BIOCHEMISTRY Graduate Program Student Handbook 2020-21 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Welcome! ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Your Responsibilities as a Graduate Student ........................................................................................................ 4 The Graduate School ............................................................................................................................................. 4 The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) ................................................................................................................. 5 The Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology (ICMB) ........................................................................................ 5 The Biochemistry (BCH) Graduate Program ......................................................................................................... 5 Biochemistry Graduate Program Administration .................................................................................................... 6 Biochemistry Graduate Studies Committee (BCH GSC) ....................................................................................... 6 Degrees Offered ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) .................................................................................................................................. 7 Requirements for Admission .................................................................................................................................. 7 Academic Requirements for a Biochemistry Ph.D. ................................................................................................ 8 Degree Milestones .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Progress Towards Degree ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Laboratory Rotations .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Permanent Laboratories ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Core Courses ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 Additional Required Coursework .......................................................................................................................... 12 Qualifying Examination ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Admission to Candidacy ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Registration in Candidacy Status ......................................................................................................................... 16 Annual Meetings and Dissertation Committee ..................................................................................................... 16 Application to Graduate ........................................................................................................................................ 17 The Final Oral Exam/Dissertation Defense .......................................................................................................... 17 Submission of Final Dissertation .......................................................................................................................... 17 Timeline of the Ph.D. Program ............................................................................................................................. 18 Master of Arts with Thesis (M.A.) ......................................................................................................................... 19 Academic Requirements of the Master of Arts with Thesis ................................................................................. 19 Master of Arts Thesis Committee ......................................................................................................................... 19 Financial Support ................................................................................................................................................... 20 Policy for Graduate Student Stipends .................................................................................................................. 20 Academic Employment ......................................................................................................................................... 20 ITA English-Language Certification for International Students ............................................................................ 21 Re-Appointments .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Limit to Appointment Hours for Academic Employment ....................................................................................... 21 Additional Employment and Outside Employment ............................................................................................... 22 University Fellowships .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Competitive National Fellowships ........................................................................................................................ 22 Other Aid............................................................................................................................................................... 22 General Information ............................................................................................................................................... 22 Contact Information .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Required Student Training ................................................................................................................................... 23 Academic Integrity ................................................................................................................................................ 23 Incomplete Grades ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Holiday Schedules ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Second Degrees ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Registration........................................................................................................................................................... 24 Leave of Absence ................................................................................................................................................. 26 Withdrawal ............................................................................................................................................................ 26 Out-of-State Tuition Waivers ................................................................................................................................ 26 International Student Health Insurance Waiver.................................................................................................... 27 2 Student Records ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Disability Services and Accommodations ............................................................................................................ 28 Parental Accommodation Policy........................................................................................................................... 28 Where to Go When Problems Arise ...................................................................................................................... 28 Grievance Policy ................................................................................................................................................... 29 Campus Safety ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 Emergencies ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Facility Services .................................................................................................................................................... 30 Other Contacts & Campus Support Resources .................................................................................................