Curriculum Formulation and Degree Requirements
Research Proposal and Oral Examination
(Advancement to Candidacy to the Ph.D. Degree)


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The student will prepare a research proposal and defend it before his or her Proposal and Research Committee. The Graduate Advisor of the Biophysics program is an ex-officio member of the examination committee. This examination will be open to the faculty only. A general question period will be included on subjects determined by the committee. Following the examination, the committee will formulate plans for more courses or other activities if they see major deficits in the student's training. The student will be advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree upon satisfactory performance in this examination. A proposal defense evaluation form (available on the GPO web-site) will be filled out and signed by the dissertation advisor and submitted to the program Graduate Advisor for approval. A copy of the final version of the proposal and the signed defense evaluation forms will be kept on file in the Graduate Programs Office.

  • A. Function: to review the student's ability to formulate a research problem and to design a research program aimed at elucidation of the problem.

  • B. Format: The basic elements of a formal faculty research grant proposal should be present. These elements would include Specific Aims; Background and Significance; Preliminary Results; Experimental Design and Methods; and Literature Citations. Unlike most grant proposals, there is no absolute requirement for preliminary results or supporting data from the student although it is very useful. The proposal MUST describe research that is new and untested.

    A Student may choose from a large variety of topics for a proposal although many students will find their dissertation problem convenient. It is recommended that the student view this examination as a testing ground for their thesis work. The student's dissertation work will not be constrained by the proposal, nor should the proposal be constrained by the student's dissertation work.

  • C. Timing: Must be completed by the end of the second year in residence. No student will be considered a Ph.D. candidate until they have completed their research proposal and oral examination.




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