CURRICULUM
PhD in Microbiology & Immunology

The program leading to the PhD emphasizes research training at the molecular and cellular levels in several disciplines to prepare the student for a challenging career directing original independent research.  While the program of study is tailored to the individual needs of the student, he or she is required to complete a series of core courses that provides a broad background in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Molecular Biology, Immunology, Virology, Bacteriology, Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases, and Research Technologies.

The program also emphasizes the written and oral communication skills needed to excel in the scientific community.  Active participation in departmental seminars and at least one journal club is required of all students. 

In addition, each student must prepare two research proposals as part of the process of learning how to design experiments, to evaluate the scientific literature in a critical manner, and to begin to master the skills of scientific writing. The most important components of the PhD training program are the research project and dissertation. They are completed under the guidance of the student’s Faculty Advisor and Doctoral Advisory Committee and must represent original and independent scholarly work.

An individualized program of study is developed for each graduate student through regular consultation with a faculty Advisory Committee. This program consists of lectures and laboratory courses, seminars, journal clubs, preparation of research proposals, and independent research. 

Upon entering the Doctoral Program, the student becomes acquainted with the research activities of each faculty member and then selects three faculty research laboratories for rotating during the Fall semester. At the end of the first semester, the student selects the research laboratory in which he/she will complete a research project for submission in his/her dissertation. 

A minimum of three full years is required for completion of the doctoral degree. In most cases, especially for students who enter the doctoral program without prior graduate level experience and training, a period of five to six years is usually needed for completion of the doctoral degree.

A minimum of 20 credit hours earned for letter grade is required for completion of the PhD degree.  The department program is 22 credit hours for letter grade:

• 12 letter-graded credit hours are from the Interdisciplinary Program (IDSP) core curriculum (IDSP 106, 110, 118, 120, 121, 226/227, 235A)
• 10 letter-graded credit hours are from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology’s required courses (MICRO 276, 289, 291, 297). 

Additional elective credits may be taken, which should be decided by consultation of the mentor and Doctoral Advisory Committee.  Electives may be taken in different semesters and are taken in the Spring Semester of first year and/or Fall Semester of 2^nd year.  Students are also required to take both Ethics courses (IDSP 240 and 241). 

Descriptions of the courses can be found on the LSUHS catalog.

Curriculum Outline

Required courses

• IDSP 106: Scientific Methods and Communications (2 cr.)
• IDSP 110: Central Dogma (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 118: Integrated Cell Biology (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 121: Cellular Function and Dysfunction (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 120: Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 240: Ethics and Professionalism I (0.5 cr.)
• IDSP 241: Ethics and Professionalism II (0.5 cr.)
• MICRO 298: Weekly Department Seminar (1 cr.)
• MICRO 297: Graduate Immunology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 291: Advanced Bacteriology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 276: General and Molecular Virology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 289: Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 298: Seminar (1 cr.)
• IDSP 235A: Grant Writing (1 cr.)
• IDSP 226/227: Basic & Advanced Biostatistics (3 cr. total)

Elective courses

Electives (with consultation of Doctoral Advisory Committee and mentor) could include:

• IDSP 201: Intro to Cancer (2 cr.)
• IDSP 204A: Practical Informatics (3 cr.)
• IDSP 228: Data Analysis and Reproducible Research (2 cr.)
• IDSP 113: Genetics (1 cr.)
• IDSP 119: Gene Expression (1 cr.)
• IDSP 123: Animal Models (2 cr.)
• IDSP 255: Teaching and Professional Development (2 cr., S/U)

YEAR 1: Fall Semester

• New Student Orientation
• Introduction to Research by Each Faculty Member
• Initiate Laboratory Rotations with Three Faculty Members Selected by the Student
• Rotations through the Weekly Journal Clubs (Micro #292 or Micro #295)
• IDSP 106: Scientific Methods and Communications (2 cr.)
• IDSP 110: Central Dogma (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 118: Integrated Cell Biology (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 121: Cellular Function and Dysfunction (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 120: Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences (1.5 cr.)
• IDSP 240: Ethics and Professionalism I (0.5 cr.)
• MICRO 298: Weekly Department Seminar (1 cr.)
• MICRO 298: Seminar (1 cr.)
• Roundtable on How to Prepare and Present a Seminar
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Select Faculty Advisor (Memo to Select Faculty Advisor due mid-December)

