Program of Study
The second milestone is creation of a unique program of study. Specific courses to be taken by each student will be specified in a program of study approved by the advisor and the advisory committee. This program of study will ensure that the student possesses the expected knowledge base prior to standing for the comprehensive or preliminary examinations. We expect students who enroll in the program to bring varied backgrounds and levels of preparation in aquaculture and fisheries; thus, the committee will assist the student to tailor an appropriate program of study.
The program of study must be finalized by the end of the first full semester of graduate course work in a committee meeting (Form 07). This meeting should be arranged by the student and attended by the advisor, all committee members, and the graduate coordinator and/or the department chair. Conference call arrangements should be made for committee members unable to attend the meeting. The advisory committee, the graduate coordinator, and the department chair must sign programs of study, indicating their approval.
Ph.D. Program of Study
The Ph.D. program of study should include a minimum of 42 credit hours beyond the M.S. degree. A student’s committee may require further course work. Each student must complete a minimum of 24 hours of core coursework in the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries. Within this minimum requirement, one hour of an ethics course will be required and up to eight additional hours of appropriate external coursework may be substituted, with the approval of the advisory committee, graduate coordinator, and department chair. A memorandum of Agreement has been signed with the Graduate School of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to allow Ph.D. students from UAPB to enroll in graduate-level courses that add depth to the aquaculture/fisheries coursework offered at UAPB. In addition to the 24 hours of core coursework, students will also take two hours of Graduate Seminar, at least one hour of a teaching/extension practicum, Research and Dissertation credit hours, and possibly additional advanced coursework in biological, chemical, and social sciences. One (1) credit hour of Graduate Seminar must be taken in the first full semester of study. Failure to complete the requirement of establishment of an advisory committee and creation of a program of study by the end of the first full semester will result in receiving an “F” in Graduate Seminar.
Changes in the program of study (Form 08) must be approved by the student’s advisory committee, the graduate coordinator, and the department chair. All original forms must be filed with the graduate coordinator to be forwarded to the registrar’s office, with copies kept on file by the graduate coordinator.
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