DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
GRADUATE STUDENT MANUAL

Chapter 6

Recommended Schedule of Progress

M.S. Plan A  &  M.S. Plan B

* If supported on an RA, register for ENT 8777 to a maximum of 14 credits per semester and a max of 50 cr during degree. 

A recommended schedule of progress excludes summers.  Omitted is discussion of a research schedule, which will vary substantially from student to student.  In most cases, research begins in the first year and continues throughout a student's residence.  Core courses, written prelims and required credits for either Plan A or B should be completed in 5 semesters.  Research progress will be the largest variable in completing an M.S. degree program.  The following is presented as guidelines for normal progression through the M.S. degree program (Plan A or B). 

1. Attempt at least one written exam question per semester until the required number of points (three for both plans) are accumulated.
2. By end of 1st semester: Establish and consult with an advisory committee (AC).  Discuss potential coursework and avenues of research that will meet educational objectives.
3. By end of 3rd semester: File an official Degree Program Form with the Graduate School.  This program will list all courses to be taken, names of members of oral examination committee, and thesis title or project titles.  Applicable forms can be downloaded from: http://www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/ 
4. By end of 4th semester: complete courses in Entomology, oral seminar and written exam questions.
5. After completing courses listed on the degree program, pass the departmental oral preliminary examination administered by the advisory committee (only entomology members of the AC need be present, but outside member may participate by mutual agreement of the student and major advisor).
6. Register a thesis or project title page with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the date of the final oral examination.
7. Have the thesis or projects read by the final examination committee.  Following their approval, file a Thesis (or project) Reviewer's Report with the Graduate School.
8. If Plan A, present a departmental seminar on the thesis research and then pass the final oral examination scheduled immediately after the seminar.  Plan B students need only schedule and pass a final oral or written exam. 
   
   Although the final exam will focus on the thesis or projects, it may cover any relevant fundamental work.  The exam should be scheduled with the Graduate School no less than a week after the reviewers' report is filed.  The Final Examination Report must be filed with the Graduate School by the last working day of the month of graduation.
9. Deposit voucher specimens, if appropriate, in the departmental museum.
10. File copies of the thesis (Plan A only) with the Graduate School no less than one month prior to intended month of graduation.

Ph.D. Degree

* If supported on an RA, register for ENT 8666 to a maximum of 14 credits per semester prior to completing your Preliminary Oral exam, then register for ENT 8888 for a total of 24 cr and a max of 100 cr during degree.

Not counting summers, a recommended schedule for all students is as follows:

1. Attempt at least one written exam question per semester until the required number of points is obtained.
2. During the 2nd semester: Establish and consult with an Advisory Committee.  Discuss potential coursework and avenues of research that would meet educational objectives.
3. By end of 3rd semester, or at least two semesters before the preliminary oral examination, file an official Degree Program Form with the Graduate School.  This form will list all coursework to be taken, including at least 12 credits outside Entomology, 24 dissertation  credits (ENT 8888), names of the oral prelim examination committee members, and thesis title.
4. By end of the 6th semester: Complete courses and written preliminary exam questions.  File a Written Preliminary Examination Report with the Graduate School.
5. Earn two credits of ENT 8300 by the 6th semester.
6. By end of 6th semester:  Pass the oral preliminary examination.  File an Oral Preliminary Examination Report with the Graduate School.
7. File Thesis Proposal Form with Graduate School after passing the oral prelim and completing all courses. 
8. Have the thesis read by the final examination committee, and following their approval, file a Thesis Reviewer's Report with the Graduate School.  The readers must have at least two weeks to review the thesis before the final oral exam can be scheduled.
9. Present a departmental seminar on the thesis research, and then pass the final oral examination to be scheduled immediately after the seminar.  Although the final exam will focus on the thesis, it may include any related fundamental work.  The exam should be scheduled with the Graduate School no less than one week after the reviewer's report has been filed.
10. Deposit voucher specimens in the departmental museum.
11. File copies of the thesis with the Graduate School during the month of graduation.

The Graduate School mandates an annual review of each graduate student to occur at least once per academic year.  This evaluation process is to help you make timely progress toward your degree, and to ensure that your tenure as a graduate student in our department is productive and proceeds as smoothly as possible.

Below is a sample "Entomology Graduate Student Progress Report" that each student must file online and update annually.  To fill out this form go to:  http://www.entomology.umn.edu/gradprogram/gradreview/.  This is an internal document designed to help you, your advisor, and department track your progress through the degree program.  The DGS will notify you when updates are needed, typically during the spring semester.  Annually, the Department of Entomology Graduate Faculty will meet as a committee of the whole to evaluate each student in the department.