Introduction

The research programs and resources of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology provide excellent opportunities for training at the M.S., Ph.D., D.V.M./Ph.D. and combined Ph.D./residency levels in fundamentals of modern investigative microbiology, immunology and pathobiology. Areas of particular research strength in the department include mycobacteriology, medical bacteriology, vector-borne diseases, retrovirus pathogenesis and therapy, immunoparasitology, prion biology, inherited metabolic disease, and environmental toxin-induced disease. We place emphasis on a multi-disciplinary approach to research problems. This is facilitated by collaborations with major research groups within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as part of the Infectious Diseases Program of Research and Scholarly Excellence. Interpretive diagnostic expertise training is also provided in conjunction with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. On a more limited basis, graduate research can also be performed in the laboratories of affiliated faculty which are members of the local branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to graduate courses, the Department has an undergraduate degree program that conforms to the guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology; other departments in the College provide a variety of ancillary courses which substantially broaden and enhance the offerings.

Students

The Department admits students with a variety of interests and backgrounds. We encourage graduate student applications from members of minority groups traditionally underrepresented in the field. The individual goals of students differ substantially, both with respect to the degree or degree combination(s) they seek, and with respect to the specific training areas in which they are interested. The Department accommodates different interests and degree objectives, and encourages the diversity of backgrounds, interests and goals of students and faculty alike.
International applicants often require special consideration. If English is not their first language, they may not be qualified for appointment as a GTA upon arrival. They will be required also to pay nonresident tuition for their entire tenure. For these reasons, the Department encourages these applicants to make every effort to seek financial support for tuition and living expenses from their home country.

Requirements

The general requirements governing graduate student education appear in the Colorado State University Graduate and Professional Bulletin. The specific regulations covering areas delegated by the Graduate School to the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology appear below.

The Graduate Education Committee

The Graduate Education Committee (GEC) of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology is responsible for formulating policy and establishing standards relating to graduate education. The Associate Department Head for Graduate Education and Research chairs the GEC and acts as coordinator of graduate studies for the Department. Committee recommendations regarding policy and establishment of standards relating to Graduate Education are subject to approval by the departmental faculty and the GEC serves as an advisory body to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Education and Research in decisions concerning admissions.

There will be a residency/Ph.D. subcommittee of the GEC comprised of one member of each specialty, and an annually elected student representative. This committee formulates policy and standards for residency training and graduate education of students enrolled in the combined program. Policies and standards are subject to approval by department faculty. Additionally, this committee is charged with selection and recruitment of combined program candidates.

Degree Programs

The department offers the following degree programs: M.S., Ph.D., combined residency Ph.D. in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Comparative Medicine and Microbiology. The combined programs are designed for students who have received their D.V.M. degree. The department also has students in the interdisciplinary DVM/PhD and Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) programs. Guidelines for students in the MS and PhD programs are described in section "A" of each category below. The specific guidelines for the combined residency Ph.D. are described in section "B" below when they differ from the MS and PhD program. Students enrolled in interdisciplinary programs (D.V.M./Ph.D., CMB) will follow the guidelines for those programs. Students who enter the combined residency Ph.D. program are free to pursue their Ph.D. degrees in other departments, and will be guided by the graduate rules of that department.

Admissions

A. Application for graduate study and Colorado State University is made electronic through the Graduate School.

Application to our graduate program involves submission of the following:

• Two (2) original official transcripts from each college or university attended.
• Three (3) letters of reference, completed reviewer evaluation forms from individuals able to evaluate your abilities.
• GRE scores are recommended (copy of original scores also accepted).
• Statement of your interest in the graduate program and a summary of your career goals. Your statement of interest should include information reegardin your specific area of interest in Microbiology, Immunology and/or Pathology and potential areas of research in which you would like to work.
• Completed application to the Graduate School
• Biographical sketch or resume.
• TOEFL scores (foreign applicants only) http://www.toefl.org

After processing by the Graduate School, the application materials are sent to the department for review and evaluation. The GEC is charged with initial screening and evaluation of files. To facilitate expert evaluation, suitable applicant files may be circulated to faculty with research programs that appropriately match the interests of the applicant. Based on the evaluations of at least two faculty members, the GEC provides a recommendation to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Education and Research for or against admission. No fixed or numerical criteria are used; composite profiles of the applicants are gleaned from all of the documentation in the application file. Recommendations are also dependent on space and resource availability in the department and individual faculty laboratories.

