University of Wisconsin–Madison

First Year Committee Meeting

The goal of the First Year Committee Meeting is to provide a brief introduction to the student’s research area and discuss appropriate coursework to provide breadth training and to satisfy Cancer Biology course requirements. 

  • Scheduling your First Year Committee Meeting
  • Poll Certification Committee members regarding availability
  • Your First Year Committee Mtg must be held by August 31st of your first academic year
  • Ask a committee member to serve as your meeting’s chairperson (this cannot be your mentor)
  • Reserve a meeting room for 2 hours. First-year meetings typically last 60 to 90 minutes.
  • Complete the appropriate sections of this form (see below) and save an electronic version.
  • Notify Program Coordinator of the date of your First Year Committee Mtg by May 15th by completing online form.
  • Preparing for your First Year Committee Meeting & Day of Meeting
  • For detailed instructions and pointers, review the Cancer Biology Graduate Program Handbook   
  • Project Summary
  • Write the initial draft of your project summary and ask for feedback from mentor.
  • Writing is an iterative process. Be prepared for more than one round of feedback from mentor.
  • Oral Presentation
  • Create a 20-minute oral presentation
  • Practice your 20-minute presentation with your mentor and lab members and incorporate feedback into new presentation.
  • Sharing your meeting materials with your committee members
  • Distribute your project summary, a completed copy of this form, and meeting information to all committee members at least 10 days prior to your meeting
  • Send a meeting reminder a day before your meeting to all committee members
  • Bring a printed copy of this form for the meeting chairperson to complete
  • Following your First Year Committee Meeting
  • Return this completed and signed form to the Program Coordinator
  • Failure to submit required information will result with an academic hold being placed on your account and could result in late enrollment fees of up to $100.00 and delayed payroll.