Welcome to the Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.
We look forward to helping you obtain your advanced degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and hope that this handbook assists you in pursuit of that goal. Please feel to contact the program coordinator or director if you have specific questions or concerns.
Academic Committee (academic year 2012-2013)
The Academic Committee consists of faculty members from the School of Veterinary Medicine and at-large faculty trainer, as well as two graduate student representatives from the Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBMS) graduate program. The committee reviews applications, certifications, and is responsible for the administration of the CBMS program. The current committee members are:
Chuck Czuprynski (Director) – Pathobiological Sciences
William Burlingham – Medicine
Dörte Döpfer – Medical Sciences
Troy Hornberger – Comparative Biosciences
Jonathan McAnulty – Surgical Sciences
Peter Muir – Surgical Sciences
Lauren Trepanier – Medical Sciences
John Svaren – Comparative Biosciences
M. Suresh – Pathobiological Sciences
Guest
Dale Bjorling – Dean of Research and Graduate Training, SVM
Student Reps:
Kimberly Keil – Vezina lab
Christina Newman – Goldberg lab
Please check this web site often for updates on program requirements
MS Degree Program
Coursework: Register for classes. Choose your coursework in consultation with your major professor. You will need 16 total credits to graduate (any combination of didactic or lab courses, seminars and research).
Note: Students holding a 33.33% or higher Research Assistantship, Traineeship or Fellowship must register for 8 – 12 credits per fall and spring semester and 2 – 12 credits in the summer. MS students not holding these titles do not have to register for the summer but must register for the following fall semester or will be removed from graduate status by the University. A lapse of one or more spring or fall semesters requires a re-entry application with fee.
Required Coursework
- 9 didactic credits (6 credits of advanced coursework may be transferred as approved by your thesis committee and the Academic Committee).
- 1 PBS 930 seminar credit/course
- 1 PBS 920 seminar credit/course (final thesis presentation)
- 5 (minimum) Research 990 credits
Thesis Committee: You must have a committee to assist and guide you through your graduate career. The MS thesis committee is comprised of three members: your major professor, one additional from the CBMS program (see trainer list on web), and one from any graduate program on campus. The third member may also be a professor from another institution, a scientist or other person knowledgeable in your field. Also see “First Meeting/Certification” below.
Certification: Certification consists of preparing a document (available on the web site or from the program coordinator) that details your coursework, research plan and committee make-up that is signed by your committee and approved by the Academic Committee.
You should complete certification by the end of the first semester you are enrolled.
First Meeting/Certification:
1. With your major professor, decide which faculty you will ask to be on your graduate committee. Either you or your major professor should contact other faculty to determine whether they are able or interested in participating in your committee.
2. At least one month prior to when you would like to have the meeting, contact all members of your committee to schedule a meeting at an appropriate time. Make sure you schedule a meeting room.
3. Compile the following:
- List of previous coursework relevant to your current area of research.
- List of proposed courses.
- Prepared paperwork required for certification.
4. Distribute a brief (1-2 page) summary of your proposed research to your committee prior to the meeting. Your proposed research plan should outline your hypothesis and describe the strategy to be used to test the hypothesis. Also, define how each of your committee member’s area of expertise will assist your research program.
5. Prepare and present a brief oral presentation (15-20 min PowerPoint presentation) describing your proposed research.
6. After the meeting, complete the certification form and have it signed by all members of your committee.
7. Submit the completed, signed form to the graduate program coordinator (room 113 AHABS Building). The form will be submitted to the Academic Committee for approval.
Annual Meetings after Certification: Meet with your thesis committee annually to update and inform them of your progress in your research program, and to discuss any problems and define directions of the research.
Detailed Procedure:
1. Write and distribute any updates on your research to your committee one to two weeks prior to the meeting.
2. At the meeting, present a brief PowerPoint summary of the progress you have made as well as planned future directions.
