EVALUATING STUDENT PROGRESS
Graduate education requires continuous evaluation of the student. In addition to the
requirement for maintenance of a 3.0 grade-point average (grade of B) and satisfactory
completion of other formal requirements for the degree, students are subjectively evaluated
by the faculty for their aptitude in the field of study. Flexibility within the graduate program
allows variation among individual courses of study, but students are expected to make
satisfactory progress in acquiring knowledge of a subject area and in completing their
degree requirements. The student and major professor should have a mutual
understanding of what each is expected to contribute to the program of graduate study.
Once the student in enrolled in our department, the student and major professor are
required to schedule a conference for the purpose of reviewing the program at least
annually. The student should take the initiative in scheduling this conference. This
conference may include the graduate committee, or only the student and major professor.
As a means of monitoring student progress, the student must complete the Graduate
Student Review Form, with appropriate signatures, and submit the form to the
Departmental Graduate Committee. A downloadable version of the form can be found at:
http://plantsciences.utk.edu/grad_student_eval.doc
This report will be due by February 28 of each year, and will become part of the
departmental student file. Many informal conferences will occur during the course of study,
but these may not present an opportunity for review and critique of the entire program. It
is expected that the progress report will provide the impetus for both student and major
professor to examine the graduate program in detail, review progress to date, and establish
goals and timetables. This is also an appropriate time to discuss any problems and
possible changes in the student's program.
The Departmental Graduate Committee will review the progress reports, and
recommend action to the major professor or Department Head, as appropriate. When
either the student or major professor becomes concerned that a program of graduate study
is not progressing satisfactorily, a conference should be held to review the program and
progress of the student. A student's graduate study may be terminated when progress is
unsatisfactory. Students may appeal actions which they think affect them unfairly.
Appeals normally are made through the Department Head to the University administration.
The Graduate Council Appeal Procedure should be consulted. The student handbook, Hill
Topics, contains statements of UTK standards of conduct and of all disciplinary regulations
and procedures.
Plant Sciences Graduate Student Progress Checklist
Date_________________________
By February 28 of each year of graduate study, students are required to schedule a conference
with their advisor(s) to evaluate student progress. This form will be completed (with signatures)
and submitted to the Departmental Graduate Program Committee following that conference. The
Graduate Committee will review the progress report and may recommend action where
appropriate.
Name______________________________________
Degree______________________________________
Semester you began program __________________
Proposed graduation date______________________
Major professor _________________________
Other advisory committee members ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_______________________________
Thesis title
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Cumulative GPA:
DATE
Selection of major professor and field of study.
____________
First meeting of students graduate advisory committee (1st semester)
___________
Academic program (coursework), Approval by Grad Advisory Committee
___________
Research proposal submitted to Grad Advisory Committee (2d semester)
___________
Graduate seminar (PS 504) on proposed research, (by second semester)
___________
"Final-form" thesis draft to committee (at least 2 weeks before exam)
___________
Graduate seminar (PS 504) defending research
___________
Final oral, defense examination
___________
Submission of thesis to Graduate School
___________
Student_______________________________ Date_______________________
================================================================
Major Professor
Recommendation/comments:
Signature_____________________________ Date__________________________
===============================================================
Grad Committee Chair
Actions/recommendations:
Signature____________________________ Date______________________________