Performance Standards and Evaluation

  • Students and their major advisor are responsible for the selection of a supervisory committee, which must approve a program of study by the end of the second semester for M.S. students or third semester for Ph.D. students. The plan should consist of a curriculum vitae, a proposed course of study and a thesis or dissertation research proposal. The program of study for all Ph.D. students should prepare them to demonstrate proficiency in at least five of the following areas: internal and external morphology; systematics and evolution; physiology; behavior; genetics; ecology; and principles of pest management (to include no more than two of: integrated pest management; biological control; toxicology; host resistance and at least one area of specialization outside the department (i.e., statistics, biochemistry, plant or animal physiology).
  • Proficiency is demonstrated through satisfactory completion of written and oral preliminary exams. Teaching and/or extension training opportunities may be added to these minimum requirements by the student's supervisory committee. All Ph.D. students are encouraged to enroll in Insect Morphology, Insect Taxonomy, Taxonomy of Immature Insects, Insect Ecology, and Anatomy and Physiology of Insects, unless these courses have been taken previously at other institutions.
  • The final oral examination at the master's level will be both comprehensive and a defense of the candidate's thesis or report. In case of failure, a second examination may be scheduled in accordance with university regulations. Ph.D. students take both written and oral preliminary examinations no later than the semester following completion of the second year of the student's program. Both examinations must be complete no later than seven months before the final Ph.D. examination. Oral examinations come after written examinations and may be taken only if written examinations are passed. A student may not proceed to the oral portion of the examination if he/she has failed on the written portion. Such an instance constitutes one attempt. No more than one additional attempt may be permitted without approval of the Graduate Council. The circumstances under which a second attempt involves the entire written portion or merely a repetition of failed sections is governed by the policy within the program. The final oral examination for the Ph.D. degree will be a defense of the candidate's dissertation.