Dairy Science Graduate Student Information

Steps in the Graduate Program	Explanation	Documents
Student Committee	Every Graduate Student in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Graduate Program must have a Mentor Committee. This committee will advise the students on their classes, research, and other academic components of the students’ Graduate Program. Details about who may be a member are in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Graduate Handbook. For Ph.D. students a Ph.D. Mentor and Preliminary Examination Committee form must be completed, signed and submitted to the Graduate Program Manager by the end of the second semester. For MS students a M.S. Mentor and Examination Committee form must be completed, signed and submitted to the Graduate Program Manager by the end of the first semester. View the Faculty List for Grad Committees to assist in completing the above mentioned forms.	Animal and Dairy Sciences Grad Handbook Requirements for MS Fillable Form Requirements for Ph.D. Fillable Form Faculty List for Grad Committees
Plan of Study Meeting	Every Graduate Student in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Graduate Program must meet with their committee by the end of the second semester. The student should first meet with their advisor to complete the Plan of Study Form (for MS) or Plan of Study Form (for PhD), and have it signed by their advisor. Then the student should meet with their committee to have the form approved and signed. The completed and signed form must be submitted to the Graduate Program Manager by the end of the second semester. Refer to the Animal and Dairy Sciences Grad Handbook for additional information.	Requirements for MS Fillable Form Requirements for Ph.D. Fillable Form Animal and Dairy Sciences Grad Handbook
Master’s Degree	During the student’s last semester before graduation from the Master’s Degree Program, they must submit a Master’s Degree warrant request including MS Warrant Request form and Request for Final Examination Form at least 4 weeks before their defense to the Graduate Program Manager. Students must provide their thesis to their Committee at least 10 business days before the defense date. The student should bring their MS Thesis Evaluation Form to their defense. View the following sites for additional information: Graduate School Deadlines and Completing Your Master’s Degree.	MS Warrant Request Form MS Final Thesis Evaluation Form
Preliminary	Ph.D. students will take their preliminary exam when all course requirements are met (or the same term that the course requirements will be met). Students must consult with their committee about the preliminary exam date. The student must submit a preliminary warrant request including PhD Prelim Warrant Request form, Request for Preliminary Examination form, and Plan and Dates for Ph.D. Preliminary Examinations form at least 4 weeks before their defense to the Graduate Program Manager. These forms must be submitted by the end of the fourth semester, the exam must be completed by the end of the fifth semester. Students must provide their proposal to their Committee at least 10 business days before the defense date. The student should bring their ADS Preliminary Examination Evaluation form to their defense. View the following sites for additional information: Graduate School Deadlines and Completing Your Doctoral Degree.	PhD Prelim Warrant Request Form Requirements for Ph.D. Fillable Form ADS Preliminary Examination Evaluation Form
Dissertator	Once course requirements are met and the student has passed their preliminary exam, then a student will become a dissertator. Dissertators are required to take exactly three credits per semester of 990 until they Defend. Three credits is considered full time for a dissertator. For additional information about dissertator status, please review the following: Animal Science Graduate Handbook and the Graduate School’s Dissertator Status policy.	Animal and Dairy Sciences Graduate Handbook
PhD Final Defense	When a student has completed the thesis research and has written the dissertation to the satisfaction of their Faculty Advisor and their committee, the student schedules the Final Oral Exam/Defense. The oral examination covers the thesis and the general field of the major and minor studies. The candidate may not take the final oral examination until all other requirements for the degree have been satisfied. During the student’s last semester before graduation from the Doctoral Program, they must submit a Final warrant request including PhD Final Warrant Request form, Proposed Ph.D. Final Examination Committee form and Requirements to be met prior to Ph.D. Final Examination form at least 4 weeks before their defense to the Graduate Program Manager. Students must provide their thesis to their Committee at least 10 business days before the defense date. The student should bring their ADS PhD Final Dissertation and Defense Evaluation Form to their defense. If significant thesis revisions are requested, the committee may wait for these revisions to be completed prior to signing the warrant. View the following sites for additional information: Graduate School Deadlines and Completing Your Doctoral Degree.	Ph.D. Final Warrant Request Form Requirements for Ph.D. Fillable Form Ph.D Final Defense and Evaluation Form Animal and Dairy Science Graduate Handbook
Degree Deadlines	Degree deadlines are the cut-off dates for a degree and dissertation eligibility in each term, and it is important to keep abreast of these dates when planning to graduate. View the following for additional information: Graduate School Deadlines.
Graduate Handbooks	Detailed information about the Animal and Dairy Sciences Program requirements is in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Graduate Handbook. Please utilize the following useful tools: MS Meeting Checklists PhD Meeting Checklists General Expectations Compact	Animal and Dairy Science Graduate Handbook MS Meeting Checklists PhD Meeting Checklists General Expectations Compact