In the beginning of the second year, the student, in consultation with the Thesis Advisor, must identify faculty to serve on his/her Thesis Advisory Committee (before asking faculty to be on committee.
The Committee must consist of at least four faculty members (including the Thesis Advisor), and at least two of these Committee members (one of whom may be the Thesis Advisor) must hold a primary or secondary appointment in the MCDB Department.
Advise Registrar of Committee Members.
Pre-Prospectus meeting. (6-8 weeks in advance of qualifying exam). Student should submit brief (1,000 word) outline of proposed plan to all committee members. Set up a Pre- prospectus meeting.
This meeting will be approximately one hour in which the student will give a 15-20 minute oral presentation outlining the plans for dissertation research - including background information, any relevant results that the student has already obtained, the goals of the project, and the methods to be employed.
Set up qualifying exam meeting as soon as possible as it must be held in the Fall semester of your second year. Faculty need notice-you should schedule 3-4 months in advance.
Notify Registrar of the date of the qualifying exam as soon as it is scheduled.
In advance of qualifying exam, the student must submit to the committee members the Prospectus (5000-7000 words in length) and reading lists created in consultation with committee members.