| Revised March
2008.
All Vet & AnSci Graduate Forms described on this page are available
via download from the Graduate Forms
page.
PLEASE NOTE: The Graduate Program in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical
Sciences operates under the guidelines of the Graduate School of
the University. Rules of the individual department cannot circumvent
those of the Graduate School (see the UMass
Graduate School Student Handbook), but the department may impose
requirements in addition to those established by the Graduate School.
Both sets of guidelines must be adhered to in order to successfully
complete the degree.
Table of Contents:
I. Introduction
II. Graduate
Stipends: TA & RA
A. Assistantships
B. English Competency
C. Statute of Limitations
III. Program
Requirements
A. Seminar
B. Journal Clubs
C. Statistics
D. Definition of Major Courses
E. Core Courses
F. Independent Study
G. Residency Requirements
H. Teaching Experience
I. Requirements for Master's
J. Requirements for Doctoral Students
K. Courses
L. Course Requirement Waivers
IV. Standards
for Retention
A. Grade Point Average
B. Research
C. Progress Reports
V. Committees
and Examinations
A. Major
Professor/Advisor/Supervisor
B. Master's Committee
C. Master's Research Outline (Prospectus)
D. Ph.D. Committee
E. Ph.D. Preliminary Comprehensive Exam
F. Ph.D. Dissertation Outline
G. Ph.D. Final Oral Examination
H. Committee Structures
VI. Governance
and Policies
A. Policies
B. Graduate Program Director
C. Graduate Studies Committee
D. Ad hoc Sub-Committees
E. Graduate School Policies
VII. Milestones,
Procedures and Timetables
A. Master's Degree
B. Fifth Year or Fast-Track Master's
C. Ph.D. Degree
I.
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences offers degrees of Master of Science
(MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
in Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences. The Animal Biotechnology
& Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program encompasses the scientific
disciplines of (1) reproductive and developmental biology, (2) immunology
and infectious disease, (3) toxicology. Research topics in all three
of these areas focus on issues relevant to humans and agricultural
species of animals.
As the Animal
Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
emphasizes research, all candidates for the Master's or Ph.D. graduate
degrees are expected to complete a research-based program.
For the Ph.D. dissertation research is done, while for the Master's
program thesis research and independent study research is done.
Appropriate coursework is required for all degree programs.
Teaching experience as a teaching assistant is required for Ph.D.
graduate students. Some students fulfill requirements for
a fifth year (fifth year after four year Bachelor's degree, also
called a 'fast-track Masters') Master's program. The fifth
year Master's requires transfer of six graduate credits into the
program, previous research experience and generally four semesters
of attendance (summer after graduation, the following academic year
fall and spring semesters and the culminating summer semester).
It is expected that the research for all levels of graduate work
will form at least one research publication or a major contribution
to one in a referred scientific journal for Master's level and generally
more than one for Ph.D.
Any requirements described
in this handbook are in accordance with and supplemental to the
"Graduate Student Handbook" published
by the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts. Rules
generated by the individual department may not circumvent those
established by the Graduate School, but the department may impose
requirements in addition to those established by the Graduate School.
Thus both sets of guidelines must be adhered to in order to a obtain
a graduate degree in Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences
. However, the Departmental and Graduate School requirements are
not exclusive of one another, i.e., courses completed to satisfy
the requirements of the Graduate School are also used to satisfy
Departmental requirements.
It is to the advantage
of the student to become familiar with these requirements early
in their degree program and to establish a tentative schedule for
completing the requirements in consultation with their Major Professor
(who serves as faculty advisor and research supervisor) and their
committee.
Further information on
the Graduate Program in Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences
is available in the "Graduate Bulletin of the University
of Massachusetts" which describes course offerings
and in the Departmental Brochure entitled "Graduate
Program in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences".
These include requirements for admission to the program.
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II. GRADUATE STIPENDS:
TEACHING AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
A. ASSISTANTSHIPS - Teaching
assistants (TA) and Research assistants (RA)
Generally all Ph.D. graduate
students receive financial aid through assistantships or fellowships.
Master's students do when funds are available and depending upon
the skills of the student (previous research experience or teaching
skills). Please note in Section II C the statute of
limitations regarding stipends.