3. Ask your major professor to complete the Student Research Progress Report.
4. Submit the signed Student Research Progress Report to the graduate coordinator.
MS Thesis and Thesis Defense:
Detailed Procedure:
1. Obtain the permission of your mentor and graduate committee to begin writing your thesis. This is usually done at an annual committee meeting.
2. Register for PBS 920 seminar credit in the semester you plan to defend.
3. Write your thesis. Please consult the Graduate School’s website for specific thesis requirements at http://www.grad.wisc.edu/education/completedegree/mguide.html. For the MS thesis, the graduate committee can request either a traditional thesis or a substantial scientific paper that is suitable for publication.
4. Schedule your thesis defense.
5. At least four weeks prior to the defense, submit a request for a Masters degree warrant to the graduate program coordinator.
6. At least two weeks before the defense, submit the title, time, date, location and abstract for your final thesis seminar to the graduate program coordinator.
7. Your completed thesis should be distributed to all members of your committee approximately two weeks or more before the defense date.
8. At your defense (your PBS 920 seminar), you will need to present your research to the public (approximately a 40 minute talk). This is generally followed by a private oral defense of your thesis research in front of your committee. Your committee will sign the thesis warrant either at the end of the thesis defense or when all thesis requirements are completed.
9. The signed thesis warrant must be submitted to the Graduate School for your degree to be awarded.
Note that CBMS does not require the Masters thesis to be deposited but the program would appreciate receiving a copy of your thesis.
PhD Degree Program
Coursework: Register for classes. Choose your coursework in consultation with your major professor. The Graduate School requires a minimum of 32 total credits prior to taking the CBMS prelim B and to graduate (any combination of didactic or lab courses, seminars and research).
Required Coursework
Major:
- 20 didactic credits (9 credits of advanced coursework, or MS/DVM coursework or equivalent, may be transferred as approved by your thesis committee and the Academic Committee).
- 2 PBS 930 seminar credits/courses
- 1 PBS 920 seminar credit/course (final thesis defense)
- 9 (minimum) Research 990 credits
Minor:
A minor is no longer required but may be completed by students who wish to receive one. The decision to fulfill a minor should be requested at the time of certification (see below). In general, most minors require a minimum of 10 didactic credits in a single degree program (e.g., neuroscience, biochemistry, genetics). Focused minors usually require approval from the related program or department and may involve additional rules or credits. Check with the program in which you have an interest early in the process.
Thesis Committee: You must have a committee to assist and guide you through your graduate career. A PhD thesis committee is comprised of five members: your major professor, two additional faculty from the CBMS program (see trainer list on program website), plus two more from any graduate program on campus. One member may also be a professor from another institution, a scientist or other person knowledgeable in your field. Graduate School rules state that at least one member must be from a department other than that of your major professor. Also see “First Meeting/Certification” below. The CBMS Academic Committee must approve your committee.
Certification: Certification consists of preparing a document (available on the web site or from the program coordinator) that details your coursework, research plan and committee make-up that is signed by your committee and approved by the Academic Committee.
You should complete certification by the end of the first year you are enrolled.
First Meeting/Certification
Procedure:
1. With your major professor, decide which faculty you will ask to be on your graduate committee. Either you or your major professor should contact other faculty to determine whether they are able or interested in participating in your committee.
2. At least one month prior to when you would like to have the meeting, contact all members of your committee to schedule a meeting at an appropriate time. Make sure you schedule a meeting room.
3. Compile the following:
- Outline of proposed, previous, and proposed coursework
- List of previous coursework relevant to your current area of research
- Prepared paperwork required for certification
4. Distribute a brief description of your proposed research to your committee that outlines your hypothesis and describes the strategy to be used to test the hypothesis. Also, define how each of your committee member’s area of expertise will assist your research program.
5. Prepare and present a brief oral presentation of your proposed research to your committee at the meeting.
6. After the meeting, complete the certification form and have it signed by all members of your committee.
7. Submit the completed, signed form to the graduate program coordinator (room 113 AHABS Building). The form will be submitted to the Academic Committee for approval.
