2007-2008
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Handbook
Table of Contents Page #
1. Introduction........................................................................................................... 1
2. Overview of Program Mileposts........................................................................... 2
3. Program Goals and Objectives............................................................................. 5
4. General Academic Regulations............................................................................ 6
4.1. Registration Information....................................................................... 6
4.1.1. Semester Course Loads
4.2 Registering for Classes.......................................................................... 6
4.3 Grades..................................................................................................... 6
4.4 Grade Point Average.............................................................................. 7
4.5 Change of Grade/Academic Record...................................................... 8
4.6 Academic Probation and Consequences................................................ 8
4.6.1 Type I
4.6.2 Type II
4.6.3 Type III
4.7 Suspension.............................................................................................. 9
4.7.1 By OGS
4.7.2 By a Degree Program
4.7.3 Readmission After Suspension
5. Master’s Program Requirements.......................................................................... 10
5.1 General Degree Requirements............................................................... 10
5.2 Time Limit for Completion of Degree.................................................. 10
5.3 Plan I Thesis........................................................................................... 10
5.4 Program of Studies for the Master’s Degree......................................... 11
5.5 Required Enrollment.............................................................................. 12
5.6 Master’s Examination............................................................................ 12
5.7 Notification of Intent to Graduate......................................................... 13
5.8 The Master’s Thesis............................................................................... 13
5.9 Thesis Committee.................................................................................. 13
5.10 Thesis (599) Credit.............................................................................. 13
5.10.1 Announcement of Final Exam
5.10.2 Submission of the Thesis
5.10.3 Thesis Format
5.10.4 Accompanying Forms
5.10.5 Fees
6. Ph.D. Program Requirements............................................................................... 15
6.1 General Degree Requirements............................................................... 15
6.2 Time
Limit for Completion of Degree................................................... 15
6.3 Doctoral Committee on Studies............................................................. 16
6.4 Application/Transfer of Credit.............................................................. 16
6.5 Doctoral Comprehensive Exam............................................................. 16
6.6 BSGP Format and Guidelines for Doctoral
Comprehensive Exam...... 17
6.7 Advancement to Candidacy................................................................... 19
6.8 The Dissertation..................................................................................... 20
6.8.1 Dissertation Committee
6.8.2 Composition of Dissertation Committee
6.8.3 External Review of Dissertation
6.8.4 Dissertation Hours
6.8.5 Dissertation Format
6.8.6 Hybrid Dissertation
6.8.7 Notification of Intent to Graduate
6.8.8 Final Exam (Dissertation Defense)
6.8.9 Quality of Dissertation
6.8.10 Submission and Approval of Dissertation
6.8.11 Accompanying Forms
6.8.12 Fees
6.8.13 UMI Fee
7. Qualifying Exam
Procedures............................................................................... 27
8. Change or
Addition of Degree, or Withdrawal from Program........................... 29
8.1 Eligibility............................................................................................... 29
8.2 Submitting Change of Degree Form...................................................... 29
8.3 Evaluation of Change of Degree............................................................ 30
8.4 Evaluation of Requests for Admission Under
Advanced Status........... 30
8.5 Withdrawing from the BSGP Program.................................................. 30
9. SOM Graduate
Student Academic Grievance Procedures ................................. 31
9.1 Informal Grievance Procedures............................................................. 31
9.2 Formal Grievance Procedures................................................................ 32
9.3 Flow Chart for Informal Grievance Procedures.................................... 33
9.4 Flow Chart for Formal Grievance Procedures....................................... 34
10. Financial
Assistance.......................................................................................... 35
11. Statement on
Outside Employment................................................................... 36
12. Leave Policies.................................................................................................... 36
12.1 Annual Leave....................................................................................... 36
12.2 Medical Leave While Holding an Assistantship................................. 37
12.3 Leave of Absence................................................................................. 37
13. Annual
Activities and Accomplishments Report.............................................. 37
14. Research and
Travel Grants............................................................................... 38
15. BSGP Travel
Awards......................................................................................... 38
15.1 Eligibility for BSGP Travel Awards.................................................... 38
15.2 Application Submission....................................................................... 39
15.3 Application Review.............................................................................. 39
15.4 Travel Award Distribution................................................................... 39
16. Laboratory
Rotations and
16.1 Things to Consider in Selecting a Rotation
Mentor............................ 40
16.2 How to Make Contact.......................................................................... 40
16.3 They’ve said “yes,” now what?............................................................ 40
16.4 Paperwork............................................................................................. 40
16.5 Before You Make a Permanent Commitment..................................... 41
16.6 Talk to Your Potential
16.7 Some Things Your
16.8 Some Things You Can Expect From Your
17. Code of
Professional Conduct........................................................................... 42
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BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
GRADUATE PROGRAM HANDBOOK
1. INTRODUCTION
This handbook is to be used as a supplement to the UNM
Graduate Catalog and the Pathfinder (the UNM Student Handbook).