YEAR 1: Spring Semester

• MICRO 297: Graduate Immunology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 291: Advanced Bacteriology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 276: General and Molecular Virology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 289: Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases (2.5 cr.)
• Other courses as appropriate
• Join and Participate in a Weekly Journal Club (Micro 292 or Micro 295)
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Initiate the Dissertation Research Project
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory
• Establish the Advisory Committee of Five Faculty Members (Request to Establish Advisory Committee Form due by March 1st)
• Hold Initial Meeting with Advisory Committee (due by May 1st)

YEAR 1: Summer

• Select Topic and Title for Library Seminar
• IDSP 241: Ethics and Professionalism II (0.5 cr.)
• Participate in Weekly Journal Club (Micro 292 or Micro 295)
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Conduct Research at the Bench on the Dissertation Research Project
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory
• Select Topic and Title for Library Seminar
• Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) and Discuss with Mentor (due by July 31st)

YEAR 2: Fall Semester

• Present Library Seminar (topic unrelated to dissertation research) (1 cr.)
• IDSP 235A: Grant Writing (1 cr.)
• IDSP 226/227: Basic & Advanced Biostatistics (3 cr. total)
• MICRO 298: Seminar, Present First Research Seminar (1 cr.)

Electives

• Other course offerings by other departments
• Participate in Weekly Journal Club (Micro 292 or Micro 295)
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Conduct Research at the Bench on the Dissertation Research Project
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory

YEAR 2: Spring Semester

• MICRO 298: Seminar, Present First Research Seminar (1 cr.)

Electives

• Hold Second Meeting with Advisory Committee on Research Progress
• Qualifying Exam: Present Two Potential Topics to Advisory Committee (due by March 1st) (Request for Preliminary Exam Form due 2 weeks in advance of meeting); written grant due by April 30.
• Qualifying Exam: Faculty Decision on Qualifying Exam Proposal Must Be Made by June 1st
• Preliminary Exam: Occurs at Advisory Committee Meeting if Qualifying Exam is Accepted (Report of Preliminary Exam Form due by June 1st)
• Participate in Weekly Journal Club (MICRO 292 or MICRO 295)
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Conduct Research at the Bench on the Dissertation Research Project
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory

YEAR 2: Summer

• Participate in Weekly Journal Club (MICRO 292 or MICRO 295)
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Conduct Research at the Bench on the Dissertation Research Project
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory
• Begin Writing Research Proposal on Doctoral Dissertation Topic
• Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) and Discuss with Mentor (Due by July 31st)

YEAR 3

• Micro 298: Seminar on Doctoral Research Proposal (1 cr.)
• Review of Doctoral Research Proposal with Advisory Committee and Outside Reviewer (Report of Dissertation Proposal Form due following the meeting)
• Apply for Intramural Fellowship (Due early-October or early-April)
• Participate in Weekly Journal Club (MICRO 292 or MICRO 295)
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Conduct Research at the Bench on the Dissertation Research Project
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory
• Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) and Discuss with Mentor (Due by July 31st)

Future Years until Graduation

• Research at the Bench on the Dissertation Research Project
• Annual Seminar on Research
• Weekly Journal Club
• Write Manuscripts for Publication
• Presentation of Research at Regional, National, and International Meetings
• Weekly Lab Meetings with Advisor and Members of the Laboratory
• Meet with All Visiting Scientists and Seminar Speakers
• Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) and Discuss with Mentor (Due by July 31st)
• Write and Defend Dissertation (Request for Dissertation Defense and Final Examination Form due at least 2 weeks in advance of the meeting) (Dissertation Defense Final Examination Report due following the Defense Examination)

Department Courses (link to catalogue)

• MICRO 297: Graduate Immunology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 291: Advanced Bacteriology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 276: General and Molecular Virology (2.5 cr.)
• MICRO 289: Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases (2.5 cr.)

Read Graduate School policies related to academic progress and probation.

The student's progress is monitored by his/her Advisory Committee, which meets periodically, but at least once each year. The Advisory Committee has the prerogative of requiring that the student enroll in specific courses or meet additional requirements to overcome deficiencies in his/her training. The functions and composition of the Advisory Committee are described in the Department booklet "Doctoral Program." The graduate faculty members of the Department also discuss the progress and academic status of each student on a regular basis at faculty meetings.

