2016 2017 GUIDE TO GRADUATE STUDIES - DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - Department of ...
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UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
GUIDE
TO
GRADUATE
STUDIES
2016
–
2017
CONTENTS
Chapter
Page
1.
INTRODUCTION
3
2.
DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS
FOR
THE
DOCTOR
OF
PHILOSOPHY
3
3.
ACADEMIC
AND
RESEARCH
PROGRESS
EXAMINATION
6
4.
UNIVERSITY
ORAL
CANDIDACY
EXAMINATION
9
5.
DOCTORAL
DISSERTATION
10
6.
NON-‐THESIS
AND
THESIS
MASTER’S
11
7.
ACADEMIC
POLICIES
12
8.
ACADEMIC
REGULATIONS
16
9.
FINANCIAL
SUPPORT
19
10.
GRADUATE
STUDENT
GRIEVANCE
PROCESS
21
11.
ACADEMIC
INTEGRITY
25
12.
POLICIES
ON
HARASSMENT
AND
OTHER
ASPECTS
OF
STUDENT
LIFE
26
Guide
to
Graduate
Studies,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry,
University
of
Notre
Dame
2
1. INTRODUCTION The graduate degree programs in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame have as their immediate goal the development of individuals with the capability of initiating and conducting independent research in chemistry, biochemistry, and related fields. The granting of a graduate degree is a formal recognition of achievement in variety of pursuits. It acknowledges that a student has satisfactorily completed a series of advanced courses, has displayed creative and original thinking in their candidacy examinations, and demonstrated a mastery of experimental inquiry as expressed through the original research described in the dissertation. The general features and relevant specific details of the graduate programs are described below. Graduate students in the doctoral program will be required to demonstrate competence in preliminary candidacy examinations and in oral examinations strategically located in the program, culminating in satisfactory completion of an acceptable doctoral thesis. This document is updated each year as the rules and regulations of the program evolve. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CHEMISTRY OR BIOCHEMISTRY 2.1. Degrees Offered The department offers separate PhD degrees in Chemistry and in Biochemistry. Although the overall requirements are the same, the two degrees remain distinct. Students are admitted into either the Chemistry or the Biochemistry PhD program. Switching programs is permissible with approval of the Director of Graduate Studies or the Department Chair. The department does not admit students into a Master’s degree program, although a terminal Master’s degree is available as described in Section 7. 2.2. Course Work Requirements In order to remain in good academic standing within the Department, all graduate students will be required to have completed 18 credits of graduate coursework by the end of their third semester. If a student fails to meet this requirement, he or she will be dismissed from the program without a degree at the end of the third semester. Graduate courses assigning letter grades and related to chemistry and biochemistry, broadly defined, will count toward the requirement. English as a Second Language will not count toward the requirement, and directed readings and graduate coursework from other institutions will qualify only with explicit approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Exceptions to this policy will be considered in the event of a documented extenuating circumstance, as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies. In light of this requirement, graduate students are strongly advised against dropping or withdrawing from graduate courses. Beyond the minimum credit requirement noted above, the Department recommends 21 – 27 credits of graduate coursework for either PhD degree. A typical sequence is three courses in the first semester, two courses in the second semester, and one or two courses in each of the Guide to Graduate Studies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame 3
following two semesters (21-‐27 credits). Advanced students typically audit appropriate classes. Before reaching candidacy, students typically take a minimum of three core courses in their chosen sub-‐discipline. Individual thesis advisors may require a student to take additional courses that are considered appropriate. All students must pass the CHEM 63603: Research Perspectives in Chemistry and Biochemistry in their first semester. In addition to the requirements above, a combined total of 60 credits are required for the PhD in Chemistry or Biochemistry. This total includes all courses taken, including not only instructional coursework, but research, seminars, directed readings, etc. Students should ensure their total credit counts are on track to reach 60 by their anticipated date of graduation. In the first three semesters, the total credit count, including research, should be at least 10. 2.3. Waiver of Course Work The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry may accept course work completed at another accredited university toward meeting the requirements for either doctoral degree. The Director of Graduate Studies should be consulted, and may agree to waive some of the course work requirements. Official documentation of course completion, grades, and content will be required. 2.4. Foreign Language Requirement There is no departmental foreign language requirement. However, individual thesis advisors may require a specific language course if that language is deemed appropriate for a particular area of research. 