The major sources of financial
aid for graduate students in Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical
Sciences are research assistantships (RA) supported
by: Experiment Station research projects (HATCH funds); United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institutes of Health
(NIH), or National Science Foundation (NSF), etc., competitive grants;
or research grants provided through cooperative agreements with
private research foundations and industrial or commercial organizations.
Obviously, these assistantships must be utilized to support the
associated research project and the faculty member who is the Principal
Investigator on the grant determines the appointments.
Additionally, a liminted
number of teaching assistantships (TA) are available
for graduate students within the Department. The Graduate Program
Director is responsible for ensuring to the Graduate School that
T.A. funds are used most equitably within the Department, i.e.,
t students most in need of assistance and showing a high level of
promise and/or achievement receive these funds.
B. ENGLISH COMPETENCY
Since all Ph.D. students
are required to perform a teaching assignment as part of their degree
requirements regardless of their source of funding (RA or TA), all
foreign graduate students whose national language is not
English are required to undergo testing for English competency,
through a program organized by the Department of Communication Disorders,
upon entering the Department as a graduate student, unless they
have been previously tested at UMass and received a passing level.
If students are not sufficiently competent in English to be a Teaching
Assistant, it is mandatory that they attend the "coaching"
offered by the University until they reach a level of competency.
If this becomes a prolonged exercise (i.e., more than two semesters,
the issue will be addressed by the Graduate Studies Committee to
determine a further course of action which will serve as an alternative
to the teaching requirement (See Section III.G.).
C. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
To increase the efficiency
of graduate training there is a limit on the time that a student
can take to complete degree requirements. This insures that a student
and her/his Major Professor conceive and conduct research projects
that can be completed in a realistic time frame and that sufficient
effort is applied by the student during that time. Time limits have
been established by the graduate school. The Graduate Program Director
requests extension of such limits when needed to the Graduate Dean,
who is the granting authority.
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III. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
A. SEMINAR
All graduate students
in the Department are expected to attend seminar all semesters they
are a member of the department. They also register for the
Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Seminar for one credit
minimum for Master's and three credits minimum for Ph.D. It
is important in their education and gives them an opportunity to
interact with scientists from outside the department. Such
people may provide future employment opportunities. While
students may feel that in some instances the seminar presentations
do not appear to be relevant to their direct research interests,
skilled and attentive students will often be able to abstract information
from seemingly unrelated fields for application to their own projects.
Moreover, seminars in a variety of areas dealing with eukaryotic
biology will reinforce coursework and enhance the breadth of knowledge
of the student. Finally, a well-constructed seminar will illustrate
scientific methodology for approaching and answering research questions
- a skill essential for graduate students to obtain and the essence
of graduate research training.
B. JOURNAL CLUBS
Critical review of the
scientific literature is an integral part of scientific research.
Thus it is required that graduate students within the Department
register and attend a Journal Club. There are two Animal Biotechnology
and Biomedical Sciences Journal Clubs whose topics are "Cells,
Genes and Development" and "Immunology" that are
offered every semester, as well as a "Toxicology" journal
club in the deparmtnet that is offered alternate semesters.
However, students may register for any journal club offered at UMass
to fulfill this requirement. Master's degree students are required
to receive credit for at least one journal club whereas Ph.D. students
are required to receive credit for at least three to fulfill their
degree requirements. Students receiving credit are required to present
a paper unless they are given a special waiver during their first
one or two semesters due to a severe deficiency in English. Even
though not registered for credit, students are expected to attend
a journal club each semester throughout their tenure as a student.
Doing so is a reasonably painless way to review particluar research
areas, keep abreast of research in the field as well as broaden
one's knowledge base. Moreover, presentation of papers in this setting
is an opportunity to learn to organize knowledge for oral presentation,
a skill needed both for classroom teaching and seminar presentation,
and provides an opportunity for public speaking.
C. STATISTICS
All students are required
to take an intermediate level biometry or statistics course unless
they have passed a similar, approved course with a grade of B or
better previously or elsewhere (such courses may include those with
undergraduate designations). PUBHLTH 540 and 640 and PLNTSOIL 661
and PLNTSOIL 666 are recommended and count towards the "major
course requirements".
