General Information 2gpls.cns.umass.edu/sites/default/files/file...Neuroscience and Behavior (NSB)...

TABLEOFCONTENTSOverviewoftheGraduatePrograminOrganismicandEvolutionaryBiology..........................................1

GeneralInformation....................................................................................................................................2

RoleofMajorAdvisor............................................................................................................................2

OEBAdministrationandProgramStaff.................................................................................................2

RoleofGuidanceCommittee.................................................................................................................3 FinancialSupport...................................................................................................................................3

ResearchFunding...................................................................................................................................4

GraduateStudentsGrantsService.........................................................................................................5 GraduateSchoolOfficeofProfessionalDevelopment..........................................................................5

TimeLimitationforDegrees..................................................................................................................5 ExtensionofStatuteofLimitations(SOL)Policy....................................................................................5

ChangingProgramTracks......................................................................................................................5

TimeLimitationonCourses...................................................................................................................6 Full-TimeStatus.....................................................................................................................................6

GraduateStudentReviews....................................................................................................................6 OEBCourseRequirements.....................................................................................................................7

SeminarProgram...................................................................................................................................7

LunchDiscussionGroup(LDG)...............................................................................................................7 DarwinPostdoctoralFellowsProgram..................................................................................................7

MasterofScienceDegree............................................................................................................................8

CreditRequirements..............................................................................................................................8 M.S.CourseRequirements....................................................................................................................8

SpecialProblemCourses........................................................................................................................8

ForeignLanguageRequirements...........................................................................................................8 ThesisCommittee..................................................................................................................................9

ThesisProspectus..................................................................................................................................9

Thesis...................................................................................................................................................10 ThesisDefense.....................................................................................................................................10

DoctorofPhilosophyDegree....................................................................................................................12 GeneralRequirements.........................................................................................................................12

CourseRequirements..........................................................................................................................12

TeachingRequirement.........................................................................................................................12 ResidencyRequirement.......................................................................................................................12

LanguageorSpecialSkillRequirement...............................................................................................12 DissertationCredits.............................................................................................................................13

PreliminaryComprehensiveExamination............................................................................................13

M.S.“On-the-Way”..............................................................................................................................14

cont’d

DoctorofPhilosophyDegree(cont’d)

DissertationCommittee.......................................................................................................................13 DissertationProspectus.......................................................................................................................15

Dissertation..........................................................................................................................................16 SchedulingtheDefense.......................................................................................................................16

DissertationDefense............................................................................................................................17

AdditionalUsefulInformation.................................................................................................................18

YourUniversityAffiliation....................................................................................................................18 OEBWebsite........................................................................................................................................18

OEBStudentOrganization...................................................................................................................18 OEBTAAward......................................................................................................................................19

Publishing.............................................................................................................................................19

OEBPolicyonUseofOEBE-MailLists.................................................................................................19 IfConflictsAriseBetweenYouandYourAdvisor.................................................................................19

ProfessionalSocieties..........................................................................................................................20 MuseumCollectionsandVoucherSpecimens.....................................................................................21

AnimalUseProtocolandResearchPermits.........................................................................................21

UseofUniversityVehicles...................................................................................................................21Appendices

A OEBStatisticsGuidelines...............................................................................................................22

B OEBM.S.Timeline.........................................................................................................................24 C OEBM.S.Checklist........................................................................................................................25

D OEBPh.D.Timeline.......................................................................................................................27

E OEBPreliminaryComprehensiveExaminationChecklist..............................................................29 F OEBPh.D.Checklist......................................................................................................................30

G TemplateforProspectusSignatureSheet.....................................................................................32

OEB STUDENT GUIDE v 2017

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OVERVIEWOFTHEGRADUATEPROGRAMINORGANISMICANDEVOLUTIONARYBIOLOGY

TheGraduatePrograminOrganismicandEvolutionaryBiologyprovidesinterdepartmentaltrainingforMSandPhDstudentsinecology,organismalandevolutionarybiology.Graduatestudents,post-docs,andfacultystudybiologicalprocessesrangingfromthemoleculartotheecosystemlevel,oftenbridgingthegapbetweenbasicandappliedresearch.Ourfacultyandstudentsconductresearchinfourbroadareas:

AnimalBehavior:Behavioralecology,communication,learningEcology:Communityecology,populationecology,landscapeecology,conservationbiologyEvolutionaryBiology:Evolution,phylogenetics,populationgenetics,molecularevolutionOrganismalBiology:Physiology,morphology,paleontology

OEBincludesmorethan75facultyfromninedepartmentswithintheCollegeofNaturalSciencesandotheron-andoff-campusinstitutesandorganizations.AdditionalmembersaredrawnfromtheothercampusesintheFiveCollegeCommunity(Amherst,Hampshire,Mt.Holyoke,andSmithColleges).Threeotherinterdepartmentalprogramstraingraduatestudentsinthelifesciences:

MolecularandCellularBiology(MCB)NeuroscienceandBehavior(NSB)PlantBiology(PB)

Withjustunder40students,wearelargeenoughtoprovidetheopportunityforawiderangeofinteractionsamongstudents,butsmallenoughsothatstudentsformacohesivegroup.OEBisstructuredtoofferbroadflexibletraining.Therearefewformalcourserequirements.Instead,eachstudent'scommitteetailorsaprogramofcourseworktothestudent'sbackgroundandareasofresearchinterest.Studentsareencouragedtoseekextramuralfundingandpublishtheirresearchbeforetheycompletetheirdegrees.Studentsgraduatingfromourprogramarewellpreparedtoseekpermanentresearchorteachingpositionsinhighereducation,governmentagencies,ormuseums.OEBalsopromotescollaborationamongfacultyinterestedinecology,organismalandevolutionarybiologyandadvocatesforthesefieldsonthiscampusandinthewidercommunity.Despitethediversityofdisciplines,approachesandaffiliationsrepresentedthroughoutOEB,weareunitedbyoursharedcommitmenttothestudyoforganismalbiology.WithOEBasanumbrella,ourgraduateresearchandtrainingmissionsformafocusedprogramwithanationalreputation.Acornerstoneoftheprogramisthenationally-renownedDarwinPostdoctoralFellowshipProgram.ThisprogrambringsrecentPhD'stoOEB,wheretheyteach,conductresearchandserveasmentorstoOEBgraduatestudents.


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gGENERALINFORMATIONh

TheOEBStudentGuidewillinformyouaboutrequirementsoftheprogramandoffersuggestionstohelpyourworkgosmoothly.However,itisnottheonlysourceofinformationuponwhichyoushouldrely.ForGraduateSchoolpoliciesandregulations,youshouldobtaintheGraduateStudentHandbook(http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/policies-forms/graduate-student-handbook).Botharedocumentsthatyouwillrefertomanytimesthroughoutyourgraduatetraining.TheOEBwebsite’sStudentspage(http://gpls.cns.umass.edu/oeb/student-resources)includeslinkstobothofthesedocumentsaswellasmanyotherresourcesforstudents.ThereyouwillalsofindtheOEBSurvivalGuide,adocumentcreatedbyOEBstudentsforOEBstudents.

ROLEOFMAJORADVISORStudentsarenotadmittedintotheOEBgraduateprogramwithoutaprovisionalMajorAdvisor.Thesearrangementsdevelopthroughcommunicationswithanappropriatefacultymemberbeforeandduringtheadmissionprocess.ItistheMajorAdvisor'sresponsibilitytosuperviseyourgraduateworkandtochairyourthesisordissertationcommittee.YourMajorAdvisorcontributestoyourfunding,coordinatesyourlaboratoryspace,officespace,researchsupplies,keys,email,etc.ItisyourresponsibilitytoscheduleregularmeetingswithyourMajorAdvisortodiscussyourresearch,coursework,andotherprofessionalinterestsandconcerns.Itisbesttoaskyouradvisororprospectiveadvisorearlyaboutexpectationsregardingworkhours,researchprocedures,etc.beforeaproblemarises.AstudentcanchangehisorherMajorAdvisorwithoutjeopardy,providingthatdetailsofthetransferareagreeabletoallpartiesconcerned,andifthenewlyselectedadvisorcanarrangeforfinancialsupportforthestudent.Ifthisoccurs,youmustnotifytheOEBGraduateProgramDirectorviamemo.(Formoreinformationonresolvingconflictswithyouradvisor,seepage20.)

OEBADMINISTRATIONANDPROGRAMSTAFFCurrentlyOEBisadministeredbyaDirectorandtwoAssociateDirectors,withguidanceprovidedbyaSteeringCommittee.ThesecondfloorofFrenchHallhousestheInterdepartmentalGraduateProgramOffice.

§ IDGPDirectoroverseesthefourinterdepartmentalgraduateprograms.

§ TheOEBProgramLeaderisresponsiblefortheprogrambudgetandpolicydecisions,andisadvisedbytwoAssociateDirectorsandaSteeringCommittee.TheprogramleaderalsoservesastheOEBGraduateProgramDirector(GPD).TheGPDistheprogram'slinkwiththeGraduateSchoolandcanhelpyouunderstanditsprocedures.Muchoftheredtapeassociatedwithyourprogram,suchasthesisandpreliminaryexamcommitteeappointments,andschedulingdefenses,involvestheGPD.

§ OneAssociateDirectorservesasChairofGraduateOperationsCommittee(GOC)thatoverseesgraduatetraininginOEBandconductsannualgradstudentreviews.BoththeGPDandtheChairoftheGOCserveasthegraduatestudent’sadvocate,andcanbeusefulsoundingboardsifyouhaveaproblemyouarereluctanttoraisewithyouradvisor.

§ TheotherAssociateDirectorservesastheAdmissionsCommitteeChair.

§ TheOEBSteeringCommitteeconsistsoftheOEBfacultymemberselectedtorepresentthediverseinterestsofOEB,plusastudentrepresentative.Thecommittee'sresponsibilitiesincludeformulatingpolicy,advisingthedirectoronpolicydecisions,andreviewingallprogramactivities.

§ IDGPStaffmaintainyourprogramfile,tracksyourprogress,managestheprogram'sfinances,andcananswermanybasicquestionsrelatingtoyourgraduatestudies.TheGraduateSchoolkeepsadditionalformalrecords.Studentsshouldmaintaintheirownfileofimportantdocumentsandmemos.

ItiscriticalthatyoukeeptheOfficeinformedofyourcampusaddress,phonenumber,andemail.IfyouplantobeawayfromtheUniversityforanylengthoftime,youmustinformtheOffice.


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ROLEOFGUIDANCECOMMITTEE

YourGuidanceCommitteewilloverseethebeginningofyourgraduatetrainingandwilladviseyouinplanningyourcoursework.Becauseofitscriticalroleintheearlypartofyourgraduatetraining,eachstudentmustformandmeetwithhisorherGuidanceCommitteebeforetheendofyourfirstsemester.Thiscommitteewillconsistofthreemembers,includingyourMajorAdvisor,allofwhomaremembersofOEB.YourMajorAdvisorwilladviseyouintheselectionoftheothertwofacultymembers.OneofthesefacultymembersmustbeinadepartmentotherthanyourMajorAdvisor's.

YourGuidanceCommitteeisnotnecessarilythesameasyourThesis,PreliminaryExam,orDissertationCommittees.However,itislikelythatsomeorallofitsmemberswillcontinuetoserveontheselatercommittees.StudentsshouldbringtotheirfirstGuidanceCommitteemeetingthefollowing:

CourseList--alistofallrelevantundergraduateandgraduatecourses(includinggrades)organizedunderbroadareassuchasChemistry,Math,Ecology,Evolution,etc.