As soon as an applicant is approved for admission, the student will be contacted by the Associate Department Head for Graduate Education and Research and a personal interview may be arranged. Students may be offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), which covers tuition and stipend for 9 months. If an individual faculty member has current openings, a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) position may be offered. GRAs may also be available via a limited number of training grant positions. Students are only considered for admission when their research interests match programs available in the Department.

B. Students applying to the combined residency Ph.D. program will submit an application to the residency coordinator. The residency coordinator, in collaboration with heads of each program, will review the applications. Based upon their applications, students may be invited for an interview. Acceptance is contingent upon application to and acceptance by the graduate school, but this application does not have to precede application to the combined program. GRE scores will be requested from the applicants. Criteria for acceptance include a strong academic record and a demonstrated interest in basic research as well as applied pathology. Individuals in this program are expected to obtain both a PhD degree and take the ACVP board certification exam.

Graduate Student Advisors and the First Year of Study

A. Unless a student is supported by funds from an individual investigator, the GEC selects a temporary adviser for the student in the appropriate area of interest. The temporary adviser assists in selection of courses, and helps the student identify faculty members whose academic and research interests coincide with the student's educational goals. The student is then responsible for contacting the faculty members and arranging for three laboratory rotations during the academic year; each rotation should be about 2-3 months long. The Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research will assist students when requested. The student registers for an appropriate number of credits in MB699 (M.S. students) or MB799 (Ph.D. students) during lab rotations (see ACADEMIC STANDARDS), is assigned mini-projects, and is expected to participate in research in the same way as other graduate students, using these experiences to learn techniques as well as select a permanent adviser. A permanent adviser must be identified and approved by the Graduate Education Committee and Department Head by the end of the first two semesters of study.

A careful evaluation of each student's potential for success is made at the end of the first year based on performance in coursework and laboratory rotations. Research progress will be determined through written evaluations that rotation advisers will provide at the end of each rotation period. It is the student's responsibility to meet regularly with each rotation adviser to monitor progress.

Student supported by funds from an individual investigator are exempted from laboratory rotations. Assistance with course selection and initiation of the thesis/dissertation research program will be provided by the permanent adviser. All students who are eligible must establish CO residency by the end of the first year.

The program of study should be submitted by the end of the third semester (see CURRICULUM and specific degree requirements). The program of study and names of the graduate committee are to be listed on the Graduate School's GS Form 6. This form will be discussed by the student, the major adviser, and the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research at least two weeks before it is due in the Graduate School. It is the student's responsibility, with the help of the adviser and the graduate committee, to rectify deficiencies and to identify core coursework pertinent to the student's needs for earning an advanced degree.

In summary, during the first year a student must:

• Carry out three laboratory rotations, unless he/she is supported by funds from an individual investigator.
• Identify an approved permanent advisor and graduate committee members.
• Determine the coursework needed for the program of study.
• Meet with the permanent advisor and the Associate Department Head for Graudate Studeies and Research to discuss GS6 form.
• Submit GS6 form to the Graduate School.
• Students who are eligible are also required to establish Colorado residency by the end of the first year.

Failure to complete these steps could lead to an interruption in the student's financial support and/or a "Hold" placed on the student's account which prevents any registration activity if the GS6 form is not filed on time.

B. During residency training, students are supported by state funds except under special circumstances. State support lasts for 3 years in anatomic and clinical pathology and two years for microbiology residents. During the first year the majority of time is spent with clinical responsibilities. Students in the combined residency/Ph.D. program will be assigned a residency advisor from the clinical faculty involved in their program (anatomic pathologist, clinical pathologist, etc.). This faculty member will conduct yearly evaluations of residency training performance. This evaluation is intended to aid the trainee by identifying areas for improvement and formulating plans that ensure progress. Continuation in the residency program is dependent upon satisfactory yearly evaluations. The residency mentor will also aid the trainees in the transition to research training and continue to provide guidance through the board preparation period. Students are expected to rotate through 3 laboratories if they have not identified a scientific mentor when entering the program. Students are expected to identify a permanent laboratory and advisor by the end of the first year. Students will submit GS Form 6 to the Graduate School by spring of the second year.

The Graduate Committee

A. The adviser chairs the student's graduate committee, which is composed of at least three faculty members for an M.S. program, and at least four members for a Ph.D. program (these numbers include the major adviser). Committees must have at least one member from outside the Department (see below). The chair (major adviser) must be a member of the Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology faculty.

The graduate committee has responsibility for assisting the student in planning a program of study, monitoring the student's progress through that program, and determining finally whether or not the student has met the standards of the Department and the University for the degree. The major adviser and the graduate student propose the membership of the graduate committee, and the student is responsible for contacting potential members. Final approval and appointment of the committee is the responsibility of the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research, with the subsequent approval of the Department Head and Graduate Dean. Department faculty affiliates and faculty members who have joint appointments in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology with more than 20% of time contracted in MIP cannot serve as the faculty member from outside the Department. Furthermore, faculty members from another Department who serve on any graduate committee should be chosen to complement the specialties represented on the committee from within the Department.

The student will schedule a meeting with the graduate committee at least once each year to obtain feedback on progress and to discuss plans. The departmental "Annual Progress and Planning Report" and a one-page summary of research results will be prepared by the student prior to the meeting. Immediately following the meeting, the student and major adviser will complete the Report. The student will secure signatures from all committee members and and then submit it to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research. The Annual Report then becomes part of the student's file, and is used to determine whether the student is making satisfactory progress towards the degree (see the Scholastic Standards section of the Graduate and Professional Bulletin).

B. Guidelines for the combined PhD/Residency program are the same as those outlined above.

Curriculum

A. The student and the graduate committee share responsibility for formulating the coursework in the student's program of study. The program of study for students is based on the student's academic background, area of specialization, and recommendations of the graduate committee. Particular attention must be paid to fulfilling the core area requirements for the degree program.

The core departmental areas are defined as bacteriology, virology, molecular genetics, immunology, vector biology and pathobiology. Note that many regular departmental graduate courses are scheduled in alternate years and are distributed to facilitate student scheduling. Several graduate courses are taught on an annual basis. MB700 (Topics in Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology), for example, is a course involving discussion of research literature in the core areas on a rotating basis, and is taught each fall and spring semester. Students are expected to enroll in MB700 at least once during each year of graduate studies. Coursework in other departments should be determined by the student's background and consultation with the major adviser and committee. The core areas chosen determine the range of topics in the preliminary or (in case of Master's) final exam.

B.i. Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residents. The minimum required coursework is as follows:

• PA792AV Microscopy seminar every semester
• Weekly rounds
• Diagnostic Practicums
• Statistics, Immunobiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics
• Weekly graduate student seminar. Students are encouraged to attend when not on hospital duty, and are required to register and present every other year beginning their third year.

