Progress Evaluation Sheet

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Graduate Student Progress Evaluation
Purpose of the Progress Evaluation: It is in the best interest of both students and PIs that thesis-directed
research moves forward in a timely and well thought-out manner. Therefore the advisory committee will meet
annually to ensure that the thesis project is still on schedule and directed toward a thesis-worthy body of work.
This form exists to structure the discussion of students’ thesis research progress. In addition, the form provides a
record of past performance and recommendations for future development of the student. Completed and
signed forms will be collected by the THEME MedNeuro coordinator and kept confidential.
Instructions for Students: Please email this form, with questions 1-3 completed, to your advising committee 3
days before your oral progress report, and bring a printed copy to the progress meeting. You should fill in
questions 1-3 with the help and advice of your thesis advisor. The grey text is only an example; delete it and
replace with your own answers. Be prepared to explain your research plans for the next 6 months and the
reasoning behind the experiments you propose. If you have evaluation forms from previous Progress Meetings,
please bring them with you.
Progress Meeting agenda:
-
-
Students deliver a ~30 minute oral report on current thesis progress
Open discussion with audience members
Student and PIs adjourn to private meeting
PIs evaluate the oral presentation and provide suggestions for improvement
Student presents their experimental plans and timeline for the next 6 months
o Note: Students should lead this discussion - This is the opportunity for the student to
demonstrate their knowledge and ownership of their thesis project. PIs and Thesis advisors
should allow the student to present their plans without interrupting.
If needed, discuss research obstacles with student and thesis advisor and suggest alternate approaches
Student is dismissed for the closed session of the meeting
PIs and thesis advisor will briefly discuss the student’s overall professional development
All comments and ratings will be shared with the student by the thesis advisor
After reviewing the results of this report with the thesis advisor, the student will upload a signed copy to the
BIGS online system. The original form should be kept by the student and brought to subsequent Progress Report
meetings.
Explanation of Ratings – relative to student’s current status…
Outstanding (10)
Very Good (7-9)
Good (5-6)
Needs Improvement
(3-4)
Unsatisfactory (0-2)
Excellent
performance in the
top 10% of
students;
displaying
extraordinary skill
and exceptional
insight
Above average
performance in the
top 25% of
students;
displaying strong
skills or advanced
understanding
Average
performance; no
serious problems;
room for
improvement but
no cause for
concern
Below average
performance; indicates
serious concerns that
must be addressed by
the next meeting;
explanation required at
end of report
Inadequate
performance;
actions to address
the deficiency
should be discussed
and recorded at the
end of the report
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Graduate Student Progress Evaluation
Student Name: _______________________________________ Advisor: _____________________________
Progress Report number ________ Start of thesis:______________
Meeting date: __________________
PIs present at progress meeting:
(Chair)_______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
A rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory requires explanation in the final comment.
Part I: Discussion with student
Rating of the oral presentation
Category
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Slides (style, clarity, organization)
Content (clarity, relevance, data)
Speech (language, logic, style)
Discussion (knowledge, poise)
Comments on the presentation….
Project related questions for the student…
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1.
Summarize your accomplishments since the last meeting. You may not have had time to mention all
results in the presentation. This is your opportunity to mention other projects or completed work.
Example:
Project A: electrophysiology
- Uncovered a positive, feed-forward loop driving activity of hilar interneurons
- Increased “n” to levels acceptable for publication
- Completed control experiments with pharmacology to ensure the effect is specific…
- Have begun preparing figures for manuscript
Project B: animal model development
Tested specificity of virus-driven expression of GFP, both false-positive and false-negative expression
will be checked with immunos: result is that the virus is only expressed in PV cells (<3% falsepositive) but many PV cells do not express GFP (67% false negative)
- Breeding colonies have been established for generating the required numbers of animals for
behavioural experiments.
Course work and Professional development
-
-
2.
Presented ephys findings at annual meeting
Have completed the required 2nd year course work
Have completed the required participation in seminar series
List the student’s goals/tasks to fulfill before the next meeting:
Project A: electrophysiology
Begin recordings from virus injected animals to identify the cells types of GFP+ cells. Goal: 10 cells
from at least 3 animals with proper controls for ChR2 activation.
- Control experiments in wt animals showing the pharmacological block of DA input. Goal: 20 cells
with 3 different drugs
- Train new graduate student on using my ephys set-up; this also means that my recording time will
decrease as I will begin to share the set-up.
Project B: animal model development
-
-
Complete the pilot testing of at least 20 wt animals in the water maze task.
Once the training parameters are validated, then training of 5 virus injected animals per week will
begin.
Anticipate completion of the behavioural testing by our next meeting, with >10 animals in both
control and treatment groups
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3. Lay out an anticipated timeline for the project. Are there decision points that will change the direction or content of the thesis project? (Mark the most
important steps with an * or in BOLD)
Timeline
Project Steps
Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Project A: Electrophysiology
-
Recordings from virus injected animals
-
Control pharmacology with 3 drugs
-
Develop analysis method for field potentials
Project B: Animal model development
-
Train wt animals in water maze task
-
Inject virus into test animals
-
Train test animals in water maze
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4. What are the student’s post-graduation career plans? Discuss and give advice or support where
possible (for students beyond their 3rd year).
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Part II: Discussion without student
Student’s current status:
Master’s ☐
PhD - 1st year ☐
2nd year ☐
3rd year ☐
4th+ year ☐
Rating of students’ professional development
Category
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Grasp of literature
Ability to interpret data
Ownership of project - proposals to
overcome obstacles
Productivity
Contribution to experimental design
Clarity of future goals for the project
Responsiveness to advice/criticism
Student’s overall rate of progress
5. Approximately how long until the thesis will be completed? (2+ years, 1-2 years, <1 year)
6. Other comments
a. If a rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory has been given, please elaborate here.
Signature of Thesis Chair: _________________________________________________
Signature of Thesis Advisor: _______________________________________________
Signature of PhD Student: _________________________________________________
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Latest revision: 10 April 2015
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