Academic Catalog 2019-2020 August 2019 VAIGS Academic Catalog 2019-2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 4 Mission .................................................................................................................................... 4 Philosophy............................................................................................................................... 4 Core Competencies ................................................................................................................. 5 ACADEMIC PROGRAM .......................................................................................................... 6 Graduation Requirements for a PhD Degree .......................................................................... 6 Course Requirements for a PhD Degree ............................................................................. 7 Thesis Research .................................................................................................................. 7 Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) .................................................................................... 8 Comprehensive Examination .............................................................................................. 9 Dissertation Preparation and Defense ............................................................................... 11 Typical Program of Study for a PhD Degree .................................................................... 13 Graduation Requirements for an MS Degree ........................................................................ 14 Course Requirements for an MS Degree .......................................................................... 14 Thesis Research ................................................................................................................ 15 Comprehensive Examination ............................................................................................ 15 Thesis Preparation and Defense ........................................................................................ 15 Physician-Scientist Training Programs ................................................................................. 16 Other Learning Opportunities and Experiences .................................................................... 17 Community Service .......................................................................................................... 17 Oral Presentations ............................................................................................................. 17 Poster Presentations .......................................................................................................... 17 Attendance at Scientific Meetings .................................................................................... 17 Host a Student-Sponsored Speaker ................................................................................... 18 Career Development ......................................................................................................... 18 Membership in Scientific Societies and Organizations .................................................... 18 Teaching Opportunities ..................................................................................................... 18 COURSE LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................................. 19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR ...................................................................................................... 22 ACADEMIC POLICIES ........................................................................................................... 23 Admissions ............................................................................................................................ 23 Credit Hour Allocation and Requirements Policy ................................................................ 24 Full-Time Student Status ...................................................................................................... 24 Academic Advising ............................................................................................................... 25 Assessment ............................................................................................................................ 25 Courses .............................................................................................................................. 25 Rotations ........................................................................................................................... 25 Core Competencies ........................................................................................................... 25 Comprehensive Exam ....................................................................................................... 26 Research and TAC Reports ............................................................................................... 26 Student Performance Review Committee ......................................................................... 26 Thesis or Dissertation Defense ......................................................................................... 26 Transfer of Academic Credit ................................................................................................ 26 Page | 2 VAIGS Academic Catalog 2019-2020 Remediation .......................................................................................................................... 26 Probation and Dismissal ....................................................................................................... 27 Honor Code ........................................................................................................................... 27 Tuition ................................................................................................................................... 27 Course Auditing .................................................................................................................... 28 Grievance .............................................................................................................................. 28 Outside Employment ............................................................................................................ 28 Religious Observance ........................................................................................................... 28 Student Verification for Online Assignments ....................................................................... 28 Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO) ................................................... 29 LEGAL STATUS ..................................................................................................................... 29 Authority ............................................................................................................................... 29 Accreditation ......................................................................................................................... 29 Governance ........................................................................................................................... 29 VAIGS Board of Directors ................................................................................................... 29 Administration ...................................................................................................................... 29 FACULTY AND STAFF LISTING ......................................................................................... 30 Current VAIGS Faculty ........................................................................................................ 30 Faculty Committees .............................................................................................................. 32 Reference to Faculty Bylaws ................................................................................................ 33 VAIGS Staff.......................................................................................................................... 33 AMENDING AND REVISING THIS CATALOG ................................................................. 34 ADDENDUM A – GUIDELINES FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION .......... 35 A. The Comprehensive Exam Committees ..................................................................... 35 B. Role of the Comprehensive Exam Committee members. ........................................... 35 C. Timeline ...................................................................................................................... 36 D. The Examination (three parts) .................................................................................... 36 E. Scoring Criteria........................................................................................................... 38 F. Outcome and Decision ................................................................................................ 38 G. Submission of Proposal for External Fellowship Application ................................... 39 ADDENDUM B – PREPARING FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION ............ 41 A. Scope of the written components: on-topic proposal and off-topic proposal ............. 41 B. Preparation for the oral exam ....................................................................................