Every doctoral student, with the advice of his or her major professor, will select an advisory committee by the beginning of the fall semester of the second year. Once the committee is formed, the web-based Advisory Committee form must be submitted to the Graduate School. Each Genetics PhD committee consists of the advisor(s) plus three additional members, for a minimum of four members for students with one advisor and five members for co-advised students. At least two members of the committee need to be from UGA Genetics (regular or adjunct appointments and graduate faculty). Students are free to have more than the minimum number of committee members. The committee composition must follow the policies of the UGA Graduate School. A minimum of three members of the advisory committee must be members of the graduate faculty of UGA. Persons employed by The University of Georgia and who hold the following ranks may serve on doctoral committees: professor, associate professor, assistant professor, public service assistant, public service associate, senior public service associate, assistant research scientist, associate research scientist, and senior research scientist. Persons having the following ranks may not serve on doctoral committees: instructors, lecturers, and academic professionals. A person having no official relationship with The University of Georgia may be appointed to serve as a voting member on the advisory committee of a graduate student on nomination by the graduate coordinator and approval of the dean of the Graduate School. When nominating a non-affiliated person, the nominee's current CV and a letter addressed to the dean of the Graduate School explaining why the services of the non-affiliated person are requested must be uploaded when completing the e-Advisory Committee form. The letter may be written by the major professor and co-signed by the graduate coordinator, or written by the student and co-signed by both the major professor and graduate coordinator. A person nominated must have distinguished credentials in the field of study. A non-affiliated person appointed to a graduate student's committee must attend meetings associated with the appointment. More details on advisory committee members are provided here. The first meeting of the advisory committee will be held by the end of the fall semester of the second year to help the student design a plan of study. Permission to delay the first committee meeting must be obtained from the Graduate Affairs Committee. By the middle of fall semester of the student’s second year, a “Preliminary Doctoral Program of Study” form must be submitted to the Genetics department (not to the Graduate School). Dissertation Committee Responsibilities A student's advisory committee must meet at least every 12 months. The meetings should be scheduled preferably in fall or early spring semester, so that each member of the student's committee can participate in the “Annual Progress Report," which is due by February 28 each year. These reports are required as part of the annual evaluation process of all graduate students. The Graduate Affairs Committee will review the student's progress each year until completion of the program. Satisfactory progress must be made in order to remain in the program. Each student's advisory committee will grade the written and oral qualifying examinations. Students are expected to complete their doctoral degrees in five years. If it appears that a student will not complete his or her degree by the end of the fifth year, the student will meet with their advisory committee to discuss the anticipated graduation date and develop a thorough timeline for completion. The student and graduate mentor will then advise the Graduate Affairs Committee of the situation in writing and/or in person. The Graduate Affairs Committee must approve further funding beyond the 5th year, regardless of funding source. In an annual letter from the graduate coordinator to the student, if GAC has determined that the student is not making sufficient progress, or that the student appears to have satisfied the criteria for completion of a doctoral program, the graduate coordinator (GC) will notify the student, their mentor, and the department head that our recommendation is for the student to defend by the following spring semester. Unless the student and/or their committee respond with sufficient argument (as determined by the GC and head in consultation) for a longer period of study, the GC would then identify the following year as the last on which the student may be supported by either TA or RA funding. At the request of the student or major professor, the advisory committee composition may be changed after the qualifying examinations in order to form a committee more suitable to the student's dissertation work. The graduate coordinator must approve these changes. back to main page