2.5. Residency The minimum residency requirement for either PhD degree is full-‐time status for four consecutive semesters (including the summer session). 2.6. Degree Eligibility The student must fulfill all doctoral requirements, including the dissertation and its defense, within eight years from the time of initial enrollment. The department will generally dismiss a student if they have not completed their degree requirements within 8 years. Failure to complete any of the Graduate School or departmental requirements within the prescribed period may result in forfeiture of degree eligibility. In addition, each student, regardless of his/her source of financial support, must spend two semesters as a teaching assistant. Cumulative GPA must be ≥ 3.0 to be in good academic standing and to be eligible for a degree. 2.7. Research Advisors and Dissertation Committees Entering graduate students in either degree program participate in three, one-‐month laboratory rotations. These are designed to expose students to the research and culture of various laboratories and to provide an opportunity for new students to interact with senior graduate Guide to Graduate Studies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame 4
students and postdocs. Rotating students will learn about the research performed in each lab through interactions with lab members and attendance at regular group meetings. The primary goal of these rotations is to familiarize students with specific labs, not to accomplish research. Laboratories for the rotations will be selected by the student, and may include any teaching and research faculty that have elected to participate in the program. Choices are not guaranteed but will be accommodated as best as possible according to space and parity issues. Students submit their choices of labs for the second and third rotations to the Graduate Studies office prior to the end of each rotation. The initial advisor for new students in either degree program is the Director of Graduate Studies. At the conclusion of the rotation process (typically in November for students entering in the fall), the student will list one member of the teaching and research faculty, from those who are eligible to accept students, that would be acceptable as a research advisor. The completed forms are forwarded to the Department Chair who with the Director of Graduate Studies initiates the process and approves the assignment of students to individual faculty members according to departmental policies regarding funding and student support. Normally, it is possible to match a student with his/her choice for a research advisor; however, circumstances can arise, such as funding, space, or other considerations, that will prevent a faculty member from accepting a student into his/her group. If a student cannot be assigned to their first choice, the process must be restarted, with the student choosing another potential faculty from those still eligible to accept students. All students are expected to be assigned to an advisor before the beginning of their second semester; in exceptional cases the Director of Graduate Studies or Department Chair may approve an extension of the advisor selection process into the second semester. However, all students must be assigned to an advisor before the end of their second semester. If approval for an extension into the second semester is not given or an advisor is not found by the end of the second semester, the student may be dismissed from the program. Research advisors (also referred to as dissertation or thesis directors) are chosen from the regular Teaching and Research faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. There also may be one co-‐director chosen from affiliated faculty within or outside the department. In exceptional cases, a student may choose an advisor director from the Notre Dame teaching and research faculty outside the department. Arrangements for extra-‐departmental directors or co-‐ directors must be consistent with departmental policies and must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. The research advisor assists the student in identifying a suitable research problem that will be the focus of the dissertation. The advisor consults with the student on a regular basis concerning progress with research. In addition, the advisor will assist the student in designing a plan of study that will complement, but is not limited to, his/her area of research. After the student has chosen a research advisor, a dissertation committee consisting of a minimum of three faculty members, including the research advisor, is appointed for each student. This committee reflects the student's research interests and the general area of the proposed dissertation. The committee need not be made up of members of a single sub-‐ Guide to Graduate Studies, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame 5
discipline.
This
committee
will
monitor
the
student's
progress
during
the
individual's
tenure
as
a
student
in
the
department.
They
will
serve
on
the
student's
oral
examinations,
and
serve
as
readers
of
the
dissertation.
The
Director
of
Graduate
Studies
must
approve
the
appointment
of
a
committee
member
from
outside
the
Teaching
and
Research
faculty
of
the
student's
department
or
from
outside
the
university.
