Check Off List: Academic Process of Doctoral Students

  • Complete Biomedical Sciences PhD core courses with a minimum grade of “B” during year 1
  • Choose an advisor and doctoral program committee during first calendar year
  • Submit D1 form to MU Grad School with student, advisor and DGSsignatures
    • D forms are available at https://gradschool.missouri.edu/
    • D1 form verifies qualifying process (completion of Core courses with “B” grade)
    • D1 form confirms major advisor and doctoral committee members
  • Choose 3 MU courses in each of 3 areas of biology (molecular, cellular & integrative)
    • Choose courses in consultation with advisor and doctoral committee
  • Submit plan of study D2 form (listing the courses) to MU Graduate School within first 1.5 years
  • Complete comprehensive exams and submit D3 form within 2.0-2.5 years
    • Consult with advisor and doctoral committee on format of exams
    • Check point to consider discontinuing PhD program and pursuing MS program
    • Must complete oral and written comprehensive exams within 1 month
    • Comprehensive exam must be completed no later than 7 months before dissertation defense; must be taken while Mizzou is in session
    • PhD students must pass both oral and written exams to advance to candidacy
  • Write dissertation proposal within 12 months of comprehensive exams
    • Develop content in consultation with advisor and doctoral committee
    • Present dissertation proposal in writing and orally to advisor/committee
    • Committee must approve proposal
  • Submit approved copy of dissertation proposal to DGS a minimum of six months before defense
  • Maintain continuous enrollment as a doctoral candidate after comprehensive exams
  • Write dissertation after completion of original research with a central theme
    • Chapters often take the form of completed/submitted manuscripts
  • Submit at least one manuscript from dissertation research to a peer-review journal
    • Must be submitted prior to graduation
  • Have your major advisor notify the DGS in writing at least 30 days before dissertation defense
  • Defend the dissertation with a seminar followed by an oral defense with doctoral committee
    • Defense must be completed within 5 years of comprehensive exams
    • Pre-defense seminar can satisfy annual seminar requirement
  • Submit D4 form of the official results of defense to the MU Graduate School within 1 month
  • Submit final approved dissertation to the MU Graduate School
    • Must be signed by major advisor and doctoral committee members
    • Send an electronic copy of dissertation to DGS

**Deviations from the above timeline must be approved by student’s doctoral committee who must inform the DGS and GPAC of the change.

Download the Check Off List: Academic Process of Doctoral Students