D. DEFINITION OF `MAJOR'
COURSES
The "major courses"
include courses outside of those listed for the Animal Biotechnology
& Biomedical Sciences Program in the Graduate Bulletin including
key courses essential to training in the general discipline of biology,
with emphasis on biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology.
Several statistics courses have also been included since this is
a requirement for Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences
graduate students. Students may apply credit earned from one of
the statistics courses listed towards their Animal Biotechnology
& Biomedical Sciences major course credits. Credits from additional
statistics courses can be applied towards the general course credit
requirements but will not be counted towards fulfilling credit requirements
for the "major courses". These must be at the 500
level or above for graduate credit. However, courses in fields
of study unrelated to the major field can be taken at the 400 level
for graduate credit.
E. CORE COURSES
Within the major courses
there is a specific set of courses that are considered to be core
courses that offer advanced training to students and are taught
by members of the Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences Program
faculty. Master's students must take one of these while Ph.D.
students must take two.
F. INDEPENDENT STUDY
A maximum of six credits
earned through Independent Study courses can be applied towards
the major course credit requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
Levels of 596, 696 and 796 all constitute graduate work.
G. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
All Ph.D. students are
required to fulfill two semesters in residence but generally it
takes 4-1/2 to 6-1/2 years to complete a Ph.D. in biological sciences.
There is no specific residency requirement for Master's students
but generally it is two to three years. However, for fast-track
or fifth year Master's students who transfer in graduate credits
and have research experience it can be completed in 18 months.
H. TEACHING EXPERIENCE
The Faculty feels that
teaching experience is an integral part of the program of study
for Ph.D. students. It is especially useful for those who
go on to seek faculty positions. Therefore, the completion
of an appropriate teaching assignment is required of all Ph.D. candidates.
Teaching assignments are made by the Department Head and/or Graduate
Program Director dependent upon the need for TA's in specific courses
and the experience of the student. It is the responsibility
of the student to become familiar with the material to be taught
by self-directed study beforehand if needed. Foreign students
are required to undergo testing for English competency as described
in Section II before being allowed to undertake her/his teaching
assignment.
I. REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER'S
TOTAL = 30 CREDITS IS
REQUIRED AS FOLLOWS:
1) One core course
(3 credits) from the following list:
a)
ANIMLSCI 697J Cells, Genes and Development
b)
ANIMLSCI 697K Advanced Immunology
c)
ANIMLSCI 585 Animal and Environmental Toxicology
2) One Statistics
course (3 credits) from the following list:
a)
PUBHLTH 540 Introductory Biostatistics
b)
PUBHLTH 640 Intermediate Biostatistics
c)
PLNTSOIL 661 Statistics
If you have taken Statistics as an undergrad, you can replace the
Statistics
requirement by any other extra course from 1, 3 or 4.
3) Two
Science courses (6 credits) from the following list:
a)
BIOCHEM 523 General Biochemistry
I
b)
BIOCHEM 524 General Biochemistry
II
c)
BIOCHEM 590A Laboratory:
Molecular Genetics
d)
BIOLOGY 559 Cellular
and Molecular Biology II
e)
BIOLOGY 568/ Endocrinology
569 Endocrinology
with laboratory
f) ENVIRSCI
535 Methods in Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry
g)
MICROBIO 540/ Immunology Lecture
542 Immunology Lab
h)
ANIMLSCI 521 Physiology of
Reproduction
i)
ANIMLSCI 797E Immunology
j)
Any extra core course from 1
k) BIOCHEM
623 Advanced General Biochemistry
l)
MOLCLBIO 641 Advanced Cell Biology
m) MOLCLBIO
642 Advanced Molecular Biology
n) ANIMLSCI
672 Molecular Medicine
One
of the courses between 1 and 3 should be 600-800 level.
4) Seminar
Every semester, but up to 4 credits.
ANIMLSCI 792 Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences Seminar.
You must
register at least once, but it is required that you attend every
semester.
5)
Journal Club:
Every semester, but up to 4 credits.
You can register up-to four times but it is required that you attend
at least one
journal club per semester. Journal Clubs could be chosen from
the following ones:
a) ANIMLSCI 796A Cells, Genes and Development
b) ANIMLSCI 794A Immunology
c) ANIMLSCI 697I Toxicology
Other journal clubs will be accepted after approval by adviser.