Graduate Catalog Link http://www.unm.edu/~grad/catalog/catatoc.html
Pathfinder Link http://www.unm.edu/~sac/pathfind.html
This handbook is intended to provide information specifically
relevant to the BSGP.
The BSGP Program Manager, Program Coordinators or Director
will be available for discussion and clarification regarding any aspect of the
program.
The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) web site includes all
necessary information pertinent to your graduate education. The OGS home page
can be found at http://www.unm.edu/~grad/ . Links to guidelines for
graduate committee composition, exams and general degree requirements are
listed at the OGS home page.
OGS forms may be downloaded from: http://www.unm.edu/~grad/forms/forms.html
OGS offers an online orientation for all graduate students
at http://www.unm.edu/~grad/Orientation/orientation.html.
All students are strongly encouraged to
thoroughly review all information regarding resources you need as a graduate
student at UNM.
Students are responsible for knowing and following OGS and
BSGP policies and procedures.
Students are responsible for knowing and abiding by the
general University rules and regulations pertaining to graduate study at the
Students are expected to be aware of their academic
standing at all times.
BSGP Office Contact Information
Angela
Wandinger-Ness, PhD, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies: awandinger@salud.unm.edu 272-1459
Ignacio
Ortiz, Program Manager: ijortiz@salud.unm.edu 272-1921
Sandy
Turner, Program Coordinator: ssturner@salud.unm.edu 272-1117
Mary
Fenton, Program Coordinator: mfenton@salud.unm.edu 272-6876
2. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM MILEPOSTS
YEAR 1 MILEPOSTS
Ph.D. Program
(See
“Laboratory Rotations” below in section 16, page 40)
Note:
and must be signed by
the student, mentor and department chair
(See
Forms, BSGP web site).
(See
“Qualifying Examination” below in section 7, page 28)
Formal
approval of the
semester (start of the
student’s second year)
(See
COS selection requirements, UNM Graduate Catalog)
(See
Forms, BSGP web site)
Modifications for the Master’s Program
§
Master’s students may
take more than one year to complete the required core curriculum.
§
Note that two
rotations are required for Master’s students. If a Master’s student wishes to
petition for a change of degree to the Ph.D. program, three rotations will be
required
(see “Laboratory Rotations” below in section 16, page 40)
§
See “Change or
Addition of Degree” below in section 8, page 29
YEAR 2 MILEPOSTS
Ph.D. Program
§
Hold first COS meeting
no later than the end of Spring semester to review student’s academic progress,
discuss and formulate a Program of Studies (plans for coursework and research
hours to meet student’s educational and research goals), and review
outline/plan for student’s dissertation project.
§
Note that the first
COS meeting need not involve a formal review of a dissertation
proposal.
Committee on
Studies Meeting Report must be completed and submitted to the
BSGP office after each COS meeting.
(See
Forms, BSGP website)
§
Hold second meeting of
At this
meeting the student should present a draft of proposed specific aims and
initial feasibility data.
§
Present at one or more
of the following: Divisional Seminar, BSGP Research Day or scientific meeting.
§
Complete the Annual
Activities and Accomplishments Report
§
Students failing to
meet these mileposts must petition the BSGP Steering Committee for continuation
in the program.
Modifications for the Master’s Program
§
No modifications for
continuing students
§
Consult UNM Graduate
Catalog if completing thesis.
YEAR 3 MILEPOSTS
Ph.D. Program
§
Schedule Comprehensive
Examination (Doctoral Dissertation Proposal) no later than the Spring semester
of the Third year.
§
Form Dissertation
Committee (may include COS members)
(See UNM Graduate Catalog for requirements
on Dissertation Committees)
§
Complete the
Comprehensive Examination no later than the end of Spring semester. The
Comprehensive Examination will count as a
Comprehensive
examination will consist of a proposal outlining the research plans and an oral
examination of the candidate. Although data supporting the feasibility of the
project is recommended, extensive preliminary data should not be required.
