Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - Current Students
How many credits should I sign up for each semester?
You should typically register for approximately nine credits each semester. However, this may vary depending on how long you’ve been in the program. For the summer semester, you should register for one research credit only, unless you’ve confirmed with your faculty advisor that enrolling in additional credits is appropriate.
How do I request help for travel that I want to take, relevant to my research area?
Please use the travel funding request link provided on your program’s website. This form is the first step in requesting support for research-related travel. Be sure to follow any additional instructions listed there and consult with your faculty advisor if needed.
What is an Academic Plan?
An academic plan is a structured outline of the courses, milestones, and requirements a student needs to complete in order to graduate from their program. It helps students stay on track and make informed decisions about course registration, research, and other academic responsibilities.
What are the responsibilities of the Academic Plan Committee?
Refer to the Graduate College Handbook – Academic Plan
How do I set up my first Academic Plan Committee meeting?
By the end of the first year in the major professor’s laboratory, a Ph.D. student majoring in Genetics and Genomics must formally set up an Academic Plan. To do this, the student contacts committee members to select a date for a meeting (at least 3 committee members must attend for Ph.D. and 2 for M.S.). One week prior to the meeting, the student must present a written research plan to all committee members. This plan should include educational and research background, research questions, strategies, and possible future directions. During the meeting, students should consider feedback from the committee, as it often includes valuable insights for research and career development. Students should also meet individually with any committee members unable to attend.
Good strategies for setting up committee meetings:
- Talk with your major professor about possible dates and the time needed for the meeting.
- Identify days when all committee members will be in Ames. For initial and annual meetings (1–2 hours), look 2–3 weeks ahead. For prelim and final defenses (2–3 hours), plan at least a month in advance.
- Identify time windows when faculty are available. Consider using a free scheduling tool like Doodle.
- Once you have availability, propose one or more meeting times and reserve a room.
- Complete this process quickly (within 1–2 days) to ensure availability remains. Email is the preferred method of communication.
Yearly academic meetings:
Genetics and Genomics students should meet with their Academic Plan Committee annually. At least 3 members (Ph.D.) or 2 members (M.S.) must be present. The student is responsible for scheduling these meetings.
Who do I need to have on my Academic Plan Committee?
- Ph.D. students: 5 faculty members and 72 credits
- 3 must be Genetics faculty
- 1 must be designated as “outside” (can be from Genetics or your home department)
- M.S. students: 3 faculty members and 32 credits
- 2 must be Genetics faculty
- 1 must be designated as “outside”
The outside committee member provides specialized knowledge or a different perspective helpful to your research and academic development.
I need to add or drop a course—where do I find the form?
Workday Learning Quick Reference Guide - Drop Courses
7/14/2025