GRADUATE STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Department of Biology The University of Texas at Tyler

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1 GRADUATE STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Department of Biology The University of Texas at Tyler Approved by faculty

2 GRADUATE STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Department of Biology The University of Texas at Tyler ACADEMIC HONESTY AND CONDUCT All students at The University of Texas at Tyler are bound by the university s code of conduct as detailed in the A Student Guide to Conduct and Discipline at the University of Texas at Tyler ( As such, Biology graduate students are expected to maintain academic honesty in all of their coursework. In the conduct of their research, students are expected to maintain high standards of ethical behavior. To fulfill these standards, students are expected to develop several traits. These include the use of searching skepticism and an open mind when analyzing data; the use of scientific objectivity in developing scientific values; knowing and disclosing conflicts of interest; sharing research materials in a collegial way; and giving credit to others where credit is due. Students are strongly encouraged to read On Being A Scientist: Responsible Conduct In Research, published by the U. S. National Academy of Science ( index.html). Responsibilities and duties: The major advisor of each graduate student will have the primary and overall responsibility to advise the student on coursework, research, and adherence of the policies described herein. Applications for admission to the M.S. program will be evaluated by the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC), which will consist of three faculty and one current graduate student on a rotating basis. The GAC will make a recommendation to the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) who will then make a final decision and make a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Graduate Program Coordinator will have overall responsibility for informing applicants of GAC decision, assigning TAs, and ensuring that the policies and procedures detailed herein are followed by both faculty and students. GRADUATE STUDENT SELECTION AND ADMISSION PROCESS 1. Applicants to the graduate program are encouraged to contact potential advisors or the Department of Biology by (biology@uttyler.edu) or via telephone ( ) for opportunities in the graduate program. The potential advisor will respond and provide further information on the graduate program and application procedures. If the applicant contacts the department rather than a potential advisor, the GPC will forward the to all graduate faculty for consideration. The applicant can submit an online application ( Information about the faculty and graduate program opportunities are made available on the department s website ( 2

3 2. All applicants are automatically considered for graduate teaching or research assistantships which are available on a competitive basis ( GTA%20Application.pdf). 3. Once complete, applications are channeled by the Graduate School to members of the GAC for review and recommendation. The minimum graduate admission requirements can be found at program/graduate admissions.htm. The GAC will then direct the reviewed application to the GPC to inform the applicant of the GAC s decision. The GPC will then send a written notification of the GAC s decision to the applicant as detailed below. 4. Each applicant s folder containing comments and evaluation from the Graduate Affairs Committee and the GPC is made available to interested faculty willing to serve as an advisor. 5. Acceptance into the department is based upon recommendation of acceptance by the GAC, availability of a faculty member willing to serve as the student s advisor, availability of funds for an assistantship, and admission by the Graduate School. Conditional admission may be recommended if students have one or more deficient areas (e.g., GPA below the minimum, insufficient undergraduate course history, low GRE scores, etc.). 6. If the department elects not to recommend the applicant for admission, the GPC informs the applicant of this decision. 7. Upon admission by the Graduate School, the GPC corresponds with each applicant on the following items: 1. name of advisor, 2. general area of research (when appropriate), 3. funding status, if any, 4. expected date of arrival, and 5. other information as deemed appropriate. 8. International students will be provided the documents required (a letter of appointment, I-20, etc.) by the Graduate School to obtain a student visa from an U.S. consulate or embassy. Students are required to provide visa documentation to the Office of Human Resources no later than one week before the start of the semester. If the required documentation is not provided, their appointment will be voided ( STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) All graduate students are strongly encouraged to read UT Tyler s expectations of graduate studies at To achieve the departmental and university goals for graduate education, students seeking a M.S. degree in Biology will be: Required to demonstrate: a. Core knowledge of Biology b. The ability to conduct original research, including the analysis and interpretation of data c. In-depth knowledge in area of specialization d. General knowledge of current issues and methods in science and technology and develop lifelong habits for maintaining this currency e. The ability to write scientifically sound research proposals and manuscripts f. The ability to orally present scientific information and research ideas Expected to: (experiences will be provided to achieve these outcomes but they will not be assessed as SLOs) 3

