Biological Sciences Graduate Student Individual Development Plan (IDP)

   M.S. Non-Thesis & PSM IDP Form    M.S. Thesis IDP Form IB Ph.D. IDP Form

Overview

The Graduate Student Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a required document designed to serve as a tool to enhance communication between you and your faculty mentor and to help you prepare for life after FAU.

The IDP offers you an opportunity to co-create your graduate program goals in partnership with your faculty mentor with the intention of creating meaningful and clear academic and/or research expectations, identifying developmental milestones, and assessing your performance.

The IDP is a dynamic document that will require adjustments as circumstances change and evolve. Students and their advisors are both responsible for jointly creating and implementing the IDP.

 

Deadlines

M.S. Program (Fall Entry)

  • New Academic Year: November 1st

  • Mid-Year Update: April 15th 

M.S. Program (Spring Entry)

  • New Academic Year: April 15th 

  • Mid-Year Update: November 1st 

IB Ph.D. Program

  • New Academic Year: October 15th

  • Mid-Year Update: May 15th

 

Instructions for Developing Your IDP

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a roadmap for your academic program and career ambitions. As a tool, it will help to leverage on your strengths while addressing areas of growth. This is an evolving self-assessment process to increase the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to advance in your chosen academic path and beyond.

Step 1. Complete IDP form

  • Inventorying your strengths and identifying gaps in your knowledge, skill set, or desired experience.
  • Identifying short-term and long-term goals that can help you close these gaps.
  • Considering how you will allocate your time to accomplish your specific goals as well as the support and resources that you will need along the way.

Important: If you do not know the answer to some of the sections, try note your questions and concerns, this is just as valuable - remember that this is an on-going self-evaluating process.

Step 2. Contact your faculty mentor

  • Send an email to your faculty mentor along with your initial IDP draft requesting a time to meet and review the IDP form. Please do it with time, faculty are busy, too.
  • Review and finalize the form together.

Step. 3. Submit signed IDP to your program coordinator by stated due date

Step 4. Use IDP throughout the semester and academic year to stay on track

 

New Academic Year 

  • New students: Complete an initial IDP form and meet with your faculty mentor as described above, and then complete a mid-year update when due.
  • Existing students: B ased on the previous academic year’s goals, review and revise your plan for the new academic year and meet with your faculty mentor as described above. Complete a mid-year update when due.

Important: If you are considering a faculty mentor or academic program change, please contact your designated graduate program coordinator as soon as possible to discuss options and schedule a meeting with the Graduate Program Director as needed.

 

Mid-Year Update 

Step 1. Revise initial IDP form

  • Provide, in different color ink of your choice, a mid-year update based on your progress, new goals, and/or new needs. For example:
    • What did you accomplish? Are you satisfied with your outcomes?
    • What did you not complete or decided to defer? Provide an explanation.
    • Have your initial goals changed? If so, what are your new plans?
    • Is there a time-sensitive matter that you need to discuss with your mentor?
    • Have you experienced any life changes that may affect your goals?
    • Planning ahead, how can your mentor best support your revised plans?
  • Acknowledge milestones achieved along the way; this will give you a sense of accomplishment and increased momentum.

Step 2. Contact your faculty mentor

  • Send an email to your faculty mentor along with your revised IDP draft requesting a time to meet and discuss your mid-year update.
  • Review, finalize, and sign revised IDP.

Step. 3. Submit signed mid-year IDP update to your program coordinator by stated due date

Step 4. Use revised IDP through the rest of academic year to stay on track

 

Program Contacts