Graduate Student Survival

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Survival information

The information on this page is pertinent to biology graduate students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs, but not students in the MBS program. For information specific to the MBS program, please see the MBS program page.

Survival information from the university

Survival information from the School of Biological Sciences

The easiest way to survive graduate school is to follow instructions. Multiple forms and charts are available with instructions to help you. You should use these to make your life easier. Below are some key references you should be familiar with. If you need information that is not found here or on the forms and charts page, ask your advisor.

Flow charts to graduation

Ph.D. (updated Fall, 2008)
M.S. -- thesis (updated Fall, 2008)
M.S. -- non-thesis (updated Fall, 2008)

Formats for research proposals

NIH format -- General guidelines
NSF format -- General guidelines
Specific page requirements:
Ph.D. requirements -- single-spaced throughout
1. Project Summary (Abstract), 300 word max
2. Specific aims/introduction, 1 page
3. Background and Significance, 5-6 pages (Preliminary data, if available, can be included in this section)
4. Research Design, 2-4 pages
5. References
M.S. (Thesis) requirements -- single-spaced throughout
1. Project Summary (Abstract), 300 word max
2. Specific aims/introduction, 1 page
3. Background and Significance, 3-5 pages (Preliminary data, if available, can be included in this section)
4. Research Design, 2-3 pages
5. References