ListofProposedCourses--exploreavailablecourseoptionsandprovidefullinformationsuchassemesteroffered,facultyincharge,etc.

BriefStatementofResearchPlans--thisisnotaformalorfinalcommitmenttoaspecificprojectbutanopendiscussionofpotentialprojects.

Studentswillanswerinformalquestionsabouttheiracademicbackground.YourGuidanceCommitteewillhelpyouconstructaspecificprogramofcoursesdesignedtocorrectanydeficienciesandtailoredtoyourresearchinterests.

FINANCIALSUPPORTTheAdmissionsCommitteemakesinitialfinancialaidrecommendations.Exceptinunusualcircumstances,studentsarenotadmittedintoOEBwithoutfinancialsupport.TheOEBProgramLeader,inconsultationwiththestudent’sMajorAdvisor,makessubsequentdecisionsaboutsupport.Threemajorcategoriesoffinancialsupportareavailable:TeachingAssistantships,ResearchAssistantships,andFellowships.

TeachingAssistantshipsOftenOEBprovidesfinancialsupportintheformofaTeachingAssistantship(TA).The2015/2016rateis$18,529nine-monthacademicyear.Reappointmentisbasedonperformanceofassigneddutiesandadequateprogressongraduatestudies.

ResearchAssistantshipsOtherstudentsaresupportedonResearchAssistantships(RAs).SuchpositionsarefundedbyresearchgrantsawardedtotheMajorAdvisorbygrantingagenciessuchasNSFandNIH.RAscarryspecificdutiesrelatedtotheobjectivesofthegrantandtheMajorAdvisor.ThesisordissertationsubjectmatterforRAsisoftencloselylinkedtothefundedresearcharea.

OEBFELLOWSHIPSSomeyearsOEBisabletoofferaone-semesterRAforaseniorgraduatestudent.TherecipientischosenbytheGOCaspartoftheGraduateReviewprocess.Thegoalistoprovideaboostinprogresstowardseitherpublicationofapaperorcompletionofthethesis/dissertation.

RegardlessofwhetheryouhaveanRAoraTA,summeremploymentongrantsmaybeavailablethroughyourMajorAdvisor,yourMajorAdvisor'sDepartment,ortheOEBOffice.Fundingopportunitieschangefrequently;keeppostedondevelopmentsannouncedbytheOEBofficeorbyyourMajorAdvisor'sDepartment.

UndertakingemploymentoutsidetheUniversityinadditiontoaTAorRAisatthediscretionofthestudentandhisorherMajorAdvisor,althoughOEBgreatlydiscouragesthis.Studentswhoelecttopursueoutsideemploymentremainresponsibleformeetingallrequirementsmandatedbytheirassistantship,theOEBProgram,andtheGraduateSchool.


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FellowshipsallowastudenttofocusonhisorherownresearchinsteadofTAorRAduties.Thestipendlevelvariesaccordingtothesourceofthefunds.GraduateSchoolFellowshipsandextramuralfellowshipsareavailable.

ExtramuralfellowshipsincludetheNationalScienceFoundation(NSF)GraduateResearchFellowship.Thesearehighlycompetitivenationalawardsthatofferthreeyearsofsupport.ProspectivestudentsshouldplantofileanapplicationforaNSFFellowshipwhentheyapplytograduateschool.Firstandsecondyearstudentsmayalsoapply(orreapply)fortheDecemberdeadline(withsomerestrictions).Moreinformationcanbefoundbygoingtohttp://www.nsf.gov/,thennavigatingtoGraduateResearchFellowshipProgram.

Youmayseeklong-termsupportforgraduateresearchinforeigncountriesfromtheFulbrightFoundation.FulbrightapplicationsareavailableinearlyfallandareusuallydueinOctober.Acampus-widecommitteescreenscandidatesandforwardsfoldersofitsnomineesdirectlytotheNationalFulbrightCommittee.Moreinformationcanbefoundat:http://www.cies.org/about_fulb.htm

Afewspecialshort-termfellowships,forinstanceforsummerstudyatmarinestations,maybeavailableinsomeyears.ConsulttheIDGPOfficeforfurtherinformation.Forinformationaboutthemanyotherfellowshipsavailable,consulttheGraduateStudentGrantsServiceintheGraduateSchool.

TravelGrantsTheIDGPofficeandgraduateschoolofferssmallgrantsfortravelorfieldwork.Theprocessbywhichthesefundsareadministeredarecurrentlyinflux;pleaseconsultwithIDGPstaffortheIDGPwebsitetolearnmoreaboutcurrentfundinglevels.

RESEARCHFUNDING

YourMajorAdvisorusuallyprovidesbasicfundingforyourresearchfromhisorherresearchgrants.Often,however,moreextensivefundingisneeded.AmongthebestnationalopportunitiesforresearchsupportaresmallgrantsfromSigmaXi,orNSFDoctoralDissertationImprovementGrants(DDIG)fromNSF.SmallgrantscanoftenbeobtainedbyapplyingtoProfessionalSocietiestowhichyoubelong,suchastheAnimalBehaviorSociety.

NSFDissertationImprovementGrantsaresmallversionsofregularNSFproposalsthataresubjecttonationalreview.TheseareforPhDcandidatesthatareadvancedtocandidacy(i.e.,havepassedtheirqualifyingexam).Althoughpreparingacompetitiveproposalistimeconsumingandsubjecttotheusualdelaysofthegrantprocess,itisanexcellenttrainingexperience.Theprocessfromsubmissiontofinalreviewcanlastnearlyayear.Moreover,twoorthreesubmissionsofthesameproposalmaybenecessarybeforeNSFawardsanyfunds.NotethatDDIGsdonotfundyourstipend.

AnOEBGrantsGuidebookforbothfellowshipsandresearchfundshasbeendevelopedandisavailableintheOEBOffice.ConsultyourMajorAdvisor,theOEBOfficeortheGraduateSchoolGrantsService(seebelow)forfurtherinformationconcerningresearchfundingopportunities.


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GRADUATESTUDENTGRANTSSERVICE

TheGraduateStudentGrantService(GSGS)helpsgraduatestudentsidentifyandapplyforextramuralgrantsfromnon-universitysources.Moreinformationcanbefoundathttp://www.umass.edu/gradschool/gsgs/Contactinfo:528AGoodell,545-5279,[email protected].

GRADUATESCHOOLOFFICEOFPROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT

TheGraduateSchool’sOfficeofProfessionalDevelopment(OPD)offersalargearrayofactivitiestohelpgraduatestudentsandpostdoctoralresearchersprepareforsuccessintheircareersatUMassandbeyond.Toaccomplishthisobjective,theyhelpstudentsdeveloptheprofessionalknowledgeandskillsnecessarytothriveinacademia,industry,publicpolicyandthenon-profitsector.Theirtrainingprogramsencompassabroadspectrumofactivities—includingpresentations,paneldiscussions,seminars,workshops,andsitevisits—thatrangeindurationfromonehourtoasemesterorlonger.Eachoftheseinstructionalsessionsbuildscompetencyinatleastoneoffourkeyareas:teaching,communication,leadership&management,andcareerpreparation.Informationabouttheseworkshopsistypicallycirculatedbyemail.TIMELIMITATIONFORDEGREES

TheGraduateSchoolexpectsyoutofinishyourprograminatimelymanner,andtoencouragethishasestablishedstatuteoflimitations(SOL)forgraduatework.Studentsinmaster'sdegreeprogramsarelimitedtothreecalendaryears;doctoralstudentsarelimitedtosixcalendaryears,unlesstheyenterwitharelatedmaster'sdegree.TheSOListhenfouryears.

EXTENSIONOFSTATUTEOFLIMITATIONS(SOL)POLICYSometimesitisnecessarytorequestanextensiontoyourSOL.Todothis,youmustwriteamemotoyourMajorAdvisor,withacopytotheGPDthatincludes:

1. Asummaryofprogresstodate2. Whatremainstobedone3. Justificationforextension4. Yourtimelineforcompletion

UponapprovaloftheMajorAdvisorandGPD,theGraduateSchoolwillgrantatwo-yearextension.Furtherextensionsbecomeincreasinglydifficulttoobtain,requireajustificationandpetitioningoftheGraduateSchool.Remember,ifyoufailtorequestanSOLextensioninatimelymanner,youmightjustbeSOL.

StudentsarestronglydiscouragedagainstleavingtheUniversitybeforefinishingallrequirementsfortheirdegree,asexperiencehasdemonstratedthatdoingsogreatlyincreasesthechancesthatthedegreewillnotbecompleted.StudentswhochoosetotakethisactiondosoknowingthattheProgramisopposedtothisdecisionandmaychoosenottosubmitfurtherrequestsforadditionalstatuteoflimitationsextensions.

IfyouareunsureofyourSOLdate,youcancheckwiththeGraduateSchoolortheOEBOffice.FailuretomeettheGraduateSchool'sdeadlinesortopetitionsuccessfullyforanextensionofthestatuteoflimitationsissufficientgroundsfordismissalbytheGraduateSchool.

CHANGINGPROGRAMTRACKS

M.S.studentswhodecidethatOEBisexactlytheplacetheybelongmayapplytoswitchtothePh.D.program.ThisshouldbedonebytheendoftheirfirstyearinthegraduateprogrambysubmittingaformalapplicationtotheGraduateSchool(noadditionalfeeisrequired).LettersarerequiredfromboththestudentandtheMajorAdvisorjustifyingthechange.ChangingfromthePh.D.totheM.S.programcanberequestedbyamemofromtheGraduateProgramDirectortotheGraduateSchool.


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TIMELIMITATIONONCOURSES

Thedeadlineforallcoursechanges(add,drop,orexercisingthepass/fail-option)isthemid-semesterdate.Incompletegradesremainassuchforonecalendaryear.TheRegistrarthenliststhegradeasanIF(Incomplete-Fail).Tochangethisgrade,theprofessorinchargeofthecoursemustsendamemototheGraduateSchool.

FULL-TIMESTATUS

TheGraduateSchoolconsidersninecredithourspersemestertobefull-timestatus.Studentsmaybeconsideredfull-timeregardlessofthenumberofcreditsforwhichtheyregisterprovidedtheirGraduateProgramDirectorcertifiesviaamemototheGraduateSchoolthattheyareworkingfull-timeonresearch.Studentsremaineligibleforfinancialassistancewhetheronfull-timestatusorbypaymentoftheprogramfee.

GRADUATESTUDENTREVIEWSOEBGraduateStudentReviewsareheldeachspringtomonitoreachstudent'sprogresstowardshisorherdegree.ReviewsareconductedbytheGraduateOperationsCommittee.Unlessyouhaveofficiallyscheduledyourdefense,youandyourmajoradvisormustparticipate.Reviewstakeabout20minuteseach.Thefirst5minuteswillbeameetingbetweenyouradvisorandthereviewcommittee.Studentsparticipateduringtheremaining15minutes.Wearafunnyhat,andpreparetoeatsnacksandtospeakinstrangeaccents.Oneweekbeforereviewsbegin,studentsmustsubmitanelectroniccopyoftheirreviewmaterialstotheOEBOffice.Reviewmaterialswillincludeachecklistofcourse,residency,andteachingrequirementsmet,asummaryofresearchobjectivesorprogress(2pagesmaximum),andacurrentcv(2pagesmaximum).StudentsnotcurrentlybasedinAmherstmustalsosubmittheirreviewmaterialsforaninabsentiareview.ItislikelythatmaterialswillsoonbeuploadeddirectlytotheOEBwebsite:instructionswillbecirculatedasthereviewdateapproaches.Ifyouhaven'tmetwithyourcommitteeinthepastyear,thebestthingyoucandotoprepareforyourreviewistoscheduleameetingpriortoyourreview.ReviewtheM.S.andPh.D.Timelines(AppendicesC&E)tomakesureyouaremeetingprogramexpectations.Yourreviewisalsoatimetodiscussyourfinancialsupportneedsfortheupcomingyear.Ifyouwish,youmayarrangetomeetwiththeOEBGraduateProgramDirectorand/orGOCatatimeseparate

PossibleActionsoftheReviewCommittee1. Areportofsatisfactoryprogress.2. Arecommendationforincreasedeffortinsomeareaofstudyorresearch.3. Awarningtothestudentindicatingsubstandardprogress.Inthiscase,thestudentmust

demonstrateimprovementbyaspecifictimedesignatedbytheReviewCommittee.4. Arecommendationforprovisionalstatusordismissalofastudentshowingconsistentlypoor

progress.TheGPDwritesamemosummarizingthereview.Acopyisgiventothestudent,theadvisor,andoneisplacedinthestudent’sfolder.


