*/Last chance to apply for fall 2009 graduation -- File now for Spring 
2010 graduation !

/*Since I have to get fall graduation applications approved and sent to 
the Registrar's office in two weeks, I want to make sure yours is not 
overlooked !   If you think you /might graduate/ in fall  2009, and I 
haven't sent you an email to confirm your application, please go online 
today and file your graduation intent form using Patriot Web 
<https://patriotweb.gmu.edu>, under the "Student Services" section.  You 
can always withdraw the graduation intent later on if you find you will 
not graduate in the fall term after all.  Spring 2010 graduation intents 
are to be filed on Patriot Web by November 20, 2009.  Only Doctoral 
students need to fill out the additional paper graduation application, 
found on the Registrar's website. 
<http://registrar.gmu.edu/graduation/forms.html>


A reminder that if you plan to graduate in the fall 2009 semester, be 
advised that the deadline to submit final dissertation or thesis copies 
with signature sheets to Fenwick Library is *Friday December 11, before 
5:00 p.m*.  The last day to schedule your defense for fall graduation is 
*Friday, December 4*.   The Dean's office has said that students are not 
to schedule a defense during the week the dissertation is due, since 
that time is needed for any revisions, printing, and signature 
gathering.  Signatures from the Dept. Chair (acting Chair is Charles L. 
Bailey), Associate Dean (Richard Diecchio) and College Dean (Vikas 
Chandhoke) are needed in addition to your committee members. Doctoral 
and thesis students will follow the graduation requirements listed on 
the library's website http://thesis.gmu.edu   Biodefense PhD students 
copied on this email will follow the College of Science requirements.

Please send me your thesis or dissertation defense information at least 
3 weeks ahead of the scheduled defense date for the announcement to be 
sent around.
For theses and dissertations, the College of Science requires four 
things above all:
1) Students must have a pre-defense with their committee members at 
least 30 days prior to the scheduled public defense.  Your committee 
Chair verifies that it has been done with an email to the Dean.  Think 
of it as a practice run!
2) A format review with Sarah Patton in Fenwick Library is required.  It 
should be scheduled /before you begin writing/ the dissertation or 
thesis. Visit http://thesis.gmu.edu for important information and 
templates for signature sheets.
3) All committee members must be present at the public defense.  No 
teleconferencing is permitted. 
4) The defense may be held at either Fairfax or Prince William campus 
during day or evening hours when the university is open, but may not be 
held when the university is closed for holidays or breaks.
If you plan on defending your dissertation or thesis this term, it is 
important that you schedule it now with your committee members -- 
Faculty schedules fill up quickly.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions about degree and 
graduation requirements.
thanks,
Diane St. Germain
-- 

Diane St. Germain

Coordinator, Biology and Biosciences

Graduate Academic Programs**

*Molecular and Microbiology Dept.*

*George** Mason University*

MS 1H8, 10900 University Blvd. Manassas, VA 20110

*Phone* (703) 993-4263, *Fax* (703) 993-8976**