Graduate Student Milestones

GBSE Graduate Student Milestones

When you are ready to submit any form(s) that needs a signature from Graduate Advisor, Graduate Chair or Graduate Coordinator please follow this procedure:

Please make sure you get all required signatures before sending your form to BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu for the Graduate Program Coordinator signature.. Once signatures are complete, email form to BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu

Your form will be reviewed and signed by the appropriate person and forwarded onto Graduate Studies and your student file.

PhD Milestones:

PhD Milestones Overview
Select Course Guidance Committee - due by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
Meet with your major professor and assigned Graduate Advisor in your primary technical area of interest to formulate your Course Guidance Committee.
♦ Committee of three provides guidance for the Ph.D. Program of Study
♦ The committee is chaired by the Major Professor
♦ The other two members are the assigned Graduate Advisor and one other faculty member from the BSE Graduate program
Program of Study -- due by end of third quarter in residence - First Year
The PhD Program of Study (POS) is a list of graded courses the student is expected to take to meet degree requirements. The courses are approved by the Major Professor, Ph.D. Course Guidance Committee, and the GBSE Executive Committee.
♦ Complete the PhD POS in consultation with Course Guidance Committee
♦ Course Guidance Committee must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the PhD POS to Graduate Program Coordinator for forwarding to GBSE Executive Committee for final review and approval
♦ The Graduate Program Coordinator will return your reviewed POS to you with final approval

Course Requirements: 49 units minimum
Core Courses (4 units)
♦ EBS 200: Research methods in biological systems engineering 2 units
♦ EBS 290 Seminar 2 units
Elective Courses (45 units). Note 8 of these 45 units must meet Advanced Math and Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis requirements.
♦ Major (30 units): ECH 259 or equivalent (Advanced engineering mathematics), EBS 265 (Design and analysis of engineering experiments), and other graduate and upper division courses in the major field.
♦ Minor (15 units): A minimum of 15 units of graduate and undergraduate courses in a particular filed to enhance student’s breadth of knowledge. To achieve this breadth student typically takes 3 graduate and 2 upper division courses in a coherent subject (i.e., 5 courses randomly selected from different areas will not constitute a minor).
♦ At least 30 of the 45 units for the Major and Minor requirements must be graduate units of which at least 15 units are engineering graduate units.
♦ At least 23 units of the 45 units for the Major and Minor requirements must be in engineering.
At least 24 units must be completed at UC Davis to satisfy major and minor requirements.
Qualifying Examination -- due by the end of your Third year in residence
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Completed all courses
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Completed Deficiency courses (if applicable) - Required for students without an engineering degree
♦ Overall GPA of 3.0+
♦ Full-time status in the quarter in which the QE is taken

Preparing for the QE
♦ Review the GBSE QE webpage for detailed information about the QE
♦ At the beginning of your third year begin planning to complete your QE by the end of your third year (summer for most students), in consultation with your major professor.
♦ Submit the Qualifying Exam application at least one month prior to your exam date. The QE application has to be submitted with signatures to Gradsphere 30 days prior to the exam date.
♦ Review the Graduate Studies - Qualifying Exam Regulations and Return to In-Person Qualifying Examinations policies
♦ Coordinate with your committee members to schedule an exam time.
♦ Reserve a room for your exam using BFTV Event Management System; Schedule at least 30 minutes of prep time prior to the exam. If you need assistance with this, please email BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu.
♦ Research Prospectus -- Must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the oral portion of the exam

QE Committee Members
♦ Five faculty members nominated in consultation with your major professor and Graduate Advisor
♦ The major professor cannot serve on the QE committee
♦ Three members must be from the BSE Graduate Program.
♦ At least one, but no more than two, member(s) from outside the BSE Graduate Program
Advance to Candidacy -- Submit Within 1 Month After the Successful Completion of the Qualifying Exam - Third Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ A minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework
♦ Must have passed a Qualifying Examination before a committee appointed to administer that examination

Advancing to Candidacy
♦ Complete and submit the Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) - Plan B form.
♦ Candidacy fee must be paid via Form Store and receipt forwarded to the Graduate Program Coordinator with your Candidacy form.
♦ Dissertation Committee Chair must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Advisor
♦ Graduate Advisor must sign the form prior to submitting document to the Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the Candidacy form to Graduate Program Coordinator for final signature and forwarding to Graduate Studies

Dissertation Reading Committee Members
♦ Three faculty members nominated in consultation with your major professor and Graduate Advisor.
♦ The major professor serves as Chair of the committee
♦ Committee Member Remote Participation Request
♦ External Membership Application - For members outside of the UC System
♦ If your committee changes between your QE and Dissertation Filing, you must submit a Reconstitution of Committee Membership Request to Graduate Studies to approve the change.

