The following information is specific for Animal Biology PhD students
- Ph.D. Mentoring Form- Current ABG Students
- Ph.D. Mentoring Form- Fall 2025 Incoming Students
Present at GABG Colloquium
2nd year PhD students are required to present a poster of their research during our annual colloquium held in the Fall quarter. 3rd year PhD's will do a short oral presentation during the colloquium, sharing their current research.
Taking your Preliminary Exam
Applicable only to PhD students enrolled prior to Fall 2025
Propose Your QE Committee Members
Complete the following form with the assistance of your mentoring committee and submit it along with a one page summary of your research proposal and an updated Animal Biology PhD Mentoring Form by email to your Graduate Coordinator, by February 15th to take your exam during your 7th quarter. Nomination Form to Propose QE Members
Information regarding Qualifying Exams
The primary purpose of the Qualifying Examination (QE) is to validate that the student is academically qualified to conceptualize a research topic, undertake scholarly research, and successfully produce the dissertation required for a doctoral degree. The QE must evaluate the student’s breadth and depth of knowledge in the field and must not focus exclusively on the proposed dissertation research.
QE applications are due to Graduate Studies at least 30 days prior to the expected exam date. To allow for sufficient time for review, it is recommended that students submit their application at least 40 days in advance. Qualifying Examination Application
Current GABG degree requirements can be found here including information on selecting your committee members-2024
Beginning Fall 2025, the GABG degree requirements can be found here- 2025
Doctoral Qualifying Examination Website - This provides the most up to date information as well as a link to GradSphere to complete the QE Application.
Reconstitution of Committee Membership Request- To be used if you need to need to change a committee member
Doctoral QE Policy Information regarding QE policies and resources
- Animal Biology QE Guidelines
- Animal Biology QE Depth Subject Areas: (An extensive but not exhaustive list)
Advancing to Candidacy
After successfully passing your QE, you will submit your candidacy form during that same quarter. This requires that you have completed all coursework, you have no incomplete grades and you have your dissertation committee selected.
Submitting the Candidacy Form
The candidacy application is done as a smart-form in GradSphere. It's a comparatively simple process - inputting an individual's email address should prompt the rest of their information to auto-fill in the form.