College of Graduate Studies : Health Science Campus College of Graduate Studies Handbook 2007-2008

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT

Composition of Academic Advisory Committee  (click here for the AAC Form)

PhD in Biomedical Sciences degree candidates' advisory committees are composed of a minimum of five members, four of whom must be members of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo. In addition to the major advisor, at least one other member of the advisory committee must have PhD mentoring faculty status. An advisory committee member who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the UT must have an earned doctoral degree. Adjunct faculty members are limited to one for fulfillment of the five members, but others may be added as additional members of the committee.

MSBS degree research track candidates' advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, two of whom must be members of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo. An advisory committee member who is not a member of the graduate faculty of UT must have an earned doctoral degree. Adjunct faculty members are limited to one for fulfillment of the three members, but others may be added as additional members of the committee.

MSBS degree clinical track (including Physician Assistant Studies and Physical Therapy) candidates’ advisory committees are composed of a minimum of one member for students electing scholarly projects. Thesis advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, two of whom must be members of the UT graduate faculty. A thesis research advisory committee member, who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo, must have an earned doctoral degree.

MSN degree candidates' thesis advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo. A thesis research advisory committee member, who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo, must have an earned doctoral degree.

MSOH degree candidates' thesis advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, two of whom must be members of the UT graduate faculty. The scholarly project advisory committee has one member. An advisory committee member who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo Health, must have an earned doctoral degree.

OTD degree candidates' advisory committees are composed of three members for students electing thesis research; a minimum of one member for students electing scholarly projects. A thesis research advisory committee member, who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo must have an earned doctoral degree.

Adjunct Faculty    (top of page)

Adjunct graduate faculty members may not direct students as major advisors; however, with prior approval of the Dean or Senior Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, they may assist in directing the thesis/dissertation research of graduate students under the guidance of the major advisor. Adjunct faculty are limited to one per committee to meet requirements; however, more may be added as additional members.

Member At Large     (top of page)

A member at large is an individual who contributes to the student’s program of study. This member may be asked, but is not required, to participate in the examinations and evaluations of the thesis/ dissertation. This member does not replace one of the regular committee members.

Academic Advisory Committee Submission      (top of page)

The advisory committee is recommended by the graduate student and the major advisor and is submitted to the College of Graduate Studies on the Academic Advisory Committee Form. The advisory committee must be approved by the appropriate program/track director, and Associate Dean of the respective College.

Graduate Research Advisory (GRAD) Committee Approval & Assurances Form     (top of page)

All PhD in Biomedical Sciences and MSBS Research Track students must identify their major advisor and complete the Graduate Research Advisory (GRAD) Committee Approval & Assurances Form by the end of their first year.

Major Advisor Role     (top of page)

One important decision for a graduate student is the selection of a major advisor. The decision by the graduate student and the major advisor to work together is by mutual consent and only after careful consideration by both parties, within the guidelines of the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus and the degree program/track committee. If a student cannot identify a major advisor within the first year of study, the student is subject to dismissal. The major advisor serves as a liaison between the student and the College of Graduate Studies, Health Science Campus and the basic duties are as follows:

1. The major advisor of a student has the primary responsibility of assuring that the student's project/thesis/dissertation research is performed with appropriate design and methodologies, and that it has the necessary depth and originality. In addition, the major advisor bears responsibility for the validity and the scientific integrity of the student's research.
   The major advisor may not assign research used to satisfy the criteria for a thesis or dissertation if there would be undue restrictions on publication. If there are any restrictions on publication, the student, program/track director and the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies must be advised in writing prior to beginning research, and must approve any such restrictions.
2. Determining that research protocols involving animal subjects, human subjects (projects involving humans in any way, including administration of questionnaires, etc.), hazardous materials, biohazards, recombinant DNA, and/or radioisotopes have all required approvals before research is initiated.
3. Ensuring that the advisory committee is properly constituted, that the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus requirements are met, and for ensuring that the Plan of Study is approved by the entire advisory committee (sometimes done by an academic advisor).
4. Supervising the implementation of the policies of the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus within the area of concentration as they pertain to the graduate student.
5. Serving as chairperson of the student’s Academic Advisory Committee.
6. Notifying the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies of any change in official status of the graduate student.  This especially refers to students who withdraw from the program.
7. Informing the advisee's departmental chairperson, program/track director, Associate Dean; the area of concentration's representative on the Graduate Executive Committee; and the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies of any problems related to the graduate student.
8. Coordinating continuing predoctoral fellowship/graduate research assistantship award support with the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus and the area of concentration.
9. Assuring that the final draft of the dissertation, thesis or scholarly project meets the requirements of content, proper grammar and formatting before submitting to the other members of the student's Academic Advisory Committee. Also, responsibility for assuring that these criteria are met prior to submitting an abstract for a scholarly project or the final draft of the dissertation or thesis to the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus.
10. Other duties as required to assure appropriate guidance of the graduate student through all steps of the student's progress toward fulfillment of degree requirements.

Academic Advisor Role     (top of page)

Incoming graduate students will be assigned an academic advisor who counsels them regarding academic objectives and approval of the Plan of Study form until a major advisor is selected.

Administrative Advisor Role     (top of page)

If the major advisor will not be available, e.g., if the major advisor were on faculty improvement leave, the advisory committee, with the approval of the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, may name a member of the College of Graduate Studies Faculty as an administrative advisor to handle administrative responsibilities.

Change Major Advisor Procedure     (top of page)

A change in the major advisor requires the recommendation of the chairperson of the degree program committee. This will be done on a Change of Major Advisor Form.

Change Area of Concentration/Program Procedure     (top of page)

A graduate student who wishes to change her/his area of concentration or program/track should complete a MSBS or Nursing Change of Concentration/Program/Track Form, or the PhD Change of Concentration Form. After receiving a recommendation from the new area of concentration or track, a decision will be made by the College of Graduate Studies Senior Associate Dean in consultation with the Associate Dean(s) responsible for the student’s former and proposed program/track.