Graduate Studies Committee

At the end of the first year of the IGPBS program, students will mutually choose a mentor to oversee and direct their dissertation research. Students with a mentor who is a primary or graduate faculty member of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology will automatically become a member of the department.

Research Advisory Committee

A Research Advisory Committee will be formed for each student at the beginning of their second year of study. Members will be chosen in collaboration with the Research Mentor and the Director of Graduate Studies. The objectives of the Research Advisory Committee are to:

• Meet bi-annually with the student to discuss research and classroom progress.
• Provide advice and guidance to the student in respect to their research project, laboratory activities, career development, and future directions.
• Help prepare for and administer the Comprehensive Examination and the Dissertation Defense Examination. 

Composition of the Research Advisory Committee

The composition of the Research Advisory Committee must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies and include at least five faculty members, including three Anatomy and Cell Biology faculty with regular or dissertation status. Membership of the committee must also include:

• 1 member of the Graduate Studies Committee;
• The student’s mentor, if not a member of the Graduate Studies Committee;
• 1 faculty member with regular or dissertation status from a department outside of Anatomy and Cell Biology

The composition of this Committee may change as necessary or advisable, with approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Departmental Chairman and Faculty

In addition to the Research Mentor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Committee members, the departmental Chairman is available to advise you.  You may ask advice from other faculty as well.

Grievances

The composition of the Research Advisory Committee must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies and include at least five faculty members, including three Anatomy and Cell Biology faculty with regular or dissertation status. Membership of the committee must also include:

• 1 member of the Graduate Studies Committee;
• The student’s mentor, if not a member of the Graduate Studies Committee;
• 1 faculty member with regular or dissertation status from a department outside of Anatomy and Cell Biology

The composition of this Committee may change as necessary or advisable, with approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Grades and Enrollment

Grades
University and Office of Graduate Studies rules apply. You must maintain B (3.00) or better grade point average in your course work. See the University and Graduate Studies policy on grades for more information.

Enrollment
Students must take a minimum number of credit hours to remain in full-time active status.  Typical enrollment is as follows:

• Full-time enrollment prior to the comprehensive examination, and up to 18 hours post-comprehensive examination:
  • Fall – 6 hours
  • Spring – 6 hours
  • Summer – 3 hours
• After you complete 18 credit hours post-comprehensive exam (usually 4 semesters), you may apply to enroll in reduced hours.  After approval to enroll in reduced hours, you must enroll in at least 1 credit hour per semester to remain in full-time active status.
• Details on enrollment in courses specific to each semester can be found in the Timeline.
• View the full description of the University enrollment policy.

Comprehensive Exam

Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination leads to your candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.  The Comprehensive Examination is an Office of Graduate Studies requirement designed to assure that the student has attained the knowledge base and ability to plan and execute a dissertation research project.  Upon passing the Comprehensive Exam, you progress to the position of Candidate for the Ph.D. Degree.

The completion of the Comprehensive Exam:

• Provides your Research Mentor and Advisory Committee an opportunity to observe your ability and potential and to teach the thinking and writing skills needed to accomplish research goals.
• Establishes the Mentor-Apprentice relationship between you and your Mentor.
• Provides you with the opportunity and obligation to apply concepts learned in your first years of graduate school to research-oriented problem-solving.

View the full details on administration of the Comprehensive Exam.

Written Component
The Written component of the Exam consists of an NIH-style grant proposal that is based on the student’s proposed dissertation research.  The Written Exam is prepared with the guidance of the Research Mentor, and must be PASSED before the Oral Exam takes place.  View the format of the Written component of the Exam.

Oral Component
The Oral Exam consists of a defense of the Written Exam.  The Oral Exam will also test the breadth and depth of your knowledge on subjects related to the field of cell biology, anatomy, and the area of research interest.

Timing
The Comprehensive Exam must be completed by December 31 in Year 3 of graduate study (Year 2 of the Graduate Phase for MD/PhD students).  Failure to complete the Exam by this time will result in the Student being placed on Probationary Status, which could lead to dismissal from the program.

Dissertation Research and the Doctoral Dissertation

The final years of your graduate career will be devoted primarily to research conducted under the guidance of your Research Mentor and Research Advisory Committee.  It is expected that this portion of training will take 2-3 years, such that the total time in the program will be 4-5 years. If the total time since admission to the program exceeds five years, the Student may lose financial support.  Total time in the program may not exceed 7 years unless there are extenuating circumstances.

University and Medical center regulations for the Dissertation and the Final Oral Examination will apply. A detailed outline of the department guidelines for the Doctoral Defense examination is given in the Guidelines for the Dissertation and Defense.

Rules and Regulations

Information can be found in the following sources:

• University Academic Catalog contains general information, admission rules and procedures, description of degrees, University requirements for degrees, comprehensive oral exams, candidacy, dissertations, and final oral exams here. The major portion is a list of courses for every school and department.
• The description of Degree Program in Anatomy and Cell Biology can be found in the University Academic Catalog.
• This departmental web site.