Current Students
Responsibilities of CMIB PhD Students

1. Within two weeks: Read the Guidelines for Doctor of Philosophy Program
2. Read the Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities document
3. Within 6-12 months: Select an academic advisor, with the aid of your temporary advisor and with the concurrence of the director of the program.
4. Within 6-12 months: Select a Guidance Committee, with the help of your academic advisor. Before you meet with your Guidance Committee for the first time, you should complete the form called Report of the Guidance Committee--Doctoral. Then print the form, sign it, and obtain the signatures of your committee members at the meeting. Then send the form to Victoria Hoelzer-Maddox in G-326 Veterinary Medical Center, who will obtain the program director's and associate dean's signatures. Changes to your program may be made later, with the approval of your Guidance Committee; a new form should be completed, following the above procedures.
5. You should meet with your academic advisor at least once per month to formally review your progress. You should meet with your Guidance Committee at least twice a year or as recommended by your academic advisor.
6. By the end of your second year in the program, you should be ready to take the comprehensive examination. In consultation with your Guidance Committee, you should arrange the date and time of the exam. Review the guidelines for the comprehensive examination on the CMIB website. As part of your comprehensive examination, you will prepare a seminar outlining your research plan. At least two weeks before the seminar, complete the announcement called Research Proposal Seminar and e-mail to Victoria Hoelzer-Maddox (hoelzer-maddox@cvm.msu.edu) for distribution. Prior to the comprehensive examination, complete the form Record of Comprehensive Examinations. Immediately after the examination, have this form signed by the members of your examination committee; then send the form to Victoria Hoelzer-Maddox in G-326 Veterinary Medical Center, who will obtain the signatures of the program director and associate dean for research and graduate studies, and distribute copies of the signed form.
7. Early in the semester in which you hope to graduate, complete the university's application for graduation.
8. Prepare your dissertation according to the university's regulations.
9. In consultation with the members of your Guidance Committee, select a date, time, and location for your dissertation defense. At least two weeks before your defense, complete the announcement called Dissertation Defense Seminar and e-mail to Victoria Hoelzer-Maddox (hoelzer-maddox@cvm.msu.edu) for distribution.
10. Before your dissertation defense, complete the form called Final Examination: Doctoral Program, print it, and bring it to your dissertation defense. After your defense, your major advisor should indicate on the form whether your 1) dissertation has been accepted, rejected, or accepted subject to revisions; 2) oral examination was passed or failed (if failed, a reason must be given). Your examiners (and program director, if present) should sign and date the form. You should then send the form to Victoria Hoelzer-Maddox in G-326 Veterinary Medical Center, who will obtain the remaining signatures and distribute copies of the signed form.