A request letter
addressed to the Graduate Program Director will be needed.
Approval will be
automatic.
6)
Thesis plus Independent Studies
Up to but not more than ten credits can be used for their thesis
and up to six
credits can be used for independent studies.
J. REQUIREMENTS
FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS
1)
Two core courses (6 credits) from the following list:
a) ANIMLSCI 697J Cells, Genes and Development
b) ANIMLSCI 697K Advanced Immunology
c) ANIMLSCI 672 Molecular Medicine
d) ANIMLSCI 585 Animal and Environmental
Toxicology
2)
One Statistics course (3 credits) from the following list:
a) PUBHLTH 540 Introductory
Statistics
b) PUBHLTH 640 Intermediate
Statistics
c) PLNTSOIL 661 Intermediate
Biometry
If you have taken Statistics as an undergrad, you can replace the
Statistic
requirement by any other extra course from 1, 3 or 4.
3)
One basic science course
a)
BIOCHEM 523 General Biochemistry I
b) BIOCHEM 524 General
Biochemistry II
c) BIOCHEM 590A Laboratory:
Molecular Genetics
d) BIOLOGY 559 Cellular
and Molecular Biology II
e) BIOLOGY 568/ Endocrinology
569 Endocrinology with laboratory
f) ENVIRSCI 535
Methods in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
g) MICROBIO 540/ Immunology Lecture
542 Immunology Lab
h) ANIMLSCI 521 Physiology of
Reproduction
i) ANIMLSCI 797E Immunology
j) Any extra core course from 1, or any extra advanced
basic science
course from 4.
4)
One advanced basic science course
a) BIOCHEM 623 Advanced
General Biochemistry
b) MOLCLBIO 641 Advanced Cell Biology
c) MOLCLBIO 642 Advanced Molecular
Biology
5)
Seminar
ANIMLSCI 792 Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences Seminar.
You
must register at least three times and it is required that you attend
every semester.
6)
Journal Club
You
must register up to three times but it is required that you attend
one Journal
Club per semester. Journal Clubs could be chosen from the
following ones:
a)
ANIMLSCI 795A Cells, Genes and Development
b) ANIMLSCI 794A Immunology
c) ANIMLSCI 697I Toxicology
Other journal clubs will be addepted after approval by advisor.
A request letter
addressed to the Graduate Program Director will be needed.
Approval will be
automatic.
7)
Dissertation
Eighteen (18) credits of Dissertation Research ANIMLSCI 899 will
be needed
for graduation.
K. COURSES
1) CORE COURSES
ANIMLSCI 697J
Cells, Genes & Development (3 credits, Drs. Alfandari, Fissore,
Majer,
Tremblay,
Visconti)
ANIMLSCI 697K
Advanced Immunology (3 credits, Drs. Anguita, Baldwin, Black, Osborne,
Telfer)
ANIMLSCI 585
Animal and Environmental Toxicology (3 credits, Drs. Arcaro and
Clark)
2) INDEPENDENT
STUDY & RESEARCH
ANIMLSCI 596
Independent Study (all faculty)
Can be taken for graded credit ranging from 1 to 6 credits.
Register
with the interested faculty member. This is the number used
for the
first graduate level independent study taken. Can be used
for
research credits.
ANIMLSCI 696
Independent Study (all faculty)
Can be taken for graded credit ranging from 1 to 6 credits.
Register
with the interested faculty member. Can be used for Master's
students
to review literature in their chosen topic for the thesis
introduction.
ANIMLSCI 796
Independent Study (all faculty)
Can be taken for graded credit ranging from 1 to 6 credits.
Register
with the interested faculty member.
ANIMLSCI 699
Thesis Research: Master's (1 to 10 credits)
Graded S/U at completion of thesis by research supervisor.
ANIMLSCI 899 Dissertation
Research: Ph.D. students (>18 credits)
Graded
S/U at completion of dissertation by research supervisor.