Annual Meetings after certification: Meet with your thesis committee annually to update and inform them of your progress in your research program, and to discuss any problems and define directions of the research.
Detailed Procedure:
1. Write and distribute an update on your research to your committee prior to the meeting one to two weeks prior to the meeting.
2. At the meeting, present a brief PowerPoint summary of the progress you have made as well as planned future directions.
3. Ask your major professor to complete the Student Research Progress Report.
4. Submit the signed Student Research Progress Report to the program graduate coordinator (room 113 AHABS Building).
Preliminary Examination A: The purpose of the Prelim A is to assess your background knowledge and comprehension of more advanced topics covered in graduate courses or by independent study.
You should complete Prelim A by the end of the first year you are enrolled.
Detailed Procedure:
1. Schedule a meeting with your graduate committee.
2. Two weeks prior to the meeting, your major professor will obtain questions from your graduate committee, usually one per member. The questions will explore your ability to reason, evaluate the data of others, and construct experiments to test hypotheses.
3. Within one week, answer the questions in an open book manner. Copies of your answers must be distributed to your committee members by the end of that week.
4. You will have one additional week to study prior to your oral examination. During that time, you should carefully consider the answers you submitted.
5. At your meeting, you and your committee will discuss those answers and related subjects in an oral examination format.
6. Your committee will grade your written and oral response on a scale of 1 – 10. With a score greater than 9, one passes with honors, a score of 7 – 8.9 is passing, a score of 4 – 6.9 is a fail with the option to retake the exam, and a score below 3.9 is a failing score. Have your committee sign the Preliminary Examination A form and return the signed form to the graduate coordinator (room 113 AHABS Building).
Preliminary Examination B: The purpose of the prelim B is to assess your ability to write a grant proposal related to your research. Successful completion of prelim B passes you to dissertator status with the Graduate School.
You should complete Prelim B by the end of the first year you are enrolled.
Detailed Procedure:
1. Schedule a meeting with your graduate committee.
2. At least four weeks prior to the meeting, submit a request for the Preliminary Examination warrant to the program graduate coordinator.
3. Write a research proposal in the grant style format agree upon by your graduate committee. The format must follow the style requirements of the granting agency, e.g., NIH, USDA, or NSF.
4. Submit your research proposal to all members of your graduate committee at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
5. At the meeting, present an oral summary of your research proposal. You will then defend your proposal to your committee. The committee will assign a pass/fail grade to your proposal. Your warrant will be signed if you have earned a passing grade.
6. Submit the signed warrant to the CBMS graduate coordinator to obtain dissertator status.
Checklist for Meeting the Requirements of Dissertator Status
- Completed CBMS certification.
- Completed all major requirements: 20 coursework credits and 2 PBS 930 courses; except for the final dissertation and PBS 920 seminar.
- Satisfied all Graduate School requirements, which includes 32 credits in residence.
- Cleared all incompletes, no reports (NR), or grades of “P” in non-research courses.
- Passed preliminary exams A and B, obtained signatures and turned in a signed copy of the warrant to the program coordinator.
- Received an e-mail from the graduate school specifically telling you that you have reached dissertator status.
REMINDER: As a dissertator, you should register for 3 credits each semester to maintain continuous registration. You must be registered during the semester you earn your degree.
The Final Steps
PhD Thesis and Dissertation Defense:
Procedure:
1. Obtain the permission of your mentor and graduate committee to begin writing your thesis. This is usually done at an annual committee meeting or six-month prospectus.
2. Register for PBS 920 seminar credit in the semester you plan to defend.
3. Write your dissertation. Please consult the Graduate School’s website for specific thesis requirements.
4. Schedule your final defense.
5. Submit a request for the PhD degree warrant to the program graduate coordinator at least four weeks prior to the defense date.