(See Doctoral Comprehensive
Exam below, section 6.5, page 17)
(See OGS web site
for UNM regulations regarding the Comprehensive Examination)
§
Complete Application
for Candidacy form, see “Forms,” BSGP web site or OGS web site
§
Students may sign up
for Dissertation credit hours (699) in the semester they take the Comprehensive
Examination
§
Meet with Dissertation
Committee no later than 6 months after the Comprehensive Examination. Student
progress will be reviewed.
§
Present at one or more
of the following: Divisional Seminar, BSGP Research Day or scientific meeting.
§
Complete the Annual
Activities and Accomplishments report
§
Students failing to
meet these mileposts must petition the BSGP Steering Committee for continuation
in the program.
Modifications for the Master’s Program
§
No modifications for
continuing students
§
Consult UNM Graduate
Catalog if completing thesis.
YEARS 4 & 5
MILEPOSTS
Ph.D. Program
§
Continue to enroll in
dissertation credit (699). A minimum of 18 hours of 699 credit is required for
the Ph.D.
§
Meet with Dissertation
Committee twice each year or more often if recommended by the Dissertation
Committee. Student progress will be
reviewed. If adequate progress in dissertation research has been attained,
student will receive committee approval to begin writing the dissertation.
§
Present at one or more
of the following: Divisional Seminar, BSGP Research Day or scientific meeting.
§
Complete the Annual
Activities and Accomplishments report
FINAL YEAR MILEPOSTS
Ph.D. Program
§
Meet with Dissertation
Committee to obtain approval to write and defend the dissertation.
§
Complete “Notification
of Intent to Graduate” form and submit to the BSGP office for the required
signatures. The deadlines for OGS to receive this notification are: October 1
for Fall graduation, March 1 for Spring, and July 1 for Summer.
§
Arrange for external
review if comments from at least one manuscript submission (student as primary
author) have not been obtained.
(See “External
Review of the Dissertation” below for additional information.)
§
Complete “Announcement
of Final Examination for Doctorate” form and submit to the BSGP office for the required
signatures at least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.
§
Public presentation of
dissertation research and closed defense of dissertation session.
§
Submit “Report of
Final Examination” form to the BSGP office for the required signatures.
§
Following approval of
the oral defense and dissertation document, submit dissertation according to
the rules and policies of OGS.
§
For approved
dissertation formats, see BSGP Handbook and the UNM Graduate Catalog.
§
Submit one bound copy
of the dissertation to the BSGP office.
§
Graduation is
dependent upon the completion of all degree requirements for graduation by:
November 15 for Fall semester
April 15 for Spring semester
July 15 for Summer semester
If a student does not complete all degree requirements for
graduation in a particular semester, the student must submit a new Intent to
Graduate form for graduation in a subsequent semester.
3. PROGRAM GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES
The following BSGP Goals and Objectives were adapted from
“Goals and Objectives of Successful Graduate Programs” outlined by the AAMC’s GREAT
Group Benchmarks of Success in Graduate Programs Report. These competencies
will be used to guide student progress assessment at Committees on Studies
meetings and be formally assessed by the Comprehensive Examination and
Dissertation Examination committees. These competencies will also be used for
internal BSGP program assessment of curriculum and other program activities.
Goals and Objectives for BSGP Students.
4. GENERAL ACADEMIC
REGULATIONS
This document is an overview of general academic
regulations. For more complete and detailed information regarding UNM Graduate
Studies academic regulations, see the Graduate Catalog. All students are responsible for knowing and abiding by
the general University rules and regulations pertaining to graduate study at
The University of New Mexico and the specific academic requirements of their
particular degree program. They are also expected to be aware of their academic
standing at all times.
The student is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and
integrity of his/her academic record. We highly recommend that students review
their academic records/transcripts each semester. If problems are identified,
contact the BSGP office for guidance.
4.1 Registration Information
4.1.1 Semester Course Loads
In general, a graduate student enrolling
for and completing a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours per semester is
considered to be a full-time student at UNM. However, if you are holding a
teaching assistantship, the minimum course load is 6 graduate credit hours per
semester. Many students holding teaching assistantships complete 12 credit
hours or more per semester.
4.2 Registering for Classes
All students register for classes via the Internet or the
telephone (246-2020). To use the internet registration system you must access LoboWeb . For more instructions and help using LoboWeb visit the Registrar’s website at registrar.unm.edu. Registration can be completed through MyUNM
at my.unm.edu. Prior to registering for
classes you will need to obtain your UNM NetID and password.
