Appendix B. Graduate Student Checklist and Reporting Instructions

Degree Progression Checklist

• Graduate Biology Degree Info in the Academic Calendar
• All Biology Graduate Forms available
• WVU Calendar

Download Checklist in PDF Format

1. Program of Study (end of 2nd semester)

   Required documents (1):

   • Program of Study in Biology Form (handbook Appendix C)
     • Send written POS to your committee at least 1 week prior to meeting
     • Signed POS form emailed to Associate Chair of Graduate Studies (within 48 hours)

2. Candidacy Exam (Ph.D. only) (end of 5th semester)

    Required documents (1):

   • Eberly College Doctoral Candidacy Form
     • Register for at least 3 BIOL797 credits
     • Upon successful completion, send Eberly College Doctoral Candidacy Form to Associate Chair for Graduate Studies (within 48 hours)

3. Proposal Examination (Ph.D. only)(end of 7th semester)

   • Written proposal provided to the committee at least two weeks prior to oral presentation
   • Notify Associate Chair of Graduate Studies of the outcome of the proposal examination (within 48 hours)
     

4. Pre-Thesis Defense Semester

   • In the semester prior meet with your committee for defense approval and set a defense date. 
   • Confirm credit requirements are met (check with Associate Chair of Graduate Studies)

5. Thesis Defense

    Required documents that all have critical deadlines (3):

   • Thesis and Dissertation Defense Declaration Form
   • Thesis and Dissertation Oral Defense Form
   • Electronic Thesis and Dissertation

   Before Oral Defense:

   • Registered for at least one credit hour. Confirm ISSS if you are an international student.
   • Check important dates (issued every semester by Eberly)
   • Confirm defense date with your entire committee
     • See Biology office staff to schedule a room for your oral defense.
     • Add your defense date to University Events Calendar  ( required)
   • Complete the online application for graduation and diploma .
   • Complete and email the “Thesis and Dissertation Oral Defense Form” to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies (check deadline).
   • Submit your Thesis to your committee at least 3 (MS) or 4 (Ph.D.) weeks before the defense.
   • Post defense flyers. Dept. of Biology Office can assist (requires information 2 weeks in advance)

   After Oral Defense:

   • Signed “ Thesis and Dissertation Oral Defense Form” to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies (within 48 hours)

   • Submit the signed “Electronic Thesis and Dissertation” (ETD) signature page to the library.

     • Signed after all required edits to the thesis are made

     • You will need to keep a scanned PDF copy for yourself.

     • Can select for an optional hold of the thesis publication

   • Student completes Biology exit survey

   • Complete survey of earned doctorates (Ph.D. only)