NOTE: Graduate Studies requires students to Advance to Candidacy no less than one (1) quarter in advance of their filing and graduation date. For example, if you plan to file your dissertation and graduate in Fall 2023, you should have advanced to candidacy no later than the end of Summer 2023. Please plan accordingly.
Exit Seminar & Filing Dissertation -- Fourth - Fifth Year
First: Eligibility Criteria
♦ Satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Advance to candidacy at least one (1) quarter prior to filing

At the start of the quarter you intend to file your dissertation and graduate, begin working on filing your dissertation and scheduling your exit seminar.
♦ Check the Graduate Studies Preparing and Filing Your Thesis or Dissertation webpage to review the process and requirements for filing.
♦ Check the filing deadlines posted on the Graduate Studies webpage to learn the quarter deadlines for filing.
♦ Register for and attend a Filing your Thesis or Dissertation Workshop to learn more about the filing process. Not required, but encouraged.
♦ If you have additional questions, schedule a Pre-Filing Appointment with your Senior Academic Advisor (SAA). You can schedule a pre-filing appointment at any time during the quarter, including deadline weeks. Alternatively, if you don't need to meet, email your SAA for support. Find your SAA's contact info here.

Second: Exit Seminar
♦ Schedule your Exit Seminar to be completed at least two weeks before you submit your dissertation. You may NOT submit your dissertation until you've completed your exit seminar.
♦ Refer to the filing deadlines posted on the Graduate Studies webpage to help determine this timeline. We recommend you plan to submit everything at least two weeks before the filing deadline to allow time in completing final edits, gathering signatures, and submitting documents to Grad Studies.
♦ Begin the Exit Seminar Form in consultation with your Dissertation Reading Committee, Graduate Advisor, and Seminar Coordinator for that quarter to schedule your seminar - retain this form until after you've completed your Exit Seminar.
♦ If the seminar is scheduled during the Summer, please contact the departmental seminar coordinator for the Spring quarter.
♦ All three members of the Dissertation Reading Committee must be present. Only under exceptional circumstances the seminar can be arranged when only two committee members can attend the seminar. In such a case, the member who cannot be present must appoint a proxy.
♦ Once your seminar date and time is confirmed, reserve a room for your seminar using the BFTV Event Management System; Schedule at least 30 minutes of prep time prior to the exam. If you need assistance with this, please email BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu.
♦ The Exit Seminar can be open to the public.
♦ Submit your completed and signed Exit Seminar Form to the Graduate Program Coordinator at BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu.

Third: File Dissertation
♦ Upload your completed and approved thesis or dissertation to ProQuest ETD.
♦ Upload all your paperwork including your signed title page through Gradsphere.
♦ Follow the Filing Process instructions and submit the necessary filing paperwork listed on the Graduate Studies Preparing and Filing Your Thesis or Dissertation webpage.
♦ Ask your committee chair to email your signed title page to y our SAA with all the committee members copied.
Graduation & Commencement
♦ Participate in the annual Graduate Studies Commencement ceremony. The Graduate Studies Commencement is only in June (there is no winter ceremony).
♦ Generally speaking, students should start reviewing information about commencement in late February.
♦ Confirm eligibility and register for the commencement. To be eligible for the Graduate Studies Commencement, please pay attention to the dates on the website regarding Advancing to Candidacy and/or being filed to graduate. Students may participate in the Commencement Ceremony prior to actually graduating if they Advance to Candidacy by the appropriate deadline (see "steps to graduate" above for more about Advancing to Candidacy).
♦ Please also be sure to pay attention to the registration deadline, which is generally early May, and the deadline to to rent your cap/gown without a late fee.
♦ Complete the Diploma Mailing Address Change Form (optional) with the Registrar's office to have your diploma mailed to you.
♦ Order Official Transcript(s) (optional): Official transcripts are a good thing to keep on file. There is an option to have the transcript sent after your degree posts, so order them now so you don't forget later.
♦ Questions? Check out their FAQ website, or contact gradcommencement@ucdavis.edu

Department Commencement Banquet
♦ The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering hosts a joint commencement celebration with our undergraduate program in June. Details about this celebration are circulated in early Spring quarter.

