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Orientation Guide for Graduate Students in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Green anole (Anolis carolinensis) on
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Spring 2008
Part 1: INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS
I. DEPARTMENT STAFF
The Manager of Graduate Student Services is Kenyetta Walker (email mailto:kwalker@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-3391). She manages all student services, financial activities, human resources, and all other University-related activities.
The Chairman of the Biology Department exercises ultimate departmental authority over all matters pertaining to graduate students. This authority is ordinarily delegated to the Director of Graduate Studies. For EEOB students, the current Director is David Pfennig (email: mailto:dpfennig@unc.edu; telephone 962-6958). He is available to all graduate students for: (1) advice on academic problems, grievances, and related matters, (2) reviewing all petitions relating to the graduate program, and (3) reviewing the performance of all graduate students to determine their suitability for continued appointment.
II. FACILITIES AND SERVICES
A. Laboratory and Office Space Faculty and graduate students in the department are housed in Coker, Fordham, and Wilson Halls. Student offices are generally located near their major adviser.
Student mailboxes are located in Coker Hall. Mail should be addressed to your name at Department of Biology, CB# 3280, Coker Hall, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280. The departmental fax number is (919) 962-1625.
Keys for access to the outside doors and student offices in Coker, Fordham, and Wilson Halls are assigned through Jim Wheeler (email: mailto:jwheeler@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-3726). To obtain a key, you must see Jim in Wilson Hall, Room B40 and pay a refundable $10.00 deposit (there is a $20.00 charge if you lose your keys).
For keys to any of the conference rooms in Coker or Wilson Halls, contact Julia Young for reservations and keys (email: mailto:jyoung@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-3776).
B. Computing Email accounts. After obtaining a UNC One Card (http://www.onecard.unc.edu) in the Student Stores Building, you can set up a UNC email address (https://onyen.unc.edu). The One Card can also be used as your key to the Couch Biology Library.
Computing Services. The Biology Department maintains computers for student use in Room 228 Wilson Hall. This facility serves the faculty and students of the Biology Department (both undergraduates and graduate students) when classes are not using the room. The Network Manager, Ernie Patterson has an office in 230 Wilson and assists faculty, staff, and students with computer hardware and network questions. Any questions related to hardware and computing problems should be directed to either Ernie Patterson (962-2136) or his associate Hinár Polczer. They can be reached via email at: biohelp@unc.edu.
C. Facilities Library. The Couch Biology Library is currently located on the third floor of Coker Hall (http://www.lib.unc.edu/biology/). For information, including locations and holding of other libraries on campus, consult the Library’s webpage (http://www.lib.unc.edu/).
Departmental imaging core facility. The departmental imaging core facility (e.g., confocal microsope, electron microscope) is located on the fourth floor of Wilson Hall. For information, contact Tony Perdue (email: mailto:tdperdue@email.unc.edu; telephone 962-2795).
North Carolina Botanical Garden. The North Carolina Botanical Garden, located two miles east of campus, is a regional center for research, conservation, and interpretation of plants, particularly those native to the southeastern United States. The Botanical Garden also oversees the nearby Mason Farm Biological Reserve, a 367-acre tract containing diverse natural plant communities and protected habitats especially valuable for scientific research and teaching (for more information, see: http://ncbg.unc.edu/).
Highlands Biological Station. The Highlands Biological Station is a year-round biological field station operated by the University of North Carolina and located on a high plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains of southwestern North Carolina. Its mission is to promote research and education in biodiversity studies (ecology, systematics, evolution, and conservation), with special emphasis on the diverse flora and fauna of southwestern North Carolina (http://www.wcu.edu/hbs/).
D. Miscellaneous Services Sending express shipments. To send an express package (e.g., FedEx, UPS), contact Julia Young (email: mailto:jyoung@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-3776). You must provide an account number to pay for the shipment (get this number from your major professor).
Ordering supplies and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. To order supplies, or to obtain forms for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, contact Randy Campbell (email: mailto:randycampbell@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-3453).
Reserving departmental vehicles. To reserve a departmental vehicle, contact Shirley Hart (email: mailto:shart@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-5947). You must fill out a form and get your adviser to sign it.
Departmental stockroom. The departmental stockroom, located in the basement of Wilson Hall, carries office and lab supplies, glassware, and chemicals/reagents. Contact Amy Butcher (email: mailto:amybutcher@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-1379). You must provide a charge account number to obtain supplies (get this number from your major professor).
