Graduate Field of Natural Resources and the Environment Degree Guidelines
PhD Degree
The Field of Natural Resources and the Environment requires the Examination for Admission to Candidacy (the “A Exam”) and the Final Examination for the PhD Degree (the “B Exam”), plus a public presentation near the time of the “B” exam. PhD students should try to complete all degree requirements within five years. Students in the MS /PhD degree program must complete the requirements for the MS degree before beginning the PhD program.
Checklist for Completing PhD Degree
Special Committee: The Graduate School requires that students select a Committee Chair by the third week of their first semester; this is done in the Student Center. A doctoral student in the Field of Natural Resources and the Environment must have at least four committee members, including a committee chair from the Field and three graduate faculty members. One committee member can be an ad hoc, but we encourage adding only PhD level scientists. The graduate faculty requires that all students have a full special committee no later than the end of the third semester for doctoral programs. The form is submitted through Student Center and must be submitted by the last Friday of classes.
Coursework as required by Special Committee: There are no specific courses or number of credits required by the Graduate Field of Natural Resources and the Environment or Graduate School, but the Field recommends that all incoming PhD students take Introduction to Graduate Studies (NTRES 6000). There are no required number of credit hours per semester, but the field recommends students register for 12 credits each semester. If students are not enrolled in classes, they must sign up for thesis research credits, usually under the supervision of their committee chair. Graduate students may take undergraduate courses as deemed necessary by their Special Committee.
Semesters of Registration: The minimum requirement for graduation is six semesters of registration, two of them taken after the A Exam. No more than two in absentia semesters may count toward the minimum requirement.
Complete PhD research proposal: Recommended by the Field of Natural Resources and the Environment and may be required by student’s special committee.
Give Presentation at Graduate Student Association Symposium in January: Recommended by the Field of Natural Resources and the Environment and may be required by student’s committee chair.
Meet with Special Committee: One meeting per year required by Field of Natural Resources and the Environment. Students are encouraged to meet with committee members more often than once per year so that students can effectively learn from and utilize the committee members’ expertise. Students and committee members should agree on coursework and the research project.
Complete annual online Student Progress Report: Required by the Graduate School each spring semester.
Complete A Exam (Admission to candidacy exam): Required by the Graduate School, the A exam should be completed sometime between the third and beginning of the seventh semester. A student is admitted to doctoral candidacy after passing a comprehensive examination administered by his or her special committee. This examination generally requires a written component in addition to the oral component, as determined by the special committee. The passing of this examination certifies that the student is eligible to begin their PhD research and eventually present a dissertation to their special committee. Students must contact the Graduate Field Assistant at least 10 days in advance of the desired exam date to complete the required paperwork and formally schedule and announce the A Exam. The schedule of examination form can be found online at http://gradschool.cornell.edu/forms. The student’s special committee reports its decision to the Graduate School within three business days of the exam by submitting a Results of Exam Form available at http://gradschool.cornell.edu/forms. Upon completing the “A” exam, a PhD student assumes the title of “PhD Candidate.”
Conduct B Exam with Special Committee: Required by the Graduate School, the B exam is a defense of the dissertation so most of the work on the dissertation should be completed prior to the exam. Additional revisions are generally suggested at the exam. This is the final examination for the PhD degree. A doctoral candidate takes this examination upon completion of all requirements for the degree, but no earlier than one month before completion of the minimum semesters of registration. A minimum of two semesters of registration must be earned between passing the A exam and scheduling the B exam. This exam covers the general subject of the dissertation. Students are required to provide their dissertation to their committee to review at least two weeks prior to the B Exam. Students must contact the Graduate Field Assistant at least 10 days in advance of the desired exam date to complete required paperwork and formally schedule and announce the B-Exam. The schedule of examination form can be found online at http://gradschool.cornell.edu/forms. The student’s special committee reports its decision to the Graduate School within three business days of the exam by submitting a Results of Exam Form available at http://gradschool.cornell.edu/forms.
Submit Committee Approved Dissertation Through the Graduate School: Required by the Graduate School. Writing the dissertation requires multiple revisions in cooperation with the special committee chair and other committee members. Talk to your special committee chair to develop a reasonable timeline for completion of various drafts. Students are expected to submit their final dissertation electronically to the Graduate School within 60 days of the B exam. Students missing this deadline are charged a late fee. Further details on dissertation requirements, writing, and submission can be found at http://gradschool.cornell.edu/thesis-dissertation. Graduate School degrees are conferred three times a year: January, May, and August. Commencement ceremonies are held in December and May.
Present Public Seminar on Dissertation Research: Required by the Field of Natural Resources and the Environment. The presentation can be scheduled at a time convenient to the student and their committee or as part of the the Department of Natural Resources and Environment seminar series. Students who present as part of the seminar series should contact the seminar committee chair in the fall of the academic year they plan to graduate.