MS Plan I Milestones

MS I Milestones Overview
Declare a Major Professor -- by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
All students must select a major professor from the BSE Graduate Program. Until you have found a major professor, your assigned Graduate Advisor will serve as your interim major professor.
Select Course Guidance Committee -- due by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
Meet with your major professor and/or your assigned Graduate Advisor in your primary technical area of interest to formulate your Course Guidance Committee.
♦ Committee of three provides guidance for the M.S. Program of Study
♦ The committee is chaired by the Major Professor
♦ The other two members are the assigned Graduate Advisor and one other faculty member from the BSE Graduate program
Program of Study -- due by end of second quarter in residence - First Year
The MS Program of Study (POS) is a list of graded courses the student is expected to take to meet degree requirements. The courses are approved by the Major Professor, MS Course Guidance Committee, and the GBSE Executive Committee.
♦ Complete the MS POS in consultation with Course Guidance Committee
♦ Course Guidance Committee must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the MS POS to Graduate Program Coordinator for forwarding to GBSE Executive Committee for final review and approval
♦ The Graduate Program Coordinator will return your reviewed POS to you with final approval

Course Requirements: 30 units minimum
Core courses (3 units)
♦ EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
♦ EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
Elective Course (27 units)
♦ 17 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
♦ 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
♦ Remaining 5 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
♦ A minimum of 6 units of EBS 290C, 299 Research
♦ Remaining units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
♦ For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course in Biological/Life Sciences should be included.
♦ Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
♦ Written thesis based on research and public presentation (exit seminar). Thesis should be signed by three thesis committee members.
Advance to Candidacy -- due by end of fourth quarter in residence - Second Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Completed all courses
♦ Must not have any incomplete (I) grades
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Completed Deficiency courses (if applicable) - Required for students without an engineering degree

Advancing to Candidacy
♦ Complete the Candidacy for the Master's Degree - Thesis Plan I form.
♦ Candidacy fee must be paid via Form Store and receipt forwarded to the Graduate Program Coordinator with your Candidacy form.
♦ Thesis Committee Chair must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Advisor
♦ Graduate Advisor must sign the form prior to submitting document to the Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the Candidacy form to Graduate Program Coordinator for final signature and forwarding to Graduate Studies

Thesis Committee Members
♦ Three faculty members nominated in consultation with your major professor and Graduate Advisor.
♦ The major professor serves as Chair of the committee
♦ External Membership Application - For members outside of the UC System
Exit Seminar & Filing Thesis -- End of Summer Quarter - Second Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Advance to candidacy at least one (1) quarter prior to filing

At the start of the quarter you intend to file your thesis and graduate, begin working on filing your thesis and scheduling your exit seminar.
♦ Check the Graduate Studies Preparing and Filing Your Thesis or Dissertation webpage to review the process and requirements for filing.
♦ Check the filing deadlines posted on the Graduate Studies webpage to learn the quarter deadlines for filing.
♦ Register for and attend a Filing your Thesis or Dissertation Workshop to learn more about the filing process. Not required, but encouraged.
♦ If you have additional questions, schedule a Pre-Filing Appointment with your Senior Academic Advisor (SAA). You can schedule a pre-filing appointment at any time during the quarter, including deadline weeks. Alternatively, if you don't need to meet, email your SAA for support. Find your SAA's contact info here.

Thesis Committee
♦ If your committee changes between your Advancing to Candidacy and Thesis Filing, you must submit a Reconstitution of Committee Membership Request to Graduate Studies to approve the change.

