Why the name “Dissertation”?

The term “dissertation” comes from the Latin word “dissertare,” which means “to debate.” It originally referred to a formal, oral argumentation made by a student to defend their thesis. Over time, the term has evolved to refer to the written document that presents the results of a student’s original research and scholarship and the analysis and interpretation of those results. The dissertation is typically the culmination of a doctoral program and is intended to demonstrate the student’s mastery of their field of study and ability to conduct independent research.