In
such
cases
a
majority
of
the
committee
must
be
members
of
the
Department.
The
appointment
of
committee
members
who
are
not
Teaching
and
Research
faculty
must
be
approved
by
the
Department
Chair.
It
is
the
responsibility
of
the
student
to
meet
frequently
with
the
advisor,
as
well
as
the
rest
of
their
thesis
committee,
keeping
them
abreast
of
progress
with
research,
course
work,
and
candidacy
examinations.
Although
considerable
effort
will
be
made
to
avoid
such
instances,
after
consulting
with
the
Department
Chair
and/or
Director
of
Graduate
Studies,
an
advisor
may
dismiss
a
student
from
his/her
laboratory
for
poor
progression,
poor
relationships,
or
other
reasons.
In
most
cases
the
student
will
have
been
given
written
warning
and
sufficient
time
to
address
any
concerns.
In
cases
when
an
advisor
dismisses
a
student,
the
student
must
find
a
new
advisor
as
described
in
Section
7.
2.8.
Diagnostic
Examinations
Entering
students
may
be
asked
to
take
diagnostic
examinations.
The
purpose
of
the
exams
are
to
help
the
students
and
the
graduate
studies
committee
make
informed
course
selection
decisions.
2.9.
Seminars
All
students
must
enroll
in
Seminar
in
Chemistry
(CHEM
63601
in
the
fall,
CHEM
63602
in
spring)
and
attend
all
lectures
in
this
departmental
series.
2.10.
Admission
to
Candidacy
Admission
to
candidacy
is
a
prerequisite
to
receiving
any
graduate
degree.
To
qualify
for
admission
to
doctoral
candidacy,
a
student
must:
(1)
complete
18
credits
of
instructional
course
work
with
a
cumulative
average
of
3.0
or
better
(see
Section
2.2);
(2)
pass
the
Academic
and
Research
Progress
Examination
(Section
3);
and
(3)
pass
the
University
Oral
Candidacy
Exam
(Section
4).
It
is
the
responsibility
of
the
student
to
apply
for
candidacy
admission
by
submitting
the
appropriate
form
to
the
Graduate
School.
Students
must
be
admitted
to
Candidacy
by
the
end
of
their
fourth
year
after
admission.
3.
ACADEMIC
AND
RESEARCH
PROGRESS
EXAMINATION
All
PhD
students
in
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry
must
pass
the
Academic
and
Research
Progress
(ARP)
exam
in
their
third
semester
to
continue
in
the
PhD
program.
The
goal
of
the
ARP
exam
is
to
help
the
student
develop
fundamental
knowledge
in
their
field,
demonstrate
an
awareness
of
their
research
project,
and
show
progress
in
their
laboratory
investigations.
The
ARP
exam
is
taken
during
a
student’s
third
semester;
to
be
eligible
for
the
exam,
the
student
must
be
in
good
Guide
to
Graduate
Studies,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry,
University
of
Notre
Dame
6
academic
standing
in
the
Department.
The
exam
consists
of
a
written
document
and
an
oral
defense
in
front
of
the
student’s
committee.
TIMELINE
Fall
admits
o Research
summary
paper
is
due
the
last
Friday
in
September
of
the
third
semester
o Oral
exams
are
scheduled
in
October,
retakes
are
scheduled
in
December
Spring
admits
o Research
summary
paper
is
due
the
last
Friday
in
February
of
the
third
semester
o Oral
exams
are
scheduled
in
March,
retakes
are
scheduled
in
May
RESEARCH
SUMMARY
PAPER
A
paper
summarizing
the
student’s
research
project,
progress,
and
effort
is
due
by
4
PM
in
the
Graduate
Studies
office
on
the
last
Friday
in
September
or
February.
Excluding
references,
this
paper
should
be
a
minimum
of
8
pages
in
length
(double
spaced,
1
inch
margins,
12
point
font),
but
no
more
than
10
pages.
