The Graduate Committee

The graduate committee guides and consults with you on the development of your program of study, including your research plan, and administers the preliminary and defense exams. The department head, executive committee, and graduate school must approve the composition of all graduate student advisory committees.

Pest Management M.S. plan B degree and M.S. plan A degree

Three committee members, including:

• Major advisor
• One departmental faculty member
• One outside committee member*

Ph.D. degree

Four committee members, including:

• Major advisor
• Two departmental faculty members
• One outside committee member

*Outside committee members may be tenure track, non-tenure track, transitional, joint, or emeritus/emeriti faculty appointed at Colorado State University.

The major advisor is the chair of the graduate committee and should be a recognized authority in your general area of academic interest. Your advisor mentors you in research and professional development, and in writing your dissertation, thesis, or professional paper. Your advisor will also assist you with problems that may arise related to your degree program. You should meet with your advisor regularly throughout your degree program.

The remaining members of your graduate committee serve to advise, mentor, and guide you through your degree program. These committee members should be selected in consultation with your major advisor. After selecting potential committee members, you must then ask if they will serve on your committee. Your advisor can provide guidance on the appropriate way to make this request. It is your responsibility to keep your committee members informed of your program and to schedule your committee meetings, prelim exam, and thesis defense exam.

After your committee is formed, and before the end of your first semester, you should schedule a committee meeting to develop your program of study. The GS6 form will describe your program and after approval of this plan by your committee and the department head, this form must be submitted to the Graduate School. This form is due, at the latest, by the end of your third semester or after completion of 12 credits. Registration may be denied to students who have not completed this requirement in time.

You are encouraged to hold committee meetings at least twice per year and must hold at least one meeting per year. In addition, you may choose to meet individually with your committee members to seek guidance on specific aspects of your thesis work. If you decide to change committee members, you should discuss this with your advisor and committee and you must submit a completed Petition for Change of Committee member (GS9A) http://graduateschool.colostate.edu/policies-and-procedures/forms/.

If you decide to change major advisors during your graduate degree program, the change should be requested as early as possible. To change advisors, you must consult with your current advisor, your prospective advisor, and the department head. This change will likely affect funding for your stipend, insurance, tuition, and research expenses, so be sure that you understand how the requested change will affect your degree program. The education committee can also provide guidance if you decide to change major advisors or have other significant problems with your degree program.