Exit Seminar:
♦ Schedule your Exit Seminar to be completed at least two weeks before you submit your thesis. You may NOT submit your thesis until you've completed your exit seminar.
♦ Refer to the filing deadlines posted on the Graduate Studies webpage to help determine this timeline.
♦ Begin the Exit Seminar Form in consultation with your Thesis Committee, Graduate Advisor, and Seminar Coordinator for that quarter to schedule your seminar - retain this form until after you've completed your Exit Seminar.
♦ If the seminar is scheduled during the Summer, please contact the departmental seminar coordinator for the Spring quarter.
♦ All three members of the Thesis Committee must be present. Only under exceptional circumstances the seminar can be arranged when only two committee members can attend the seminar. In such a case, the member who cannot be present must appoint a proxy.
♦ The Exit Seminar can be open to the public.
♦ Submit your completed and signed Exit Seminar Form to the Graduate Program Coordinator.

File Thesis:
♦ Graduate Exit Form - Submit to the Graduate Program Coordinator for signature, then upload with your filing paperwork.
♦ Follow the Filing Process instructions and submit the necessary filing paperwork listed on the Graduate Studies Preparing and Filing Your Thesis or Dissertation webpage.
♦ Ask your committee chair to email your signed title page to y our SAA with all the committee members copied.
Graduation & Commencement
♦ Participate in the annual Graduate Studies Commencement ceremony. The Graduate Studies Commencement is only in June (there is no winter ceremony).
♦ Generally speaking, students should start reviewing information about commencement in late February.
♦ Confirm eligibility and register for the commencement. To be eligible for the Graduate Studies Commencement, please pay attention to the dates on the website regarding Advancing to Candidacy and/or being filed to graduate. Students may participate in the Commencement Ceremony prior to actually graduating if they Advance to Candidacy by the appropriate deadline (see "steps to graduate" above for more about Advancing to Candidacy).
♦ Please also be sure to pay attention to the registration deadline, which is generally early May, and the deadline to to rent your cap/gown without a late fee.
♦ Complete the Diploma Mailing Address Change Form (optional) with the Registrar's office to have your diploma mailed to you.
♦ Order Official Transcript(s) (optional): Official transcripts are a good thing to keep on file. There is an option to have the transcript sent after your degree posts, so order them now so you don't forget later.
♦ Questions? Check out their FAQ website, or contact gradcommencement@ucdavis.edu

Department Commencement Banquet
♦ The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering hosts a joint commencement celebration with our undergraduate program in June. Details about this celebration are circulated in early Spring quarter.

MS Plan II Milestones

MS II Milestones Overview
Declare a Major Professor -- by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
All students must select a major professor from the BSE Graduate Program. Until you have found a major professor, your assigned Graduate Advisor will serve as your interim major professor.
Select Course Guidance Committee -- due by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
Meet with your major professor and/or your assigned Graduate Advisor in your primary technical area of interest to formulate your Course Guidance Committee.
♦ Committee of three provides guidance for the M.S. Program of Study
♦ The committee is chaired by the Major Professor
♦ The other two members are the assigned Graduate Advisor and one other faculty member from the BSE Graduate program
Program of Study -- due by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
The MS Program of Study is a list of graded courses the student is expected to take to meet degree requirements. The courses are approved by the Major Professor, MS Course Guidance Committee, and the GBSE Executive Committee.
♦ Complete the MS POS in consultation with Course Guidance Committee
♦ Course Guidance Committee must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the MS POS to Graduate Program Coordinator for forwarding to GBSE Executive Committee for final review and approval
♦ The Graduate Program Coordinator will return your reviewed POS to you with final approval

Course Requirements: 36 units minimum
Core courses (3 units)
♦ EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
♦ EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
Elective Course (33 units):
♦ 24 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
♦ 18 of which must be graduate units
♦ 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
♦ Remaining 6 units can be graduate units within or outside of engineering
♦ Remaining 6 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
♦ Remaining 9 units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
♦ For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course from life sciences should be included.
♦ No more than 9 units of EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research can be used
♦ Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
♦ Oral Comprehensive Examination before a committee of three faculty members
Advance to Candidacy & Formation of Comp. Exam Committee -- due by end of third quarter in residence - First Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Completed all courses
♦ Must not have any incomplete (I) grades
♦ Approve Program of Study on file
♦ Completed Deficiency courses (if applicable) - Required for students without an engineering degree

