MICROBIOLOGY Graduate Program Student Handbook 2020-21 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Welcome! .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Responsibilities of a Microbiology Graduate Student ........................................................................................ 4 The Graduate School ......................................................................................................................................... 4 The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) ............................................................................................................ 5 The Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology (ICMB) ......................................................................................... 5 The Microbiology Graduate Program (MIC) ...................................................................................................... 5 Microbiology Graduate Program Administration ................................................................................................ 6 The Microbiology Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) .................................................................................... 6 Degrees Offered ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) ............................................................................................................................. 7 Requirements for Admission .............................................................................................................................. 7 Admission to Micro from Biochemistry (BCH) or Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) Graduate Programs....... 7 Academic Requirements for a Ph.D. in the Microbiology Graduate Program ................................................... 7 Degree Milestones ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Progress Towards Degree ................................................................................................................................. 8 Laboratory Rotations.......................................................................................................................................... 8 Permanent Laboratories .................................................................................................................................... 9 Core Courses ................................................................................................................................................... 10 Core Course Descriptions ................................................................................................................................ 10 Additional Required Coursework ..................................................................................................................... 12 Required Grade Point Average........................................................................................................................ 12 Annual Meetings .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Qualifying Examination .................................................................................................................................... 13 Admission to Candidacy .................................................................................................................................. 16 Registration in Candidacy Status..................................................................................................................... 17 Annual Meetings with the Dissertation Committee .......................................................................................... 17 Application to Graduate ................................................................................................................................... 18 Final Oral Exam/Dissertation Defense ............................................................................................................ 18 Submission of Final Dissertation ..................................................................................................................... 18 Timeline and Milestones of the Microbiology Ph.D. Program.......................................................................... 19 Master of Arts with Thesis (M.A.)..................................................................................................................... 20 Academic Requirements of the Master of Arts with Thesis ............................................................................. 20 Financial Support and Considerations ............................................................................................................ 21 Policy for Graduate Student Stipends ............................................................................................................. 21 Academic Employment .................................................................................................................................... 21 ITA English Language Certification for International Students ........................................................................ 22 Re-Appointments ............................................................................................................................................. 22 Limit to Appointment Hours for Academic Employment .................................................................................. 22 Additional Employment and Outside Employment ......................................................................................... 22 University Fellowships ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Competitive National Fellowships .................................................................................................................... 23 Other Aid .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 General Information and Policies .................................................................................................................... 23 Contact Information.......................................................................................................................................... 23 Required Student Training ............................................................................................................................... 24 Academic Integrity ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Incomplete Grades........................................................................................................................................... 24 Holiday Schedules ........................................................................................................................................... 25 Second Degrees .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Registration ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Leave of Absence ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Withdrawal ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Out-Of-State Tuition Waivers ........................................................................................................................... 27 International Student Health Insurance Waivers ............................................................................................. 27 Student Records .............................................................................................................................................. 28 2 Disability Services ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Parental Accommodation Policy ...................................................................................................................... 28 Where to Go When Problems Arise ................................................................................................................. 29 Grievance Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 30 Campus Safety ................................................................................................................................................... 30 Emergencies .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Facility Services ..............................................................................................................................................