The dissertation is the individual research effort for each doctoral candidate. The student is required to submit a dissertation proposal to the Supervisory Committee before admission to candidacy. The dissertation must demonstrate the candidate's capacity to prepare and present his or her independent investigation in scholarly and rigorous style acceptable to the Supervisory Committee, to the Director of the Ph. D. Program, the Dean of the College of Design, Construction and Planning, and to the Dean of the Graduate School. The dissertation must strictly follow Graduate School policy, both in substance and procedure. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Graduate School Editorial Office prior to beginning their dissertation. Dissertations can be submitted in the traditional paper format or as an electronic document (ETD) that allows a wider range of media to be submitted in support of the text. The Graduate School Editorial Office offers assistance with this process. Beginning in the Fall Semester 2001 all incoming students are required to do EDT dissertations.