PH.D. PROGRAM CHECKLIST

• Program of study, needed within first year of residence
  •  
    Enter with B.S.:
    • Minimum of 30 to 40 hours of course work
      30 hours of research

    Enter with M.S.:

    • Minimum of 30 to 40 hours (courses and research) beyond M.S.

    If specific minor is required:

    • 12 hours in minor field
       
• Core course requirements
  •  
    General Biochemistry I, II (BCH 6603, 6613) or equivalents
    Protein Methods (BCH 6414)
  • Molecular Biology Methods (BCH 4804)
    Molecular Biology (BCH 6713) or Molecular Genetics (BCH 8643)
    Intermediary Metabolism (BCH 8654)

    Entrance exam given to students desiring to bypass BCH 6603,6613

Students successfully completing any core courses as undergraduates at Mississippi State need not repeat them

Must have at least a 3.0 average for all core courses

May not drop a core course
 

• Proficiency area
  •  
    Must show proficiency in one skill area not directly or routinely related to chosen research area (will not be part of program of study)

    To be demonstrated by successful completion of course (including directed individual study)

Examples of proficiency areas include statistics, computers, electron microscopy, plant transformation, tissue culture, production of monoclonal antibodies

• Seminars

Must attend all Departmental seminars

Must present one half-length seminar in second semester in residence

Must present two full-length seminars to be graded (register for BCH 8101); the first to be presented after 1.5 years of residence; the second will be the presentation of final research results

• Graduate Committee

Will consist of five total members with at least three from Department

Will have yearly reviews with committee

• Research Proposal

Will submit research proposal to committee

Suggested that proposal be submitted within the first 1.5 years of residence

• Examinations

Preliminary exam will be given after student has completed or is within six hours of completing all course work

Preliminary exam will have written and oral sections

Students not passing preliminary exam on second attempt will have option of completing research required for an M.S. degree

Final exam will be an oral defense of the dissertation after completion of the research program