Departmental artist services. The departmental artist services are located on the third floor of Coker Hall. Contact Susan Whitfield (email: mailto:swhitfield@bio.unc.edu; telephone 962-2419). You must provide a charge account number to use this service (get this number from your major professor).
Photocopies. Photocopy machines are located on the second floor of Coker Hall. You must provide a charge account number to use the photocopy machines (get this number from your major professor).
E. Transportation and Parking All Chapel Hill buses are free. They have campus routes, so you may wish to use them as your primary mode of transportation. For schedules consult http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/transit/.
There is a free bus to and from Duke University available to students and faculty. You’ll need to show your UNC One Card in order to ride. The schedule is found on the website http://www.robertsonscholars.org/bus.
There are many bicycle racks to which you can attach (and lock) bicycles on campus and in town. You are encouraged to register your bicycle at the UNC Department of Public Safety. They have a brochure you may wish to get concerning bicycle use. If you don’t drive to campus, consider registering with the Commuter Alternative Program (CAP).
III. NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENCY AND TUITION WAIVER
Out-of-state students are expected to obtain in-state residency as soon as possible because the University’s out-of-state tuition waiver funds are very limited in number. This means that it is helpful for students to do a few things as soon as they arrive in North Carolina. We strongly suggest that students obtain an NC driver’s license, register their car here, register to vote, actually vote in November, and perhaps join the public library (Carrboro/Chapel Hill). Students need to apply one year after they “set up residency” in NC (July or August after their first year). You should review the guidelines and on-line application for in-state status: (http://gradschool.unc.edu/residency/index.html).
NOTE: You cannot get a NC license or register your car until you have valid car insurance. This often means getting insurance in the state and bringing proof of insurance with you.
To get your car registered, you need to bring your license (and another ID), the title, and proof of insurance to the DMV registration place. There is one conveniently located inside University Mall on the north side of town. They will then tell you to get your car inspected and get the inspection sticker, which you could do all at once if you drop your car off first at the Chapel Hill Tire Company 942-8723 at University Mall (shopping center by Harris Teeter on Elliott Road) or at another inspection station (see options at link below). http://www.triangleautomotive.com/carrch/chinspec.html
To get your license, you will have to take the eye test and NC drivers test on the computer, so reviewing the driving rules first is a good idea (http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_services/drivershandbook/). The most convenient location is off of NC 54 bypass and NC 54 business (104 V Carrboro Plaza, 919-929-4161). Be sure to bring your old driver’s license, proof of your residence (lease, any bill/letter mailed to your new address with your name on it, etc), your insurance, and your checkbook (check the online list of items to bring for identification (http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_services/drivingpublic/applying.html). The driver’s license office usually has a long wait, so be sure to have all the correct identification before you go. Arrive before they open if you don’t want to wait. You will need your social security card or passport for this purpose. See the NC DMV Newcomer’s guide: http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/moving/newnc/newComersGuide/
IV. REGISTERING FOR COURSES
Biology class schedules are at: http://www.bio.unc.edu/Undergraduate/. You can register on-line through Student Central (http://regweb.unc.edu/students/web_tutorial.php). Be sure to talk with your major adviser when planning your coursework. Your PIN will be included in the information that the Registrar’s Office will send you during the summer.
Students can register for credit for courses offered at Duke and North Carolina State University (NCSU) by completing an inter-institutional registration form (see http://regweb.unc.edu/students/interinstitutional.php). Semester Course Offering from these schools can be found at: http://www.siss.duke.edu/Schedule/ (for Duke) and at: http://www.ncsu.edu/registrar/courses/index.html (for NCSU).
V. SEMINARS
You are strongly encouraged to attend the weekly Biology Department seminars, which are held on Tuesdays at 3:45 pm (3:30 refreshments). Talks are usually presented in room 107 Wilson Hall (refreshments in 215 Coker Hall). For the Biology Department seminar series, see: http://www.bio.unc.edu/news/seminars/.
In addition, the EEOB Seminar series invites outside speakers (usually faculty and postdocs) to present their research in an informal setting. The EEOB Seminar series currently meets on alternate Wednedays at noon in Coker Hall, room 215. For a schedule, see: http://www.bio.unc.edu/graduate/EEOB/seminar.htm.
