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Graduate School
Doctor of Philosophy Degree

All students who have completed the requirements for a Baccalaureate or Master's Degree in an acceptable field will be given equal consideration for admission to graduate study in the Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, as per the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972. The Department of Entomology will consider application for admission and for assistantship at any time, although completion of the application process by April 1 is suggested for Fall Admission and September 1 for Spring Admission.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

A. Admission (responsibility of Departmental Graduate Admissions Committee)
  1. Application should be made at least three months but not more than 12 months before the desired entry date. ( See Application for Admission )
  2. Applicants must meet requirements for admission to the Graduate School as set forth in the Graduate Catalog. A Master's degree in Entomology or a related area with a minimum GPA of 3.25 at the M.S. level is also required for admission to the Department. Students who do not meet the minimal GPA requirement may be admitted on a conditional basis. Students admitted on a conditional basis must maintain a 3.25 GPA in the initial twelve hours of graduate coursework (with no grade below a B in entomology courses), excluding special problems, special topics, or other variable credit hour courses to remain in the program.
  3. Applicants residing in the United States, Canada or any other country are required to submit scores from the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless the test is not available in that applicant's country.The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), CN 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, (609) 921-9000. Information can also be obtained from their Web site: http://www.gre.org .
  4. Applicants need a basic background in the physical and biological sciences, as well as adequate preparation in English. Specific training should include: mathematics through college algebra (Pre-calculus or calculus highly recommended), at least one course in physics, chemistry through organic, botany and zoology or equivalent hours in biological science, microbiology or bacteriology and genetics. Early in the degree program the advisory committee will review the academic background and recommend coursework to take to correct deficiencies. In addition, students are expected to complete or have completed the core course requirements for the M.S. degree (see Course Offerings). Students will receive graduate credit for these courses.
  5. Students admitted by the Graduate School without condition are eligible for appointment to a graduate research assistantship (GRA). Students conditionally admitted by the Graduate School are not eligible for appointment to a GRA until all conditions are met in full. Appointment at such time is dependent upon the availability of a vacant position.
  6. Students who hold both the baccalaureate and master's degrees from the University of Arkansas are strongly encouraged to pursue the doctorate at another accredited institution.
  7. Doctoral candidates must file a "Declaration of Intent" with the Dean of the Graduate School upon registration for the first semester of graduate work beyond the M.S. degree. (See the Declaration of Intent Form )
  • The Graduate School Admission Form, $40 check or money order, GRE scores and two copies of each transcript should be sent to the Graduate School, 119 Ozark Hall, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
  • Three letters of recommendation, current curriculum vita, and a letter detailing your educational goals and research interests
    should be forwarded to our department at Department of Entomology, 319 AGRI, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
 

View the Graduate School's Admission Checklist.

B. Advisory Committee

  1. Following the filing of the declaration of intent, an interim advisory Committee (three departmental members only, see b2 below) will be selected by the student and major professor. In the event a major advisor has not been identified, the department head will assist the student in the selection of the interim committee. The major professor (or faculty member designated by the department head) will serve as the interim committee chair. Early during the first semester, the interim committee will meet with the student to initiate preliminary planning of the program of study and research plan. A copy of the preliminary plans must be submitted to the department head for review and placement in the student's departmental file. (See Ph.D. Interim Advisory Committee)
  2. Following the preliminary planning session but prior to completion of the first year of study, a full advisory committee (minimum of five members) will be selected by the student and the major professor. The major professor will serve as committee chair. The committee shall consist of a minimum of three members from the Department of Entomology including the major professor, one member from the minor field and one member from any field. The department head will be invited to participate in ALL Advisory Committee activities (non-voting). (See Ph.D. Advisory Committee)
  • The advisory committee will meet with the student during the first year to administer a comprehensive oral review of the student's background in entomology and other related areas and to assist the student in developing the final program of study and research plan. Copies of the program of study and research plan must be submitted to the department head for approval and placement in the student's departmental file. Any subsequent changes in the program of study should be immediately reported to the department head.

