Doctor of Philosophy Requirements
Department of Animal and Avian Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy Requirements (.pdf)
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is granted to a student only after sufficient evidence of high achievement in scholarship and creativity and demonstrated ability to engage in independent research. A minimum of 12 research credits is required. The degree is not awarded for the completion of course requirements no matter how successfully that may have been completed. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the following program requirements apply to students pursuing a Ph.D. degree:
- All Ph.D. candidates must also meet the course requirements
for the M.S. degree.
- All students must meet the ANSC 698, Graduate Seminar requirements,
as given elsewhere.
- During the student’s first semester, the student and his/her advisor will recommend at least four additional members of the graduate faculty to serve on the student’s Advisory Committee (Appendix A). Up to two scientists from outside institutions, e.g., USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Patuxent Wildlife Center, etc., may be appointed to the Graduate Advisory Committee. These appointments must satisfy the rules and regulations of the Graduate School.
- Before the end of the second semester, the student will submit
to his/her Advisory Committee a dissertation
research proposal (Appendix A).
- Teaching experience is mandatory for all students during their
Ph.D. program (equivalent to 8-10 hours of
effort per week during a single semester).
- During the second year of study for the Ph.D. degree (or after approximately 80 percent of the Plan of Study has been completed), a written examination and an oral comprehensive examination are required for advancement to candidacy. For the written examination, each member of the Graduate Advisory Committee submits one or more questions in the animal sciences area, defined in the broadest sense. The student is well advised to meet individually with every member of the committee and receive general guidance. It is expected that the individual members of the committee will submit questions that can be reasonably answered in a threehour period. The mentor/major advisor receives the questions in advance and conducts the examination within a pre-announced one-week period. The student answers the question(s) for one member of the Graduate Advisory Committee on a given day. The examination may be open or closed book, as stipulated by the examiner. The student is expected to follow the Honor Code of the University and return the completed examination to his mentor. The individual components of the written examination are evaluated by the members of the committee who submitted their question(s).
After the written examination, the major advisor/mentor will schedule an oral examination. It is expected that a major part of the oral examination will focus on questions and issues arising out of the written examination, the ongoing dissertation research of the student, and, to a lesser extent, the general knowledge and background that is deserving a pass for advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
- Following
the oral examination, the Advisory Committee must reach a decision
regarding advancement to candidacy. The committee may recommend
one of the following:
a. Passing the student with no conditions.
b. Passing the student with conditions, stating how and when these conditions must be met.
c. Failing the student.
- After completion of the research, the student will write a scholarly dissertation as per rules of the Graduate School. The dissertation will be presented in a public seminar. Notice of the seminar must be posted one week prior to the seminar. Also, the notice will be sent electronically to all the graduate students and the faculty in the Program.
A dissertation defense examination follows a public seminar. The examination is a closed meeting. This examination will focus primarily on questions and issues arising out of dissertation research. It is expected that at this point there will be minimal necessity to test the student on background areas that should have been covered in formal courses and written and oral comprehensive examinations. The Dean of the Graduate School will designate one of the members of the Graduate Advisory Committee as his representative. The role and duties of the representative are defined by the Dean. His/her primary role is to oversee and ensure that the examination is conducted fairly and as per guidelines of the Graduate School.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
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