B.ii.Comparative Medicine residents:

• PA792CV-Contemporary Topics in Comparative Medicine Seminar (1 credit/semester. 1 semester/yr) 3 years
• PA792AV-Microscopy Seminar (1 credit/semester) 3 years
• VM778A: Special Species Medicine, 2 credits, fall AUDIT
• VM778B: Biology and Diseases of Rabbits and Rodents, 1 credit, spring AUDIT
• PA778: Pathology of Laboratory Animals, 3 credits, every other year
• PA/CM680: Scientific Writing, 3 credits, spring
• MB580: Lab Biosafety, 2 credits, fall/spring
• Business administration (at least 2 of the following): BG 620, 621, 625, 630, 650, 660 (2 credits each)
• CM666: Science and Ethics, 3 credits, fall
• One of the following biostatistics courses: ST307, ST301, or EH/ST544 (3 credits)

B.iii.Microbiology Residens:

• Weekly graduate student seminar. Students are encouraged to attend when not on hospital duty, and are required to register and present every other year beginning their third year.
• Other courses taken in consultation with their advisor and committee.

Service Requirements

A. Not applicable to M.S. and Ph.D programs.

B. In the first year of training, anatomic pathology residents are expected to spend a minimum of 14 week-long rotations on the surgical biopsy service and the necropsy service, for a total of at least 28 weeks of service duty. This decreases in the second year to a minimum 6 weeks of each, and in the third year to 4 weeks of each. Additional duty may be required in each of these years as the need arises. Trainees will register for practicum credit consistent with the time commitment to service activities throughout the period of residency training. While on the necropsy service, residents also have responsibility for training and teaching senior veterinary students that are rotating through that service. Residents are expected to spend the majority of their time at the VTH laboratory during weeks when they are on duty. Exceptions include attendance of scheduled classes or seminars, and with the permission of the faculty person on duty, research-related responsibilities, that cannot be rescheduled.

In the clinical pathology residency, trainees should expect to devote a minimum of 28 weeks to service duty, which decreases to 12 weeks in the second year and 8 in the third.

In the microbiology residency, trainees should expect to devote a minimum 36 weeks to diagnostic microbiology during the first year of the program; this progressively decreases to approximately 18 and 9 weeks during years 2 and 3, respectively.

In the comparative medicine residency, trainees will spend 28 weeks during each of the first two years in clinical rotations.

Graduate Seminar and Presentations

A. Faculty and students participate in weekly graduate seminars during fall and spring semesters. Each graduate student is required to present a seminar every second academic year during their graduate studies, beginning in the second year. All students are required to register for seminar (MB792) and regularly attend weekly seminars each fall and spring semester. A letter grade will be assigned for the semester in which the student makes a presentation. In semesters when no letter grade is assigned, S/U grading will be used. Final defense seminars must be presented as part of the weekly graduate seminar series.

B. Combined students are required to present every other year starting year three of the program.

Teaching

A. All graduate students are encouraged to obtain teaching experience. Many graduate students will participate in teaching by holding a GTA position for one academic year. The Department fills approximately eight GTA positions per year, and duties are assigned throughout the undergraduate courses of the Department. A GTA workshop is presented by the Office of Instructional Services at the beginning of the academic year. MB784V (Supervised College Teaching) provides teaching opportunities for students not appointed as GTAs.

B. Residents are required to teach in at least one semester of PVM course or practicum in their respective programs during the first year of the residency. Comparative medicine residents will assist with administration of the following practicum courses for PVM students: Opportunities in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Biology and Diseases of Rabbits and Rodents, Exotic Medicine Ward. Students will also assist with administration of VM778A and B and PA778 after they have successfully completed those courses.

Academic Standards

A. A fulltime graduate student is expected to register for 15 semester credits during spring and fall semesters until graduation requirements are met. GTAs are only allowed to register for 9 semester credits during the first academic year. During the summer session the student should enroll for a credit load that reflects the work to be accomplished and which is agreed upon by the adviser. A minimal cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained in all course work, exclusive of grades earned in research. Details regarding the quality of academic work are published in the University Bulletin. **Students must be continually enrolled at CSU until they graduate, including students taking a leave of absence**.

