Graduate Program Handbook
The Graduate Program Handbook details departmental policies and procedures and serves as a guide for BCBP graduate students.
Committee meeting protocols
OGAPS has changed how they process forms. Please download the following document to find an up-to-date procedure for submitting forms through OGAPS. Detailed procedures are also available on the OGAPS website. When filling out OGAPS forms please list Prof. Jean-Philippe Pellois not Prof. Wand as Department Head. As the Associate Head of the Graduate Program, Prof. Pellois is responsible for form approval. For the Staff Graduate Advisor please list Amber D. Salvato (Amber.Salvato@ag.tamu.edu) as she handles graduate advising for the program.
Advisory committee meeting
Protocol
Students will meet with a standing Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will recommend elective coursework and offer suggestions for rotation selections based on student research interests. After meeting 4, the student should complete an Individual Development Plan; proof of submission should be sent to the Graduate Office.
Forms
Protocol
Students will meet with their Preliminary Examination Committee. Students should submit a written proposal 14 days before the meeting and prepare a concise research presentation of 8 slides (approx. 15 min) to be given during the meeting. After the presentation, the Chair will open the meeting to questions (approx. 45–60 min). The Chair of the Preliminary Examination Committee should complete the Committee Meeting Report with input from the other Committee Members. Recommended duration: 1.5 hours.
Forms
Annual committee meetings
Protocol
Students will meet with their Thesis Committee. Once the date is set, the student should update the BCBP Thesis Committee Meeting Calendar. The Thesis Advisor should complete the Thesis Advisor Report before the meeting. Students should prepare a concise research presentation of 8 slides (approx. 15 minutes) to be given during the meeting. After the presentation, the Chair will open the meeting to questions (approx. 30 min). The Committee should meet with the student in the absence of the Thesis Advisor, and with the Thesis Advisor in the absence of the student (approx. 5–10 min each). The Chair of the Thesis Committee should complete the Committee Meeting Report with input from the Thesis Advisor and Committee Members. Recommended duration: 1 hour. At least one Committee Meeting should be held per academic year.
Forms
- Thesis Outline (if in 5th year and beyond)
- Thesis Committee Meeting Report (previous scores will be completed by graduate office prior to meeting)
- Thesis Advisor Report
- A current CV
Protocol
Students will meet with their Thesis Committee. Once the date is set, the student should update the BCBP Thesis Committee Meeting Calendar and contact the Graduate Office. Students should prepare a research presentation (approx. 45 minutes) to be given at a public forum. After the presentation, the Chair will open the meeting to public questions. The Chair will then close the public session. The Chair will open the private session to Committee questions. The written thesis should be given to the Committee for review. Once approved, the student should submit the thesis to OGAPS. All OGAPS guidelines for thesis submissions should be carefully reviewed.
Forms
Degree plan and petitions
Submit Degree Plans and petitions through OGAPS DPSS.
Resources
Please refer to the Graduate Handbook for an extensive list of departmental and university resources.
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