Policies/Timelines/Resources

POLICIES/TIMELINES/RESOURCES: NCSU PLANT PATHOLOGY (6/2012)

MASTERS PROGRAM

Time– advisory committee and Plan of Work (POW) developed before the beginning of the 3^rd semester (completion of 18 class hours). 1) outline thesis project with major advisor; 2) discuss potential committee members with major advisor based upon thesis project, major advisor then submits names to DGP and final approval of the advisory committee membership is made by Department Head. 3) develop POW with major advisor and committee -- POW should be submitted for DGP approval before the beginning of the 3^rd semester.

Membership of advisory committee– minimum of 3 members of the graduate faculty.

Plan of Work (POW) and core curriculum–minimum of 30 credit hours for degree.

Degree Concentrations – See link for “Degree Requirements”

Master’s Symposium– fall semester for all MS students who are in at least their 2^nd semester and subsequent fall semesters, register for 1 credit hour of PP601 (seminar).

Teaching– assist in one (1) course – can receive credit by registering for PP685 (supervised teaching).

Final Exam– exit seminar and thesis defense.

DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Membership of advisory committee– minimum of 4 members of the graduate faculty (chair or vice-chair of committee must have full graduate faculty status).

Plan of Work (POW)– the POW includes a tentative dissertation research title, committee members, and proposed courses. The POW must include 72 credit hours, 18 of which can come from a previous masters program. The preliminary POW is developed in discussions with the major advisor. This plan should then be discussed with the Advisory Committee at the first meeting and should be submitted by the end of the 2^nd semester. At this meeting there also should be a general discussion of the proposed research topic.

Students should have completed everything listed on their POW by the end of their 6^th (entering with MS) or 8^th semester (entering without MS) including their update seminar.

Doctoral dissertation proposal seminar– no later than 3^rd semester, presented to advisory committee and other students & faculty (not part of the Departmental seminar series). Student registers for 1 credit hour of PP801 (seminar).

PhD Symposium– Spring semester for PhD students who are in at least the 5th semester of their graduate program. Students are selected by a committee to participate only once in the PhD Symposium. Participants should register for 1 credit hour of PP801 (seminar).

Teaching- Assist (TA) in two plant pathology courses, at least one course with a lab – can receive variable credit by registering for PP885 (supervised teaching).

Exams– Doctoral preliminary written and oral examinations should be conducted within the academic year immediately following the second academic year (4 semesters) of PhD study.

FinalExam – Dissertation seminar and defense. Do not include this seminar on POW.

MASTERS & DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

**NC Residency**– ALL students that are non-residents of North Carolina must apply for NC residency (for tuition purposes) by the end of their first year of their graduate program!!! The only exceptions to this policy are international students on visa (they cannot obtain NC residency). Upon arrival at NCSU, students should immediately begin preparations to qualify for NC residency – most notably obtaining a NC Drivers License. The Graduate School policy (section 4.6 of Grad School Administrative Handbook – see link below) and specific details (criteria) for achieving NC Residency are available on-line (http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/future-students/resident.html).

Thesis/dissertation (ETD) submission– All theses/dissertations are submitted electronically. Attend a Graduate School Workshop semester prior to expected submission. Paper copy is required for the Departmental Library and possibly for Committee Members. Guidelines are at: http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/etd/

Departmental seminar attendance – Students are expected to attend the Monday afternoon (4-5pm) seminar unless there is a class conflict.

Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP)- http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/support-plan/docs/gssphdbk.pdf. Students that receive a minimum of $8,000 stipend as assistantship or fellowship are automatically entitled to coverage under GSSP. GSSP provides tuition and health insurance for these eligible students as long as they are registered full-time (9 credit hours/semester - refer to GSSP Pocket Chart provided for schedule of minimum GSSP credit-hour requirements per program). Research credits (PP 695/895) may be used to bring total hours/semester to minimum GSSP required levels.

Continuous enrollment– Once the graduate program starts, students must enroll each subsequent Fall and

Spring semester. Summer registration is NOT required, with no loss of Health Insurance coverage under GSSP (however, unregistered students are required to pay a special fee to use the Student Health Center). The GSSP does NOT cover tuition for Summer sessions. Upon request, Summer registration can be completed with approval from the major advisor and DGP.

Graduate School Homepage - http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/

-- Frequently Asked Questions-Live Chat
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_publicns/handbook/ - Graduate Administrative Handbook (policies &procedures for the NC State University Graduate Program

Graduate School Policies Pertaining to Graduate Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
ETD: Thesis/Dissertation Guide

Information about health insurance - http://www.hillchesson.com

Student Information system (SIS) User resources http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/faculty-and-staff/sis-resources.html