Student Committees

1st Year: Initial Guidance Committee

• consists of the Department Chair and the Director of Graduate Studies
• meets once at beginning of Fall semester and beginning of Spring semester

2nd Year: 3-Member Thesis Committee (optional)

• consists of 3 faculty, selected by student; at least two of these must have a primary or joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
• Research Advisor submits Annual Progress Report within one week of the meeting of the committee

2nd Year: 5-Member Thesis Committee

• consists of at least 5 faculty, suggested by the student in consultation with the advisor
• must be selected between March 15 - April 15 in the the 2nd Year.
• at least three of the committee members, including the advisor and the committee chair, must have a primary or joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics; other members may be from other departments on this campus or other universities
• a listing of the suggested committee must be submitted in advance to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), currently Dr. Henrik Dohlman
• must meet at least once a year, no later than December 15
• REQUIRED ANNUAL FORM TO COMPLETE: Annual Progress Report of Dissertation Committee

Meetings scheduled by the Office of Graduate Studies

Normally the entire committee should be present for such a meeting. If unusual travel schedules by committee members make this difficult, a meeting may occur with a majority of the committee present.  

Note: Students should consult with their advisor in the selection of their committee. Also, students have found that it is desirable to choose committee members with some expertise in the thesis research area. And, it is also good to have diversity in the membership, so as to benefit from varied expertise and viewpoints.

Role of the chair on student committees

• the chair will ensure that meetings are conducted properly and fairly
• after a meeting, the chair will complete the Annual Progress Report on the student, for the Office of Graduate Studies

The principal duty of the chair is intended for, and restricted to assurance for the proper, orderly and fair conduct of the student's annual committee meetings, as well as the Comprehensive Oral Exam and the student's Final Oral Defense.  

The Committee Chair's responsibilities continue until the student defends his/her final thesis and earns the Ph.D. degree.  After each committee meeting, the chair will complete the department form "Annual Progress Report" for the student, and will obtain signatures from the other committee members present. Such forms should be returned to the Office of Graduate Studies within one week of the meeting.