:: Committees/Exams for Ph.D. Candidates ::
First Semester
Incoming students will meet with an advisory committee of three Microbiology Faculty during the first semester to evaluate their knowledge/command of core areas of microbiology. The committee will recommend course work to provide breadth/balance of training.
Written Examination
Students must pass written qualifying exams in three of the following core areas: Ecology and Diversity, Genetics, Immunity and Infection, Physiology, Plant Microbiology, and Virology. They will be expected to enroll in Microbiology graduate courses (500 level or greater) in the three areas. This component of the exam ordinarily will be scheduled at the end of the semester in which the core course is offered. At least two of the three exams should be completed within the first three semesters.
Oral Exam Committee
A Preliminary Comprehensive Exam Committee, including three Microbiology Department graduate faculty will be appointed during the second semester. The student's advisor may participate as a non-voting member. The student will prepare a written research proposal in their area of interest. The proposal may center on research in which they are engaged. During the January intersession between the third and fourth semester the student will complete the final component of the preliminary examination by satisfactory defense of their research proposal. To assist in preparation for this exam the student may meet with the committee and submit to a mock oral exam.
Ph.D. Dissertation
Upon completion of the written and oral components of the preliminary exam, the department head will recommend appointment of a dissertation committee (ordinarily three members including the major advisor). This committee should include one graduate faculty member from outside the department. Following formal appointment of the committee by the graduate school, the student will meet with committee members and prepare a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus must be approved by the committee and be submitted to the Graduate School at least 7 months in advance of the thesis defense. The place and time of thesis defense will be announced in the Campus Chronicle. To assure proper notification, the Microbiology Office should be informed in writing of the date of the defense at least four weeks in advance.
Ph.D. candidates in Microbiology are expected to have a peer-reviewed manuscript(s)
accepted for publication before scheduling the thesis defense.
Last modified: 21 August 2003
|
|
|
|
|