3) ADDITIONAL
COURSES IN THE MAJOR
ANIMLSCI 521
Physiology of Reproduction
(4
credits, Dr. Fissore) includes lab and lecture
ANIMLSCI 797E
Immunology
(3 credits, Dr. Goldsby) Immunology
BIOCHEM 523
General Biochemistry I (3 credits)
BIOCHEM 524
General Biochemistry II (3 credits)
BIOCHEM 623
Advanced General Biochemistry (3 credits)
BIOCHEM 590A
Laboratory: Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
BIOLOGY 559
Cell and Molecular Biology II (3 credits)
BIOLOGY 568/
Endocrinology (3 credits)
569 Endocrinology with laboratory
(4 credits)
ENVIRSCI 535
Methods in Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (3 credits,
Dr. Clark)
MOLCLBIO 641
Advanced Cellular Biology (4 credits)
MOLCLBIO 642
Advanced Molecular Biology (4 credits)
MICROBIO 540
Immunology Lecture (3 credits, Dr. Webley) basic course
MICROBIO 542
Immunology Laboratory (2 credits, Dr. Webley with Baldwin, Black
&
Osborne)
ANIMLSCI 672
Molecular Medicine (3 credits, Dr. Jerry is coordinator - taught
by MCB
faculty in conjunction with Bay State Medical Center physicians)
PUBHLTH 540
Statistics (3 credits)
PUBHLTH 640
Statistics (3 credits)
PUBHLTH 661
Statistics (3 credits)
4) SEMINAR
ANIMLSCI 792
Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Seminar, Autumn and
Spring, respectively (coordinated by 2 faculty each semester on
a
rotating basis), 1 credit, S/U, Wednesday at 4 P.M.
5)
JOURNAL CLUBS
ANIMLSCI 795A
Animal Biotechnology: Cells, Genes and Development
(1 credit/semester) (Alfandari, Fissore, Jerry, Mager, Tremblay,
Visconti) Every semester; Thursdays lunch time
ANIMLSCI 794A
Immunology (1 credit/semester) (Anguita, Baldwin, Black, Osborne,
Telfer)
Every semester at 12:20 on Fridays
ANIMLSCI 697I
Toxicology (1 credit/semester) (Arcaro and Clark)
Every
alternate semester at 4:00 Monday
L. COURSE REQUIREMENT
WAIVERS
Waivers or alternatives
for meeting Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Program
requirements will be decided by the advisory committee in consultation
with the Graduate Program Director. Course waivers will be
extended based upon having recently completed the same or similar
courses while pursuing a Master's degree in the Department's Animal
Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Program or at another University,
as an extramural graduate student or while in pursuit of a terminal
professional degree (Ph.D. in another field, M.D., D.V.M., etc.).
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IV. STANDARDS FOR RETENTION
A. GRADE POINT AVERAGE
All students must meet
the Graduate School quality point requirement of 3.0 as the final
quality point average upon graduation. A graduate student who in
any two semesters, consecutive or otherwise, has semester averages
of below 2.8 will be subject to academic dismissal. Other reasons
for academic dismissal include unsatisfactory progress in research
as a result of inability to perform research successfully, failure
to attend work or lack of sufficient presence in the laboratory,
etc.
B. RESEARCH
Research is required of
all advanced degree candidates. Sufficient progress must be
demonstrated for each semester during which a student registers
for Thesis or Dissertation Research or is on Program Fee. Also see
Section C below.
C. PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress will be determined
by the advisory committee and major professor at annual meetings.
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V. COMMITTEES AND EXAMINATIONS
A. MAJOR PROFESSOR: GRADUATE
ADVISOR/THESIS RESEARCH SUPERVISOR
A Major Professor (graduate
advisor and research supervisor) will be selected by the student
in agreement with the faculty. If the student is rotating
through labs the Graduate Program Director will advise the student
until the student has selected a lab and major professor.
The major professor will assist the student in choosing appropriate
courses until the time that an Advisory Committee is formed.
B. MASTER'S COMMITTEE
The Master's Committee
will consist of at least three members who will be recommended by
the student's Major Professor to the Graduate Program Director.
For thesis students, the Graduate Program Director will request
the Graduate School to appoint these people. For non-thesis students
only the GPD must be notified. The Major Professor will chair
the committee. The Master's Committee does not require the appointment
of a member who is outside of the Department. The Committee will
meet with the student before the end of the second semester
to approve a general research plan.