6. Your completed thesis should be distributed to all members of your committee approximately two weeks before the defense.
7. Submit the title, time, date, location and abstract for your final defense seminar to the program graduate coordinator at least two weeks before the defense date.
8. At your defense, you will need to present your PBS 920 seminar to the public (approximately a 40 minute talk). This is usually followed by a private oral defense of your thesis research in front of your committee. The committee will sign the final warrant either at the end of the defense or when all thesis requirements are completed.
9. The signed warrant and dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School for your degree to be awarded.
Writing and Publishing the Dissertation
The Graduate School has initiated electronic deposit for dissertations. Details can be found at http://www.grad.wisc.edu/education/completedegree/Dissertation_options.html. Hard copy (paper) submission is still an option with instructions to be found at the same url.
The Graduate School also offers special sessions to answer specific questions about formatting. These meetings are held 9:00-9:30 each morning in 217 Bascom Hall. You do not need an appointment and may take 8 – 10 pages for review.
After you have submitted the final version of your dissertation, you must contact the Graduate School at 608-262-2433 to make an appointment for the final review. You must have successfully defended and electronically submitted your dissertation or have the hardcopy in hand before you make the appointment. No changes can be made to the dissertation once it is electronically submitted. Please keep in mind that appointment times fill up rapidly during the last few weeks prior to the end of a semester. You will need to bring your signed warrant and two certificates of completion for two surveys: the national “Survey of Earned Doctorates” and the Graduate School’s “Doctoral Exit Survey.” Details on how to submit your dissertation and access the survey can be found at http://www.grad.wisc.edu/education/completedegree/ddd.html for paper deposit and http://www.grad.wisc.edu/education/completedegree/etd.pdf for electronic deposit.
CBMS requires that PhD degree candidates provide a hard copy of their dissertation to the program, at 113 AHABS, 1656 Linden Dr. It is generally a good idea to provide a bound courtesy copy for your major professor as well. You may want to check with your lab’s departmental office for up-to-date contract binding vendors. Many students use a local bindery (Grimm Book Bindery, 6880 Gisholt Drive, Madison, WI 53713, 608-221-4443 X 221). Their cost for a basic, bound thesis is currently $48 with additional fees ($8.00) for printing the title on the cover or spine, special accents, etc. You may access their website for additional information at www.grimmbindery.com. Other binding options can be found on-line for even less.
Transcripts, Diploma and Certification of Graduation
Degrees are posted on official transcripts approximately four to six weeks after the end of each session. If you need certification of graduation (i.e., proof that you have obtained the Ph.D.), visit http://registrar.wisc.edu/degree_certification_letters_acad_rec.htm for details on how to request the letter. All grades must be submitted prior to this request.
Transcripts may be ordered on-line from the Registrar at http://ordertranscript.wisc.edu/or by mailing a transcript request form that you may download from the same site and mail to the address provided.
Diplomas are mailed to student’s home address approximately eight to ten weeks from the end of the semester in which you are awarded the degree. Your name will appear on your diploma as it is recorded on your official records. (Name changes may be filed with the Registrar, 333 East Campus Mall, #10501.) A UW degree folder may be picked up at the Registrar’s Office, 333 East Campus Mall, #10501, if you do not attend commencement. Your diploma will be mailed to the permanent home address you provided at your last registration. Use the My UW link to update personal information. International students who need their diploma sent to an address outside of the US must enter their Student Center and check their home address. If you want the diploma mailed to that address, update it to Diploma address. Questions regarding diploma mailing may be addressed to degreeaudit@em.wisc.edu. Details regarding information above can be found at http://registrar.wisc.edu/diploma.htm.
