Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
The Dissertation Advising Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least five Graduate Faculty members. Four members, including the Chair, must be from the Pharmacology Department. Committee compositions must be approved by the department's graduate committee. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the Committee members, and informing the student of his or her academic progress
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advising Committee and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the Pharmacology Department. The Outside Examiner should be identified no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student will defend the dissertation.
Advisor/Committee Information
If a student needs to change a member of a Committee, the new member must be approved by the department's graduate committee and registered with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam Description
The Preliminary Examination is generally taken in the summer or fall of the third year, after all requirements for courses and research rotations have been fulfilled. It is a comprehensive examination conducted by the student’s advisory committee, which covers all aspects of the student’s scientific background and is designed to ensure that the background is adequate to permit the student to proceed with research in pharmacology.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
As currently administered, the student is first required to answer a number of essay questions set by the advisory committee, during the course of a week. At the oral examination, in which all faculty members may participate, the student presents a short research talk of his/her choosing (either based on the student’s experimental results or on literature research) and is then questioned orally. Questions will be asked on the presentation. A further set of questions will be asked on general aspects of pharmacology.
The preliminary examination will be graded in three parts:
a) on the written examination,
b) on the presentation and subsequent questions,
c) on oral answers to questions on general aspects of pharmacology.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The preliminary examination is generally taken in the summer or fall of the third year, after all requirements for courses and research rotations have been fulfilled.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
The members of the student's Dissertation Advisory Committee write the questions for the preliminary examination.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
The Dissertation Advisory Committee will evaluate the examination. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated. The evaluators look for (a) a breadth and depth of understanding of specific research areas, (b) a critical application of that knowledge to specific areas of pharmacology; and (c) an ability to write technical prose in a manner consistent with pharmacological scientists.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Students who are preparing to take their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee Chairperson and register with the Graduate Secretary. The student and Chairperson will receive confirmation for the time, date and room for the examination.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The Doctoral Dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field of pharmacology. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of his or her primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated, uphold the ethics and standard of the pharmacology field, demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of pharmacology, and be prepared for publication in a professional journal.
Philosophy of the Proposal
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consists of the following: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem.
The proposal should be completed and approved as soon as possible after completing coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process will be established.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Committee will evaluate the student's ability to express verbally his or her research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.
Dissertation Defense Scheduling
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward to the student the appropriate forms.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room, for the defense, the student must send to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall) a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post fliers announcing the defense.