C. MASTER'S RESEARCH OUTLINE
(PROSPECTUS)
A research outline (prospectus)
must be presented to the Committee for approval at least
four months before the completion of the degree. For thesis
Master's students a specific form (FORM M.4) must
be signed by each committee member and Department Head or Graduate
Program Director and must be communicated to the Graduate School
at least four months before completion.
D. Ph.D. COMMITTEE
The Ph.D. Dissertation
Committee shall be appointed in accordance with Graduate School
regulations. Upon recommendation by the student's Major Professor,
the Department Head or Graduate Program Director shall recommend,
BY MEMO (FORM D.3), to the Dean of the Graduate
School the names of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty
to serve as a Dissertation Committee. At least two of the Graduate
Faculty so nominated shall be from the Department of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences (this may include the Chair) and one member
from outside the Department. The outside member shall serve as the
representative of the Graduate Council and the Dean of the Graduate
School. The Ph.D. Dissertation Committee should be appointed during
the third semester of study in order to review
a general research plan and to guide the student towards the Preliminary
Comprehensive Examination. However, Graduate School approval of
the Committee does not have to occur until after the student
has passed the Preliminary Comprehensive Examination.
E. Ph.D PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION
A Preliminary Comprehensive
Examination consisting of a written and oral component
must be passed (to pass requires positive vote by all committee
members except the examination "monitor") by all doctoral
candidates. The result of the examination must be communicated by
memo from the Major Professor to the Graduate Program Director or
Deparment Head who in turn communicates it to the Graduate School
BY MEMO (FORM D.2). The examination must be in
accordance with the following rules:
1. The format of the
written examination is flexible. It may be a
take-home exam designed as a mini-grant proposal (e.g., 20 double-spaced
pages plus appropriate references and supporting Appended material),
a series of questions requiring literature research (written responses
equivalent in time required to prepare and response length to
the grant proposal format), or an open or closed book comprehensive
examination consisting of questions prepared by each member of
the Dissertation Committee and which require substantial time
to generate the written answers (e.g. at least one full day of
writing for an entirely closed book exam and as much as one day/committee
member's questions for an open book or combination open and closed
book exam), or the exam may be other variations or combinations
of the above, as long as it is a written exam of a quality generally
accepted as sufficient for admission of a candidate to the degree
of Ph.D. The format should be decided by the members of the Dissertation
Committee. It is recommended that the student be consulted as
to the preferable format since individuals have differences in
their learning styles. The intent of the examination is not only
to determine the extent of knowledge which the student possesses,
to indicate to the student the limitations of her/his knowledge
but to also be a learning experience (i.e. give the student practice
in organizing knowledge).
2. The oral
examination will follow completion of the written component
and will not exceed three hours in length. It
is recommended that the oral examination be used to clarify written
answers and/or to be an extension or review of the material covered
by the written component, although it will not necessarily be
confined to such. The intent of the oral examination is to give
the candidate the opportunity to elaborate or improve on weak
or incorrect answers given in the written component. The examination
should proceed as a round of questions from all committee members,
but not from the outside monitor, with approximately equal time
being used by each committee member. It is the responsibility
of the Chair of the Dissertation Committee to ensure that each
committee member receives an adequate or appropriate amount of
time to examine the candidate and that the student is fairly questioned
at an appropriate level. A member of the Graduate Faculty of the
University of Massachusetts who is not also a member of the Department
will be appointed by the Graduate Program Director or Department
Head to monitor the oral examination to ensure a uniform quality
of examination and to ensure that the student was examined fairly
and appropriately. This person will not ask questions or be a
voting member of the committee.
3. The Preliminary Comprehensive
Examination should be taken between the fourth and fifth
semester of study, or earlier if the candidate is ready.
It is the responsibility of the Dissertation Committee to administer
and to evaluate the Comprehensive examination.
4. In case of failure
the student will be given a second opportunity. The second examination
should be taken within six months after the first examination
unless further course work is required to fill deficits. A second
failure will result in the student's automatic academic dismissal
from the program.
