All Biological Sciences Division (BSD) graduate students are admitted into specific divisional PhD programs by the BSD Associate Dean for Education, Graduate Education or into Master’s programs by the BSD Associate Dean for Master’s Education. Each program maintains clear requirements for the graduate degree, which are detailed in the program's student handbook and is available on the program website. This policy applies to all students in the BSD and is designed to maintain academic standards while ensuring fair treatment of all students.
Academic Standing and Probation
Before administrative withdrawal, a student is placed on academic probation with defined expectations for returning to good standing (see BSD Academic Probation Policy). Probation and subsequent administrative withdrawal may occur for the following academic reasons:
Master’s students—
- Minimum GPA Requirements
Students must maintain:- A 2.75 GPA in all didactic coursework
- Passing grades in all Pass/Fail courses
PhD students—
- Minimum GPA Requirements
Students must maintain:- A 3.0 GPA in all didactic coursework
- Passing grades in all Pass/Fail courses
- PhD Thesis Advisor Requirement
Students must secure a thesis advisor by their program’s specified deadline, or they will be placed on probation (see Academic Probation Policy). While programs will assist in advisor placement, students who cannot find a willing faculty member despite reasonable efforts will be administrative withdrawn. If a student chooses to leave a lab, they must secure a new advisor within one academic quarter. Failure to do so will result in administrative withdrawal. In both cases, the program will notify the Dean of Students. - PhD Examination Performance
Students who fail their program's comprehensive exams (typically given in the 1st or 2nd year) or qualifying exams on the second attempt will be administrative withdrawn from both their program and the Biological Sciences Division. -
Research Progress
Advanced students must demonstrate satisfactory research progress as determined by the:- Thesis advisor
- Thesis committee
- Graduate program
If progress remains insufficient after academic probation, the student will be administrative withdrawn.
Financial Considerations
Master's students—are expected to complete the quarter in which administrative withdrawal occurs. No tuition or fee refunds will be provided for the administrative withdrawal quarter.
PhD students— are expected to complete the quarter in which administrative withdrawal occurs. Funding will continue through the end of the quarter in which administrative withdrawal occurs.