A
suggested
organization
of
the
paper
are
as
follows:
(1)
Introduction,
(2)
Goals,
(3)
Results,
(4)
Future
Directions,
and
(5)
References.
Approximately
equal
weight
should
be
devoted
to
sections
(1)
through
(3),
ensuring
a
minimum
of
one
page
for
future
directions.
If
a
student
does
not
submit
the
research
summary
paper
by
the
deadline,
the
student
will
have
failed
the
exam
and
must
leave
the
program
at
the
completion
of
the
semester.
If
in
good
academic
standing,
the
student
may
opt
to
leave
with
a
non-‐thesis
Master’s,
which
will
require
an
oral
exam
before
the
end
of
the
semester.
ORAL
EXAM
In
the
month
of
October
or
March,
the
student
will
present
a
20
–
30
minute
seminar
on
his
or
her
research
project.
The
presentation
should
contain
the
following
elements:
(1)
the
broad
scientific
context/motivation
for
the
research,
(2)
preliminary
results,
and
(3)
a
clear
one-‐year
plan
for
future
work.
Following
the
seminar,
there
will
be
two
rounds
of
questions.
Each
committee
member
is
allowed
two
rounds
of
questions
(totaling
~20
minutes)
that
address
specifics
of
the
research
project,
as
well
as
pertinent
fundamental
background
knowledge.
Following
questions,
the
student
will
leave
the
room
while
the
committee
deliberates.
Deliberations
will
cover
performance
on
the
written
and
oral
portions
of
the
exam,
performance
in
research
and
coursework,
and
performance
as
a
TA.
SUPPLEMENTAL
INFORMATION
The
committee
will
consider
the
following
supplemental
information
during
its
deliberation:
1. Coursework
completed
and
grades
2. TA
performance
3. Communication
sent
after
the
two
prior
semi-‐annual
reviews
of
graduate
students
Guide
to
Graduate
Studies,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry,
University
of
Notre
Dame
7
OUTCOMES
The
committee
will
consider
the
following
outcomes
for
the
exam:
1. Pass
and
continuation
in
the
Ph.D.
program
2. Fail
and
movement
into
the
Master’s
program,
with
the
outcome
of
the
ARP
exam
serving
as
successful
completion
of
the
non-‐thesis
Master’s
exam
3. Fail
and
removal
from
graduate
studies
with
no
degree
If
fail
and
removal
from
graduate
studies
is
the
outcome,
the
student
must
depart
at
the
end
of
the
third
semester.
If
fail
and
movement
to
the
Master’s
program
is
the
outcome,
the
student
will
have
the
option
of
retaking
the
exam.
Situations
in
which
a
retake
is
called
for
may
include
mixed
performance
on
different
aspects
of
the
exam
or
poor
exam
performance
together
with
outstanding
performance
in
coursework.
The
student
will
make
this
decision
after
consulting
with
the
committee
and
must
communicate
the
decision
to
the
Graduate
Studies
office
within
two
business
days
of
the
exam.
If
the
student
chooses
to
retake
the
exam,
it
will
be
scheduled
during
the
month
of
December
or
May.
There
will
be
no
option
for
a
second
retake.
A
student
who
fails
the
exam
and
is
moved
into
the
Master’s
program,
whether
as
an
outcome
of
the
first
attempt
or
a
retake,
will
have
the
option
of
leaving
with
a
non-‐thesis
Master’s
at
the
end
of
the
third
semester
or,
provided
the
student
is
in
good
academic
standing,
remaining
in
the
program
as
a
TA
for
a
final
term.
In
the
latter
case
a
non-‐thesis
Master’s
degree
will
be
conferred
at
the
end
of
the
fourth
semester
(summer
for
spring
admits),
contingent
upon
adequate
performance
as
a
TA
(TA
evaluations
to
be
provided
by
the
course
instructor
or
laboratory
director
and
judged
by
the
Director
of
Graduate
Studies
and/or
Chair).
