{"id":2517,"date":"2017-12-11T16:40:39","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T16:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biology-dev.mit.edu\/?page_id=2517"},"modified":"2023-07-17T14:23:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T18:23:38","slug":"guidelines-for-graduating","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/graduate\/current-students\/graduate-manual\/guidelines-for-graduating\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidelines for Graduating"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4524\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad.jpg\" alt=\"Person at microscope\" width=\"1000\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad-420x203.jpg 420w, https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad-300x145.jpg 300w, https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad-768x372.jpg 768w, https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad-386x187.jpg 386w, https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GuideForGrad-591x286.jpg 591w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Overview<\/h2>\n<p>Congratulations on nearing the completion of your PhD!<\/p>\n<p>Once your thesis committee has agreed that you are ready to graduate, you need to do the following things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Apply to be added to the advanced degree list<\/li>\n<li>Assemble a thesis defense committee<\/li>\n<li>Schedule your defense<\/li>\n<li>Write your thesis and submit it to your committee at least two weeks before your defense<\/li>\n<li>Defend your thesis in a public seminar and a private committee session<\/li>\n<li>Submit your final, approved thesis and accompanying required forms to the Biology Education Office. Thesis submission is now electronic, paper copies of your thesis are no longer required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your funding will end the day you hand in your thesis. Your health insurance will continue through the end of the term. For the fall term coverage is through January 31; for the spring term coverage is through August 31.<\/p>\n<div id=\"accordion-1\" class=\"accordion no-js\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-1-t1\" class=\"accordion-title js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\tApplication for Advanced Degree Form\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"accordion-1-c1\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\tFill out the On-line Degree Application Form <a href=\"http:\/\/student.mit.edu\/cgi-docs\/student.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">on Websis<\/a> in advance of the semester\u00a0you are planning to graduate. A good time to fill this form out is on Registration Day. Your advisor does not sign the form at this time. Towards the end of the semester, you will receive an email message from the Education Office notifying you that you will need to do the following: Go to Websis and make sure the exact title of your thesis is listed. Review the form for correct information, including Commencement attendance information.<\/p>\n<p>Deadlines for filing this form are listed below. Deadlines are also published in the <a href=\"http:\/\/web.mit.edu\/registrar\/calendar\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Academic Calendar <\/a>. Note: there is a $50 fee for late application, $85 if very late. The department does not cover late fees. Be sure to submit this application by the deadline if there is any chance you will finish your degree during that semester. There <em>is no penalty<\/em> if you need to remove your name from the Degree List.\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-1-t2\" class=\"accordion-title js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\tThesis Defense Committee\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"accordion-1-c2\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\tA thesis defense committee is composed of two Biology faculty members, your advisor(s), and one outside faculty member. The Biology faculty members are typically the members of your thesis advisory committee, although this is not a requirement. The outside faculty member can have an appointment at another institution or a primary appointment in an MIT department other than Biology. Because the intent in including an outside member is to provide an independent and objective opinion of the thesis work, and a distinct perspective, this person should not be a collaborator of yours or a former lab member.<\/p>\n<p>See <i>Notes on committee membership<\/i> under Thesis Committee Meetings for additional information.<\/p>\n<p>Because it can be difficult to schedule four faculty members, we recommend that you choose a date with your MIT Biology committee members and then seek an individual who can attend at the scheduled time to serve as the outside member.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-1-t3\" class=\"accordion-title js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\tThesis\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"accordion-1-c3\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\tThere are detailed <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/archives\/thesis-specs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">formatting instructions<\/a> that you must follow when preparing your thesis.<\/p>\n<p>Your thesis must be submitted to your committee no later than <b>two weeks<\/b> prior to your defense date.<\/p>\n<p>Your final thesis document should be submitted electronically to the Biology Education Office. MIT Libraries do not want the front title page to include signatures. \u00a0In addition to the unsigned thesis, along with other items, please also submit a signature page.\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-1-t4\" class=\"accordion-title js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\tThesis Defense\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"accordion-1-c4\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\tA thesis defense is required to graduate. This is a public seminar, followed by a closed defense with your thesis defense committee.