The student should realize that coursework is not the only measure of academic performance at the graduate level. A student who fails to make progress in meeting other requirements such as acceptable performance on the Qualifying Examination or the Preliminary Examination, preparation of a high-quality Research Proposal, and/or fails to demonstrate a proper work ethic and full commitment to his/her career may be placed on academic probation. In these circumstances, the student will be notified in writing of his/her deficiencies and may be dropped from the program if the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and/or Department Head are not met in a timely manner.

Committee

The student's Advisory Committee is comprised of the student’s mentor, three other members of the department and one member outside the department.  Committee members should be members of the Graduate Faculty.

Rotations and Choosing a mentor

Following faculty introduction to research (first week of the Fall Semester), students select three lab rotations of about 5-6 weeks each.  Final decision of lab and mentor is due 2^nd week of December.

► List of Faculty

The Qualifying Examination and Preliminary Examinations are intended to assure that the doctoral student who has successfully completed coursework requirements has the ability to identify specific questions that remain unanswered in an area of biomedical research and to develop a written research proposal that describes experimental approaches to answer these questions.

The first part of this double requirement process is the Qualifying Examination that requires the student to write a Research Proposal in NIH R21 application format. In this document, the student proposes a series of experiments that will address two Specific Aims related to a clearly stated hypothesis. The proposal for the Qualifying Examination must be on a topic that is substantially different from the student's dissertation research and the research program of the student’s Advisor (determination of topic suitability is made by the Advisory Committee).

The second part of this process is the Preliminary Examination that consists of an oral examination in which the student presents and defends the written proposal and answers questions on any topic posed by members of his/her Advisory Committee. Although this Preliminary Examination will focus on the proposal, the student is expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of background information and to be capable of applying basic information from his/her coursework and reading of the literature to answer questions on a variety of topics. 

This process is about scientific growth:

• reasoning from evidence,
• building a testable hypothesis, and
• designing rigorous experiments.

The committee will intentionally probe weaknesses and assumptions to help you learn how to strengthen your scientific thinking.

► Read more about the process, timing and choice of topic.

Overview
A major component involved in the quality control of research and of a training program designed to teach students about the real world of academic research is the preparation, presentation, and peer review of a Research Proposal describing the student's project. This proposal is written in NIH Grant Application format by the student and includes Background information from the literature, Specific Aims, Rationale, Preliminary Data, and Methods to be used to answer the questions being asked. The purpose of the Research Proposal is for the student to define his/her doctoral research project, which will be the subject of the doctoral dissertation. The choice of the topic should result from experiments conducted by the student during the first two years and from discussions with the student's Advisor and Advisory Committee. The Research Proposal must be submitted to the student’s Advisory Committee and Outside Reviewer TWO WEEKS in advance of the visit of the Outside Reviewer.

The Research Proposal should be written clearly and concisely. The student should realize that the Experimental Design/Methods section is not a "cookbook" of protocols, but is a section that describes the hypothesis to be addressed, experiments to test the hypothesis, the approaches to be taken and the rationale for each approach, an explanation as to how the findings obtained will or will not answer the specific aims being addressed, a statement of the pitfalls and limitations of the approaches, and a discussion of alternative experiments to answer the questions being asked.

Timing
The student must begin the preparation of the written proposal as soon as possible after completing the Preliminary Examination and becoming a Candidate for the doctoral degree.

Format of the Proposal
The format of the Research Proposal should be consistent with the guidelines used for NIH R21 Research Grant Applications.  The format of the Doctoral Research Proposal is the same as that described for the Qualifying Examination Proposal (see that section above) except that Preliminary Studies should be integrated in the Approach section of the Research Strategy.  The page limitation of the Research Strategy section for the R21 is 6 pages, preferably with two tightly focused Specific Aims. 

The Research Strategy section is divided into 3 sections (see Qualifying Examination Proposal section for more details):

1. Significance
2. Innovation
3. Approach (with Preliminary Studies integrated)

Formatting Requirements
Please see NIH formatting requirements for specific details on document formats.

In general, all documents should be presented in Arial 11-point font, with margins of 0.5-inches or larger. All pages should be numbered consecutively and sections should be combined into a single PDF document to preserve formatting.

Role of Advisory Committee
Since this proposal represents a research plan for the student's dissertation research project, the major role of the student's Advisory Committee is to offer suggestions and comments on the proposed research, to ensure the propriety of the project, and to make certain that the student is prepared to undertake the doctoral research. An Outside Reviewer who has expertise in the field of the proposed research will assist the Advisory Committee. The choice of the Outside Reviewer will be the responsibility of the Advisor.