Masters of Science Degree
Course Requirements and Program of Study

Each Master of Science student shall acquire an in-depth knowledge in an area of research and breadth of knowledge by completing formal coursework in two of the core areas of microbiology, immunology and pathology as specified above. For the thesis option (Plan A) Master of Science degree, a minimum of 30 semester credits (300 level or above) in coursework and research is required. At least 24 credits must be earned at CSU; 16 of the 24 must be in 500- or higher-level courses and 12 of the graduate-level semester credits should be in regular courses (excluding MB700 topics, MB699 research, and MB792 seminars); the department requires 9 credits of these in Microbiology, Immunology and Microbiology courses.

The course requirements for the non-thesis option (Plan B) Master of Science degree are identical to those of the Plan A option, except that the 30 semester credits requirement need not include research credits. Additionally, a scholarly paper is required for the Plan B Master of Science degree. The content and style of the scholarly paper are left to the discretion of the student and the graduate committee. Any exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the GEC and the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research.

Master of Science Thesis

The Master of Science student will submit to the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology a comprehensive thesis based on the student's research problem. The "THESIS MANUAL" provides information on an acceptable format for preparation of theses. The content and style of the thesis are left to the discretion of the student and the graduate committee subject to approval by the Associate Department Head of Graduate Studies and Research. The Department requires an unbound copy of the thesis for its library. The copy for the Department must contain an original signature page with the signatures of committee members and the Department Head.

Examinations

Each candidate for a master's degree must pass an oral final examination. The exam must be completed at least 5 weeks before the expected graduation. The examination committee consists of the student's graduate committee with the adviser serving as chairperson. The student is responsible for arranging the examination time so that all committee members may attend. The title of the thesis or scholarly paper, time, and place for the examination must be given to the Department's secretarial assistant to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research at least 3 weeks prior to the examination date so that the Graduate School may be notified, and timely announcements may be posted. At least one week before the final examination, the adviser must inform the student and the committee members of the nature and scope of the examination. Generally, the exam will cover the student's thesis or scholarly paper and the two core areas of microbiology, immunology and pathology in which the student has specialized. The final examination shall be open to the entire faculty; however, non-committee members may participate in the examination only at the invitation of the committee chair. An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee members is required for the student to pass the final examination. It is the student's responsibility to obtain GS Form 24 from the Graduate School website prior to the examination and to submit the completed form after the relevant signatures have been obtained to the Graduate School within two working days of the examination.

A candidate who fails the final examination may be reexamined once upon recommendation of the graduate committee. Before a reexamination, the candidate may be required to carry out additional work. The reexamination will occur between 2 and 12 months after the first examination. Failure of a reexamination will automatically terminate the student's participation in the graduate program.

Transfer from Master’s Degree to Ph.D. Degree

Upon recommendation of the adviser and graduate committee, and with the approval of the Graduate Education Committee and the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research, an exceptionally qualified student may transfer to the Ph.D. degree program without completion of the Master's degree. The following steps for transfer from M.S. to Ph.D. program are required:

1. Graduate student should meet with graduate committee regarding transfer from M.S. to Ph.D.
2. Written request from adviser (with approval from each committee member) and GS Form 7 should be submitted to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research. It is the student's responsibility to obtain GS Form 7 from the Graduate School website and to return the completed form to the Graduate School after the relevant signatures have been obtained.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Course Requirements and Program of Study

A. Each Ph.D. student shall acquire in-depth knowledge in the selected area of research specialization(s) and breadth of knowledge by completing formal coursework in three of the core areas of microbiology, immunology and pathology as specified above. Adequate knowledge in general biological and physical sciences is also required. To be recommended for candidacy, students must do more than complete minimum course requirements. They must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of their graduate committee, that they possess the knowledge, abilities, and skills essential for the specialty chosen. A minimum of 72 semester credits in course work (300 level and above) and research is required. An appropriate master's degree from an accredited college or university may be recommended by the Graduate Education Committee for approval for a maximum of 30 credits. At least 21 credits are to be earned beyond the M.S. degree in courses numbered 500 or above.

