Doctoral Committee

Thesis committees for doctoral students are comprised of a minimum of four faculty members, the student's advisor/mentor, serving as committee chair, and at least three additional members from the Neuroscience or Veterinary Science Graduate Faculty. Additional committee members who have special knowledge to contribute may also be selected.  No more than one of these additional members may be someone who is not a member of the Graduate Faculty.  At least one Graduate Faculty member of the committee must be from the minor department/program if a minor is declared on the doctoral Program.  When no minor is declared, no outside member is required.  However, when outside supporting work is included in the program, an outside member is recommended. 

The doctoral committee is subject to approval by the Chair of the major and minor (if applicable) departments/programs and the Associate Dean of the Graduate School.  This committee, once approved, has the responsibility of directing the student’s progress, supervising the dissertation, and participating in the preliminary and final examinations.  Other Graduate Faculty members of the major and minor departments/programs may participate in the preliminary examination and any Graduate Faculty member may participate in the final examination. 

Master’s Committee

The master’s committee is nominated on the program form.  For thesis programs, a master’s committee should include at least three faculty members who hold either master’s or doctoral degrees.  At least two members must be from the Graduate Faculty.   

Committee Chair

The Chair of a doctoral committee must be a member of the Graduate Faculty.  A non-Graduate Faculty member may serve as the Chair of a master’s committee provided at least two other members of the committee are Graduate Faculty members. 

Committee Changes

The Chair of the department or program should request forms from the Graduate School to indicate changes of old and new committee members.  The request may be initiated either by the student or by the committee Chair.  Forms are also located in the Neuroscience Program office, Wegner 205.

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