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OEBCOURSEREQUIREMENTS

EvolutionandEcology

OEBhasfewcourserequirements,allowinggreatflexibilityinthetrainingprogramsofindividualstudents.However,asabroadlybasedprogram,wefeelthatallOEBstudentsmusthaveasolidfoundationinbothecologyandinevolution.A2-partteam-taughtcoresequenceofacourseinEcologyandacourseinEvolutionisrequiredofallstudents.Thesecourses,ORG&EVBI617and618respectively,aretaughtinalternatefallsemesters(EcologyinoddyearsandEvolutioninevenyears).Studentsinthe5thyearMStrackcanpetitiontohaveasubstituteforthecorecoursetheymissbycompletingtheirdegreeinoneyear.Thestudent’sfacultyadvisormustproposethesubstitutecoursetotheGOCfortheirapproval.

AdditionalCourseRequirements

AdditionalCoursesYourguidancecommitteecanrecommendadditionalcoursesthatmightbehelpfulforyou.

StatisticsOurrecommendationsforthestatisticsrequirement,currentlyinAppendixA,includerecommendationsforspecificcoursesthatareoutofdate.WehopetoreviseAppendixAduringtheupcomingacademicyear.

OEBGraduateSeminar(BIO891A–section5),ourweeklyseminarseries,isheldonmostFridaysat4:00p.m.Studentsarerequiredtoregisterforthiscoursetwiceandshouldplantocompletethisrequirementinthefirstyearinresidence.

OEBEcologyandEvolutionaryBiologyDiscussion(Org&EvBi697B)1-creditproseminarofferedeachfallfornewstudents.

OEBGraduateStudentSymposium(Org&EvBi697Y)1-creditcourseofferedeachspringwherestudentspresenttheirresearchinaninformalsetting.Thismaybetakenatanytime,butisbesttakenwhenyouhavedatatopresent.

SEMINARPROGRAM

OEBplacesgreatimportanceinbringingnotablescientiststocampustointeractwithfacultyandstudents.OurseminarseriesusuallymeetsonFridaysat4:00p.m.inRoom222,MorrillScienceCenter,withrefreshmentsat3:45p.m.precedingtheseminar.Aninformalget-togethertakesplaceaftertheseminar.Studentluncheswithseminarspeakers(freelunch!fundiscussions!)offeranopportunityforfurtherinteraction.WhilestudentsarerequiredtocompletetwosemestersofBiology891AGradProgramSeminar-OEBsection,allOEBstudentsareexpectedtoregularlyattendseminarsunlesstheyhaveaschedulingconflict.SeminarsarelistedontheOEBwebsite:https://gpls.cns.umass.edu/oeb/seminars.AdditionalseminarsintheLifeSciences,canbefoundintheGraduateProgramsinLifeSciencesCalendar. LUNCHDISCUSSIONGROUP(TLDG)

LDGmeetsonceperweekinspringsemesteroverlunch,andprovidesregularopportunitiestointeractwithOEBfacultyandstudents.Freelunch!Fundiscussions!EachweekanoteworthypaperrelevanttoOEBisselectedfordiscussion.AllOEBstudentsareexpectedtoregularlyattendLDG.

DARWINPOSTDOCTORALFELLOWSPROGRAMTheDarwinFellowsProgram,sponsoredbyOEB,bringstalentedyoungpostdoctoralfellowstoUMASSfortwo-yeartermsduringwhichthefellowteachesonecourseeachyearintheBiologyDepartmentandconductsresearchinthelaboftheirfacultysponsortheremainderoftheirtime.DarwinFellowsalsoactasmentorstoOEBGraduateStudents,bothinformallyandthroughleadingastudentdiscussiongroupeachfallandcoordinatingtheOEBGradStudentSymposiuminthespring..AnOEBstudentisselectedtoserveontheDarwinFellowSearchCommittee,offeringvaluableinsightintotheacademichiringprocess.


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gMASTEROFSCIENCEDEGREEh

StudentsseekingtheMastersofScienceinOEBmustfollowtheGraduateSchool'sThesisOption.Thereisnoterminalnon-thesisM.S.degreeinOEB.SeeAppendixBfortheexpectedtimelineforMSstudents.

CREDITREQUIREMENTSTheusualcourseloadistwoformalcoursesinadditiontoresearchcreditsforeachofthefirstfoursemestersinresidence.Thenon-negotiablerequirementslistedbelowaresetbytheGraduateSchool.

§ 30graduatecreditsarerequired,withnomorethan6creditstransferredfromotherinstitutions.§ TransferofcreditrequirestheconsentoftheOEBGraduateProgramDirectorandapprovaloftheGraduateSchool.TransferwillbeapprovedonlyforcoursesforwhichthestudentreceivedagradeofBorbetter.Graduatelevelcoursestobetransferredmustbetakennomorethan3yearspriortothestudent'sacceptanceintothemaster'sprogram.

§ 21ofthe30creditsmustbeinthecourseslistedbyOEB,and15ofthe30,notincludingtransfercredits,mustbeonaletter-gradedbasis.

§ AllcourseslistedbytheOEBProgrammustbetakenonagradedbasisunlessonlyofferedaspass/fail.§ Atleast6creditsmustbeearnedin600-800seriescourses(notincludingthesiscredits).§ Nomorethan10ofthecreditsmaybeearnedbymeansofthethesiscredits.§ SpecialProblems(IndependentStudy)coursesarelimitedto6credits.

M.S.COURSEREQUIREMENTSOEBpromotesmaximumflexibilityinindividualtrainingobjectives.Eachstudent'sGuidanceCommitteewillworkoutaspecificprogramofcoursesdesignedtocorrectanydeficienciesandtailoredtothestudent'sresearchinterests.However,allOEBstudentsmustdemonstrategeneralknowledgeandunderstandingofecologyandevolutionarybiology.OEBM.S.studentsmustfulfilltherequirementslistedbelow.Underexceptionalcircumstances,studentscanpetitiontheOEBGPDforexemptionsorsubstitutions.

§ EcologyCoreCourse,ORG&EVBI617(4credits).Thisisofferedinthefallofodd-numberedyears.§ EvolutionCoreCourse,ORG&EVBI618(4credits).Thisisofferedinthefallofeven-numberedyears.§ 2semestersofBiology891AGradProgramSeminar-OEBsection(1credit).Thisisofferedeverysemester.Studentsshouldplantocompletethisrequirementinthe1styearinresidence.

§ 1semesterofORG&EVBI697BEcologyandEvolutionaryBiology(1credit).StudentsmustregisterforthisProseminarinthe1stsemesterofresidence.

§ 1semesterofORG&EVBI697YGraduateStudentSeminarSymposium(1credit).Studentsshouldplantocompletethisrequirementinspringoftheir1stor2ndyearofresidence.

§ Between1and10creditsofORG&EVBI699(MSthesiscredits)§ Atleast1courseinstatistics.SeeAppendixAfordetailsonthestatisticsrequirement.

SPECIALPROBLEMCOURSES(INDEPENDENTSTUDY)YoumaydesignSpecialProblemCourses,whicharetutorialscoveringspecifictopicsofinteresttoyouandaparticularfacultymember.Toavoidmisunderstandings,developawrittenplanoutliningthecourseanddescribinganyrequirementsforcompletion.Submittheplan,signedbybothyouandthefacultymember,totheOEBofficeatthebeginningofthecourse.

FOREIGNLANGUAGEREQUIREMENTS

ThereisnoforeignlanguagerequirementfortheM.S.degree,butthestudent'sGuidanceCommitteemayrequirealanguageorotherskillssuchascomputerscienceorstatistics.


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THESISCOMMITTEE

TheThesisCommitteeconsistsof3memberswhoarebothOEBandGraduateSchoolFaculty.Onemembermustbefromadepartmentotherthanthatofthestudent'sMajorAdvisor.FacultynotlistedasGraduateFacultymaybeincludedas“Consulting”membersofyourcommittees,butcannotreplacetherequiredGraduateFacultymembers.Studentsareexpectedtomeetwiththeircommitteeonceayearandareencouragedtomeetmoreoften.

THESISPROSPECTUS

Yourprospectusisaplanoftheresearchthatyouintendtoconduct.Notethatitisnotabindingcommitmenttoaspecificresearchcoursebutratheradocumentdesignedtoinitiateconversationsandinteractionsbetweenyouandyourdissertationcommittee.Itshouldbepresentedtoandreviewedbyyourcommitteenearthebeginningofyourresearch,notaftertheresearchiscompleted.Master'sstudentsshouldformtheirthesiscommitteeandpreparetheirprospectusbytheendoftheirthirdsemester.Whilethismaybewellaheadofthegraduateschool'sdeadline,whichisfourmonthspriortothethesisdefense,itisourexperiencethataprospectushasmuchmorevaluewhenpreparedbeforemostoftheworkisdoneratherthanafter.Plantoholdacommitteemeetingtodiscussyourprospectusonceitiscomplete.OnceyourThesisCommitteeissatisfiedwiththedocument,yourcommitteeandtheOEBGraduateProgramDirectorsignthecoverpageoftheoriginalcopytoindicateapprovalofthetopicanditsplanofexecution.ThesignedcopyissenttotheDeanoftheGraduateSchool;acopyplacedinthestudent'sfile.

Thethesisprospectusshouldcontainthefollowing:1. Whatarethequestionsareyouasking(thehypothesesyouaretesting)?2. Whyareyoudoingthisresearch(justificationofitsimportance)?3. Howwillyouconductyourresearch(approachandmethods)?4. Whenwillitbedone(provideatimelineforresearch,analysisandwriting)?

Belowisasuggestedformatforaddressingthesequestions;otherformatsareacceptableaslongastheyanswerthesequestions.Discusstheformatyouplantousewithyourcommitteebeforepreparingyourprospectus.Youwillnoticeabroadrangeintherequiredpagelengths.DifferentdisciplineswithinOEBhavedifferenttraditions.Thestateofthefieldmayalsoinfluencethelength:forexample,ifthereisnorecentliteraturereviewinyourfield,alongreviewmayleadtoapublication.Finally,advisorsdiffersomewhatintheirexpectationsfortheprospectus.Consultwithyourthesiscommitteeaboutwhattheyexpectfromyou.

§ SignatureSheet:Forformat,seeAppendixG§ Introduction:2-5pages,double-spacedBackgroundofyourdiscipline(Oneofthegoalsofcomparativephysiologyisto...)1-3paragraphsDetailsofyoursystem(Hummingbirdsareanespeciallyusefulgrouptoexamine…)1-3paragraphsThespecificquestionsyouwillbeasking(InmythesisIintendtodetermine...askthefollowingquestions...addressthesehypotheses...)1-3paragraphs

§ LiteratureReview(optional):5pagesmaximum,double-spaced;Whatresearchhasalreadybeenpublishedinyourareaofresearch?(Whathasalreadybeendoneonhummingbirdflightphysiology?)