Any
student
leaving
with
a
non-‐thesis
Master’s
must
have
successfully
completed
all
other
programmatic
requirements
for
the
non-‐thesis
Master’s
degree
(18
credits
of
instruction
and
30
total
credit
hours
with
a
GPA
≥
3.0).
At
the
discretion
of
the
advisor
and
only
with
the
advisor’s
financial
support,
a
student
who
fails
the
exam
and
is
moved
into
the
Master’s
program
may
have
the
option
of
completing
a
thesis
Master’s
in
the
advisor’s
laboratory.
In
such
a
case,
provided
the
advisor
is
willing
and
able
to
provide
funding,
the
student
may
remain
in
the
program
until
completion
of
the
thesis
or
the
end
of
the
fifth
year,
although
the
student
may
choose
to
leave
with
a
non-‐thesis
Master’s
at
any
time.
FEEDBACK
AND
EXPECTATIONS
The
student
will
be
provided
written
feedback
for
the
written
document,
oral
performance,
and
overall
progression
in
the
program,
including
coursework
and
TA
performance.
Scores
will
be
entered
on
the
following
scale:
Excellent
(5),
Good
(4),
Satisfactory
(3),
Substantial
Weakness
(2),
and
Poor
(1).
In
scoring
the
written
proposal
the
committee
will
consider:
o Formatting
and
correct
use
of
grammar
and
style
o Appropriate
and
adequate
use
of
references
o Organization
and
clarity
o Adequate
introduction
and
motivation
for
the
project
o Clear
articulation
of
project
objectives
Guide
to
Graduate
Studies,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry,
University
of
Notre
Dame
8
o Description
of
techniques
and
methods
to
be
used
to
achieve
project
objectives
o Description
of
future
plans
In
scoring
the
oral
performance
the
committee
will
consider:
o Formatting
and
correct
use
of
grammar
and
style
o Appropriate
and
adequate
use
of
references
o Organization
and
clarity
o Quality
of
the
research
effort
o Appropriate
interpretation
of
data
presented
o Ability
to
explain
the
relevance
and
context
of
the
work
o Ability
to
explain
and
defend
the
project
aims
and
investigative
approach
o Knowledge
of
techniques
and
equipment
used
o Understanding
of
fundamental
principles
and
concepts
o Ability
to
articulate
clearly
and
defend
a
plan
for
future
work
4.
UNIVERSITY
ORAL
CANDIDACY
EXAMINATION
The
Oral
Candidacy
Exam
(OCE)
is
required
by
the
Graduate
School.
The
purpose
of
the
OCE
is
for
the
student’s
committee
to
make
a
determination
regarding
their
scientific
preparedness
for
admission
to
candidacy.
The
OCE
must
be
completed
before
the
end
of
the
student's
eighth
semester
in
the
PhD
program.
Students
who
do
not
complete
their
Graduate
School
Oral
requirement
by
the
end
of
their
eighth
semester
are
not
eligible
for
Departmental
or
University
Funding
(including
tuition
support).
Prior
to
the
OCE,
the
student
will
submit
a
brief
(10
–
20
page)
written
summary
of
the
proposed
thesis
research,
including
a
description
of
the
thesis
problem
and
its
significance,
a
review
of
the
relevant
scientific
literature
with
bibliography,
a
discussion
of
the
methods
to
be
used
in
attacking
the
problem,
and
a
description
of
the
research
work
already
accomplished.
At
the
OCE,
the
student
will
present
a
public
research
seminar
(30
–
40
minutes
in
length)
Following
the
seminar,
each
committee
member
will
have
the
opportunity
to
ask
two
rounds
of
questions
(totaling
approximately
20
minutes).
After
completion
of
the
OCE,
the
chair
of
the
committee
(typically
the
student’s
research
advisor)
calls
for
a
discussion
followed
by
a
vote
of
the
examiners.
With
a
committee
of
three,
two
votes
are
required
to
pass.
If
the
committee
has
four
members,
three
votes
are
required
to
pass.
The
chair
sends
a
written
report
of
the
overall
quality
of
the
oral
examination
and
the
results
of
the
voting
immediately
to
the
Graduate
School.
