An original research study and a thesis are required for the Ph.D. degree.  The subject of the student's research is chosen in consultation with his/her advisor.

Dissertation Proposal
Each doctoral student must prepare a brief written proposal (no more than 20 pages) of his/her intended doctoral research, and make a comprehensive oral presentation on the proposed work that demonstrates a sound understanding of the dissertation topic, the relevant literature, the techniques to be employed, the issues to be addressed and the work done on the topic by the student to date.

The proposal must be made within a year after admission to candidacy (after succeeding the Qualifying Examinations) and at least one year before the intended date of defense.  Both the written proposal and oral presentation are presented to the dissertation committee and a representative from the MME Graduate Studies Committee.  The written proposal and the oral presentation must be presented to the Dissertation Committee and the Graduate Studies Committee representative. It is recommended that the written proposal is sent to the external members of the Examining Committee. The written proposal must be handed at least one week before the oral presentation.  The prepared portion of the oral presentation should not exceed 30 minutes, and 90 minutes should be allowed for discussion.  If the dissertation committee and/or the external members if the Examining Committee and the Graduate Studies Committee representative have concerns about either the substance of the proposal or the student's understanding of the topic, then the student will have one month to prepare a second presentation that focuses on the areas of concern.  This presentation will last 15 minutes with an additional 45 minutes that are allowed for discussion.  Students can continue their research only if the proposal is approved.

Doctoral Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation must address current and valid scientific and/or technical issue(s) primarily by fundamental research, leading to the creation of new scientific and/or engineering knowledge previously unavailable to the scholarly community.  Applied research and development aspects, leading to a prototype or an application of this basic research, may also be included as a secondary component of the dissertation.  The fundamental research aspects must be novel and original, and of the highest scholarly standards, qualifying it as acceptable for publication in international academic journals.

The intellectual merit of the dissertation must be based on significant research findings by the doctoral candidate, distinguished clearly from the work of others, testifying to the candidate's personal contribution and scholarship, and acknowledging support by others in or outside the University.  In addition, the broader impacts of the research must also be highlighted in the dissertation, in terms of opening new scientific or engineering areas or issues, and generating new technical applications and innovations.  Broader impacts must also be indicated in promoting learning innovation, education at all student levels and training of the workforce; involving underrepresented groups in science and engineering; establishing physical infrastructure (laboratory resources, software programs etc) and virtual resources (centers, networks etc); setting dissemination plans through scholar publications and presentations, and outreach through the media to the public etc; and indicating societal implications of the work, including public health and safety, security, environmental impacts etc.
Further details on the format requirements and the posting procedures of the doctoral dissertation can be obtained by the candidate from the MME Department secretariat.

Dissertation Defence
Each doctoral candidate is required to defend the originality, independence, and quality of research during an oral dissertation defence that is administered by an Examining Committee.  The Examining Committee has five members and consists of the three members of the dissertation committee, a member from another department of the University of Cyprus or other University or Research Institute who has relevant knowledge to the Ph.D. research topic, and a member from another accredited University or Research Institute (both members must hold a Ph.D. degree or equivalent).  Head of the examining committee is the representative of the MME Graduate Studies Committee but not the research advisor.

The defense is open to public participation and consists of a presentation by the candidate no longer than one hour, followed by a one-hour open discussion, including a concluding closed session of the examining committee for making a decision on the doctoral work.  At least two weeks prior to the defense, the candidate must provide a copy of the dissertation to each member of the examining committee.  At the same time, the candidate must make an additional copy available for members of the university community wishing to read the dissertation prior to the defense, and he/she must also arrange for public notification of the defense by the MME Graduate Studies Committee.

The Examining Committee will determine the acceptability of the candidate's dissertation and oral performance, and propose modifications to the written dissertation if appropriate, as well as a time plan for the candidate to address such changes, in mutual agreement with his/her advisor.  In this case, the dissertation advisor will determine the successful and timely conformance of the candidate to the modifications suggested by the examining committee.  If the defense is satisfactory, the dissertation committee will sign the dissertation, and the candidate must submit two original hard copies, one to the University Library and one for the MME Department records, as well as an electronic version of the dissertation to the MME Department for documentation and dissemination.  If the dissertation is rejected, the candidate is entitled to request a repetition of the defense one more time.  In this case, the timing and terms of the resubmission of the dissertation must be set out in writing by the Examining Committee.