§ Approach:2-8pages,double-spaced;Howwillyoubeaddressingthequestionsoutlinedabove(Inordertodeterminehowflightcapacitydiffersamonghummingbirds,Iwillexamine4species...Usinghighspeedcameras,Iwillmeasure...)Includegeneralapproach,experimentaldesign,location,species/specimens,samplesizes,statistics,etc.withnomoredetailthanyouwouldincludeinapaper.Breakdownbychapterorquestionifappropriate.Resultscanbeincludedbutarenotnecessaryandshouldnotbeamajorpartoftheprospectus.

§ TimeLine:1-2pages,double-spacedWhenwillyoucompleteyourresearch,dataanalysisandwriting?Breakdownbychapter/question.This


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isthepartthatstudentsmostoftenforgettoinclude.TheGraduateProgramDirectorwillnotsignoffwithoutthiscomponent.

§ TotalLength:5to20pages,doublespacedBeasclearandsuccinctaspossible.TheGraduateProgramDirector,whomustsignyourprospectus,maynotbefamiliarwithyourareaofresearch,sowriteforabroaderaudiencethanjustyourcommittee.Don'trepeatyourselfanddon'tberedundant.Anddon’tberedundant.

THESIS

Theformatofthethesismaycontainpertinentsectionsincluding:Introduction,LiteratureReview,MaterialsandMethods,Results,Discussion,Conclusion,LiteratureCited,etc.However,westronglyrecommendinsteadthatthecandidatepreparethethesisin"publishable"manuscriptformat,meaningthateachchapterhasitsownIntroduction,Methods,Results,etc.OEBexpectsthatyourresearchwillleadtopublicationinarefereedjournal.Committeemembersmustbegiventheopportunitytoreviewchaptersbeforetheyaresubmittedforpublication;indoingsoyouwillalsogainthebenefitoftheirexpertise.Ifyouselectthemanuscriptformat,thenincludeappropriateappendicesandfollowtheTypingGuidelinesforMaster'sThesesandDoctoralDissertations(availableattheOfficeofDegreeRequirementsintheGraduateSchool).Committeemembersareexpectedtoreviewthesisdraftsandprovidefeedbackwithinatwotofourweekperiod.

THESISDEFENSE

Whenacandidatehascompletedhis/herthesis,thestudentwilltakeageneral,oral"defenseofthesis"examination.Becauseofthetimerequiredforathoroughreviewandnecessaryrevision,thestudentmustsubmitacompleteprinted(hardcopy)draftor,ifallcommitteemembersagree,adigitalversionofhisorherthesistoeachmemberoftheThesisCommitteeatleasttwoweeksbeforethepotentialdefensedate.Thestudentmustalsosubmitaprinted(hardcopy)drafttotheOEBOffice.Keepinmindthatyourcommitteemayrequiremoretime.Withinoneweekofreceiptofthisdraft,allCommitteemembersmustverifythatthesisisreadytodefend.TheProgramCoordinatorwillsendane-mailtotheCommitteeshortlyafterthethesisisdistributedaskingforthisverificationandthennotifytheOEBGPD.ReviewofthethesisbyCommitteemembersmaycontinueuptothedateofdefense,andthestudentcanmakeminorchangestothefinaldraftafterthedefensedate.ThefinaldraftofthethesismustbeavailableattheOEBOfficeoneweekbeforetheexamination.

Thestudent,theOEBGPD,andtheProgramCoordinatorworktogethertoplanthethesisdefense.TheappointmentofamoderatorbytheGPDisallowedifthestudentoracommitteememberaskstheGPDtoappointone,oriftheGPDthinksthereshouldbeone.Theroleofthemoderatoristopresideoverthedefensebutnottovote.Inmostcaseshowever,thechairofthecommitteepresidesoverthedefense.

TheThesisCommitteeconductstheexamination.Thefinalexamgenerallyconsistsofa30-50minuteresearchpresentationtowhichthegeneralpublicisinvited,followedbyaclosedexaminationconductedbytheThesisCommittee.Aunanimouspositivevoteisapass;twoormorenegativevotesisafailure;andonenegativevoteisreferredtotheOEBGraduateOperationsCommitteeforresolution.TheMajorAdvisorwillnotifytheOEBGPD,viamemo,oftheoutcomeoftheexamination.TheOEBGPDwillthensubmitamemorandumtotheGraduateSchoolstatingtheresultsoftheexamination.Ifpassed,theOEBGPDreviewsandsignstheformDegreeEligibilityForm(Masters)aftercompletionbythestudent.TheEligibilityformisavailableontheGraduateSchool’swebsite.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoassurealloftherequiredpaperworkissubmittedtotheGraduateSchool.SeeAppendixC(OEBMSChecklist)forOEB’srequirementsandaswellastheGraduateSchool’sMaster’sDegreeChecklist:http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/Masters_graduation_forms.htm

Themaster'sthesismustbetypedinaproscribedstyle(seetheGuidelinesforMaster'sThesesandDoctoralDissertations)andsubmittedelectronicallythroughtheUniversityofMassachusettsAmherst


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ScholarWorkswebsite.TwooriginalsofthethesissignaturepagesaretobesubmittedonacidfreepapertotheOfficeofDegreeRequirements.

Acopyofthethesis(redbindingwithgoldlettering)mustbedeliveredtotheOEBDirectorwithinthreemonthsofthedefense(afterGraduateSchool’sapproval).FailuretodosoresultsinreproducingacopywithallcostschargedtoMajorAdvisor.AlistoflocalbinderiesisavailablefromtheOfficeofDegreeRequirementsintheGraduateSchool.


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gDOCTOROFPHILOSOPHYh

GENERALREQUIREMENTS

NospecificnumberofcredithoursisrequiredforthePh.D.beyondtheminimumof18creditsneededtosatisfytheone-yearresidencyrequirement.SeeAppendixDfortheexpectedtimelinefordoctoralstudents.

COURSEREQUIREMENTS

OEBpromotesamaximumflexibilityinindividualtrainingobjectives.Eachstudent'sGuidanceCommitteewillworkoutaspecificprogramofcoursesdesignedtocorrectanydeficienciesandtailoredtothestudent'sresearchinterests.However,allOEBstudentsmustdemonstrategeneralknowledgeandunderstandingofecologyandevolutionarybiology.Tothatend,OEBdoctoralstudentsmustfulfillthefollowingrequirements:

§ EcologyCoreCourse,ORG&EVBI617(4credits).Thisisofferedinthefallofodd-numberedyears.§ EvolutionCoreCourse,ORG&EVBI618(4credits).Thisisofferedinthefallofeven-numberedyears.

§ Passanoralpreliminarycomprehensiveexaminationinthestudent'ssecondyearofresidence.Thisexamination,requiredbytheGraduateSchoolandOEB,isrigorous.Toprepare,mostOEBdoctoralstudentsmuststrengthenandbroadentheiracademicbackgroundbytakingthetwocorecoursesandoneormorestatisticscourses,identifiedinconsultationwiththeirGuidanceCommittee..

§ Completeaminimumof18dissertationcredits(ORG&EVBI899)§ 2semestersofBiology891AGradProgramSeminar-OEBsection(1credit/semester).Thisisofferedeverysemester.Studentsshouldplantocompletethisrequirementinthe1styearinresidence.

§ 1semesterofORG&EVBI697BEcologyandEvolutionaryBiology(1credit).StudentsshouldplantocompletethisProseminarinthe1stsemesterofresidence.

§ 1semesterofORG&EVBI697YGraduateStudentSeminarSymposium(1credit).Studentsshouldplantocompletethisrequirementinthe2ndor3rdyearofresidence.

§ CompletestatisticalcourseworkasspecifiedintheStatisticsGuidelines(seeAppendixA)

TEACHINGREQUIREMENTAllPh.D.studentsarerequiredtoteachatminimumtheequivalentofa1-semesterTeachingAssistantship(20hours/week)foracoursethatincludessubstantialstudentcontact.Thisrequirementappliestoalldoctoralstudents,eveniftheyarenotsupportedbyTAfunding,andeveniftheyhavepriorteachingexperienceatK-12orothernon-universitylevels.Therequirementcouldbemetwithtwosemestersof10hours/weekTApositions,orbytakingtheleadroleinteachingacourseorseminar.CheckwiththeGPDinadvancewithquestionsaboutwhetheraproposedteachingassignmentwillsatisfytheteachingrequirement.StudentsmakearrangementsforfulfillingthisrequirementthroughtheOEBOffice.NOTE:Anystudentintendingtogointoanacademiccareerisadvisedtogainsubstantiallymoreteachingexperienceduringtheirgraduatestudiesthantheone-semesterminimumOEBrequirement.

RESIDENCYREQUIREMENT

TheGraduateSchoolrequiresaminimumofoneacademicyearasafull-timegraduatestudent(atleast9creditspersemester)inresidenceattheUniversity.Theresidencyyearmustconsistofeitherafall-springorspring-fallsequence.Duringthistime,youmustspendsomepartofeachweekphysicallyoncampus.Youshouldfulfillthisrequirementinyourfirstyear.

LANGUAGEORSPECIALSKILLREQUIREMENT

AlthoughthereisnolanguagerequirementforthePh.D.,yourGuidanceCommitteemayrequirealanguageortheacquisitionofappropriateadditionalskillsinstead(e.g.,computerscience,statistics,electronmicroscopy)

DISSERTATIONCREDITS


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Allcandidatesmusthaveaminimumof18dissertationcredits.

PRELIMINARYCOMPREHENSIVEEXAMINATION(SeeAppendixEforPrelimChecklist)

Content:ThePreliminaryComprehensiveExaminationisanoralexaminationprimarilydesignedtoensurethatthestudenthasabroadknowledgeoforganismicandevolutionarybiology.Thestudentwillbeexaminedinthefollowingsubjects:generalbiology,evolution,ecology,andstatistics.Inaddition,studentsareexpectedtodemonstratefamiliaritywiththeprincipalquestions,theworkingliterature(e.g.,journals)andtheleadingscientistscentraltotheirresearch,aswellasshowin-depthcomprehensionofthematerialcoveredincoursesthestudenthasalreadytaken.StudentswhosemainresearchinterestslieoutsideofbiologymaypetitiontheGraduateProgramDirectortosubstituteothergeneralsubjectsfortheexam.Forexample,studentswithafocusinGeosciencesmayrequesttosubstituteearthsciencesforgeneralbiology.SuccessfulcompletionofthisexamqualifiesastudenttobecomeaPh.D.candidate.TheOEBOfficemaintainsaOEBPrelimReference.

StudentsseekingajointdegreemustconferwiththeGraduateProgramDirectorsofbothprogramsduringtheexamplanningprocesstoassurethattherequirementsofbothprogramsarebeingmet.

Timing:Whilestudentsnormallytaketheirexambytheendofthefourthsemesterinresidence,theyareurgedtobeginplanningandpreparingfortheiroralcomprehensiveexamsoonafterentryintotheprogram.Bydoingsotheycantakefulladvantageofreadingsuggestionsandpotentialstudentquestionsprovidedbyfacultyandpreviousexaminees.UponwrittenrequesttotheOEBGPD,studentswithoutpreviousgraduatetraininginecology,organismicorevolutionarybiology(e.g.,noM.S.)willbegivenoneextrayeartoschedulethePreliminaryComprehensiveExamination.