F. Ph.D. DISSERTATION
OUTLINE
A final dissertation outline
should be approved before the start of the fifth semester and at
least seven months before completion of the degree. The
dissertation outline form (FORM D.4) must be signed
by the Graduate Program Director or Department Head and sent to
the Graduate School.
G. Ph.D FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION
The Committee will also
arrange and conduct the final oral examination. All members of the
Committee must approve the dissertation before the final oral examination
is scheduled and communicate their approval BY SIGNED MEMO (DEPARTMENT
FORM AVAILABLE FROM THE GRADUATE SECRETARY) to the Graduate Program
Director. Scheduling of the final oral exam must be communicated
BY MEMO (FORM D.5) to the Graduate Program Director
or Department Head who communicates it to the Graduate School BY
FORM at least three weeks beforehand. Students should consult additional
Graduate School Requirements in the "Graduate
Student handbook" for other regulations such as scheduling
the exam and announcing the defense.
The final examination
consists of a seminar presentation of the candidate's research and
a final oral examination. The seminar is open to all interested
persons while the final oral examination is only open to all Faculty
and postdoctoral appointments in the Department sponsoring the candidate's
Graduate Program (ie., Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences)
and any member of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Massachusetts.
However, only members of the Dissertation Committee may vote on
the candidate.
Students should consult
additional Graduate School requirements in the
"Graduate Student Handbook" for other regulations such
as scheduling the exam and announcing the defense. A unanimous vote
of the Dissertation Committee is required for the student to pass
the final oral examination. If, at the examination, two thirds of
the members of the Dissertation Committee cast negative votes, the
candidate will be informed that he/she has not passed the examination.
If there is only one negative vote, the degree will be held up pending
action of the Graduate Council. The result of the examination must
be communicated to the Graduate School BY MEMO (FORM D.6)
from the Graduate Program Director or Department Head.
All forms are
in Section VIII
H. COMMITTEE STRUCTURES
1. Master's Committee
a. Major Professor
who must be a member of the Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical
Sciences graduate faculty. The major professor acts as Chair
of the committee.
b. At least two more members who are members of the graduate
faculty of the University and may be from any department.
c. Additional members are not necessary but may be appointed
if desired.
2. Ph.D. Committee
a. Major Professor
who must be a member of the Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical
Sciences graduate faculty. The major professor acts as the Chair
of the committee.
b. A second member from the Department of Veterinary and Animal
Sciences.
c. A third member who must be a member of the graduate faculty
of the University (adjunct or regular) but may be from outside
the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
d. Additional members are not necessary but may be appointed
if desired.
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VI. GOVERNANCE AND POLICIES
A. POLICIES
The faculty governance
procedures for the Graduate Program in Animal Biotechnology &
Biomedical Sciences consists of a Graduate Program Director who
serves as Chair of the Graduate Faculty Committee. This committee
consists of the Graduate Program Director, and all members of the
Graduate Faculty. A graduate student representative elected by the
students within the program may also attend but is not a voting
member regarding policy decisions but conveys the opinions of the
graduate student body to the faculty. The Department Head is an
ex-officio member of this committee. Adjuvant faculty may be voting
members if they serve as major professors of students in the program.
B. GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The Graduate Program Director
reports to the Graduate School of the University and its designated
officers. In addition, the Graduate Program Director is responsible
for monitoring compliance with the rules and regulations set by
the Department to govern Graduate Program in Animal Biotechnology
& Biomedical Sciences .
C. AD HOC SUB-COMMITTEES
Appropriate ad hoc sub-committees
are appointed when required.
D. GRADUATE SCHOOL POLICIES
The Graduate Program in
Animal Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences operates under the
guidelines of the Graduate School. Rules generated by the individual
department may not circumvent those established by the Graduate
School, but the department may impose requirements in addition to
those established by the Graduate School. Thus both sets of guidelines
must be adhered to in order to successfully complete the degree
requirements.
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VII. MILESTONES, PROCEDURES
AND TIMETABLE
A. MASTER'S DEGREE
1. Upon entering the
program a Major Professor, also known as Research Supervisor or
Thesis Advisor, is assigned if it has not been done so previously.
2. The Major Professor
meets with student to identify areas of deficiency, appropriate
coursework and a suitable research project during thefirst
semester, on or before the end of the semester. Additional
advice may be sought from the Department Head, Graduate Program
Director and especially the student's Advisory Committee regarding
appropriate coursework.
