All Ph.D. students in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Pathobiological Sciences, and Veterinary Clinical Sciences must meet the following core requirements.
Core Courses:
- VMED 7004 Introduction to Research (2) – Fall first year
- CBS 7104 Biomedical Cell and Molecular Biology (4) – Fall first year
- PBS 7005 “Grant writing” (2 credits) – Spring first or second year
- Biostatistics course – Complete one of the following:
General Examination:
Doctoral students are required to pass a rigorous qualifying examination (the general exam) within three calendar years (36 months)—or a period deemed equivalent for part-time students—of their classification as doctoral students. The general exam should be regarded as the culmination of a student’s program in coursework. In most cases, the remaining time spent obtaining the degree is to be devoted to concentrated work on the dissertation and preparation for the final defense. A student becomes eligible to take the general exam after demonstrating to the Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC) adequate academic and professional aptitudes.
Passage of the general examination demonstrates the student has acquired a broad-based scientific knowledge, a detailed understanding of their area of expertise, and can formulate a hypothesis and design an experimental approach to address the problem. The general examination will include both written and oral portions and will be administered as follows:
- Written Exam: The written exam will consist of a research proposal in a format agreed upon by the student’s GAC. This proposal should convey an original research idea with full description of the need, expected impact, hypothesis, objectives, and materials and methods. A sample proposal to familiarize the student with the format will be distributed in advance. The proposal will be submitted to members of the GAC at least 7 days prior to the date of the general exam.
- Oral Exam: The oral exam and the written exam are assessed independently. During the oral exam, the student must be able to explain and expand on the concepts of their research proposal and completed course work up to that point. The GAC may provide specific topics for the student to prepare prior to the oral exam.
Failure of the general examination requires more than one dissenting vote. Based on the results of the general examination, the GAC can recommend additional course work or other remediation. If the student fails the general examination, he/she may retake the written component, the oral component, or both parts of the general examination depending on the decision of the GAC. Should the student choose to retake the general examination, the examination must be completed within three calendar months and will be based on the original proposed research topic. Should two members of the GAC fail the student again, the student will be dismissed from the PhD Program. If deemed appropriate and worthy, the option to complete an MS may be given but is not guaranteed.
Department-Specific Requirements Beyond the Core Curriculum-Comparative Biomedical Sciences (PVMCB)
The departmental-level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least three additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied. An MS degree is not a requisite for admission to the PhD program.
The degree involves coursework in the student’s area of specialty and completion of an original research project resulting in an acceptable dissertation. The dissertation must demonstrate a contribution to the student’s major field of study and a mastery of research techniques. Sixty hours of credit beyond the baccalaureate or professional degree at the graduate level (in courses numbered 4000 or above) must be earned. The curricular requirements beyond the core include:
At least 24 hours (including core courses) at the 7000 level or above in courses other than dissertation research (VMED 9000 ), including:
All candidates for the PhD degree must present a seminar a total of three times, including the final dissertation defense. Students are strongly encouraged to submit the results of their research for 10 publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The student must pass a general exam consisting of written and oral portions and a comprehensive final oral exam.
Department-Specific Requirements Beyond the Core Curriculum-Pathobiological Sciences (PVMPB)
The emphasis in the doctoral program is placed on original and creative research. The aim of this program is to enable the student to become a self-educating scholar and researcher. The PhD Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC) consists of at least four graduate faculty members, two of whom must be from PBS. The GAC should be composed of those faculty members best qualified to direct and evaluate the student’s study plan and research. Minimal course loads are determined by the student with the approval of the GAC and to meet Graduate School requirements, but must meet the following requirements:
- 24 hours of credit earned (including core courses) outside of Research Courses (VMED 8900 and VMED 9000 ).
- Students must fulfill the PBS Requirements, which include the following courses.
- PBS 7004 Current Literature in Pathobiological Sciences (1) (4 semesters)
- PBS 7007 Seminar (1) (4 semesters)
- PBS 7003 Special Topics in Pathobiological Sciences (1-4)
- VMED 8900 Pre-dissertation Research (1-9) for laboratory rotation
- VMED 9000 Dissertation Research (1-12 per sem.)
- Electives
- Maximum of 6 hours of 7002 (any department) and 8 hours of 7003 (any department) may be used.
- Students must pass a general examination documenting that the student has acquired a broad-based scientific knowledge, a detailed understanding of their area of expertise, and can formulate a hypothesis and design an experimental approach to address the problem.
- A well-written dissertation based on the student’s original research is part of the requirement for a Ph.D. The dissertation must demonstrate a contribution to the student’s major field of study and a mastery of research techniques.
Department-Specific Requirements Beyond the Core Curriculum-Veterinary Clinical Sciences (PVMCS)
The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences offers a Ph.D. in Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences with emphasis in clinical sciences. The graduate program of study and research will be directed and evaluated by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. This committee will be composed of at least three members of the graduate faculty. Doctoral graduate students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate courses, a general examination, final examination, and a dissertation.
The coursework, in conjunction with research training, will provide the student with the skills needed for continuing research independent of the major professor. The coursework requirements are as follows:
4000-level courses that support general knowledge needed for research and to prepare for the above 7000-level courses are allowed if recommended by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee.
The preparation of a dissertation is an important element in the program leading to the doctoral degree. The dissertation should demonstrate capacity for research, originality of thought, and facility in organizing materials. Final acceptance of the dissertation rests with a student’s Graduate Advisory Committee.
The dissertation must be successfully defended in a final defense and examination. A request for the final examination must be submitted to the Graduate School by the student at least three weeks prior to the proposed examination date and by the current semester deadline, if the student is a candidate for a degree. The student should visit the Graduate School the semester before planned graduation for deadlines and procedures concerning requests for final examination. The Graduate Advisory Committee must have copies of the dissertation at least two weeks prior to the final examination. Typically, the final examination is an oral examination following the dissertation defense. The defense takes the form of a seminar, open to attendance by any interested parties. Following the seminar, the graduate student and the examination committee will convene and discuss the dissertation, asking questions to the graduate student.