4.3 Grades
To earn a graduate degree at the
Students may not graduate with “I” or Incompletes pending
in any graduate course, nor may they graduate while on probation.
Courses taken to meet undergraduate
deficiencies/prerequisites cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements
nor are they calculated into the graduate grade point average. It is expected
that the student earn at least a B (3.0) in each of these courses. If a grade
of less than B (3.0) is earned in any of these, the major department may deem
that the prerequisite has not been satisfied.
No more than 6 credit hours of course work in which a C
(2.0), C+ (2.33), or CR was earned may e
credited toward a graduate degree.
Incomplete (I)
Grades:
The grade of “I” is given only when circumstances beyond
the student's control prevent completion of the course work within the official
dates of a semester or summer session.
Students should not re-enroll or re-register for credit in
a course for which an Incomplete has been received in order to resolve the
Incomplete. If required by the instructor to repeat the class to resolve the
Incomplete, the student must register for the course on an audit basis.
Incomplete grades must be resolved by the published ending
date of the next semester in attendance (exclusive of summer sessions) or
within the next four semesters if the student does not re-enroll. An Incomplete
may be resolved in a semester during which a student is not enrolled.
Incomplete grades not resolved within the time frames stated in this policy
will be converted automatically to IF (failure) on the student’s academic
record, unless the student has completed a "Request for Extension of
Incomplete" (including all required signatures) and submitted the form to
the Graduate Studies office prior to the published ending date of the semester.
Students are responsible for arranging with the instructor
for the resolution of an Incomplete grade. They must complete the work
prescribed by the instructor in adequate time for the instructor to report the
resolved grade to the Office of the Registrar by the appropriate deadline. It
is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of the deadline date.
Students may not graduate with an Incomplete pending in any
graduate courses. Those resolving any Incomplete in their semester of
graduation must have the process completed (including the reporting of the
grade to the Office of the Registrar) by the published ending date of the
semester in which they are graduating. Failure to complete this process could
result in the postponement of graduation until the following semester.
4.4 Grade Point Average
The Office of Graduate Studies checks the student's grade
point average at the end of every semester and summer session for as long as
the student is in graduate status. All students whose academic standing is
deficient after receiving grades for 12 attempted semester hours or two
semesters, whichever comes first, are placed on probation or suspended,
according to the university regulations and those of their graduate unit (see
Catalog section on Probation).
The grade point average is calculated using all grades
earned in graduate course work while a student is in graduate status. Grades
earned at other institutions or in non-degree status are not calculated in a
graduate student's grade point average. The University of New Mexico extension
courses (those offered by the Extended University) taken prior to admission to
a graduate program are not included in the graduate cumulative grade point
average; however, The University of New Mexico graduate extension courses taken
while a student is in graduate status are included.
The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total
number of grade points earned (see Catalog section on Grades) by the total
number of course work hours taken. Grades of CR, WP, NC and PR are excluded
from the cumulative grade point average calculation. Grades of
In computing the cumulative grade point average, the OGS
will internally calculate a grade of Incomplete as earning two grade points per
credit hour the subsequent semester in which the “I” is assigned. No action
will be taken unless the student's grade point average falls below 3.0 as a
result of this internal calculation. In such instances, the student will be
placed on Type 3 probation (see Catalog section on Probation) until the
Incomplete is resolved or other grades are earned which raise the cumulative
grade point average. In the event that the student does not resolve the
Incomplete or does not follow established procedures to extend the time for
completion, the final grade in the course will be recorded as an IF and
calculated as an F.
4.5 Change of Grade/Academic Record
The instructor of a course has the responsibility for any
grade reported. Once a grade has been reported to the Office of the Registrar,
only the instructor who issued the original grade (Instructor of Record) may
submit a change by submitting a grade change form to Records and Registration
in the Office of the Registrar. The student's department chairperson and/or
college dean and the Dean of Graduate Studies must approve any change of grade
submitted more than 30 days after the end of a semester. Any change in grade
must be reported within 12 months after the original grade was issued.
4.6 Academic Probation And Consequences
Students who do not maintain good academic standing will be
placed on academic probation by the Office of Graduate Studies. There are three
types of probation.
