Entomology - Graduate Student Handbook

Special Provision for M.S. Bypass Toward a PH.D. Degree

Traditionally a Ph.D. candidate will have earned a Masters in Entomology or a closely related discipline. This helps ensure mastery of subject matter, experience in research and writing a peer-reviewed journal article, experience in communication in scientific settings, and integration of experiences and productivity into the training program. The Department of Entomology also recognizes that excellent Ph.D. programs can be accomplished without a Masters degree. The department requires acceptance of a petition for an M.S. bypass. The petition, along with supporting documentation and a letter of recommendation from the faculty advisor, is presented to the Department Head who will forward it to the Graduate Program Council (GPC) for their recommendation. The petition must be approved by two-thirds of the GPC and the Department Head. Decisions will be made within one month of receipt of documentation.

The decision to accept an M.S. bypass will consider the following:

The student must have completed a B.S. degree with a high level of academic achievement in formal science courses (excluding research and seminar credits).

The student and advisor must present evidence related to the student’s ability to conduct creative independent research.

The student must have demonstrated competence in written and oral communication skills and will be expected to actively serve as a teaching assistant.

The student shall submit a resume of accomplishments and activities including publications, awards and scholarships received, papers given at scientific and professional meetings, committee activities, offices held, etc.

STUDENT CHECK-OFF LIST

First semester

_____ Meet with provisional advisor, select first semester courses

_____ Visit all department faculty members

_____ Select thesis advisor

_____ M.S. committee or provisional Ph.D. committee appointed

_____ Meet with committee to plan program

_____ Preregister for next semester

Second semester

_____ Become familiar with Graduate School and departmental requirements for

examinations, thesis submission, payment of thesis fee, and thesis seminar

_____ Annual progress summary submitted

_____ Preregister for next semester

Third semester

_____ Candidacy exam (for Ph.D. students)

_____ Ph.D. committee appointed after passing Candidacy Exam

_____ Meet with Ph.D. committee to plan research and coursework

Other items

_____ Course requirements completed

_____ Comprehensive exam (Ph.D. candidates--at least three months before defense)

_____ Thesis seminar

_____ Thesis defense

_____ Thesis submitted

_____ Voucher specimen deposited

TIME FRAMES

The department has set a maximum time span of seven years for either Ph.D. or M.S., within which all degree requirements must be completed. Students are encouraged to complete all degree requirements before leaving residency. A student who leaves with an incomplete thesis runs the risk of exceeding the time limit and losing the opportunity to receive the degree, as well as direct access to advisory and other university resources.

Time frames for departmental financial support are:

B.S. to M.S. four semesters plus petition option for one additional semester

M.S. to Ph.D. eight semesters plus petition option for one additional semester

B.S. to Ph.D. ten semesters plus petition option for one additional semester

Students on departmental assistantships can, with committee approval, petition the Department Head for an additional semester of financial support based on satisfactory progress and the availability of assistantship funds.

GRADUATE PROGRAM PROGRESS LEDGER

The progress outlines for the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs provide an orderly way of identifying requirements and time constraints, and recording student progress. An official copy is kept in the student’s file and will be updated as requirements are completed. The student also should maintain a copy, which can be obtained from the staff assistant in charge of the graduate program.