Lunch Bunch provides an informal setting for students, postdocs, and faculty to present their research or practice talks for meetings or job interviews. Lunch Bunch currently meets on Fridays at noon in Coker Hall, room 215. For a schedule, see: http://www.bio.unc.edu/LunchBunch/.
For a complete listing of seminars, visit: http://www.bio.unc.edu/Events/
VI. BIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BGSA)
The Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA), organized by the Departmental graduate students, sponsors one or two seminar speakers each year, puts on an annual departmental “retreat” and departmental picnic, and organizes various social activities. Contact a BGSA officer for more information. Part 2: STUDENT FUNDING
I. OVERVIEW OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Several sources of stipend support are available. Of these, fellowships are often the most desirable, because they typically carry no service requirements. There are two main kinds of fellowships for beginning students. First, are those offered by the UNC graduate school (for information, see http://gradschool.unc.edu/funding/prospective.html#tch). Second, are those offered by external funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201). For a complete list of funding sources for new students, visit the UNC Graduate School website, at: http://gradschool.unc.edu/funding/prospective.html#tch
A limited number of fellowships are also available to support continuing students. These fellowships are described in greater detail below.
Most EEOB students are supported by teaching assistantships (TAs) or research assistantships (RAs), however. These assistantships are described in greater detail below.
II. Specific Funding Opportunities
A. Teaching Assistantships (TAs) TAs help teach undergraduate courses and lead recitations and laboratories. A TA in Biology currently pays $9,000 per semester for a 9-month stipend of $18,000 (plus health insurance, tuition remission, and the tuition credit; students are responsible only for their fees). The stipend amount increases by 5% every other semester that you teach (to a maximum 9-month stipend of $21,600):
Table 1. Rate Schedule (per semester) for TAs
There are required orientation/training sessions sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CLT) for all new TAs. TAs must also attend a one-hour OHSA session offered by the Biology Department. TAs are evaluated by the course instructor(s) and students enrolled in the course. TAs are expected to receive satisfactory evaluations.
B. Research Assistantships (RAs) If funding permits, your advisor may be able to support you on an RA off of their grant. Duties and stipend amounts vary, but it is generally expected that RAs will work 15-18 hours per week and be paid at a level comparable to a TA. In addition, some students may receive supplemental summer stipends at the discretion of their mentor and subject to the availability of appropriate research funding. Consult your advisor for details.
C. Graduate School Fellowships The UNC Graduate School holds an annual competition for a limited number of fellowships aimed at supporting advanced students (i.e., those who have been admitted to candidacy). Most are merit-based. For example, the Graduate School conducts competitions for one-semester Off-Campus Research Dissertation Fellowships and one-year Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowships.
For a complete listing of fellowships offered by the UNC Gradate School, visit their website at: http://gradschool.unc.edu/funding/current.html - tch.
D. Supplies and Travel Support As the departmental budget permits, several awards are offered annually through the Biology Department to help graduate students with research expenses (generally a few hundred dollars per year). The competition for these awards is normally announced in April.
In addition, the UNC Graduate School awards transportation grants. These grants cover travel expenses only and are available for doctoral and masters students presenting research papers at international, national, regional academic conferences or meetings of professional societies. Students may receive this grant only once. Applications are considered throughout the year and must be submitted prior to travel. For more information, visit: http://gradschool.unc.edu/funding/current.html - tch.
III. PAYROLL AND BENEFITS INFORMATION
Teaching assistants are paid 18 biweekly payments for the academic year, usually beginning the first of September and continuing through the end of April. Research assistants are paid either biweekly or monthly for the academic year.
Your tuition and fees can be deducted from your paycheck each semester by submitting to the Manager of Graduate Student Services a Graduate Student Payroll Deduction Authorization Form. Students on University payroll are also required to have their paychecks automatically deposited to their bank account by submitting to the Manager of Graduate Student Services a completed Direct Payroll Deposit Authorization form.
For first-year students with out-of-state residency, we recommend to the Graduate School that tuition be remitted to the in-state rate while they are employed as Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants. In-state tuition awards are available to Teaching and Research Assistants meeting the Graduate School criteria.
Student health insurance is provided each semester with qualifying salary and course registration. See the Manager of Graduate Student Services to complete the required form. Part 3: DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
I. OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Below are degree requirements for students who enter the Department of Biology as part of the program in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). Additional requirements are in the Graduate School Handbook (http://handbook.unc.edu/) and the Guide to Theses and Dissertations (http://gradschool.unc.edu/etdguide/). If requirements change after you arrive, you may choose to follow the rules in effect when you arrived, or any subsequent set of rules in effect during your tenure at UNC.