4.6.1 Type
1: Grade Point Average
A student whose
cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 for grades earned in
graduate-level courses taken while in graduate status will be placed on Type 1
academic probation. The student will be suspended from graduate status if the
cumulative grade point average does not reach 3.0 after completion of an
additional 12 semester hours of graduate course work or four regular semesters
in probationary status, whichever comes first. Students on Type 1 probation are
not eligible to hold assistantships, nor are they allowed to take master's
examinations, doctoral comprehensive examinations, defend theses or
dissertations, or graduate.
4.6.2 Type 2:
NC/F/WF/IF Grades
Students who earn
any combination of two grades of NC, F, WF, and/or IF in graduate courses taken
in graduate status, even if their cumulative grade point average remains above
3.0, are placed on Type 2 academic probation. The student will be suspended
from graduate status if a third NC, F, WF or IF grade is earned. Students on
Type 2 probation are not eligible to hold assistantships, nor are they allowed
to take master's examinations, doctoral comprehensive examinations, defend
theses, dissertations, or graduate. When students on Type 2 probation are ready
to take final exams or defend theses or dissertations in order to complete
graduation requirements, they must petition the Dean of Graduate Studies to end
their probationary status so that they may complete their requirements and
graduate.
4.6.3 Type
3: Incomplete Grades
A student whose
cumulative grade point average drops below 3.0 due to the impact of Incomplete
grades in graduate-level courses taken in graduate status (see previous section
on Grade Point Average) will be placed on Type 3 academic probation. Type 3
probation will end as soon as the student completes all necessary work for the
'I' course(s) and is awarded a grade. However if the student fails to complete
the necessary work, or if the final grade is low enough, the student may become
subject to Type 1 or Type 2 probation. Students may not take master's
examinations, doctoral comprehensive examinations, defend theses or
dissertations, or graduate while on Type 3 probation. They may provisionally hold
assistantships for one semester.
4.7 Suspension
4.7.1 By
the Office of Graduate Studies
A student who is
suspended from graduate status is removed from graduate student status at the
4.7.2 By a
Degree Program
If in the opinion
of the graduate unit a student shows little promise of completing the degree
program or the student has committed an academic violation (e.g., Plagiarism),
the graduate unit will notify the student and the Dean of Graduate Studies in
writing that the student is suspended from further work in that unit. Suspended
students are not eligible to apply for readmission to any other graduate degree
program for a period of one year from the effective date of the suspension.
4.7.3
Readmission after Suspension
If after a period
of one year, a suspended student wishes to apply for readmission to a graduate
unit, he/she must follow the readmission procedure delineated earlier in this
catalog.
If a graduate unit
decides to readmit the student, it will specify the conditions required by the
student to re-establish his/her good standing. The period of suspension will be
included in the time limit to complete the degree.
Students who have
been suspended or who withdrew from the University while in probationary status
will be placed in probationary status when readmitted to the University.
Students suspended for low grade point average (Type 1 probation) will have 12
hours or four regular semesters (whichever comes first) to establish a grade
point average of at least 3.0. A student who fails to achieve the minimum grade
point average within the allotted time will be permanently suspended from their
graduate program. Students who have been suspended for earning three grades of
NC and/or F and subsequently readmitted will be permanently suspended from
their degree program if a fourth grade of NC and/or F in graduate-level course
work is earned.
5. MASTER’S PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS (from the UNM Graduate Catalog)
5.1 General Degree Requirements
To meet general requirements for a master's degree a
student must:
a.
Complete the course
work requirements of a Plan I program within the identified deadline dates (described
below);
b.
Fulfill any additional
department or graduate unit requirements (e.g., foreign language or skill
requirement, practicum, etc.);
c.
Maintain a cumulative
grade point average of 3.0 or higher;
d.
Have a Program of
Studies approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies;
e.
At least 50% of
required course work must be completed after admission to the graduate program,
unless further limited by the graduate program;
f.
Include no more than a
total of 6 hours of course work graded C, C+, or CR;
g.
Pass the Master's
Examination and/or Final Examination for Thesis;
h.
Complete degree
requirements within seven years.
Requirements specific to individual degree programs are
described in the appropriate sections of this catalog.
5.2 Time Limit for Completion of Degree
All work used to meet degree requirements for a master's
degree, including transfer credit, must be completed within a seven-year period
immediately preceding the granting of the degree. Course work older than seven
years cannot be used to meet requirements for the master's degree. Graduate
units may impose stricter limitations on the time limit for completion of
degree requirements.
5.3 Plan I (Thesis)