ExaminationCommittee:TheOEBGPD,afterconsultationwiththeMajorAdvisorandstudent,reviewsthecommitteeforbalanceandcomprehensiveness.TheGPDformallyapprovestheExaminationCommitteebywayofamemotothestudentandthecommitteemembers.ThecommitteewillconsistoffourmemberswhoareOEBFacultywhomayormaynotbepartofthestudent’sGuidanceCommittee.TheMajorAdvisormayormaynotserveonthecommitteeaspreferredbytheadvisorandstudent.InordertoreflectthebreadthoftrainingthatOEBpromotes,thecommitteewillconsistofatleastonememberoutsidetheMajorAdvisor’sdepartment.TheOEBGPDwillassignamoderatorfortheexamination.Theroleofthemoderatoristoensurethattheexamisfairfortheprogramandforthestudent.

Aspartoftheexamschedulingprocess,thestudentwillsubmittotheOEBGPDalistofallrelevantcoursestaken,includingthedatesandwherecompleted.Thisinformation,aswellasthegeneraldivisionoftopicsandthefacultymemberresponsibleforeachtopic,willbespecifiedinthememosentbytheOEBGPDapprovingtheexam.

SchedulingtheExam:OncetheExaminationCommitteeisapproved,theOEBGPD,inconsultationwiththestudent,schedulesPreliminaryComprehensiveExamination.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoselectadatefortheexaminationatleastfourweeksinadvanceandtoensurethatallmembersoftheExaminationCommittee.Oncethisisdone,aModeratorfortheexamwillbeassigned.Donotplantoscheduleprelimsduringfinalexamweeksorduringintersession(includingtheperiodbetweentheendoffallsemesterandthebeginningofintersession),summer,oronastateholiday.

ExamandResults:Ifamemberoftheexaminingcommitteecannotbepresentonthedayoftheexam,thenthestudentmayelecteithertoacceptasubstituteortorescheduletheexam.Theusualstructureoftheexamisthatitconsistsofanoralexamonly,inwhichtworoundsofquestionsareasked,witheachcommitteememberhaving20minutesforquestionsineachround.Thecommitteemaydecideonanalternatestructure,butitmustcontainasubstantialoralcomponent,andthestudentmustbeinformedofthestructureatleasttwoweeksinadvance.


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OnlytheExaminationCommittee(notthemoderator)willvote.EachmemberoftheExaminationCommitteewillvoteonthestudent'sperformanceonlyonquestionsdealingwithhisorherownarea(s)ofexpertise.Thestudentpasseswithaunanimouspositivevoteorfailswithtwoormorenegativevotes.Intheeventofonenegativevote,theGraduateSchoolwillbeinformedthatthestudenthaspassed,butnodefensecanbescheduleduntilanyrecommendationsmadebytheExaminationCommitteehavebeencompleted.TheExaminationCommitteemayrequireadditionalcourseworkormaymakeotherrecommendationstostrengthenthebackgroundofthestudent.Nodefensecanbescheduleduntilallrecommendationshavebeencompleted.ItisyourresponsibilitytocompletetherecommendationsandasktheappropriatepersontosupplydocumentationtoProgramManager.Ifthestudentfails,theExaminationCommitteemayeither:1)terminatethestudentfromthePh.D.program,or2)providethestudentanopportunitytoretaketheentireexamorportionsoftheexamwithinsixmonths.

OncethestudentpassesthePreliminaryComprehensiveExam,theModeratorsubmitsamemototheOEBGPDindicatingtheresults.TheOEBGPDthensubmitsamemototheGraduateSchoolwiththeexamresults.Itisstudent’sresponsibilitytoverifythatbothmemosaresent.TheDissertationCommitteecanbeappointedoncethestudentadvancestocandidacy.

M.S.“On-the-Way”

StudentswhopassthePreliminaryComprehensiveExammayobtainaM.S.degree"ontheway"bysubmittingaDegreeEligibilityFormtotheGraduateSchool.Theymusthavefulfilledtheresidencyrequirementsforthedoctorateandcourserequirementsforthemaster'sdegree(30 graduate credits are required for a master's degree; 21 must be in the student's major, 1/2 credits must be graded, 6 credits in the 600-800 course level range).DissertationcreditsmaynotbecountedtowardsyourM.S.

DISSERTATIONCOMMITTEE

Afterthestudentpassesthepreliminarycomprehensiveexamination,inconsultationwiththestudentandMajorAdvisor,theOEBGPDnominatesaDissertationCommitteetotheDeanoftheGraduateSchool.Thecommitteeconsistsofatleastfourmembers.AllfourmustbeGraduateFaculty,andatleastthreemustbeOEBFaculty.AdditionalfacultynotlistedasGraduateFacultycanbeincludedas“Consulting”membersofyourcommittees,butcannotreplacetherequiredGraduateFacultymembersorcountasanofficialoutsidemembers.Thecandidate'sMajorAdvisorshallchairtheDissertationCommittee.OnememberoftheDissertationCommitteemustbeanOEBfacultymemberfromoutsidethestudent'sdepartment.ThisoutsidefacultymemberwillactasrepresentativeoftheGraduateCouncilandwillattendallmeetingsoftheDissertationCommittee,includingthefinalexamination,asavotingmember.TheresponsibilityoftheDissertationCommitteeistosupervisethedissertationprojectandconductthefinal"defenseofdissertation"examination.Committeemembersareexpectedtoreviewdissertationdraftsandprovidefeedbackwithinafourtosixweekperiod.

Itistheresponsibilityofthestudent,withhisorherMajorAdvisor,toarrangeregularmeetings(atleastonceeachyear)withallmembersoftheDissertationCommitteetodiscusstheresearchproblembeforeapprovingthedissertationprospectus.


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DISSERTATIONPROSPECTUS/DISSERTATIONOUTLINE

Yourprospectusisaplanoftheresearchthatyouintendtoconduct.Itisnotabindingcommitmenttoaspecificresearchcourse,butratheradocumentdesignedtoinitiateconversationsandinteractionsbetweenyouandyourdissertationcommittee.Itshouldbepresentedtoandreviewedbyyourcommitteenearthebeginningofyourresearch,notaftertheresearchiscompleted.Duringthe3rdyearinresidence,Ph.D.candidateswillformalizetheirdissertationcommitteeandpreparetheirthesisprospectus.AnapproveddissertationprospectusshouldbesubmittedtotheGraduateProgramDirectorbytheendofthe3rdyear.Whilethisiswellaheadofthegraduateschool'sdeadline,whichisseveralmonthspriortothedissertationdefense,itisourexperiencethataprospectushasmuchmorevaluewhenpreparedbeforemostoftheworkisdoneratherthanafter.Plantoholdacommitteemeetingtodiscussyourprospectus.Whenyourcommitteeissatisfiedwiththedocument,bothyourcommitteeandtheOEBGPDsignthecoverpageoftheoriginalcopytoindicateapprovalofthetopicanditsplanofexecution.AppendixGisasampleofthesignaturepage.TheGPDthensendstheprospectustotheGraduateSchoolandacopyplacedinthestudent'sfile.Theprospectusshouldcontainthefollowing:

1. Whatarethequestionsareyouasking(thehypothesesyouaretesting)?2. Whyareyoudoingthisresearch(justificationofitsimportance)?3. Howwillyouconductyourresearch(approachandmethods)?4. Whenwillitbedone(provideatimelineforresearch,analysisandwriting)?

Belowisasuggestedformatforaddressingthesequestions;otherformatsareacceptableaslongastheyanswerthesequestions.Youwillnoticeabroadrangeintherequiredpagelengths.DifferentdisciplineswithinOEBhavedifferenttraditions.Thestateofthefieldmayalsoinfluencethelength:forexample,ifthereisnorecentliteraturereviewinyourfield,alongreviewmayleadtoapublication.Finally,advisorsdiffersomewhatintheirexpectationsfortheprospectus.Beforeyoubegin,consultwithyourdissertationcommitteeaboutwhattheyexpectfromyouastolengthandformat.

§ SignatureSheet:SeeAppendixGforformat.§ Introduction:2-5pages,double-spaced

Backgroundofyourdiscipline,detailsofyoursystemofinterest,specificquestionsyouwillbeasking.§ LiteratureReview(optional):2-5pages,double-spaced.Whatresearchhasalreadybeenpublishedon

yourthesistopic?§ Approach:2-8pages,double-spaced.Howwillyoubeaddressingthequestionsoutlinedabove?

Includegeneralapproach,experimentaldesign,location,species/specimens,samplesizes,statistics,etc.withnomoredetailthanyouwouldincludeinapaper.Breakdownbychapterorquestionifappropriate.Pilotresultscanbeincludedbutarenotnecessary.

§ TimeLine:Whenwillyoucompleteyourresearch,dataanalysisandwriting.Breakdownbychapter/questionifappropriate.

Beasclearandsuccinctaspossible.TheGraduateProgramDirector,whomustsignyourprospectus,maynotbefamiliarwithyourareaofresearch,sowriteforabroaderaudiencethanjustyourcommittee.Don'trepeatyourselfanddon'tberedundant.Anddon’tberedundantorredundant.


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DISSERTATION

ThefinalrequirementofthePh.D.programisthecompletionanddefenseofadoctoraldissertation.Thedissertationmustdemonstratethatthecandidatepossessestheabilityandimaginationnecessarytodooriginalindependentthinkingandresearch,andtopresentideasclearlyandinanorganizedform.Thedissertationinitscompletedformisjudgedontheabilityofthecandidatetoreviewandevaluatetheliterature;toformulateaproblem,designappropriateexperiments,andworksystematicallytowardasolution;andtosummarizeandanalyzedataanddrawlogicalconclusions.Thegoalofthedissertationistomakeasignificantcontributionofpublishablequalitytoscientificknowledge.

Theformatofthedissertationmaycontainpertinentsectionsincluding:Introduction,LiteratureReview,MaterialsandMethods,Results,Discussion,Conclusion,LiteratureCited,etc.However,OEBexpectsthatyourresearchwillleadtopublicationinarefereedjournal,andthuswehighlyrecommendinsteadthatthecandidatepreparethedissertationin"publishable"manuscriptform,meaningthateachchapterhasitsownIntroduction,Methods,Results,etc.Ifyouselectthemanuscriptformat,thenincludeappropriateappendicesandfollowtheGuidelinesforMaster'sThesesandDoctoralDissertations(availableathttp://www.umass.edu/gradschool/thesis/pdf_files/guidelines.pdf).Committeemembersmustbegiventheopportunitytoreviewchaptersbeforetheyaresubmittedforpublication;indoingsoyouwillalsogainthebenefitoftheirexpertise.IfThepreliminarypagesofthedissertationmustincludeanAbstractofnotmorethan350words,notincludingwordsintheheading.ItisespeciallyimportanttowritetheAbstractcarefully,asitservesasthemosteasilyaccessiblepublicdocumentresultingfromadissertation.Afteryourthesisordissertationhasbeencompleted,itwillbeavailableelectronicallyviatheUMasslibrarysystem.

A“ruleofthumb”thatmanyOEBfacultyuseisthatadissertationshouldhaveaminimumofthreesubstantivechapters.Thisisnothardandfast.

SCHEDULINGTHEDEFENSETheDissertationCommitteeandOEBGPDmustunanimouslyapproveasreadytodefendthecompletedraftofthedissertationbeforethedefensemaybescheduled.Becauseofthetimerequiredforathoroughreviewandnecessaryrevision,thestudentmustsubmitacompletedraftofhisorherdissertationtoeachmemberoftheDissertationCommitteeaminimumoffiveweeksbeforethepotentialdefensedate.Adigitalcopyisokayifcommitteemembersagree;buttheymightaskforahardcopy,whichyoushouldthenprovide.Yourcommitteemayalsorequiremoretimetocompletetheirreviews;askinadvance.

