MCDB Graduate Student Handbook
Each Ph.D. student is required by the University to prepare, defend, and file a doctoral research thesis.
The thesis is prepared in strict accordance with the Graduate Division's Policies and Procedures for Thesis & Dissertation Preparation & Filing guidelines; which may be found on the Graduate Division web site at www.gdnet.ucla.edu or obtained in 330 Powell Library. Students are required to attend one of the University's quarterly Thesis and Dissertation Meetings on thesis submission one to two quarters before they plan to file.
Your thesis must be read and approved by the three certifying members of your Committee. MCDB places no requirements of its own on preparation of the Ph.D. thesis beyond those set by the Graduate Division. Most MCDB students have two or three papers either published, "in press," or submitted by the end of their thesis research period. In many cases, manuscripts or reprints of this type can be inserted intact as chapters in the thesis, with additional introductory, summary and added materials sections to tie everything together.
- In one of your annual meetings with your doctoral committee, and before starting to write, you must check with each certifying member of your Doctoral committee concerning the proposed thesis format.
- The certifying members' agreement, as to the specific format of your thesis, must be unanimous.
- You should also contact your Committee at least six months in advance of your anticipated date of finishing. Failure to do so could unnecessarily delay completion of your thesis and granting of your degree.
- If changes in your committee are necessary for any reason, see the MCDB Student Affairs Office no later than three weeks prior to your planned Final Oral Examination date.
The Student Affairs office will set up your Final Defense and will prepare the Report on Final Oral Examination form and forward it to the Graduate Division.
In exceptional circumstances the Final Oral Examination may be waived, but it is general MCDB policy to require a defense of all Ph.D. students. You must submit a FINAL COPY of your thesis to your Doctoral committee no less than one week before the scheduled thesis defense date. After the examination, all necessary changes to your thesis should be made within two weeks.
You are expected to provide the Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology with a bound copy of your thesis.