The presence of the Outside Reviewer enhances the quality of the review process and reinforces for the benefit of the student and the faculty that the student's research is state of the art, scientifically valid, and truly worthy of the doctoral degree. It should be emphasized that inclusion of the Outside Reviewer is intended to be a positive feature of this review process.  Often, the Outside Reviewer may make excellent suggestions to improve the student's research project, inform the student of important, but unpublished findings relevant to the research, and help the student secure a postdoctoral position in a leading laboratory.  The Outside Reviewer typically presents a seminar in the Department’s Seminar Series the day before the student presents the proposal.

Presentation of Proposal as a Public Seminar
The student will present the proposal at a public seminar. After the seminar, the student will meet with his/her Advisory Committee and the Outside Reviewer to review and discuss the proposal.

Recommendation of the Advisory Committee
The Committee may decide:

1. to approve the proposal as written;
2. to recommend modification(s) of the proposal in a manner consistent with good science without requiring a formal re-write;
3. to require the student to make significant written changes. If significant written changes are required, the Committee may elect to have the proposal rewritten and returned to the Committee and Outside Reviewer for approval.

The proposal will be approved as written (and modified) if there is no more than one negative vote. The Outside Reviewer is expected to participate actively in the examination of the student and in the critique of the Research Proposal. Approval of the Research Proposal by the Advisory Committee assures the student that the Committee feels that satisfactory completion of this project by the student should constitute an acceptable dissertation research project. The student is then expected to devote their remaining time in the Graduate program to the doctoral research project. The progress of the research is monitored by the Advisor and by the periodic meetings of the Advisory Committee.

1. Journal Club and Seminar
2. Dissertation Defense Process

Overview
The dissertation research must be a contribution to the field and is expected to generate original findings that address a fundamental question.  It is expected that the major substance of the study will be published in a reputable journal and that the student will present his/her research findings at local, regional, national, or international meetings of scientific societies in the student's field.

Preparation and Defense of the Doctoral Dissertation
The dissertation is prepared by the student with the guidance of his/her Advisor and Advisory Committee. Upon completion of the dissertation, the student should provide copies of the dissertation to all members of his/her Advisory Committee. After an appropriate period of approximately 7 days, the student's Advisor will contact each member of the Advisory Committee and determine whether the member feels the dissertation is completed to a degree that will allow scheduling of the Dissertation Defense and Final Examination.  If two or more members of the Advisory Committee feel the dissertation is incomplete and/or of a quality unsuitable to schedule the Defense, the Committee will meet and make specific recommendations necessary to improve the dissertation prior to scheduling the Dissertation Defense and Final Examination.

In order to schedule the Dissertation Defense and Final Examination, the student's Advisor must complete the form "Request for Dissertation/Thesis Defense and Final Examination" and submit this form and a copy of the Dissertation Abstract to the Department Head, who will review the information, sign the form and submit the documents to the Dean. The Dean must receive the approved form and Dissertation Abstract two weeks prior to the date of the Defense and Final Examination.

The Dissertation Defense and Final Examination will focus on the dissertation research and the dissertation itself. The student is expected to answer questions about the work, defend the validity of the conclusions, discuss suggestions for revisions to improve clarity, etc. At the discretion of the Advisory Committee, the Defense and Final Examination may include questions from the major or minor fields in general, but this is not the usual situation.

After the student has answered questions concerning the dissertation, the Committee will discuss the dissertation and revisions that may be necessary and vote whether the student has passed the Final Examination. Voting to accept the dissertation (with all recommended revisions) will be by ballot with no more than one negative vote permitted. If the dissertation is not acceptable and/or the student is judged to have failed the examination, the Advisory Committee is expected to inform the student in writing of the reasons for the failure. A copy of this letter is provided to the Head of the Department and to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Advisory Committee, the Department Head, and the full-time graduate faculty members of the Department will meet to discuss the final disposition of any student who fails the Dissertation Defense and Final Examination.

The Advisory Committee may vote to re-schedule a second Dissertation Defense/Final Examination if major revisions and/or additional experimentation are required.  In this case, the student is to be informed in writing of the deficiencies and of the work that must be accomplished before a second Defense and Final Examination may be scheduled. This information must be included in the letter given to the Head of the Department and to the Dean.