C. Program
  1. General Course Requirements: The degree program and coursework for each degree candidate will be arranged on an individual basis by the major professor, the Advisory Committee, and the student. After the comprehensive oral review of the student's background in entomology and related areas, the Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the student's performance and previous record of study. These discussions will serve as the basis for planning the Program of Study and Research Plan.
  2. Seminar Requirements: Four hours of seminar are required. Seminar hours may be taken in entomology (ENTO 6071) or as a formal for-credit seminar offered in other departments within the University. However, at least 3 of the seminar hours must be in entomology. The 4-hour seminar requirement is in addition to other coursework requirements listed below. In addition, each student is required to present a seminar on his/her dissertation research plans during the first year of the degree program and an exit seminar on the dissertation research.
  3. Graduate Hour Requirements: A minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework beyond the M.S. degree excluding seminar (see C2 above) and curriculum enrichment (see C4 below) are required. The candidate must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in the major field, an additional 15 hours in supporting courses and one statistics course, in addition to the statistics course required for M.S. degree. This requirement is waived for students minoring in Statistics. Included in the 15 hours of supporting courses will be at least 12 hours in a minor area of study outside the department. The minor must be declared prior to admission to candidacy. (See Ph.D. Degree Checklist)
  4. A scholarly dissertation representing at least eighteen additional semester hours is required. After passing the candidacy examinations (see item 7), the student must register for at least one hour of dissertation each semester and one hour during the summer session (12 weeks) until all degree requirements are satisfied. If appointed to a 12-month assistantship, the student must register for six hours/semester and three hours during the summer session.
  5. Curriculum Enrichment Requirement: There is no formal language requirement for the Ph. D., except when chosen by the student in consultation with the Advisory Committee or when required by the Advisory Committee. In lieu of the language requirement, the Department has instituted a Curriculum Enrichment Program. This program consists of six or more hours of formal coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or better in an area as approved by the student's Advisory Committee. These hours are intended to broaden the student's education and the Advisory Committee will encourage the student to select courses removed from their specific research interests. Courses in philosophy, literature, business, computer science, statistics, technical writing, etc. may likely fit the need of the student. These hours are in addition to those outlined in c3 above and should be completed as early as possible in the doctoral program.
  6. Residency Requirement: Students must complete two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study to achieve residency. (See Appendix I for more information).
  7. Grade Point Requirement: Failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 or unsatisfactory research or general academic progress will result in the evaluation of the student's performance by the Advisory Committee and a recommendation made on his/her continued status as a graduate student. The decision of the Advisory Committee may be appealed to the Faculty, Department of Entomology. (See Academic Probation Policy).
  8. Degree Time-Frame: Students appointed to a GRA (1/2 time) are expected to complete the Ph. D. degree in eight semesters (4 years) beyond the M.S. degree. Students not on an assistantship must complete the requirements for the Ph. D. degree in seven years.
  9. Annual Academic Review: The student will submit a written report academic and research progress to his/her Advisory Committee (by February 1). (See Record of Progress). The Advisory Committee will meet and assess the students progress, Following the assessment, the major advisor will discuss the committee’s assessment face-to-face with the student and file the Annual Graduate Student Academic Review form (see page ) with The Graduate School and provide a copy of the form to the Department Head.
  10. Candidacy Examinations: after completion of at least 20 graduate coursework hours the student will take a series of written candidacy examinations as specified by the advisory committee and a Comprehensive oral examination covering entomology and supporting areas. These examinations must be successfully completed at least one academic year before the degree is conferred.
  11. Dissertation: A dissertation reporting original research is required (see Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations ). The dissertation title must be submitted to the dean of the graduate school at least one year before the final examination. The dissertation must be submitted to the advisory committee for approval at least six weeks prior to conferral of the degree. Each committee member must receive a copy in final form at least one week before the final oral examination. Two final copies of the dissertation and abstract must be submitted to the dean of the graduate school for approval and transmitted to Mullins library at least one week prior to conferral of the degree. A bound copy of the dissertation must also be delivered to the department head. (See Doctoral Dissertation Title Form )
  12. Final Oral Examination: The student must pass an oral examination in defense of his/her dissertation at least two weeks prior to conferral of the degree. The major professor must forward to the graduate dean, no less than ten days before the date of the final oral exam, an abstract of the dissertation accompanied by a memorandum announcing the date, time, and place of the examination. The announcement of the dissertation defense should also be distributed to the departmental faculty and posted on the departmental homepage.
  13. Application for Degree: A student cannot be cleared for graduation until an application for the degree has been completed in the Graduate Dean's Office and filed with the Registrar's Office and the appropriate fee paid. The degree application must be filed in the semester in which the degree is conferred. If a student fails to meet the degree requirements as anticipated the application must be renewed and a renewal fee paid. (See also Commencement Participation Form )
  14. Teaching Assistance: Ph.D. students are strongly encouraged to assist with the teaching of a course(s) of their choosing. Interested students should contact the department head. (See Graduate Assistant Form )
  15. Ph.D. Calendar: A " Doctoral Calendar for Academic Year " is available from the Graduate School which outlines the requirements and deadlines for completion of the Ph. D. (see page 33). Students are encouraged to obtain a copy at the beginning of each academic year.

Ph.D. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
  1. Coursework as outlined by Advisory Committee completed (minimum 30 hours)
  2. 12 hours (minimum) in major field
  3. 15 hours (minimum) completed in supporting courses with minimum of 12 in minor area
  4. 18 hours (minimum) of dissertation
  5. Graduate Course in Statistics (3 hrs beyond that for M.S. degree)
  6. Seminar (4 hours)
  7. Dissertation based on original research in some area of entomology.
  8. Written and oral candidacy examinations covering the student's program of study are required.
  9. A final oral examination over course work and in defense of the dissertation is required.
Ph.D. FORMS
If a link has not been included to a form that you need, please check the Appendix I of the Graduate Student Handbook, or the list of forms on the Graduate School website.