Commencement
The program coordinator will contact students in the spring and fall to ask if they intend to graduate that semester and whether they wish to attend the commencement ceremony. This information is relayed to the Secretary of the Faculty and the Registrar. If you indicate that you are ready to graduate and wish to attend graduation, information will be sent to you regarding commencement procedures. In addition, a recording informing of dates, times, etc., regarding the event can be accessed by dialing 2-9076. If you meet the submission deadline for the Petition to Graduate, your name will be printed in the commencement program. You may still attend the ceremony if you miss this deadline (all names are announced for those attending). Cap and gown rentals are arranged through the University Bookstore.
Dual Degrees
A dual degree is a combination MS or PhD and a professional degree. The most common dual degree in Comparative Biomedical Sciences is the MS/DVM but there are others. Whether you work on the degrees sequentially or simultaneously, you must complete all requirements for both degrees.
MS/DVM (or other professional degree)
In order to earn the MS, a student must complete the requirements for both the Graduate School and the CBMS program. For a more complete description of all MS requirements, please see the section on MS degrees.
Graduate School Requirements
16 credits total of any type, 300-level or above, taken at UW-Madison
3.0 GPA
Be registered for a minimum of two credits during the semester you plan to graduate.
CBMS Program course Requirements
9 didactic or laboratory credits, 400 level or above (6 of these may be transferred from your professional degree coursework)*
1 credit of PBS 930 seminar (research seminar)
1 credit of PBS 920 seminar (final thesis seminar—to be taken during your final semester)
5 credits research 990 (minimum)
Certification submitted and approved by thesis committee and Academic Committee
Thesis or publishable work approved by your major professor and committee (deposit is not required) work based on original research and defended before your committee.
Note: If you have already completed your DVM or other professional degree before matriculating in the CBMS program, you must also be sure to fulfill the 16 credit Graduate School requirement with coursework taken at UW-Madison .
PhD/DVM (or other professional degree)
In order to earn a PhD, a student must complete the requirements for both the Graduate School and the CBMS program. For a more complete description of all PhD requirements, please see the section on PhD degrees.
Graduate School Requirements
32 credits total of any type, 300-level or above, taken at UW-Madison
3.0 GPA
Be registered for a minimum of three credits during the semester you plan to graduate.
Written thesis of your work based on original research and defended before your committee.
CBMS Program Course Requirements
20 didactic or laboratory credits (9 of these may be transferred from your professional degree coursework)*
2 credits of PBS 930 seminar (research seminar)
1 credit of PBS 920 seminar (final thesis seminar)
Certification submitted and approved by thesis committee and Academic Committee
Passed both preliminary exams (A and B)
Written thesis approved by your major professor and committee, a public defense of your work followed by an oral defense and deposited at the Memorial Library.
4-9 credits research 990 (minimum)
Note: If you have already completed your DVM or other professional degree before matriculating in the CBMS program, you must be sure to fulfill the 32 credit Graduate School requirement at UW-Madison.
List of Required, Approved and Recommended Courses
Required Courses
Advanced Research Seminar (PBS 930):
Students are required to regularly participate in a PBS 930 seminar. Students are required to register for one (MS students) or two semesters (PhD students) of Advanced Seminar PBS 930 for graded credit. The purpose of 930 is to present students with contemporary research in their disciplinary focus, to demonstrate the use of critical thinking skills in order to analyze the latest research observations, and to develop the skills needed to effectively communicate one’s ideas and data to a critical audience of faculty and students.
Advanced Thesis Seminar (PBS 920) :
Students are required to present their thesis work to a general audience in their final semester and must register for this 1-credit class.
Approved Courses
The following is a list of core courses taken by many students and recommended courses that are appropriate to specific research areas. These courses are suggestions only; you and your committee ultimately decide the best coursework plan for your specific program.
