PhD in Molecular Pathology
Program Details: Student Advisory Committees
Research Advisory Committee
A Research Advisory Committee is formed to guide the student in the planning and conduct of his or her dissertation research. Within six months after choosing a research adviser, the student in consultation with his or her adviser submits to the Program Director the names of faculty they wish to serve on the student’s Research Advisory Committee. The Research Advisory Committee consists of the student’s adviser and at least three other members of the graduate faculty. The committee should consist of faculty who can adequately judge the quality and quantity of research performed by the student and help advise the student on solutions to experimental problems that may arise during the course of experimentation. The committee can also aid the student in professional development.
The Research Advisory Committee is appointed by the Program Director based on the recommendations of the student and adviser and on the need to balance faculty effort on various committees. To achieve continuity in students’ education and development, there will be significant overlap in the composition of the Research Advisory Committee, the Preliminary Examination Committee and the Final Examination Committee.
The Research Advisory Committee must meet at least once every six months after the Committee is formed until the student graduates to review student progress. The student is responsible for arranging the meeting and must prepare a short written progress report covering the previous six months of research. After the Committee meeting, the student is responsible for summarizing the consensus of the Committee with a short written addendum to the progress report. The report is then signed and dated by the student and the student’s adviser and given to the Program Director.
Preliminary Examination Committee
The Preliminary Examination Committee is appointed by the Program Director with input from the student and adviser. The committee usually includes at least three members of the Molecular Pathology graduate faculty. However, up to two members of the Wake Forest University Graduate faculty from outside the Molecular Pathology graduate program may serve to cover particular areas of expertise. The chair of the Preliminary Examination Committee is charged with organizing and overseeing the exam and is appointed by the Program Director. The student’s research adviser is not a member of the committee and can only participate in the exam as an observer.
Final Examination Committee
A Final Examination Committee is appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the Program Director and consists of the following five members of the graduate faculty: the chairperson of the major department or a faculty member chosen by the chairperson, the student’s adviser, another member of the major department, a representative from within or outside the department who possesses relevant expertise, and a member from outside the major department who represents the Graduate Council and who serves as chairperson.
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