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Neurosciences Graduate Program Neurograd
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Committee and Thesis Approval

Prior to advancing to candidacy, Neurosciences Graduate Program students must hold a pre-thesis meeting and assemble their full Doctoral Committee. This process typically occurs at the start of Minor Proposition in the second year (G2) and must be completed no later than the end of the third year (G3). 

Timeline Milestone
G2 - Second Year
⚕ MSTP = G1
 Preliminary Committee Formation: Your Advisor + 2 Members. They will evaluate your proposal during your Pre-Thesis Meeting in the Spring. 

G3 - Third Year
⚕ MSTP = G2

 Doctoral Committee Conferral: Add 1 more member. Route to NGP for review of eligibility. May need to replace or add members. Approved committee will review your timeline to advance

 

Pre-Thesis Meeting

The pre-thesis meeting is a checkpoint for graduate students to present their preliminary research, aims, and proposal. Students should expect to receive feedback on their project scope and feasibility. The graduate program recommends to start the meeting with a summary of your current progress and completion of degree requirements. The majority of your meeting should outline your plan for research and a timeline for your projects and other commitments. 

Purpose of the Doctoral Committee

Students can read about doctoral committee policy set forth by the academic senate by visiting: Academic Senate - Requirements for Higher Degrees

The doctoral committee evaluates and approves the advancement to candidacy exam, officially transitioning the student from doctoral student status to a doctoral candidate at UC San Diego. To receive a UC San Diego degree, the doctoral committee must be formally constituted by approved faculty members and meet Academic Senate, GEPA, and NGP eligibility requirements. This includes the type of appointment and representation from outside the student's home department. 

Committee Approval Process

The Doctoral Committee should comprise a minimum of four members, all of which have appointment at UC San Diego. These appointment must be eligible under GEPA policies (Committee Membership Eligibility), which generally require ladder-rank faculty or equivalent. Faculty eligibility is determined by their official payroll title and appointment status at the university. While adjunct appointments (Salk Faculty) are considered UC San Diego appointments, they do not meet the requirements for an advisor, students with advisors at Salk must find a co-advisor with an Assistant, Associate, or Professor appointment.Consult the NGP administration to search a title. 

Delays in notification may result in filing delays. NGP admin can assist in troubleshooting or next steps. 
 

Requirement Description Notes
UC San Diego Advisor Advisor must have an eligible UC San Diego appointment. If not, a Co-Advisor is needed. The NGP Faculty Directory may not be accurate, please email Program Admin. 
External Department At least one member must be from a different UC San Diego department (NGP is not a department). Helps ensure cross-disciplinary oversight.
4 Members Total Must include 4 UC San Diego faculty members, including your advisor. All must be approved by GEPA and the NGP Program Office.

 

 

NGP Committee Approval Form: