks. Provisional results shall be released to the candidate after the meeting only where the recommendation of the Board of Examiners is unanimous.

Candidates shall be required to present themselves for oral examinations and the Dean shall inform them of the time and place of the meeting of the Board of Examiners.

Where the recommendation of the Board of Examiners is unanimous for or against the award of the degree, and where such unanimous recommendation is consistent in all respects with the reports of the external examiner and the results of an oral examination, the Director of Board of Postgraduate Studies shall forward such recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor for approval on behalf of the Senate.

Where the recommendation of the Board of Examiners is not unanimous, or the recommendation is not consistent in material respects with the matters referred to in regulation 22 it shall be referred to the full Board of Board of Postgraduate Studies for an appropriate recommendation to Senate.

The Senate may, on advice of the Board of Examiners and Board of Postgraduate Studies permit a candidate to re-submit a thesis for re-examination in a revised form once only.

Provided that a candidate whose thesis referred under this sub-section shall be required to re-submit it within twelve months.

A thesis accepted by the University of Nairobi and subsequently published in part of, in whole and in whatever form, shall bear the inscription "Work forming part of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Nairobi".