Defense Instructions

Thinking about defending soon? These are your defense instructions. Please make sure that you have completed ALL of the following steps:

1) Download the dissertation submission packet and format and presentation guidelines from the Graduate School website: http://www.usc.edu/schools/GraduateSchool/current_thesis_dissert.html.

2) Complete your online dissertation profile on the Graduate School website: http://www.usc.edu/schools/GraduateSchool/WebThesis

3) Defend your dissertation. Take the following forms with you to your defense:

a) "Approval to Submit Defended and Final Copy of Doctoral Work" form

b) Signature Page

4) The "Approval to Submit" form should be signed by the committee after all changes have been made to your dissertation (if any). The date on this form stops the tuition clock and starts the submission clock. You have three months from this date to submit your dissertation without a late fee.

5) Pay your binding fee ($115) and get a receipt.

6) Bring ALL ORIGINAL forms listed on the "Documentation Review Form" to Linda Bazilian when you are ready to submit. She will make the necessary copies.

7) Linda will sign off on the "Verification" form and the "Documentation Review Form". Do NOT have either form signed by your dissertation advisor. You will then be ready to submit.

Best of luck to you all!

We haven't forgotten you!

This section will feature topics related specifically to our M.S. Program in Marine and Environmental Biology.

Feeling Lost?

This section will help you navigate the administrative side of graduate school. It will feature How-To's on topics such as setting up a qualifying exam committee and getting ready for a dissertation defense.

Beyond USC

This section will list any and all post-doctoral/employment opportunities. Keep on the lookout! You may just find your dream job.

Research Spotlight

Once a week, we will be highlighting the research of a lab or individual within the Department of Biological Sciences. If you would like to be included in this section, please e-mail uscbiscgrad@gmail.com

Andy's Travels

Andrew Fogel (IEB) documenting his fieldwork in Madagascar in Andy's Travels

IEB: Zhijie "Jack" Tseng

Jack's blog

Mission Statement

As student services staff, our mission is to contribute to the success of our graduate students by acting as their liaison with the University, providing excellent customer service through timely and accurate execution, and striving for professionalism within a positive work environment. This blog is for the intended purpose of providing the graduate students of the Department of Biological Sciences at USC with resources, news, and announcements important to their academic and professional careers. For information about our programs, please feel free to browse the links to the left or contact us directly.

Adolfo dela Rosa (Blog content administrator)
Integrative & Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program
Marine Biology & Biological Oceanography Graduate Program
213.821.3164
adolfode@usc.edu

TBD
Molecular & Computational Biology Graduate Program
Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Graduate Program

Doug Burleson
Graduate Programs Manager
213.821.4668
burleson@usc.edu

Linda Bazilian
Director, Academic Programs
213.821.1088
bazilian@usc.edu