Checklist of Departmental Requirements—Ph.D. Program:
Students meeting these requirements are considered to be making acceptable progress. (Also see "Definition of Acceptable Progress" below.)
FIRST SEMESTER:
- Choose Guidance Committee
- Complete Qualifying Exam
- Complete Provisional Study Program
- Complete two internships and internship course for fall term (3 units total of ECOL 610 a, b & c)
- Strongly recommended—taking ECOL600B (Fundamentals of Ecology)
SECOND SEMESTER:
- Complete internship and research planning and internship course for spring term (2 units total of ECOL 610a & c)
- Strongly recommended—taking ECOL600A (Fundamentals of Evolution)
THIRD SEMESTER:
- Finalize Doctoral Committee
- Complete Doctoral Plan of Study
ANNUALLY, BEGINNING IN SECOND YEAR:
- Present a seminar in a general forum, usually in the departmental Tuesday seminar*
- Meet with Dissertation Committee to review research progress get advice on research directions*
BY END OF FIFTH SEMESTER:
- Complete written and oral portion of Comprehensive Exam
- Complete Grad College requirements for candidacy
FOR DEGREE:
- Complete language requirement
- 4 semesters of Tuesday seminar course, ECOL 596B (1 unit each)
- At least two semesters as a half time Graduate Teaching Assistant
BY END OF TENTH SEMESTER:
- Complete and defend dissertation
Checklist of Departmental Requirements—M.S. Program:
Students meeting these requirements are considered to be making acceptable progress. (Also see "Definition of Acceptable Progress" below.)
FIRST SEMESTER:
- Choose Master’s Committee
- Complete Provisional Study Program
- Strongly recommended—taking ECOL600B (Fundamentals of Ecology)
SECOND SEMESTER:
- Complete Master’s Plan of Study
- Strongly recommended—taking ECOL600A (Fundamentals of Evolution)
FOR DEGREE:
- Complete and defend Master’s Thesis
- Submit Completion of Degree Requirements form
Definition of Acceptable Progress
Students should meet the timetable outlined in the Checklist of Departmental Requirements. In addition, all students are expected to conduct themselves professionally as defined by University rules and by reasonable standards of academic communities. Students not in compliance may be denied Graduate Teaching and Graduate Research positions. Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements is grounds for conversion to a terminal Masters program or to graduate with non-degree status. The Graduate Policy Committee will review the progress of students at least once each year to determine if acceptable progress is being made towards the degree. This committee may consult with the advisor or temporary advisor of individual students. If progress is lacking, the Graduate Policy Committee may recommend to the Head that a student be terminated from the program.
The Graduate College time requirement states that students must complete their degree within 5 years of passing the comprehensive exam (departmental time limits are more severe). Should a student not finish within that time period, he or she may be allowed to re-take the comprehensive exam with the permission of the program
Appeal Procedures for Doctoral Students
Any decision affecting a student’s graduate career may be appealed. A student should first appeal to the level above which a decision was made. The sequence of appeal is Major Professor, Doctoral Committee, Graduate Policy Committee, Associate Department Head, Department Head, and Graduate Council. The student is entitled to a hearing to air grievances. Please refer to the Graduate College Grievance Policy. http://grad.arizona.edu/current/grievance.php
Students may also consult an Ombudsperson for informal grievances. http://ombuds.arizona.edu/index.html
Financial Support
The Department supports students making acceptable progress during the first ten semesters in the doctoral program unless the student was accepted into the program under the condition they are self-supported. This support includes all forms of stipend support, including teaching assistantships, research fellowships from any source, and research assistantships. Support beyond the third year is contingent upon the student’s continued progress in dissertation research. Continued support depends upon both satisfactory academic (as defined above) and job performance. The Graduate Policy committee may recommend to the Head that support be withdrawn from students who back out of teaching contracts without approval from the Department Head or who fail to fulfill teaching obligations to acceptable standards based on evaluations from faculty teaching the course.