At least 16 of the graduate-level semester credits should be in regular courses (excluding MB700 Topics, MB799 research, and MB792 seminars); the department requires 13 credits of these in Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology courses.

Foreign Language Requirement

Since English is the language of instruction at Colorado State University, proficiency in written and spoken English is expected. Academic units of the university evaluate students in this regard, and they may require students to secure remedial instruction if necessary.

Preliminary Examination

A. The Doctor of Philosophy student gains admission to candidacy by passing a comprehensive preliminary examination. The preliminary examination consists of a written and an oral part and covers the candidate's entire program of study. The examining committee is the student's graduate committee with the adviser serving as chair. The preliminary exam should be given no later than the end of the third year, but administration by the end of the second year is encouraged. The intent to hold a Ph.D. preliminary examination is to be formally declared in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the department's secretarial assistant to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research at least three (3) weeks in advance of the examination date.

The written portion of the preliminary exam as well as the oral exam are designed to emphasize critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to test scientific hypotheses, and not for the exclusive testing of factual information. The written part of the examination must be independently prepared by the student and either be in the form of a research proposal, whose subject may be defined by the student or committee, or in the form of answers to written questions submitted by committee members. If the proposal option is chosen, the student will have two weeks to complete the written portion and if the question format is chosen, the student will have one week for preparation of written answers. The written part of the preliminary examination must be completed at least one week before the oral examination is administered. The oral examination covers material from the written exam, as well as the three core areas selected by the student for his or her program of study. An affirmative vote of the majority of the committee members is required for the student to pass the preliminary examination. It is the student's responsibility to obtain GS Form 16 from the Graduate School website prior to the examination and to return the completed form to the Graduate School after the relevant signatures have been obtained.

A student who fails the preliminary examination may be reexamined once, providing the committee approves, and may be required to carry out further work before being reexamined. The reexamination must be held no earlier than 2 months nor later than 12 months after the first examination. Failure to pass the second examination will automatically terminate the student's participation in the graduate program.

B. Students in the combined degree program must have completed preliminaries by the end of their 3rd year. Guidelines described in "A" are followed for the preliminaries.

Board Examinations

B. Students in the combined degree program may sit for the specialty board exam after the period of eligibility. The original advisor or residency coordinator must be the individual who sponsors the candidate's application. Residents may sit for their board examinations if they meet the following five criteria:

• Considered qualified as board eligible by accrediting specialty board.
• Successfully completed the residency portion of their program, as documented by satisfactory yearly evaluations.
• Successfully completed the preliminary examination.
• Secured extramural or other non-residency salary funding source to allow completion of a graduate degree.
• Received approval from the residency advisory committee, mentor and graduate committee.

Doctoral Dissertation

The student is required to prepare a comprehensive dissertation based upon independent research conducted during the course of study. The "THESIS MANUAL", provides information on an acceptable format in the preparation of dissertations. The content and style of the dissertation are left to the discretion of the student and the graduate committee, subject to approval by the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research. The Department requires an unbound copy of the dissertation for its library. This copy must contain an original signature page with the signatures of committee members and the Department Head. Ph.D. candidates are expected to publish their work in refereed scientific journals. Each candidate must prepare at least one manuscript for publication on the subject of his or her research and submit it to a refereed journal as a condition of acceptance of the dissertation by the adviser and graduate committee. In general, the nature and scope of Ph.D. research usually leads to several publications.

Final Examination

Each candidate for a doctoral degree must pass an oral final examination at least five (5) weeks before expected graduation. The examining committee consists of the student's graduate committee with the adviser serving as chairperson. The student is responsible for arranging the examination time so that all committee members may attend. The dissertation title, time, and place for the examination must be given to the Department's secretarial assistant to the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Research at least three (3) weeks prior to the examination date so that a completed GS Form 23 can be submitted to the Graduate School, which will make timely announcements on the campus. At least four weeks before the final examination the adviser must inform the student and the committee members of the nature and scope of the examination. Normally, the final examination will cover primarily the dissertation, but additional subject matter from the three core areas of specialization originally selected by the student may also be covered.