<\/p>\n<p>You are responsible for scheduling your thesis defense date with your committee members, and arranging for a room (contact <a href=\"mailto:reserve68@mit.edu\">reserve68@mit.edu<\/a> for a room in Building 68). You should book the room for at least 2 hours. Once you have scheduled your thesis defense seminar, please let Betsey Walsh know the time and place at least <b>one week<\/b> prior to your seminar date so that announcements can be posted.<\/p>\n<p>After your thesis defense seminar, remember to have the Thesis Defense Seminar Form signed by the chair of your committee.\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n<h3>Graduation Deadlines<\/h3>\n<h4>If you plan to graduate in September 2023<\/h4>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Deadline<\/th>\n<th>Date<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/student.mit.edu\/cgi-docs\/student.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Advanced Degree Application due date <\/a><i><\/i><\/td>\n<td>Friday, June 16, 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Last day to submit or change a thesis title<\/td>\n<td>Friday, July 21, 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>MIT deadline for submitting thesis**<\/td>\n<td>Friday, August 11, 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Last day to be taken off Degree List<\/td>\n<td>Friday, August 18, 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>** The Biology Department deadline for turning in your thesis to the Education Office is Registration Day: Tuesday, September 5, 2023.<\/p>\n<h4>If you plan to graduate in February 2024<\/h4>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Deadline<\/th>\n<th>Date<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/student.mit.edu\/cgi-docs\/student.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Advanced Degree Application due date<\/a><i><\/i><\/td>\n<td>Friday, September 8, 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Last day to submit or change a thesis title<\/td>\n<td>Friday, December 15, 2023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>MIT deadline for submitting thesis**<\/td>\n<td>Friday, January 12, 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Last day to be taken off Degree List<\/td>\n<td>Friday, January 19, 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>** The Biology Department deadline for turning in your thesis to the Education Office is Friday, February 2, 2024.<\/p>\n<h4>If you plan to graduate in June 2024<\/h4>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Deadline<\/th>\n<th>Date<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/student.mit.edu\/cgi-docs\/student.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced Degree Application due date <\/span><\/a><i><\/i><\/td>\n<td>Friday, February 9, 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Last day to submit or change a thesis title<\/td>\n<td>Friday, April 12, 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>MIT deadline for submitting thesis**<\/td>\n<td>Friday, May 3, 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Last day to be taken off Degree List<\/td>\n<td>Friday, May 17, 2024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>** The Biology Department deadline for turning in your thesis to the Education Office is Friday, May 17, 2024.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"cta-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/archives\/thesis-specs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Review Specifications for Thesis Preparation<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Turning in Your Thesis<\/h2>\n<p>This is a checklist of items to be turned in with your thesis to the Biology Education Office. Please see <a class=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/libguides.mit.edu\/c.php?g=176367&amp;p=8229377\" contenteditable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/libguides.mit.edu\/c.php?g=176367&amp;p=8229377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIT Libraries for file formats<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"\">An electronic copy of your thesis, the title page should have no signatures<\/li>\n<li>Signature page, the title page with signatures<\/li>\n<li class=\"\">A Defense Form signed by the chairperson of your committee stating that you successfully defended your thesis, the date you defended, and who the members of the committee were<\/li>\n<li>A completed <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/GM_Program_Exit_Form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biology Department Graduate Program Exit Form<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Effective with\u00a0the February 2023 degree candidates, there is no\u00a0longer a library processing fee for a thesis.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"\" style=\"color: #103551; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"\">Fill out this\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/thesis-submit.mit.edu\/\" contenteditable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/thesis-submit.mit.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"\" style=\"font-size: medium;\">form<\/span><\/a><span class=\"\" style=\"color: #103551; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: medium;\"><span class=\"\">\u00a0with MIT Libraries prior to the date of graduation<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Congratulations on nearing the completion of your PhD! Once your thesis committee has agreed that you are ready to graduate, you need to do the following things: Apply to be added to the advanced degree list Assemble a thesis defense committee Schedule your defense Write your thesis and submit it to your committee at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"parent":2337,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-internal-only.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2517","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<title>Guidelines for Graduating - MIT Department of Biology<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/graduate\/current-students\/graduate-manual\/guidelines-for-graduating\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guidelines for Graduating\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Overview Congratulations on nearing the completion of your PhD! 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