Core Courses (chosen by many students for their major didactic course plan):
- Genet 466: General Genetics
- PBS 500: Molecular Biology Techniques
- PBS 773: Eukaryotic Microbial Pathogenesis
- Biochem 501:Introduction to Biochemistry
- Biochem 612: Prokaryotic Molecular Biology
- Biochem 620: Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
- Biochem 630: Cellular Signal Transduction
- Zoo 570: Cell Biology
- Path 750: Cell and Molecular Biology
- Path 751: Cell and Molecular Biology of Aging
- Stats 571/572: Statistical Methods for Bioscience I, II
Strongly Recommended
- DSS 812: Research Ethics and Professional Skills
Courses from which students build their disciplinary strength:
Epidemiology:
- PBS 512: Introduction to Veterinary Epidemiology
- PHS 797: Introduction to Epidemiology
- PHS 802: Advanced Epidemiology: Etiology and Prevention
Physiology:
- An Sci 434: Reproductive Physiology
- CBS 511: Veterinary Physiology A (fall)
- CBS 506: Veterinary Physiology B (spring)
- Zoo 611: Comparative Physiology
- Zoo 954: Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology
Infectious Disease and Immunology:
- PBS 750: Host-parasite Relationships in Vertebrate Viral Disease
- PBS 773: Eukaryotic Microbial Pathogenesis
- PBS 510: Veterinary Immunology
- PBS 513: Veterinary Virology
- PBS 514: Veterinary Parasitology
- PBS 517: Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology
- PBS 528: Immunology
- MMI 701: Infection & Immunity I
- MMI 720: Topics in Immunology
- MMI 790: Immunology of Infectious Disease
Neuroscience:
- CBS 505: Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
- Neurosci 610: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Neurosci 611: Systems Neuroscience
- Neurosci 635: Neurobiology of Disease
- Zoo 523: Neurobiology I
- Zoo 524: Neurobiology II: An Introduction to the Brain and Behavior
Toxicology & Pharmacology:
- CBS 555: Veterinary Toxicology
- Path 625: Toxicology I
- Path 626: Toxicology II
Oncology:
- Onc 675: Topics in Cancer Research
- Onc 703: Carcinogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology
Virology:
- PBS 513: Veterinary Virology
- Biochem 575: Biology of Viruses
- Onc 640: General Virology: Multiplication of Viruses
- MMI 750: Host-Parasite Relationships in Vertebrate Viral Disease
Registration
All students are expected to meet with their mentor to finalize their registration. Entering graduate students who are rotating should speak to the CBMS director for assistance with choosing coursework for the first semester. All registration should be finalized by the end of the first week of classes.
When changing courses credits, NEVER exceed a total of 12 credits without prior authorization. You can do this by using the swap function.
PhD and MS supported by a Research Assistantship students must be registered for 8 – 12 graduate level credits (numbered 400 and above) to be considered a full-time student for the fall and spring semesters, and 2 – 12 credits for the summer session. You must be appointed as a research assistant (RA), teaching assistant (TA) or project assistant (PA) with a minimum of a 33.33% appointment to register for only 2 credits for the summer. MS and PhD students without support are not required to register for the summer, but note that this may delay time to degree.
Dissertators must register for 3 credits in all semesters.
PLEASE contact the program coordinator if you are unsure of your status or credit requirement.
Course Guide
The actual procedure for course registration is now done via the web only. Web enrollment can be accessed through your My UW. You will need your NetID and password to access My UW.
Click on the “Student Center,” which gives you real-time course listings and the availability to register. It also lists many other important links you may need to access or obtain information.
Graduate course listings with short descriptions for all programs and departments may be found in the on-line Graduate Catalog. Print copies of the Catalog are no longer produced.
If you encounter any problems registering or interpreting any instructions, feel free to ask the program coordinator or anyone in your departmental office for help.
Performance Standards (Grade Point Average)
The Graduate School requires that all graduate students maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 (B average) for all graduate course work (excluding research courses). Students with a lower than 3.0 GPA may not achieve dissertator status and are considered to be on academic probation, which involves monitoring and possible action by the Graduate School. Note that the CBMS program requires that you take 400-level classes and above for approved coursework and that a grade of B or better is required.
Please contact the program coordinator regarding actions to be taken if you are placed on academic probation.