It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your major adviser and graduate advisory committee. Likewise, you are ultimately responsible for seeing that you comply with the regulations of the Department of Biology and the UNC Graduate School. Failure to comply may result in losing your financial support or in being dismissed from the program.
II. Graduate Degrees Offered
The Department of Biology offers a Ph.D. degree and two masters degrees: a Master of Science degree requiring independent research and a thesis, and a Master of Arts degree requiring a written library report. Both masters degrees are terminal degrees; masters students must wish to continue on to the Biology Ph.D. program must apply for admission to the Ph.D. program following completion of the masters degree. However, students admitted to the Ph.D. program sometimes receive a masters degree during their graduate program, in which case reapplication is not necessary.
III. SPECIFIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
A. Course Requirements Every graduate student must gain an understanding of the breadth and depth of the field of Biology as it is treated among various traditional disciplines. This is accomplished in two ways. First, through the required Biology 891 seminar course and, second, through a course of study prescribed by each student’s graduate advisory committee.
For a masters degree a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit is required, of which no fewer than 24 hours must be earned in regular courses and at least three hours of which must take the form of research and completion of the thesis (MS) or library report (MA).
Each Ph.D. student, in addition to taking Biology 891, must register for Biology 994 at least once for 3 hours credit. There are no other course requirements for the Ph.D. except those designated by (1) the student’s preliminary evaluation committee at the Orientation Meeting (see D below), and (2) the student’s graduate advisory committee at the Oral Comprehensive Exam (see E below).
B. Graduate Adviser Most EEOB students select a graduate adviser before beginning graduate school. For students doing rotations in several labs, however, the advisor may not be selected until after rotations are complete. Generally, you must choose an adviser by the end of your first year in graduate school. If you wish to change advisers or add a co-adviser, you must submit your request in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies for approval (these requests must include the reasons for the proposed change). In all cases, at least one adviser must be a faculty member in Biology.
C. Orientation Meeting Before or shortly after the start of your first semester in graduate school, you must assemble a preliminary evaluation committee and hold an orientation meeting. The committee should include your adviser, the Director of Graduate Studies, and one additional faculty member of your choosing. The committee will (1) familiarize you with the requirements of the graduate program, (2) suggest coursework, teaching, and other training, and (3) answer any questions you may have about the program. Following this meeting, your adviser should prepare a written summary of recommendations (if any) and give this document to the Manager of Graduate Student Services for inclusion in your file.
D. Graduate Advisory Committee You should form a graduate advisory committee to oversee and guide your research by the beginning of your third semester. This process is normally done in consultation with your adviser. Once each individual has agreed to serve on your committee, you should submit this list of the proposed members to the Director of Graduate Studies for approval.
For Ph.D. students, the committee must have at least five members (three for Masters students). A majority must be UNC Biology faculty. A tentative member of the committee who is not currently a member of the graduate faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must submit a curriculum vitae. When the committee is approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, the Director will nominate the outside individuals to the Dean of the Graduate School, who is responsible for the final appointment of the committee.
If you wish to change the membership of your committee, you must submit a written request to the Director of Graduate Studies for approval (these requests must include the reasons for the proposed change).
E. Oral Comprehensive Examination (Ph.D. only) Ph.D. students must take a comprehensive oral examination by no later than the end of their second year. The oral exam is the primary examination of general knowledge and should be separated in time from the dissertation feasibility meeting (see G below).
To encourage breadth, you are required, in consultation with your adviser, to identify four areas of proficiency from at least two major categories (Table 2). The selected areas will serve as a focus for preparation and questioning. Ideally, these areas should first be discussed at the time of the Orientation meeting (see C above), so that deficiencies can be addressed through coursework, directed reading, or other forms of preparation. The four areas should each represent a topic that is broad enough to be the subject of an undergraduate course; during the exam, you are expected to demonstrate a level of proficiency in each area that would indicate that you could teach such a course.
In order to pass the exam, a majority of your committee must pass you (your committee may also pass you, but recommend courses to take or classes to TA to make up any deficiencies). If you fail the exam, your committee will discuss whether or not to have you retake the exam. Students who fail a second time will be dismissed from the program.
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