Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program
Ph.D. Final Requirements Checklist

When you are ready to take your thesis exam, here are the steps you need to take (not necessarily in this order):

• Check Graduate School deadlines for submission of Application for a Degree (submitted online through TGS Self-Service in CAESAR) and dissertation at www.tgs.northwestern.edu/academics/calendar/.

• Schedule your defense with your committee.

• Submit the PhD Final Exam form online through TGS Self-Service one week before your defense date.

• After you have defended your thesis, return the signed "Committee Report on Examination of Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy" form to the IBiS Program Office.

• Schedule your Thesis Seminar through the IBiS Program Office at least two weeks prior to your preferred presentation date. The thesis seminar is the third component of your thesis examination. Thesis seminars are held in Cook 3118 on Fridays at 3:00. The Program Office will help you to promote the event.  

• Submit your thesis (see guidelines at www.tgs.northwestern.edu/studentsvcs/doctoral/degreecompletion/).

• Return the signed "Certificate of Careful Editing" form to the IBiS Program Office.

• Check your health insurance coverage. NU's Health Insurance provides coverage from 9/1-8/31 of any given academic year even though the premium payments are made monthly. Once you are no longer a student in the lab, the premium payments become your responsibility. If you do not need NU's health insurance coverage it is your responsibility to cancel NU's Health Insurance.

• Schedule an exit interview with the IBiS Assistant Director before you leave campus. Bring with you a completed Contact Information Sheet.   Please also provide a digital photograph of yourself (optional).

All of the above steps are necessary to complete your Ph.D. requirements. For more specific information, please refer to the IBiS Program Guide or contact the IBiS Program Office.