Shortlyafterthethesisisdistributed,theProgramCoordinatorwillsendane-mailtotheCommitteerequestingtheirapprovaltoschedulethedefenseandthennotifytheOEBGPD.Reviewofthethesisbycommitteemembersmaycontinueuptothedateofdefense,andthestudentcanmakechangestothefinaldraftafterthedefensedate.Generally,revisionsafterthedefensearerelativelyminor,butoccasionallyissuesariseatthedefensethatrequiremoreextensiverevision.Thus,itisbesttoallowplentyoftime.

Afterapprovalisgiventothedissertationdraft,thedefensemaybescheduled.ThecandidateandallmembersoftheDissertationCommitteemustagreeuponthedate.TheOEBGPDsendsanotificationofthedefensetotheOfficeofDegreeRequirementsinGraduateSchoolatleastfourweeksbeforetheexaminationforadvertisementbytheGraduateSchool.ThedefensemustbeheldontheAmherstcampus.Allmembersofthecommitteemustbepresentforthedefense.

Inmostcases,thereisnoneedforamoderatorforadissertationdefense.TheappointmentofamoderatorisallowedifthestudentoracommitteememberaskstheGPDtoappointone,oriftheGPDthinksthereshouldbeone,butinmostcasestheMajorAdvisor,whochairstheDefenseCommittee,willpreside.Ifamoderatorispresent,heorshewillnotvote.


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AhardcopyofthedissertationdraftmustbesubmittedtotheOEBOfficeaweekbeforethedefensesothatitisavailabletoallinterestedfaculty.TheOEBProgramManagerwillnotifyOEBfacultythatthedissertationisavailableforreview.

DISSERTATIONDEFENSEThedissertationdefenseincludesa50-minuteto1-hourpublicseminarfollowedbyaclosedoralexaminationpertainingprimarilytothedissertationtopic.TheDissertationCommitteeconductstheexamination.Afterthepublicportionofthedefense,theDissertationCommitteewillexcusethepublicandconductaprivatediscussionwiththecandidate.OnlymembersoftheDissertationCommitteemaycastvotesonthedecisiontopassorfail.Determinationofpassorfailwillbebysecretballot.Fordoctoraldissertationdefenses,aunanimouspositivevoteisapass;twoormorenegativevotesisafailure,andonenegativevoteisreferredtotheGraduateCouncilforadecision(thisisGraduateSchoolpolicy).TheProgrammayallowstudentswhofailtoretaketheexam.

Followingthefinalexamination,theMajorAdvisorsendsamemototheOEBProgramManagerwiththeexamresults.TheOEBGPDthensubmitsamemototheGraduateSchoolstatingtheresults,andifpassed,recommendsthecandidatefortheDoctoraldegree.Thestudentisresponsibletoassurethatthismemoissent.ThestudentthencompletesaDoctoralDegreeEligibilityFormandsubmitsittotheOEBGPDforsignature.TheformandaDoctoralDegreeChecklistareavailableathttp://www.umass.edu/gradschool/Doctoral_graduation_forms.htm.

Thecandidateprovides2signaturepagesonacid-freepaperwithoriginalsignaturestotheGraduateDegreeRequirementOfficeandsubmitsthedissertationelectronically(http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/thesis/elecdiss.html).Checkthissiteforadditionalrequiredformsandfees.SeealsoAppendixF(OEBPh.D.Checklist).


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gADDITIONALUSEFULINFORMATIONh

YOURUNIVERSITYAFFILIATION

DuringyouryearsasagraduatestudentatUMass,youwillbeaskedmanytimes"Whatisyourdepartment?"Whenasked,youshouldlistyouraffiliationas:GraduatePrograminOrganismicandEvolutionaryBiology.Youdonothaveanacademicconnectiontoyouradvisor'sdepartmentorwithanydepartmentthatfundsyou.Thisisimportanttorememberwheneveryoufilloutpaperworkthatrequestsyourdepartmentandwhenyousubmitgrantsorpapersforpublication.

TheUniversityisverytiedtotheconceptoftheDEPARTMENT,whichoftenaddstotheconfusionwhenyoucompleteUniversitypaperwork.WhileOEBisnotadepartment,itisviewedasonefromanadministrativepointofview.PleasekeepinmindthatlistingthewrongdepartmentcanmeanthatmoneymeantforyoumightbedepositedintheaccountofthewrongdepartmentorthatpaperworkpertainingtoyouismisdirectedawayfromtheOEBOffice

Department: GraduatePrograminOrganismic&EvolutionaryBiology

DepartmentAddress: 2ndFloor,FrenchHall230StockbridgeRoad(ifyouneedtoincludeastreetaddress)UniversityofMassachusettsAmherstAmherst,MA01003

DepartmentTelephone: 413-545-0928

College/School: CollegeofNaturalSciences(DeanSteveGoodwin)

IDGPDirector: ElizabethDumont(usewhenaskedforyourDepartmentHead)[email protected]

OEBGraduateProgramDirector: JeffPodos(theGPDisyourliaisonwiththeGradSchool)[email protected]

IDGPStaff 2ndFloor,FrenchHall

OEBWEBSITE

OEB’swebsite(https://gpls.cns.umass.edu/oeb)wasrecentlyredesignedwithstudentsinmind.Inadditiontogeneralprograminformation,you’llfindaphoneande-maildirectory,alistingofOEBseminarsandaseriesofStudentspagesthatlistmanystudentresources.Youarestronglyencouragedtocreateyourownwebpageusingthetemplatethatisavailable.ContacttheOEBofficefordetails.

OEBSTUDENTORGANIZATIONOEBstudentshaveformedastudentorganization.Duringthesemester,thisgroupmeetstoshareinformationonfundingopportunities,discussgeneralinformationontheprogram,determinethepositionofthegraduatestudentbodyaboutprogramissues,andtoplanoutreachandsocialactivities.Apresidentischosenannuallytocoordinateactivities.Thegroupalsoholdsannualelectionstochoosegraduatestudentrepresentativestoserveinthefollowingcommittees:1)OEBSteeringCommittee,2)DarwinFellowSearchCommittee,3)OEBSeminarCommittee,4)OEBStudentOutreachCommittee,5)OEBStudentMentoringCommittee,and5)GraduateEmployeeOrganization.


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OEBTAAWARD

AsignificantgoalofOEBistotraingraduatestudentstoexcelatteaching.Torecognizeexcellenceinteaching,theOEBTeachingAssistantAwardwasinstitutedin1999atthesuggestionofstudents.OEBstudents,whoteachineithertheFallorSpringsemester,mayapplyfortheawardbysubmittingadossiertotheGraduateOperationsCommitteethatcontainsthefollowing:§ Statementofteachingphilosophy§ Evaluationstobefilledoutbythegraduatestudent'sclass§ Threelettersfromstudentsevaluatingteachingeffectiveness§ Optionalletterfromcourseinstructororfacultyadvisor

Theawardisgivenoutannuallyattheendofthespringsemesterandincludesasmallscholarship.PUBLISHING

OEBexpectsthatyourresearchwillleadtopublicationsinrefereedjournals.YouandyourmajorAdvisorhavearesponsibilitytomakesureyourworkispublishedandmadeaccessibletothebroaderscientificcommunity.OEBencouragesitsstudentstowritethesis/dissertationchaptersasmanuscriptsreadyforpublication.Studentsplanningtopublishsuchchaptersbeforethefinaldefensemustprovidetheircommitteememberstheopportunitytoreviewmanuscriptsbeforetheyaresubmittedifthemanuscriptsaretobeincludedinyourthesisordissertation.Studentsshouldgenerallybefirstauthoronpublishedthesisordissertationchapters.Alloralandposterpresentationsaswellaspublicationsshouldacknowledgesourcesoffundingandothersupportbehindtheresearch.

OEBPOLICYOFUSEOFOEBE-MAILLISTSMembersoftheOEBcommunityarewelcometouseOEB-emaillists,buttheymustbeusedonlyforthefollowingpurposes:

TheOEBseminarlist([email protected])shouldbeusedonlyforseminarannouncements.ThislistincludesOEBfaculty,staffandstudentsandalsopeopleoutsideofthefive-collegeOEBcommunitywhohaveaskedtobeinformedaboutseminars.

TheOEBalllist([email protected])shouldbeusedonlyforOEBbusinessandsocialevents.ThislistincludesallOEBfaculty,staffandstudents.

TheOEBgraduatestudentlist([email protected])shouldbeusedonlyforOEBbusinessandforcommunicationbetweengraduatestudents.

TheOEBfacultylist([email protected])shouldonlybeusedforOEBbusinessandcommunicationbetweenfaculty.

Itisnotappropriatetousetheselistsfornon-OEBbusiness,includingpoliticalmessages.

IFCONFLICTSARISEBETWEENYOUANDYOURADVISORAlthoughOEBisaveryfriendlyandcollegialgroup,occasionallythereareconflictsbetweenastudentandhisorheradvisor.Youmayfindthatyoudonotsharethesameresearchinterestsasyouradvisor.Yourpersonalitiesmayclash.Youmayhavedifferentexpectationsaboutyourresearch,workhabits,ortimeline.Youmayfindthatyouhavedifferentexpectationsaboutauthorship.

Trytoresolveconflictsearlybyschedulingameetingwithyouradvisor.Itmaybeuncomfortabletobroachadifficultsubject,butadvisorsaregenerallyaseagertoresolvedifferencesasyouare.Insomecases,conflictsarisebecauseofasimplemisunderstandingandafrankconversationisallthatisneeded.Inmanyothercases,conflictscanberesolvedoverashortperiodoftime.Evenifyoucannotresolvetheconflictimmediately,itwillbehelpfulforeachofyoutoseeexactlywhattheotherperson’spositionis.Itbecomesmoredifficultforeveryoneifproblemsarelefttofester.


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Ifyouaredissatisfiedwiththeoutcomeofyourmeetingwithyouradvisor,youareencouragedtomeetwiththeGraduateProgramDirector.TheGPDisveryfamiliarwiththenormsoftheprogramandcanserveasfacilitatorinissuessuchaswhetheryouradvisorhasreasonableexpectationsofyou.IfyouandtheGPDdeemitbeneficial,theGPDwillmeetwithyouradvisor,withorwithoutyoupresent(asyoudesire).YourconversationswiththeGPDareconfidential.

Perhapsyouandyouradvisorhaveaconflictthatcannotberesolvedandthatwillmakeitdifficultforyoutocontinueyourdegree.YoumayfindabettermatchwithadifferentadvisorinOEB.Advisorsvarygreatlyintheirstylesofinteractionswiththeirstudentsandlevelofinvolvementwiththeirstudents’researchprojects.Studentsalsovarytremendously;someprefertoworkverycloselywiththeiradvisors,andsomepreferamoreindependentpath.Ifyouthinkthatyoumaywanttochangeadvisors,discussitwithyourcurrentadvisor,ifitiscomfortabletodoso.(Itisgenerallyconsideredbadformtoshoparoundforanewadvisorwithoutlettingyouroldoneknow.)DiscussyourideaswiththeGPD,whocansuggestadifferentmatch.However,beforewarnedthatadvisorsaregenerallyatleastpartiallyresponsibleforyourfunding,andmanyotherpotentialadvisorsmaynothavesupportforyou.

IfyouareaPh.D.studentandnootherOEBlabwouldbeasuitablehomeforyou,considerstoppingwithamaster’sdegree(eitherbypassingyourPreliminaryComprehensiveExaminationorbywritingamaster’sthesis)andthenseekingyourPh.D.elsewhere.