Advancing to Candidacy
♦ Complete the Candidacy for the Master's Degree - Comprehensive Exam/Project Plan II form.
♦ Candidacy fee must be paid via Form Store and receipt forwarded to the Graduate Program Coordinator with your Candidacy form.
♦ Graduate Advisor must sign the form prior to submitting document to the Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the Candidacy form to Graduate Program Coordinator for final signature and forwarding to Graduate Studies

Comprehensive Exam Committee Members
♦ Three faculty members nominated in consultation with your major professor and Graduate Advisor.
♦ The major professor serves as Chair of the committee
♦ No more than one committee member may be outside the BSE Graduate Program
♦ External Membership Application - For members outside of the UC System
Comprehensive Exam -- by end of Summer - First Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Advance to candidacy at least one (1) quarter prior to examination

Comprehensive Examination:
♦ The final day to pass your exam is the last day of your final quarter. Check the Academic Dates & Deadlines page for end of quarter dates.
♦ Coordinate with your committee members to schedule an exam time.
♦ Reserve a room for your exam using BFTV Event Management System; Schedule at least 30 minutes of prep time prior to the exam. If you need assistance with this, please email BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu.
♦ The format of the exam will be oral

Exam Outcome:
♦ Committee Chair will complete Master's Report Form Plan II
♦ Committee Chair must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Advisor
♦ Graduate Advisor must sign the form prior to submitting document to the Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the Candidacy form to Graduate Program Coordinator for final signature and forwarding to Graduate Studies
♦ Graduate Exit Form - Submit to the Graduate Program Coordinator for signature and submission to Graduate Studies with your MS Report Form II.
Graduation & Commencement
♦ Participate in the annual Graduate Studies Commencement ceremony. The Graduate Studies Commencement is only in June (there is no winter ceremony).
♦ Generally speaking, students should start reviewing information about commencement in late February.
♦ Confirm eligibility and register for the commencement. To be eligible for the Graduate Studies Commencement, please pay attention to the dates on the website regarding Advancing to Candidacy and/or being filed to graduate. Students may participate in the Commencement Ceremony prior to actually graduating if they Advance to Candidacy by the appropriate deadline (see "steps to graduate" above for more about Advancing to Candidacy).
♦ Please also be sure to pay attention to the registration deadline, which is generally early May, and the deadline to to rent your cap/gown without a late fee.
♦ Complete the Diploma Mailing Address Change Form (optional) with the Registrar's office to have your diploma mailed to you.
♦ Order Official Transcript(s) (optional): Official transcripts are a good thing to keep on file. There is an option to have the transcript sent after your degree posts, so order them now so you don't forget later.
♦ Questions? Check out their FAQ website, or contact gradcommencement@ucdavis.edu

Department Commencement Banquet
♦ The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering hosts a joint commencement celebration with our undergraduate program in June. Details about this celebration are circulated in early Spring quarter.

M. Eng. Milestones

M. Eng Milestons Overview
Declare a Major Professor -- by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
All students must select a major professor from the BSE Graduate Program. Until you have found a major professor, your assigned Graduate Advisor will serve as your interim major professor.
Select Course Guidance Committee -- by end of first quarter in residence - First Year
Meet with your major professor and/or your assigned Graduate Advisor in your primary technical area of interest to formulate your Course Guidance Committee.
♦ Committee of three provides guidance for the M.S. Program of Study
♦ The committee is chaired by the Major Professor
♦ The other two members are the assigned Graduate Advisor and one other faculty member from the BSE Graduate program
Program of Study -- due by end of second quarter in residence - First Year
The MS Program of Study is a list of graded courses the student is expected to take to meet degree requirements. The courses are approved by the Major Professor, MS Course Guidance Committee, and the GBSE Executive Committee.
♦ Complete the MS POS in consultation with Course Guidance Committee
♦ Course Guidance Committee must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the MS POS to Graduate Program Coordinator for forwarding to GBSE Executive Committee for final review and approval
♦ The Graduate Program Coordinator will return your reviewed POS to you with final approval

Course Requirements: 36 units minimum
Core courses (3 units)
♦ EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
♦ EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
Elective Course (33 units):
♦ 24 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
♦ 18 of which must be graduate units
♦ 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
♦ Remaining 6 units can be graduate units within or outside of engineering
♦ Remaining 6 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
♦ Remaining 9 units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses, or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
♦ For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course from life sciences should be included.
♦ No more than 9 units of EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research can be used
♦ Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
♦ Written engineering report based on a project and oral comprehensive examination before a committee of three faculty members.
Pursue Engineering Project -- by end of Summer - First Year
♦ At start of third quarter in residence, begin planning research project with major professor.
♦ This supervised study is carried out for credit under the 290C and 299 course numbers.
♦ The study may comprise library, laboratory, or field work, and is directed toward the solution of a specific engineering problem.
♦ Examples of appropriate report activities are design of components or systems, critical studies of existing systems, model studies, and field surveys.
Advance to Candidacy & Formation of Comp. Exam Committee -- by end of fourth quarter in residence - Second Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Completed all courses
♦ Must not have any incomplete (I) grades
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Completed Deficiency courses (if applicable) - Required for students without an engineering degree

Advancing to Candidacy
♦ Complete the Candidacy for the Master's Degree - Comprehensive Exam/Project Plan II form.
♦ Candidacy fee must be paid via Form Store and receipt forwarded to the Graduate Program Coordinator with your Candidacy form.
♦ Graduate Advisor must sign the form prior to submitting document to the Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the Candidacy form to Graduate Program Coordinator for final signature and forwarding to Graduate Studies

Comprehensive Exam Committee Members
♦ Three faculty members nominated in consultation with your major professor and Graduate Advisor.
♦ The major professor serves as Chair of the committee
♦ No more than one committee member may be outside the BSE Graduate Program
♦ External Membership Application - For members outside of the UC System
Comprehensive Exam and Engineering Report Submission -- by end of Summer - Second Year
Eligibility Criteria
♦ Satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program
♦ Approved Program of Study on file
♦ Advance to candidacy at least one (1) quarter prior to examination and filing report

Comprehensive Examination:
♦ The final day to pass your exam is the last day of your final quarter. Check the Academic Dates & Deadlines page for end of quarter dates.
♦ Coordinate with your committee members to schedule an exam time.
♦ Reserve a room for your exam using BFTV Event Management System; Schedule at least 30 minutes of prep time prior to the exam. If you need assistance with this, please email BAEadvising@ucdavis.edu.
♦ The format of the exam will be oral

Exam Outcome:
♦ Committee Chair will complete Master's Report Form Plan II
♦ Committee Chair must sign the form prior to submitting document to Graduate Advisor
♦ Graduate Advisor must sign the form prior to submitting document to the Graduate Program Coordinator
♦ Submit the Candidacy form to Graduate Program Coordinator for final signature and forwarding to Graduate Studies
♦ Graduate Exit Form - Submit to the Graduate Program Coordinator for signature and submission to Graduate Studies with your MS Report Form II.

Engineering Report Submission:
♦ The report must be submitted to the Comprehensive Exam Committee at least 2 weeks prior to the Comprehensive Exam date.
♦ The form and quality of the report must conform to generally accepted standards of the engineering profession.
Graduation & Commencement
♦ Participate in the annual Graduate Studies Commencement ceremony. The Graduate Studies Commencement is only in June (there is no winter ceremony).
♦ Generally speaking, students should start reviewing information about commencement in late February.
♦ Confirm eligibility and register for the commencement. To be eligible for the Graduate Studies Commencement, please pay attention to the dates on the website regarding Advancing to Candidacy and/or being filed to graduate. Students may participate in the Commencement Ceremony prior to actually graduating if they Advance to Candidacy by the appropriate deadline (see "steps to graduate" above for more about Advancing to Candidacy).
♦ Please also be sure to pay attention to the registration deadline, which is generally early May, and the deadline to to rent your cap/gown without a late fee.
♦ Complete the Diploma Mailing Address Change Form (optional) with the Registrar's office to have your diploma mailed to you.
♦ Order Official Transcript(s) (optional): Official transcripts are a good thing to keep on file. There is an option to have the transcript sent after your degree posts, so order them now so you don't forget later.
♦ Questions? Check out their FAQ website, or contact gradcommencement@ucdavis.edu

Department Commencement Banquet
♦ The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering hosts a joint commencement celebration with our undergraduate program in June. Details about this celebration are circulated in early Spring quarter.

Documents

GBSE Degree Requirements: 05/2023-Current