*3. Recommendation for
committee members is made by the Major Professor who communicates
it by memo to the Graduate Program Director who communicates it
to the Graduate School. The appointment of the committee is officially
made by the Dean of the Graduate School. This should be done by
second semester, second month. (FORM M.3)
4. A working outline
of a general research plan is reviewed by the Master's Committee
at its first meeting during second semester, on or before
the end of the semester.
**5. Final thesis outline
is approved by the Master's Committee and submitted (by Graduate
Program Director) to the Graduate School the first day
of the fourth semester of study or four months before the completion
of the degree. (FORM M.4)
*6. Master's Committee
approves copy of thesis and conducts the final "Defense of
Thesis" oral examination. The result of the exam should be
communicated by memo by the Major Professor to the Graduate Program
Director or Department Head who communicates it by memo to the
Graduate School. Note Statute of Limitations set by the Department
for Stipends and the Graduate School. (FORM M.5)
* This step must be
communicated by the Major Professor to the Graduate Program Director
or Department Head who communicates it by memo to the Graduate
School. The Graduate Program secretary has forms for these.
** This step must be accompanied by a form signed by all committee
members and passed on to the Graduate Program Director or Department
Head. The Graduate Secretary has copies of all forms.
B. FIFTH YEAR
OR FAST-TRACK MASTERS
Students interested in
this program must complete a thesis. This program requires
transfer of six graduate credits into the program (taken at University
of Massachusetts or other graduate institution - those credits cannot
have been counted towards the requirements of another degree such
as a Bachelor's degree, that is they were in excess of the bachelor's
requirements or taken as a non-degree graduate student or in another
graduate program), previous research experience and four semesters
of attendance (generally summer after graduation, the following
academic year fall and spring semesters and the culminating summer
semester).
C. Ph.D. DEGREE
1. Upon entering the
program a Major Professor, who is also the Thesis Advisor and
Research Supervisor, is appointed if it has not already been done.
2. The Major Professor
meets with the student to identify areas of deficiency, appropriate
coursework and a suitable research project the first semester,
on or before the end of the semester. It is recommended that the
student complete one formal three or four credit graded course
per semester as required.
*3. Recommendation,
as requested by memo by the Major Professor to the Graduate Program
Director, is made to the Graduate School by the Graduate Program
Director or Department Head again by memo. The Graduate School
appoints the Dissertation Committee. This should be done by third
semester, second month. (FORM D.3)
4. A working outline
of a general research plan is reviewed by the Dissertation Committee
at its first meeting during third semester, on
or before the end of the semester.
*5. The Preliminary
Comprehensive Examination is scheduled and evaluated by the Dissertation
Committee between the fourth and fifth semesters
of study. The result of the exam must be communicated by the Major
Professor to the Graduate Program Director who communicates it
to the Graduate School. (FORM D.2)
**6. Final Dissertation
outline is approved by the Dissertation Committee and submitted
(by Graduate Program Director) to the Graduate School. Fifth
semester of study normally is recommended but at least seven months
before the completion of the degree is required by the
Graduate School.
(FORM D.4)
The Graduate Program secretary will send Form D.4 and
the Dissertation Outline to the Graduate School.
7. Dissertation Committee
approves the dissertation before the final oral examination is
scheduled. Approval must be communicated by a memo signed by all
committee members and sent to the Graduate Program Director or
Department Head.
*8. Scheduling of final
oral examination and defense of Dissertation must be communicated
by memo by the Major Professor to the Graduate Program Director
who communicates it by memo (FORM D.5) to the
Graduate School. Scheduling must be three weeks prior to the examination
date. The results of the oral examination are communicated by
the major Professor to the Graduate Program Director or Department
Head who communicates it by memo (FORM D.6) to
the Graduate School.
* This step must be
communicated by the Major Professor to the Graduate Program Director
or Department Head. The Graduate Program Secretary has forms for
these.
** This step must be
accompanied by a form signed by all committee members and passed
on to the Graduate Program Director or Department Head. The Graduate
Secretary has copies of all forms.
All forms are
in Section VIII.
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