Rememberthatadecisiontochangeadvisorsorleavetheprogram,althoughitcanbepainful,canleadtoagoodoutcome.Askmostfacultyandtheywilltellyoustories(perhapstheirown!)ofstudentswhohadachangeofpathduringgraduateschoolthatultimatelyledtosuccess.However,weencourageyoutodoyourbesttoworkoutdifferences.Graduateschoolcanbeanextremelystressfultime,andproblemsthatseemlargemayresolvethemselvesgiventime.

Afinalnote.Ifyoufeelthatyouhavebeensubjecttoharassmentintheworkplace,knowyourrights.Resourcesincludeyourunion(theGraduateEmployeeOrganization,orGEO)andtheGPD(again,yourconversationswiththeGPDareconfidentialunlessyougiveyourpermission).

PROFESSIONALSOCIETIESWeencouragestudentstojoinandparticipateinactivitiesofprofessionalsocietiesthatarerelevanttotheirareaofstudy.Membershipinmanyofthesesocietiesincludesasubscriptiontothesociety'sjournal,andfrequentlyprovidesopportunitiesforsmallgrants.Belowisalistofsomerelevantsocieties.Yourmajoradvisorcansupplementthislist.

AmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScience(AAAS)AnimalBehaviorSociety(ABS)AmericanFisheriesSociety(AFS)AmericanOrnithologist'sUnion(AOU)AmericanSocietyofIchthyologistsandHerpetologists(ASIH)AmericanSocietyofMammalogists(ASM)BotanicalSocietyofAmerica(BSA)EcologicalSocietyofAmerica(ESA)EntomologicalSocietyofAmerica(ESA)SocietyforConservationBiology(SCB)SocietyforIntegrativeandComparativeBiology(SICB)SocietyfortheStudyofAmphibiansandReptiles(SSAR)SocietyfortheStudyofEvolution(SSE)SocietyofSystematicBiology(SSB)SocietyoftheSigmaXiSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(SVP)


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MUSEUMCOLLECTIONSANDVOUCHERSPECIMENS

Studentscompletingdegreesinsystematicsorwithresearchprogramswherethecorrectidentificationofspeciesiscrucialmustdepositvoucherspecimensintheappropriatesystematiccollection.AllcuratorsofnaturalhistorycollectionsoncampusaremembersofOEB.Thereareseveralmaincollections:FernaldHallhousesanextensivecollectionofinsects;theBiologyDepartmentinMorrillScienceCenterhousestheUniversityHerbariumandZoologicalCollections(includingmammals,birds,reptiles,amphibians,andfish);andtheDepartmentofAnthropologymaintainsphysicalanthropologicalmaterialsinMachmerHall.YourMajorAdvisorcanassistwithuseofthecollections.Beforeinitiatingyourresearchprogram,consultwithhimorher.

ANIMALUSEPROTOCOLANDRESEARCHPERMITS

Ifyouwillbeconductingresearchonlivevertebrateanimals(includingnoninvasivefieldresearch)theremustbeanapprovedAnimalUseProtocolonfileintheAnimalCareOfficeonCampus([email protected]).YourMajorAdvisormayalreadyhavepreparedaprotocolandhaditapproved,butyouwillneedtocollaboratewithyourmajoradvisortoprepareoneandhaveitapprovedpriortoanyaffiliatedresearch.YoualsoneedtomakesurethatanynecessaryStateorFederalpermitsareinhandpriortoanyaffiliatedresearch.IACUCapprovaltakestime!PastOEBstudentshavehadtheirresearchdelayedorstoppedbecausetheydidnotallowenoughtimeforapproval.IfyouproceedwithyourresearchwithoutIACUCapproval,UMassissubjecttoheftyfines,andyouradvisor’slabmaybeshutdown.Inaddition,onceyouhaveanapprovedprotocol,itisessentialthatyoufollowit.Youaresubjecttofederalinspectionwithoutpriornotification.Again,violationscanresultinfinesandlabclosures.

USEOFUNIVERSITYVEHICLES

Youmusthaveavaliddriver'slicenseandbeaUniversityemployeeforthevehicle'sinsurancetobeineffect.Generally,youwillmakearrangementstouseaUniversityvehiclethroughyourAdvisor’sdepartment.Additionalrestrictionsmayapply--checkwiththeappropriatedepartmentalofficeoryourMajorAdvisor.DonotuseUniversityvehiclesforpersonalbusiness(i.e.,nospouses,friends,children,dogsorpersonalfurniture).Beforereturningavehicle,cleantheinterior.Off-roadtravelshouldonlyoccurwithvehiclessuitableforsuchusage,suchaspickuptrucksorfour-wheeldrivevehicles.


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APPENDIXA--OEBSTATISTICSGUIDELINES

I. ItisvitalthatallOEBdoctoralstudentsobtainfamiliaritywiththeintroductoryandintermediatestatisticstopicslistedbelowinsectionsII.andIII.Allstudentsshouldhaveaclearunderstandingofwhatproceduresshouldbeappliedtoparticulardatasetsandtoparticularresearchquestions.Theyshouldknowtheunderlyingassumptionsandlimitationsofeachprocedure.Theyshouldhavefamiliaritywiththemajorstatisticalpackagesavailableforapplyingtheseproceduresandtheyshouldhavesomehands-onexperiencewithusingthemtoanalyzedata.Mastersstudentsareexpectedtotakeanintroductorylevelstatisticscourseataminimum.

II. IntroductoryStatisticsPossiblecourses:PUBHLTH540,STATISTC501,NRC697G&S

ProbabilitytheoryanddistributionsCentralLimitTheoremHypothesistesting,confidenceintervalsBasicone-wayANOVA,t-testsandlinearregressionChi-square

III. IntermediateStatisticsPossiblecourses:W&FCONSV697S&T,PUBHLTH640,PLNTSOIL661

Analysisofcontingencytables,goodnessoffittestsCorrelationRegression

Simplevs.MultipleregressionNonlinearregressionLogisticregressionCorrelation

ANOVAOne-wayN-wayMultiplecomparisonsFactorialvs.nesteddesignFixedvs.randomeffectsRepeatedmeasuresExperimentaldesign(Latinsquares,etc.)Mixedmodels,ANCOVA

Non-parametricstatisticsDatare-samplingprocedures:Bootstrapetc.Bayesianstats

IV. Comments:

1. Thetopicsaboveconstitute‘basictraining’instatistics.Everyscientistwillneedsomefamiliaritywitheachoftheminordertoconductresearchandtoreadthescientificliteratureintelligently.OEBstudentsshouldknow,however,thatcutting-edgeresearchinallfieldsofecologyandevolutionarybiologyofteninvolvesapplicationofadvancedstatisticaltechniquesbeyondthoselistedabove.Wethusurgeallstudentstotakeadditionalcoursesinstatisticstomatchtheirparticularcareerobjectives.OnesuchcourseisofferedbyOEBfaculty:


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MultivariateStatisticsforNaturalResourcesNRC797S(Lec)&797T(Lab)Instructor:KevinMcGarigal

2. IfstudentscometoOEBwithsomepriortraininginstatistics,theymightconsideroptingoutofintroductorystatisticsandgoingdirectlytointermediatestatistics.OEBwillmaintainafileofsyllabiofthesecoursestohelpstudentsdecideifthisisawisecourseofaction.

3. Thethreeintermediatestatisticscourses(W&FCONSV697S&T,PUBHLTH640,PLNTSOIL661)covermost,butnotall,ofthetopicslistedabove.Itisnotpossibletocoverthemallinasinglesemester.W&FCONSV697S&Tcoverthegreatestnumberofthesetopics.PUBHLTH640andPLNTSOIL661donotpresentdataresamplingorbootstrapping.PLNTSOIL661isthemostthoroughregardingANOVAandregressionbutleavesoutcontingencytables,logisticregressionandnon-parametricstats.IfOEBstudentsselectstatisticscoursesthatdonotcoverallofthetopicsinsectionsII.andIII.,theyshouldplantocoverthesetopicsthroughothermeans.

4. Theinstructorsofeachofthesecoursesarecommittedtoprovidingmodernandcomprehensivetraininginbasicstatistics.Thecoursesarefrequentlyupdatedand,insomecasesdifferentinstructors,willteachthem.Newcoursesalongtheselinesmaybeofferedinthefuture.OEBstudentswillneedtokeepabreastofthesechanges.

V. OtheradvancedcoursesinMathematicsandStatistics(accessibletothosewithoutamajormathbackground)include:

RegressionAnalysisSTATISTC505DesignofExperimentsSTATISTC506MultivariateStatisticalMethodsSTATISTC511

VI AdvancedcoursesofferedintheDepartmentofPublicHealthinclude:

DataManagementandStatisticalComputingPUBHLTH691FAnalysisofMixedModelsandLongitudinalDataPUBHLTH740AdvancedMethodsinBiometricResearchPUBHLTH742AnalysisofCategoricalDataintheHealthSciencesPUBHLTH743

NonparametricMethodsPUBHLTH746

ThereareotherquantitativecoursesofferedinResourceEconomics,NaturalResourcesConservation,etc.,butbecausetheyaremorespecialized,wehavenotlistedthemhere.


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APPENDIXBOEBM.S.TIMELINE

TIMELINEFOROEBMSPROGRAM

REQUIREMENT NOTESYEAR1 1stSemester

Formandmeetwith3-memberGuidanceCommittee

Pg3ofOEBStudentGuide

Fulfillcourserequirements(OEBseminar,Org&EvBi697B,1stCoreCourse+others)

Pg7&8ofOEBStudentGuide

2ndSemester

Continuetofulfillcourserequirements(OEBseminar+Org&EvBi697Y)

AnnualGraduateReview Pg6ofOEBStudentGuide

YEAR2 1stSemester

Formandmeetwith3-memberThesisCommittee


Fulfillcourserequirements(2ndCoreCourse+others)


PrepareThesisProspectus Pg9ofOEBStudentGuide

ScheduleThesisCommitteemeetingtoreviewprospectus

SubmitProspectustoGradSchoolbyendofsemesterorpetitionGPDforanextension

Conductresearch Fulfillremainingcourserequirements 2nd

Semester

ScheduleannualthesiscommitteemeetingbeforeGraduateReview

AnnualGraduateReview Conductresearch Writethesis Preparemanuscripts Defend--typicallyMSstudentscompletetheir

degreein4-5semestersPg10ofOEBStudentGuide


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APPENDIXCOEBM.S.CHECKLIST

AlsoseetheGraduateSchool’sMaster’sDegreeChecklistathttp://www.umass.edu/gradschool/Masters_graduation_forms.htm

DeadlinesforcompletingalldegreerequirementsandsubmittingrequiredformstotheOfficeofDegreeRequirements(thesedeadlinesareabsoluteandwillnotbeextended)

MayDegree April15deadlineSeptemberDegree August31deadlineFebruaryDegree December15deadline

COMPLETECOURSEWORK OEBREQUIREMENTS 2semestersOEBSeminar 1semesterOEB697B 1semesterOEB697Y EcologyCoreCourse EvolutionCoreCourse 1semesterofintroductorystatistics OthercoursesspecifiedbyGuidance

Committee

GRADUATESCHOOLREQUIREMENTS Minimumof30credits Minimumof21creditsinmajorfield Minimumof6creditsat600-800level Minimumof1/2creditsletter-graded Maximumof6transfercredits Maximumof10thesiscredits Maximumof6creditsofInd.Study

THESISCOMMITTEE ThesisCommittee:3membersofOEB&GraduateSchoolFaculty,with1ofthesemembersfroma

departmentotherthanthatofthestudent'sadvisor.StudentandAdvisorrecommendcommitteetoGPDwhothenformalizescommitteewithGradDean.

