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Please use DocuSign for all forms. |
Students in BME are required to complete the dissertation proposal milestone by the end of their third year in the PhD program. Please refer to the COVID-19 resources page in the BME graduate handbook for temporary changes to some policies and practices. All proposals must be held virtually in summer 2020. Students are encouraged to make use of DocuSign for forms (see details below).
The research proposal and oral exam includes both a written and an oral component. The written component involves submitting an NIH R01 proposal (12 pages) to the student’s dissertation committee no less than two weeks prior to defending it orally to the same committee. Required sections are specific aims (1 page) and research strategy (12 pages).
Doctoral candidates in BME are encouraged to propose in their second year of the program and no later than the end of the third year. Candidates who do not propose by August 31 of their third year must submit a deadline extension request.
The purpose of the proposal is to assess students’ progress toward the completion of a Ph.D. Degree in Biomedical Engineering. During the oral examination the student will be expected to demonstrate the following:
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Dissertation Proposal Step-by-Step
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Preparing for Your Proposal
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| Step 1 | Update your committee with the Graduate School if it has changed | - Check committee membership.
- If your dissertation committee has changed, submit a Request for Change in Doctoral Committee Form to the Graduate School
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- . Email the Graduate Coordinator to use the DocuSign version of
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- Resolving committee changes before your proposal is not required
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- , but must be completed at least 30 days before you defend.
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- More information is provided
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| Step 2 | Meet with your supervisor |
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| - Discuss your plan and timeline to propose, and your supervisor's requirements
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- in preparation for your proposal.
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- on professional development
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- , drawing from your earlier
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- professional goals and the IDP you completed as part of the qualifying exam. Discuss challenges you have faced and overcome, what steps you have taken to achieve your professional goals, and your current plans as a result.
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- Have your supervisor review
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- this slide in advance of your proposal.
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| Step 3 | Schedule your proposal | |
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- Once your supervisor has signed this form, provide it to the Graduate Coordinator for review and placement in your student file.
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- committee members should be present
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- , but exceptions are given in the event of scheduling emergencies. Required participation is N-1.
- Members may participate virtually or in person.
- If you are in the process of changing your committee, your new committee members should attend your proposal, even if you have not formally updated your committee with the Graduate School.
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- Make use of services such as Doodle or When 2 Meet
- It is your responsibility to communicate the schedule of your proposal to your committee members.
- Use the BME Room Reservation system to reserve your space. If proposing in person, reserve the space at least 30 minutes in advance for set up time.
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| Step 4 | Submit a program of work form and report your proposal date to the Graduate Coordinator | |
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- to the Graduate Coordinator.
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| Step 5 | Submit your written proposal to your committee at least two weeks in advance of |
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| - Late submissions should be used sparingly, such as in emergency situations, and require approval of your full committee.
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| Step 6 | Prepare the Dissertation Proposal Form | - The form is available as a PowerForm in DocuSign and is launched by the student. Once you complete your part of the form and click Finish, it will route back to you. You will need to click the Release button in the form to release the form to your committee either just before or just after your proposal. Launch the form here.
- If you are holding your proposal in person and wish to use a physical document instead, download it here.
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| Step 7 | Learning outcomes forms - no action necessary by you on this step | - The Graduate Coordinator will circulate learning outcomes forms to your committee
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- To use the DocuSign version of the proposal form, please email the Graduate Coordinator and include a list of your committee members and their email addresses. We recommend completing the DocuSign version on the day of your exam, shortly before the exam begins.
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| Step 8 | Save a copy of your signed proposal form for your records | - When the form is fully signed, you will receive an email notification with a link to download the completed form. Save a copy for your records.
- The Graduate Coordinator receives the same download link and will automatically place a copy of the signed form in your student file.
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At Your Proposal
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| Step | Task | Notes and Resources |
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| Step 1 | Give your proposal | - In addition to your prepared oral presentation, be sure to include one slide about professional development and provide your committee with a copy of the professional development section of your qualifying exam proposal. This should facilitate discussion about your prior plans, how they have changed, and offer your committee the chance to provide feedback.
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| Step 2 | Launch the proposal form in DocuSign | - At your proposal exam, all members of your committee must sign this form to indicate approval of the proposal.
- Once you Release the form and click Finish, the form will route first to your committee chair (supervisor) and then to all other members for signature.
- If you are holding your proposal in person and have opted for a paper form, ask your committee chair to complete the form first, then all members must sign.
- If your committee did not approve
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- make an appointment with your supervisor and the Graduate Advisor to discuss what action you need to take to address the committee's concerns. Return to step 4 to propose again once you have addressed the concerns and are ready.
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- This will be used to discuss professional development and your progress from the qualifying exam to the proposal. If you do not have a copy, please contact the Graduate Coordinator.
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