The
Graduate
School
officially
notifies
the
student
of
the
results
of
the
candidacy
examination.
In
case
of
failure
in
candidacy
examinations,
the
Director
of
Graduate
Studies,
on
the
recommendation
of
a
majority
of
the
examiners,
may
authorize
a
retake
of
the
examination.
An
authorization
for
retake
must
be
approved
by
the
Graduate
School.
A
second
failure
results
in
forfeiture
of
degree
eligibility
and
is
recorded
on
the
candidate's
permanent
record.
Guide
to
Graduate
Studies,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry,
University
of
Notre
Dame
9
5.
DOCTORAL
DISSERTATION
The
candidate
delivers
paper
or
electronic
copies
of
the
finished
dissertation,
signed
by
the
research
advisor,
to
the
Graduate
Studies
office
for
distribution
to
the
other
members
of
the
dissertation
committee.
The
dissertation
should
follow
the
guidelines
in
the
Graduate
School's
Guide
for
Formatting
and
Submitting
Dissertations
and
Theses,
even
if
the
candidate
has
previously
published
the
substance
of
the
dissertation
in
scholarly
journals.
The
Guide
is
available
at
the
Graduate
School
website:
http://graduateschool.nd.edu.
Readers
normally
have
two
to
four
weeks
to
read
the
dissertation,
decide
whether
it
is
ready
to
be
defended,
and
so
indicate
on
the
appropriate
form
to
the
Graduate
School.
Reader
approval
of
the
dissertation
for
defense
does
not
imply
reader
agreement
or
support;
it
implies
reader
acknowledgment
that
the
dissertation
is
an
academically
sound
and
defensible
scholarly
product.
Only
a
dissertation
which
has
been
unanimously
approved
for
defense
by
the
committee
may
be
defended.
Even
though
the
dissertation
has
been
approved
for
defense,
revisions
may
be
required.
If
defects
in
the
dissertation
come
to
light
at
the
defense,
the
candidate
may
be
asked
to
revise
the
dissertation
before
it
is
accepted
by
the
Graduate
School
and
the
degree
is
conferred.
In
that
case,
it
will
be
the
responsibility
of
the
dissertation
director,
or
such
person
as
the
committee
may
appoint,
to
report
to
the
Graduate
School
that
such
revisions
have
been
completed
satisfactorily.
5.1.
Dissertation
Defense
In
defending
the
dissertation,
the
doctoral
candidate
supports
its
claims,
procedures
and
results.
The
defense
is
the
traditional
instrument
that
enables
the
candidate
to
explore
with
the
dissertation
committee
the
dissertation's
substantive
and
methodological
force.
In
this
way,
the
candidate
and
the
committee
confirm
the
candidate's
scholarly
grasp
of
the
chosen
research
area.
The
defense
of
the
dissertation
begins
with
a
40
–
50
minute
public
presentation
that
addresses
the
major
results
of
the
thesis
research.
Immediately
following
questions
from
the
general
audience,
the
examination
committee
meets
with
the
candidate
in
a
closed
session.
This
provides
the
opportunity
for
clarification
and,
if
necessary,
rectification
of
potential
problems
in
the
dissertation.
After
the
examination
is
completed,
the
advisor
calls
for
a
discussion
followed
by
a
vote
of
the
dissertation
committee.
A
majority
vote
is
required
to
pass
a
candidate.
The
advisor
sends
a
written
report
of
the
voting
results
immediately
to
the
Graduate
School.
5.2.
Formal
Submission
of
the
Final
Dissertation
To
receive
the
degree
at
the
next
commencement,
the
doctoral
student
who
has
successfully
defended
his
or
her
dissertation
must
complete
the
requirements
for
submission
of
their
thesis,
including
a
format
check
by
the
Graduate
School.
The
formatting
check
and
submission
deadline
for
a
given
commencement
date
is
published
in
the
Graduate
School
Calendar.
Guide
to
Graduate
Studies,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Biochemistry,
University
of
Notre
Dame
10
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