Programs of Study

1. Programs of Study • See Graduate Handbook and work with your Advisor • Should be filed before end of 2nd semester • Courses • Exposure Areas • Research proposal • Comprehensive Exams • Outreach Experience

2. Program RequirementsMaster of Science • Guidance committee consists of your major professor, at least one additional professor from the Dept., and one outside the Dept (Note: this may be changing soon). • a minimum of 30 credits, at least half of which must be at the 800 or 900 level. This can include 6-10 M.S. research credits and 2 credits of FW893. Courses <400-level don’t count. • Two credits of FW893 (seminars) • All degree requirements-completed within 5 years

3. Program RequirementsDoctor of Philosophy • Guidance Committee consists of your major professor, at least one or two additional professor(s) from the Dept., and one outside the Dept, for a minimum total of four • Minimum of 24 credits of dissertation research • Three credits of FW893 (seminars) • Same exposure area requirements • Comprehensive examinations: written and oral exams, normally following 80% of coursework, but within 5 years. • All degree requirements-completed within 8 years

4. Courses -Courses to assist with your research -Courses of interest -Courses for your professional development e.g., future jobs, professional society certification (AFS, TWS) -Collateral Courses – usually remedial

5. Exposure Areas • Why? • Areas • Organismal Biology • Population/Habitat and Management • Human Dimensions • Can be fulfilled with courses from prior education • See handbook and form for examples

6. Outreach Opportunities and Requirements • The opportunities are nearly unlimited, but funds to do outreach are often limited • Having an outreach component is a requirement to your program. • Land Grant Philosophy • Not meant to be onerous • Doesn’t include activities such as presenting at a scientific meeting

7. Developing a Research Proposal -Many formats, but “If you can’t describe it, you can’t do it” -Typical components of a research proposal: Introduction/Literature Review Objectives & Hypotheses Methods-Field &/or Lab Data Analyses Expected Results (optional)

8. Proposal • Read a lot! • Make an outline • Objectives critical for defining your project • Remember that a proposal is a reference point Don’t let the process overwhelm you!

9. Comprehensive Examsfor Ph.D. Candidates -Topic areas usually developed during committee meeting -Many formats, so work with your advisor and committee -Occurs after 80% of coursework done -Talk with committee way before exam to determine what preparation is needed!

10. Committee Meeting • Come Prepared • Statement of personal goals + CV • Proposed program of studies • Copy of proposal • Many do a powerpoint of proposed research • Don’t be intimidated It never hurts to bribe them with goodies!

11. Teaching Opportunities • Very limited in our Department because our college allocates only a small budget for teaching assistantships each year • Some opportunities for teaching assistantships in cooperation with other departments (e.g., BioSci, Lyman Briggs) • If you are interested in a career in academia, you should work with your advisor and the Dept to pursue these opportunities

12. Graduate Assistantships -M.S. Students & Doctoral students –See enrollment requirements in the FW Graduate Student Handbook -Health Benefits Covered automatically, contact Benefits Office for spouse, children - Parking-see Dept. of Public Safety - Stipend See your advisor Pay period begins on 16th, checks on 15 or Friday before

13. Graduate Assistantships • Vacation or Leave due to illness, etc • See your advisor • if leave is needed (e.g., illness, injury, pregnancy) the stipend is maintained for at least 2 months or until the end of the appointment period or semester • Outside work for pay is discouraged • Possible Reasons for Termination • Finish degree • Substandard performance-productivity • Violations of general student regulations • Budgetary constraints

14. Other Issues?