Both the oral preliminary examination and the final examination shall be open to the entire faculty; however, non-committee members may participate in the examination only at the invitation of the committee chair. An affirmative vote of the majority of the committee members is required for the student to pass the final examination. It is the student's responsibility to obtain GS Form 24 and any other required forms from the Graduate School website prior to the examination and to return the completed forms to the Graduate School after the relevant signatures have been obtained.

A candidate who fails the final examination may be reexamined once, and additional work may be required before the reexamination. The reexamination will occur between 2 and 12 months after the first examination. Failure of the second exam will automatically terminate the student's participation in the graduate program.

Intellectual Property

Matters of intellectual property arising during a student's graduate studies are governed by Colorado State University policies.

Procedures for Reassignment/Dismissal of Graduate Students

The Department will make every effort to retain students who are performing satisfactorily in their program. However, there occasionally are circumstances, differences of opinion, or failure to perform that result in need for dismissal or reassignment.

1. At any time for a master's student and at any time before a doctoral student passes his/her preliminary examination, an advisor may choose to terminate his/her association with the student. The student will be notified in writing of the advisor's decision. The Graduate Education Committee, in consultation with the Head, shall try to place the student with another advisor within the department, giving consideration to the research interests of the student and the capability of the new advisor to direct the student's research and the availability of research support funds. If another advisor is not available, the student will be dismissed from the departmental graduate program.
2. If an advisor chooses to terminate his/her association with a doctoral student who has passed his/her preliminary examination, the Graduate Education Committee in conjunction with the Head, should make every effort to place the student with another advisor within the department, but such placement is not guaranteed.
3. If an advisor resigns from the University and a graduate student (MS or PhD) does not wish to move with the advisor, the Graduate Education Committee and the Head shall try to place the student with another advisor within the department. If another advisor is not available, the student will be dismissed from the departmental graduate program.
4. If a graduate student wishes to discontinue his/her association with an advisor, it is the student's responsibility, in consultation with the Graduate Education Committee and the Head, to secure a commitment from another faculty member to become the advisor. If another advisor is not available, the student will be dismissed from the departmental graduate program.

Graduate Student Responsibilities

Responsibilities of a graduate student to the Department and University include, but are not limited to, those outlined in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin under the section on Student Rights and Responsibilities.

In the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, students may not interrupt their program progress or completion without permission of their advisor and committee.

Student Appeals

Should any graduate student think that the evaluation of their performance or assignment of duties by the advisor is unfair or unreasonable, the student may seek mediation. This should first be done by meeting with the advisor to try to directly resolve the issue(s). If further mediation is necessary, a formal statement of grievance containing the principal issue(s) of conflict, attending circumstances, and evidence of actions as may be pertinent are to be filed with the Departmental Graduate Education Committee which will serve to internally review grievances. The Graduate Education Committee will review and consider the issue and its bases and interview the faculty member and the student.

Should any undergraduate student think that the evaluation of their performance is unfair or unreasonable, the student may seek mediation. This should be done by meeting with the instructor to try to directly resolve the issues(s). If further mediation is necessary, a formal statement of grievance containing the principal issues(s) of conflict, attending circumstances, and evidence of actions as may be pertinent are to be filed with the Departmental Undergraduate Education Committee which will serve to internally review grievances. The Undergraduate Education Committee will review and consider the issue and its basis and interview the faculty member and the student.

In either case, the appropriate committee will prepare written findings and recommendations and provide a copy to the student, the faculty member, and the head. If the student disagrees with the recommendation of the committee, she or he has full right and freedom to proceed with appeal in accordance with policy as outlined in the Graduate School Handbook, Faculty Manual, or General Catalog, as appropriate.