Doctoral Degree in Biological Engineering
Steps as a Ph.D. Candidate
Completion of a Research Project
Most students will begin their research project shortly after beginning their Program of Study. The research project is a collaborative effort among the student, the major adviser and the Doctoral Program Committee. A successful project will involve original research and scholarship that will significantly contribute to an increased understanding of Biological Engineering. The project must be a reflection of the student's own work and must demonstrate a capacity for research and independent thought.
It is expected that students will maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior while engaged in research at MU. Plagiarism or falsification of data will result in a student being immediately dismissed from the program and MU.
Reasonable Rate of Progress
Every Ph.D. student will be evaluated annually for satisfactory progress by their major adviser as required by the Graduate School (see Dismissal Policy and Appeals Process for Graduate Students). Satisfactory progress includes adherence to a suitable timeline for completing the Ph.D. as described in this document, and adequate academic performance as described in completing the plan of study. The major professor will inform the Director of Graduate Studies as to the outcome of the evaluation on or before Sept. 1 of each year.
It is important that a reasonable rate of progress toward the Ph.D. degree is required. The doctoral degree must be completed within five years after passing the comprehensive exam. In unusual circumstances, it may be necessary to extend the time required to finish the degree. In these cases, the candidate requiring additional time must submit a request for extension prior to the expiration of the applicable period. On petition of the candidate and the Doctoral Program Committee, the Director of Graduate Studies in the Biological Engineering Program may endorse an extension of time. A request for an extension of time must be submitted to the Graduate School for approval.
Students who take more than five years to complete the Ph.D. after passing the comprehensive exam may be required by the Biological Engineering faculty to retake some or all of their course work.
Ph.D. candidates needing additional time to complete their research and dissertation must enroll in at least two hours of Research (BE 9990) in the fall and winter semesters, and at least one hour of Research (BE 9990) each summer session up to and including the semester in which they will defend the dissertation.
Preparation of a Dissertation
A dissertation based on original research must be reviewed by the student's Doctoral Program Committee. The dissertation must be submitted to the graduate coordinator and Doctoral Program Committee at least two weeks prior to the dissertation defense. Specific regulations regarding completing and filing the dissertation are outlined in Guidelines for Preparing Thesis and Dissertations.
The style of the dissertation is left up to the discretion of the major adviser and the student, as long as the minimum requirements of the Graduate School are met.
Research Exit Seminar
Shortly before the defense of the dissertation, the student must present a seminar on his or her research. The seminar must take place when MU is officially in session, must be announced at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date and is open to the general university audience. The members of the Doctoral Committee must attend. The seminar may be scheduled immediately prior to the dissertation defense for convenience.
Submission of Manuscript for Publication
All Ph.D. candidates are required to have at least two manuscripts, judged acceptable by the Major adviser and at least one additional member of the student's Doctoral Program Committee, submitted to refereed journals, prior to submitting Report of the Dissertation Defense form (Form D-4) (PDF) to the graduate coordinator.
Defense of the Dissertation
After the dissertation has been completed, a final examination will be conducted by the Doctoral Program Committee. The candidate should be prepared to defend the dissertation and discuss any related areas.
A report of the examination, carrying the signatures of all members of the committee, must be sent to the Graduate School before the deadline preceding the anticipated date of graduation. For the dissertation to be considered successfully defended, the student's Doctoral Program Committee must vote to pass the student on the defense with no more than one dissenting or abstaining vote.
All dissertation defenses are open to the general faculty. The Biological Engineering Program will announce dissertation defense dates to appropriate colleagues within and outside the program.
The dissertation defense must take place when MU is officially in session and the candidate must be enrolled at MU for that term.
A final copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School in a form suitable for binding and microfilming. Specific instructions are provided in the Guidelines for Preparing Thesis and Dissertations.
Finally, the student should assure that the form D-4, Report of the Dissertation Defense (PDF) is submitted to the graduate coordinator as soon as possible. The coordinator will submit the completed form to the director of graduate studies and the graduate dean.
