Every doctoral student, with the advice of his or her major professor, will select an advisory committee by the beginning of the fall semester of the second year. Once the committee is formed, the web-based Advisory Committee form must be submitted to the Graduate School. Each Genetics PhD committee consists of the advisor(s) plus three additional members, for a minimum of four members for students with one advisor and five members for co-advised students. At least two members of the committee need to be from UGA Genetics (regular or adjunct appointments and graduate faculty). Students are free to have more than the minimum number of committee members. The committee composition must follow the policies of the UGA Graduate School. A minimum of three members of the advisory committee must be members of the graduate faculty of UGA. Persons employed by The University of Georgia and who hold the following ranks may serve on doctoral committees: professor, associate professor, assistant professor, public service assistant, public service associate, senior public service associate, assistant research scientist, associate research scientist, and senior research scientist. Persons having the following ranks may not serve on doctoral committees: instructors, lecturers, and academic professionals. A person having no official relationship with The University of Georgia may be appointed to serve as a voting member on the advisory committee of a graduate student on nomination by the graduate coordinator and approval of the dean of the Graduate School. When nominating a non-affiliated person, the nominee's current CV and a letter addressed to the dean of the Graduate School explaining why the services of the non-affiliated person are requested must be uploaded when completing the e-Advisory Committee form. The letter may be written by the major professor and co-signed by the graduate coordinator, or written by the student and co-signed by both the major professor and graduate coordinator. A person nominated must have distinguished credentials in the field of study. A non-affiliated person appointed to a graduate student's committee must attend meetings associated with the appointment. More details on advisory committee members are provided here.