Final Research Seminar and Certification
Once the student has passed the Dissertation Defense/Final Examination and the dissertation has been accepted by the Advisory Committee, the student is required to present a final research seminar open to all faculty, students, and staff.  In rare cases, the student may be allowed to present this seminar before the Dissertation Defense, but only with the permission of the Advisory Committee and the Department Head. It is advisable for many reasons that the Dissertation Defense be held at least one week before the Final Research Seminar.

The purpose of this seminar is to allow the student to present the overall view of his/her doctoral research and to demonstrate to new and intermediate level graduate students as well as to other members of the Health Sciences Center the high quality of research expected for the doctoral degree. It is expected that this Final Research Seminar will be a joyous occasion and often a farewell for the graduate student who will be departing to continue his/her research training as a postdoctoral fellow. When the student has passed the Dissertation Defense/Final Examination and presented the Final Research Seminar, he/she will be certified to the Graduate Faculty, the Dean, and the Chancellor as having met all requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology. The student's Advisor must complete the form "Dissertation/Thesis Defense-Final Examination Report" and have the form signed by each member of the Examining Committee and the Department Head. The Department Head will forward this form to the Dean.

In addition to requirements concerning Research, Coursework, and Seminar, every graduate student is expected to participate in other scholarly activities. These activities vary from individual to individual, but students are expected to develop good reading habits so that they can keep abreast of major developments in their field and in related biomedical sciences; to present their research findings at meetings of professional societies in their field; to show leadership and maturity by assisting other graduate students and staff in research techniques and the use and maintenance of instrumentation; to help in the recruitment of graduate students into the program; to assist in teaching if invited; and to take an active role in maintaining the research environment of the Department and the University.

It is expected that every doctoral candidate will publish at least one first-author paper on the findings from his/her dissertation research in a national/international journal. Students are expected to attend all guest seminars and guest lectures in graduate courses by Visiting Faculty.

Teaching is an important aspect of the doctoral training program, and all students are required to participate in teaching. This may take the form of presenting information in a journal club format, participating in the training of new students or Research Associates in laboratory procedures, speaking to undergraduate and/or grammar school students at science fairs, etc.

The Individual Development Plan (IDP) must be completed annually by July 31. The IDP provides a planning process that identifies annual academic and scientific progress, professional development needs, and career objectives for trainees, including graduate students.  The IDP serves as a communication tool between the graduate student and his or her mentor (PI).  This form also serves as the Student Activities Report for the Graduate School.

One of the most profitable and enjoyable aspects of the doctoral training program is the student's participation in one or more Journal Clubs. Although the format varies among the Journal Clubs, each involves a meeting of the faculty, fellows, and students working in areas of mutual interest to discuss recent developments, findings, and techniques that relate to their research interests. Each member of the Journal Club is expected to take an equal number of turns in presenting recent papers and in leading a discussion on how the work presented impact(s) the field. Journal Club presentations are usually informal and promote active and often lively discussion and exchange of ideas.

Every graduate student must be a regular member of at least one Journal Club throughout his/her enrollment. Students are encouraged to participate concurrently in several Journal Clubs and to attend meetings of other Journal Clubs when a topic of interest is to be presented. The Journal clubs available to students are: 

*MICROBIOLOGY #292: Discussions in Advanced Virology (1 cr.) 
*MICROBIOLOGY #293: Discussions in Advanced Immunology (1 cr.) 
*MICROBIOLOGY #295: Discussions in Advanced Bacteriology (1 cr.)

• Leave

• Stipend
• Tuition
• Fees
• Fellowships
• Insurance

The Masters of Sciences in Biomedical Sciences is a Graduate School-wide program. Read more about this program.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology does not admit students directly into a Master’s of Biomedical Sciences (M.S. degree) graduate program. A student in the PhD Program, in consultation with the student’s mentor, Advisory Committee, and Department Chairman, may petition for approval to transfer from the Departmental PhD program to the MS program in Biomedical Sciences. Once the transfer into the MS program is approved, the student must complete the degree by the end of the next semester.  A student may switch to the MS program only after the first year of the PhD program has been completed (Fall, Spring, Summer semesters). Read more information about the MS in Biomedical Sciences program.

Required coursework for the MS degree is the same as for the PhD degree. Like PhD students, MS students are expected to attend seminar and journal club meetings.