THESISOUTLINE ThesisCommitteeandGPDmustsignthesisoutlinecover,signifyingtheirapproval.Thisistypically

preparedbeforetheendofthethirdsemester.TheGraduateSchoolmustreceivethesisoutline,withoriginalsignatures,atleastfourmonthspriortodefense.AcopymustalsobeprovidedtoOEBOffice.

DEFENSE FinaldraftofthesisdistributedtocommitteemembersandGPDforapproval,allowing2-3weeks

forreview.DefensemaybescheduledonlyaftertheThesisCommitteenotifiestheGPDoftheirapproval.

Atleastoneweekbeforedefense,notifyOEBOfficeofcommitteemembers,thesistitle,defenselocation,anddateandtimeofdefense.

FinaldraftofthesismustgoondisplayintheOEBOfficeatleastoneweekbefore. Defenseconsistsofresearchseminarthatisopentothepublicfollowedbyanoralexamination

conductedbytheThesisCommittee.MajorAdvisorsubmitsmemoindicatingresultsofexamtoOEBGPD,whonotifiestheGraduateSchoolbymemo.

AFTERDEFENSE CompleteMaster'sDegreeEligibilityForm(electroniccopyavailableat

http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/sites/default/files/masters_degree_eligibility_form_for_thesis_students.pdfandgathersignaturesfromGPDandProgramDirector.SubmittoDegreeRequirementsOffice,withacopyalsoprovidedtotheOEBOffice.


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Submit2copies(acid-freepaper)ofSignaturePagewithoriginalsignaturesinblackinktoDegreeRequirementsOffice.Submitthesiselectronically.

Payrequiredfees.NOTE:Youmustbe“activetograduate,”eithertakingcreditsorpayingprogramfee

(continuousenrollment)everysemesterbeforegraduation.

OEB STUDENT GUIDE v 2014 ______________________________________________________________________________

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APPENDIXDOEBPh.D.TIMELINE

TIMELINEFOROEBPh.D.PROGRAM

REQUIREMENT NOTESYEAR1 1stSemester

Formandmeetwith3-memberGuidanceCommittee.Developplanforcoursework.


Fulfillcourserequirements(OEBseminar,Org&EvBi697B,1stCoreCourse+others)


Fulfill1stsemesterofResidencyRequirement Pg11ofOEBStudentGuide

SubmitNSFPredoctoralFellowshipProposal MeetTArequirement(anysemester) 2ndSemester

Continuetofulfillcourserequirements(OEBseminar+others)

Fulfill2ndsemesterofResidencyRequirement AnnualGraduateReview Pg6ofOEB

StudentGuide

YEAR2 1stSemesterFormandmeetwithPreliminaryExamCommittee.Scheduleandprepareforexam.


Continuetofulfillcourserequirements(OEBseminar,2ndCoreCourse+others)

Conductresearch,write,publish 2ndSemester

TakePrelimsExambyendofsemesterorpetitionGPDforanextension


Continuetofulfillcourserequirements(Org&EvBi697Y)

Form4-memberDissertationCommitteeafteradvancingtocandidacy


ScheduleannualcommitteemeetingbeforeGraduateReview

AnnualGraduateReview

YEAR3 1stSemester Conductresearch,write,publish PrepareDissertationProspectus Pg14ofOEB

StudentGuide SubmitNSFDDIG 2ndSemester

ScheduleDissertationCommitteemeetingtoreviewprospectus


SubmitProspectustoGradSchoolbyendofsemesterorpetitionGPDforanextension


ScheduleannualcommitteemeetingbeforeGraduateReview


YEAR4 Conductresearch,write,publish


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ResubmitNSFDDIGifnecessary Scheduleannualcommitteemeetingbefore

GraduateReview


YEARS5&6 Conductresearch,write,publish Scheduleannualcommitteemeetingbefore

GraduateReview

AnnualGraduateReview Defend—typicallyPhDstudentscompletetheir

degreeintheir5thor6thyearPg16ofOEBStudentGuide


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APPENDIXEOEBPRELIMINARYCOMPREHENSIVEEXAMINATION

ThePreliminaryComprehensiveExaminationcoversthestudent’sknowledgeofbasicbiology,evolution,ecologyandstatistics,aswellasin-depthcomprehensionofthespecificprogramofcoursesselectedbythestudent’sGuidanceCommittee.TheOEBOfficemaintainsanotebookwithinformationonthePreliminaryComprehensiveExamination,includingquestionsfrompreviousexams.SuccessfulcompletionofthisexaminationqualifiesthestudenttobecomeaPh.D.candidate.

TIMING

Studentsshouldbeginpreparingfortheirexamsoonafterentryintotheprogram.Studentsareexpectedtotaketheirprelimsbythe4thsemesterinresidence.StudentswhodonothaveaM.S.inarelatedareamaypetitiontheGPDforoneextrayeartoscheduletheirexam.Onotherrareoccasions(e.g.,astudentwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglish),theexammaybepostponediftheadvisorandGPDconcur.PRELIMCOMMITTEECOMPOSITION

Thestudentandhis/herMajorAdvisorrecommendanappropriatepreliminarycomprehensiveexamcommitteetotheOEBGPD.Itisbesttoconfirmthewillingnessoftheexaminersinadvance.Thiscommitteeshouldbesetupinthebeginningofthe2ndyear.

4membersofOEBFaculty.1ofmembermustbeinadepartmentotherthanAdvisor’sModeratorappointedbytheGPD(usuallyamemberoftheGOC)

GPDreviewscommitteeforbalanceandcomprehensiveness.GPDassignstopicstothecommitteemembersandformallyapprovesthecommitteebywayofamemotothestudentandthecommittee.

StudentsubmitstotheProgramManageralistofallrelevantcoursestaken,includingthedates,grades,andwherecompleted.

SCHEDULINGOFEXAM

Studentselectsadatefortheexaminationatleastfourweeksinadvance.StudentmustconsultwithProgramManagerortheGPDintheselectionofthedatesothatamoderatorcanbeassignedtotheexam.Donotplantoscheduleexamsduringfinalexaminationweeks,intersession,summeroronastateholiday.

TheGPDsendsamemolistingtimeandlocationofexamtocommitteemembersandmoderator.

AFTEREXAM

ThemoderatorcompletesaformthatindicatestheresultoftheexamtotheGPD.TheGraduateProgramDirectorsendsamemoindicatingtheresultoftheexamtotheGraduateSchool’sOfficeofDegreeRequirements.

Oncethestudentpassesthepreliminaryexam,itishisorherresponsibilitytoverifythattheexammoderatorandOEBGPDsendthenecessarymemosindicatingtheexamresults.StudentswhohavepassedthetheirprelimsmayobtainanM.S.degree“ontheway”byapplicationtotheGraduateSchool.TheresidencerequirementforthePh.D.andcourserequirementsfortheM.S.degreemusthavebeenfulfilled.StudentsmustobtainandcompleteaM.S.DegreeEligibilityForm,thensubmitittotheOEBGPDforreviewandsignature.

StudentadvancestocandidacyandnowmayproceedwithnominationofDissertationCommitteeandpreparationofDissertationProspectus.


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APPENDIXFOEBPh.D.CHECKLIST

AlsoseetheGraduateSchool’sDoctoralDegreeChecklistathttp://www.umass.edu/gradschool/sites/default/files/checklist_for_doctoral_degrees.pdf

DeadlinesforcompletingalldegreerequirementsandsubmittingrequiredformstotheOfficeofDegreeRequirements(thesedeadlinesareabsoluteandwillnotbeextended)

MayDegree April15deadlineSeptemberDegree August31deadlineFebruaryDegree December15deadline

COMPLETEREQUIREMENTSOEBREQUIREMENTS

2semestersOEBseminar 1semesterOEB697B 1semesterOEB697Y EcologyCoreCourse EvolutionCoreCourse Statisticsthroughmultivariate AdditionalcoursesspecifiedbyGuidance

Committee CompleteTeachingRequirement

GRADUATESCHOOLREQUIREMENTS Residencyrequirementsatisfied Minimumof18dissertationcredits

PassedPreliminaryComprehensiveExam

PRELIMINARYCOMPREHENSIVEEXAM Typicallycompletedbythe4thsemesterinresidence.RefertoPreliminaryComprehensive

ExaminationChecklist(AppendixE)

DISSERTATIONCOMMITTEE

OncethePreliminaryExamiscompleted,theDissertationCommitteeshouldbeformed.DissertationCommitteeGuidelines:4members,3ofwhicharemembersofOEB&GraduateSchoolFaculty,withatleastoneofthesemembersfromadepartmentotherthanthatofthestudent'sadvisor.StudentandAdvisorrecommendcommitteetoGPDwhothenrecommendscommitteetoGraduateDean.

DISSERTATIONPROSPECTUS Theprospectus(dissertationoutline)shouldbepreparedduringthe3rdyearinresidence,following

thepreliminaryexam.TheDissertationCommitteeandGPDmustsignprospectuscoversheet,signifyingtheirapproval.TheGraduateSchoolmustreceivedissertationoutline,withoriginalsignatures,atminimumofsevenmonthspriortodefense.AcopymustalsobeprovidedtoOEBOffice.

DEFENSE

§ Finaldraftofdissertationdistributedtocommitteemembersforapproval,allowingminimumof5weekspriortodefensedateforreview.DefensemaybescheduledonlyaftertheDissertationCommitteegivestheirapprovaltoGPD.ConsultwithGPDifamoderatorisrequestedforthedefense.

§ Atleast4weeksbeforedefense,notifytheOEBOfficeofcommitteemembers,thesistitle,defenselocation,anddateandtimeofdefensesothatmemoschedulingdefensecanbesubmittedtoGraduateSchool.

§ FinaldraftofthesisgoesondisplayintheOEBOfficeatleast1weekbeforedefense.


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§ Defenseconsistsof45-minuteto1-hourresearchseminarthatisopentothepublicfollowedbyanoralexaminationconductedbytheDissertationCommittee.MajorAdvisorsubmitsmemoindicatingresultsofexamtoOEBGPD,whothennotifiestheGradSchoolbymemo.

AFTERDEFENSE

§ Submit2copies(acid-freepaper)ofsignaturepagewithoriginalsignaturesinblackinktoDegreeRequirementsOffice.Submitdissertationelectronically.

§ CompleteDoctoralDegreeEligibilityForm(electroniccopyathttp://www.umass.edu/gradschool/sites/default/files/doctoral_degree_eligibility_form.pdf)anddelivertoOEBOfficeforsignaturesfromGPDandProgramDirector.SubmitformtotheDegreeRequirementsOffice.

§ SubmitrequiredgraduateschoolformsandfeestoDegreeRequirementsOfficeNOTE:Youmustbe“activetograduate,”eithertakingcreditsorpayingprogramfee(continuousenrollment)everysemesterbeforegraduation.


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APPENDIXGTEMPLATEFORPROSPECTUSSIGNATURESHEET

TITLE

AThesisORDissertationOutlinePresented

by

YOURFULLNAME

Approvedastostyleandcontentby:

__________________________________,Chair

Advisor’snametyped

_______________________________________

Member'snametyped

_______________________________________

Member'snametyped

______________________________________

GPD’sname,GraduateProgramDirectorNOTE:makesureyouusetheGPD’sname,nottheOEB

Director’s

General Information 2gpls.cns.umass.edu/sites/default/files/file...Neuroscience and Behavior (NSB)...

Documents

Transcript of General Information 2gpls.cns.umass.edu/sites/default/files/file...Neuroscience and Behavior (NSB)...