4 a. Develop critical thinking skills and the ability to apply the scientific method b. Practice ethical and professional behavior and demonstrate social responsibility c. Work collaboratively and with individuals of diverse backgrounds d. Exhibit safe practices in the laboratory and field to protect human and environmental welfare CONDUCT OF GRADUATE PROGRAM The student s advisor and the student are responsible for the selection of an Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee for M.S. students must have a minimum of three members, including the major advisor. Final approval at the departmental level is given by the GPC. The Graduate School has the responsibility for the formal appointment of the Advisory Committee once the paperwork is filed. The committee for Master s candidates is to be formed prior to the completion of the first semester of study. An approved program of study is to be filed by the end of the first semester of residence. Students and major professors are strongly encouraged to consult the Graduate School Guidelines before preparing a Program of Study ( It is the student s responsibility to be aware of, and comply with, all regulations, policies, procedures, and deadlines of the University, the Graduate School, and the Department of Biology. A. Prior to the first Advisory Committee meeting, the student will prepare: 1. A summary of his or her academic background 2. A proposed course of study, in consultation with the major advisor. 3. A proposed outline for a thesis, report, or dissertation, again in consultation with the major advisor. These materials will be provided to their advisor one week prior to the initial committee meeting and it is then the advisor s responsibility to forward these materials to the other committee members and the Chair of the Department of Biology. B. At the initial Advisory Committee meeting to which the GPC must be invited as an observer, the members will: 1. Evaluate the student s academic background. 2. Inform the student of timelines and procedures. 3. Approve a program of study. The proposed program of study will then be submitted to the Graduate School in accordance with university regulations. 4. Review and make recommendations for the thesis proposal. C. At the initial or a subsequent committee meeting, a detailed research proposal will be approved. The approved research proposal, with literature review, objectives, and procedures, will be filed in the student s folder in the department office by the end of the second semester of residency. D. All M.S. students are required to prepare an oral presentation of their research proposal (research proposal seminar) and present it to the entire department. The seminar is open to all members of the department. It is recommended that the student consult the advisory 4

5 committee during the preparation of the seminar. The seminar must be scheduled during the second semester of the student s residence at UT Tyler (i.e., a student admitted in Fall must present the seminar before the end of Spring; if admitted in Spring, seminar is presented in the Fall and so on). Exceptions will be made only under extreme circumstances and at the discretion of the Advisory Committee. This is being ignored. I need feedback on this. I strongly prefer that the students present their research proposal to the whole department so everyone in the department know what the students are working on and also to provide feedback. E. Minimum course requirements for the M.S degree are: 1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit including six hours of thesis (BIOL 5395, BIOL 5396). 2. All students are required to develop their written proposal for their committee and prepare an oral presentation for the entire department during their first and second semesters. 3. Only 6 hours of undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit may apply to the M.S. degree. 4. All students are required to enroll in and complete two or more one-hour graduate seminar courses (BIOL 5193) during their degree program. They may enroll in and complete one additional one-hour graduate seminar course, if needed. F. Advisory Committee meeting: Graduate students are required to schedule advisory committee meetings at least once a year. Again I don t know if this is being followed. G. Annual progress reports: Annual progress reports (one page) from all graduate students are due November 30th or the Monday following Thanksgiving (whichever is later).the reports must be reviewed and signed by the Advisor and a copy of the report will be placed in the student s file. Annual progress reports serve several purposes. 1. They ensure that the student and advisor are satisfied with the progress that has been made and there is a written record of the same. 2. It is an opportunity for the student and advisor to review the progress and plot a course for the following year. 3. In case of disputes between the student and advisor, there is a paper trial to which all concerned may refer back. Not everyone is submitting these either. This was implemented to protect both the student and the major advisor. H. Thesis and defense: All M.S. students in the thesis/research track are required to complete a thesis, which must be prepared according to A copy of the thesis (edited and tentatively approved by the advisor) must be provided to the committee and the Chair a minimum of two weeks before the defense. Notification of intention to defend must be approved by the committee a minimum of 3 weeks prior to the defense date. The final oral examination at the Master s level will be a defense of the candidate s thesis or report, but also may include questions from all aspects of the Life Sciences. In case the Advisory Committee deems the student has failed the examination, a second examination may be scheduled in accordance with university regulations. 5

6 The first portion of the examination session will be an oral research review presentation ( seminar ) by the student. This review will be open to all faculty members, graduate students, and others who wish to attend. Questions may be asked of the student by persons attending this review. Following the review, the room will be cleared except for members of the student s committee, the Chair, and other graduate faculty wishing to remain, any of whom is entitled to ask further questions. At the conclusion of the examination, the committee members will meet alone to vote on whether to pass the student. I. Departmental seminar requirement: Graduate Seminar in Biology (BIOL 5193) is a one-credit course that shall be offered only on a Credit/No Credit basis, with credit to be determined by the Seminar Committee. Credit is given for fulfilling two requirements. 1. Presenting the research proposal seminar. Graduate Seminar in Biology is required once in the M.S. Program of Study before the end of the second semester. At the research proposal seminar, students are required to present and defend their research proposal and obtain feedback from faculty and other students to improve research plans. This experience will also help the students develop public speaking skills. At the start of the academic year (or earlier if possible), the Seminar Committee will discuss with students the criteria by which the committee will award credit. 2. Attending all departmental seminars by internal or external speakers is mandatory. Based on the research proposal seminar and attendance at departmental seminars, the seminar committee will give credit for Graduate Seminar in Biology. Presentation of research at the final oral examination is required of M.S. students. This was originally implemented to make sure graduate students are actually attending the weekly seminar series. But in lieu of the students registering, I am happy to send occasional s to students reminding them of the attendance at the seminars. J. Graduation: Upon successful defense of the thesis, students must complete revisions recommended by the committee by the deadlines established by the Graduate School ( A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit, including six hours of thesis (BIOL 5395, 5396) are required for graduation. Only grades of B or better can be applied towards the degree. Applications for graduation must be completed by the deadlines established by the Office of the Registrar ( 6