Research
The Research component of the Master's Degree program will consist of laboratory research performed by the student. The student may elect to perform the research in the laboratory of any faculty member in the Department provided that the faculty member is prepared to accommodate the student. The research advisor must be a member of the Graduate Faculty at LSUHS and have a full-time faculty appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

Students switching to the MS Program should already have a Ph.D. Advisory Committee established, consisting of five members: the mentor, three other graduate faculty from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and one graduate faculty member from an outside department.  The Advisory Committee must be established and approved by the Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies by March 1 of the first year. The first committee meeting must be held by May 1 of the first year.

Once the student switches to the MS program, the Advisory Committee can be reduced to three or remain at five members, at the discretion of the mentor.  The Advisory Committee will consist of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty: the research advisor, one graduate faculty member from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and one graduate faculty member from another department at LSU Health Shreveport. At least one additional meeting of the student with the Advisory Committee should be held during the time that Thesis Research is being performed.

The Master's Thesis research must be an original scholarly contribution to the field and is expected to contain original findings that address a fundamental question or questions. The Thesis is to be prepared by the student with the guidance and advice of his/her major professor and Advisory Committee. Before starting to write the Thesis, candidates should call a meeting of their Advisory Committee to review all the experimental results they plan to include in the Thesis to ensure that they are of adequate quality and quantity.

The Request for Dissertation/Thesis Defense and Final Examination form, which nominates the Examining Committee, should be completed by the student and submitted to the Department Head. Because this request must be submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the Defense date, the request must be submitted to the Department Head at least twenty-one days before the date of the proposed defense.

Upon completion of the Thesis, the student should provide copies to all members of the Advisory Committee and the Department Head a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled closed defense.  The student should schedule a meeting of the Advisory Committee to hold a Closed Defense of the Thesis with the Advisory Committee.  The Thesis Defense and Final Examination will focus on the Thesis research and the thesis itself. The student will be expected to answer questions about the work, defend the validity of the conclusions, and discuss suggestions for revisions to correct errors or to improve clarity. The Advisory Committee will ask questions and provide feedback on the written Thesis.  The Advisory Committee will determine whether the Thesis is adequate and sufficiently complete to allow scheduling of the final research seminar. After the student has answered questions about the Thesis, the Advisory Committee will discuss the Thesis and revisions that may be necessary and vote whether or not the student has passed the Final Examination. Voting to accept the Thesis (with all recommended revisions) will be by ballot with no more than one negative vote permitted. If one or more members of the Advisory Committee feel that the Thesis is incomplete or inadequate, the Advisory Committee will make specific recommendations necessary to improve the Thesis. 

If the Thesis is not acceptable and/or the student is judged to have failed the examination, the Examining Committee will inform the student in writing of the reasons for the failure, with a copy of this letter provided to the Department Head and the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Advisory Committee may vote to schedule a second Final Examination if major revisions and/or additional experimentation are required. In this case, the student is to be informed in writing of the deficiencies and the work that must be accomplished before a second Defense and Final Examination may be scheduled. This information must be included in the letter given to the Department Head and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Upon passing this closed defense, the student will then be required to present a final research seminar (Open Defense) open to all faculty, students, staff, and other interested parties. The purpose of this seminar is to allow the student to present an overview of the completed research and to demonstrate that the research is of sufficient quality to merit a Master's degree. Graduate School procedures require that notice of the Final Defense Seminar be distributed by the Major Professor to the Graduate Faculty of LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport announcing the seminar title, the time, date, and location, at least one week before the presentation.  The announcement must be sent to all Department Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students. The Report of Thesis/Dissertation form should be completed as documentation of passing the defense.

Timetable for the submission of a Master's Thesis

1. Four to six weeks before the proposed date of the defense and final examination, the student should provide copies of a detailed Thesis outline or a draft of the completed Thesis to each member of his/her Advisory Committee and to the Department Head.
2. A meeting of the Advisory Committee must be scheduled to review the Thesis and to determine whether it is of sufficient quality to be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
3. The Request for Dissertation/Thesis Defense and Final Examination form must be completed and submitted along with a copy of the full and completed Thesis to the Department Head, at least 21 days before the proposed date of the final research seminar (Open Defense). This request includes the date, time and place for the presentation. The time must be scheduled early enough during the day to allow enough time for a full examination.
4. If the closed defense is passed, the Department Head will submit the Examination Request form to the School of Graduate Studies not less than 14 days before the proposed Open Defense.
5. Once approved by the School of Graduate Studies, the student must ensure that a notice of the seminar is distributed to all faculty, students and postdocs in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and other interested parties.