Important BME Dates and Forms for Graduation

Spring 2017

PhD Degree

BME Faculty: Forms can be on the Bioengineering Shared DriveBioAll > BME Grad Program > Graduate Forms > PhD

Pre-ABD Graduate SchoolForms & Steps

Original – Ellen Tilden
Electronic Copy – (1) Graduate Program Director & (1) Student / Date Due / Completed
  1. Designate Principle Research Advisor
/ First Semester
  1. Principal Advisor/Guidance Committee Form
Required: 4 members, 2 BME / Recommended Deadline: 2 years into study
  1. Complete Plan of Study/Learning Contract
Students should work with their faculty adviser to prepare their Plan of Study. / Recommended Deadline: 2 years into study
  1. Statement of PhD Research Interest Form
Used along with the Principal Adviser/Guidance Committee form to state the research interests which the student expects to pursue, and proposed members of the PhD Guidance Committee. / Recommended Deadline: 2 years into study
  1. Demonstrate an ability to teach
Make sure student registers for BME 592: Teaching Practicum, so teaching experience is reflected on the student’s transcript
  1. Take Comprehensive Exam
/ Within 2-3 years
  1. Recommendation for Admission to Candidacy (ABD)
This form is submitted after the student has completed their Comprehensive Exam to declare to the Graduate School that a student is being admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree. / After ABD status is achieved the student has 5 years to complete program

Post-ABD Graduate School Forms & Steps

Original – Ellen Tilden
Electronic Copy – (1) Graduate Program Director & (1) Student / Date Due / Completed
  1. Submission and Oral Defense of PhD Prospectus
Submission and oral defense of the PhD prospectus to the student’s committee. / Within 6 months of ABD status
  1. Graduate Application for Degree Form
This is a graduate school form that can be found in the following link:
/ Recommended Deadline: April 18th
Absolute Deadline: May 11th
  1. Dissertation Defense

  1. Recommendation for Award of Doctoral Degree Form
Used at time of graduation to submit proof of degree completion to the Graduate School. Form to be signed by student's examining committee and Graduate Director, and then submitted at the time of graduation. All PhD candidates must complete this form. PhD students should submit their dissertation and other requirements directly to the Graduate School (AD 134). / Recommended Deadline: April 18th
Absolute Deadline: May 11th
  1. Thesis/Dissertation Electronic Submission
Defended and committee-approved dissertations/thesis. Encourage students to submit before this date, because if the document does not comply and is sent back they will not get their degree in May. / Recommended Deadline: April 18th
Absolute Deadline: May 11th

BME Department Forms

Original – Student
Electronic Copy – Graduate Program Director / Date Due / Completed
12. Comprehensive Exam Form / Recommended Deadline: 2 years into study
13. Dissertation Defense Form / Absolute Deadline: May 11th
  1. Exit Survey
/ Absolute Deadline: May 11th

Gretchen Mahler, PhD

Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director

Office: Biotechnology Building 2608

Phone: 607-777-5238Fax: 607-777-5780

E-mail: