Dissertation Committees must be formed by the beginning of the 2nd Fall semester. This must be documented by submitting a signed and completed Program of Study with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology front office and the Division of Graduate Education by Sept. 20th of the 2nd Fall semester.

Committee meetings must be held annually. Students must prepare 1-2 page progress reports to committee members and provide copies to the Graduate Core Committee.  These reports will be kept on file, their purpose being to provide record of the student's progress and any significant changes in research direction that may affect typical progression through the program. The form that must be turned into the Graduate Coordinator is Graduate Student Progress Report

At the appropriate annual meeting, the committee will approve (or not approve) that the student's research is nearing conclusion and a defense can be scheduled, if requested by the student. The required form that must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator is the Defense approval. Defense dates must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator and to the Department of Microbiology and Immunology office.

The above mentioned documents can be found here http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/forms.html