Graduate Studies in Zoology Oregon State University

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Graduate Studies in Zoology Oregon State
University
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Important Administrative Staff Chair of Zoology
Virginia Weis TA assignments, etc. Joe
Beatty Chair of Graduate Studies Committee Dave
Lytle Graduate Studies Committee Rebecca
Terry, John Ruben, Dave Lytle Administrative
Assistant Tara Bevandich Office Specialist
(student advising) Traci DurrellKhalife Office
Specialist (travel, time cards) Torri
Givigliano Office Specialist (undergrad affairs)
Trudy Powell Other of interest Director of
Biology Program Bob Mason Director of Graduate
StudiesEnvironmental Science Andy
Blaustein Director of Graduate StudiesMolecular,
Cellular Biology Barb Taylor
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Important Resources OSU Graduate Catalog online
see key links in handbook Graduate School
website Zoology Graduate Student Handbook pdf
read this!!
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Graduate Studies Committee 1. Annual reviews
of grad students 2. Act on petitions 3.
Act on terminations or grievances 4. Rank
fellowship applicants
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Graduate Studies Committee 1. Annual reviews
of grad students 2. Act on petitions 3.
Act on terminations or grievances 4. Rank
fellowship applicants Your Thesis
Committee PhD 5 members of graduate faculty
(advisor 1 other from zoology, grad council
representative, 2 others, including1 from
outside dept.). Note outsiders must be on OSU
grad faculty, requires an OSU appointment MS
4 members of graduate faculty (advisor, 1 member
major dept., grad council representative,
and 1 member outside dept.)
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Program of Study
PhD 108 credits total 50 should be stand
alone (i.e., not slash, course, e.g., Bi
445/545) 36 Thesis Credit (Z 603) 36
Non-blanket courses (i.e., no 0 in middle of
course ) 6-15 blanket (0 in middle) seminar
courses (e.g., seminar Z 507 from other
departments OK) Only 1 credit of Z599 can
count towards the 6 seminar credits (must be
seminar like) MS 45 credits total 50
should be stand alone (i.e., not slash course,
e.g., 400/500) 6 Thesis Credit (Z
503) 15 Non-blanket courses 2-9 Blanket or
seminar courses
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blanket 603 507 (need 36 cr of Z603 6 cr of
Z507)
non-slash (54 cr min)
non-blanket (e.g. MCB 530)
non-blanket (36 cr min)
slash (e.g. Bi 445/545)
Total 108 credits (min 36 in residence at OSU)
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blanket 603 507
non-slash (54 cr min)
non-blanket (e.g. MCB 530)
non-blanket (36 cr min)
slash (e.g. Bi 445/545)
Typical program 36 Z603 6 Z507 12 real grad
classes (non-slash, non-blanket) 24 slash classes
Total 108 credits (min 36 in residence at OSU)
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Other Program of Study details Must have a
GPA 3.0 and course grades must be 2.0. No
foreign language requirement 1.
Scientific Skills (Z 507) seminar required first
year for Zoology majors (unless not
offered) 2. Grant Writing (Z 507) is
recommended in first or second year for
Zoology majors.
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OSU Graduate Program Requirements 3 Formal
meetings with your committee Note remote
participation OK see handbook 1. Program of
Study Meeting Courses decided, Program of Study
form signed and submitted to Graduate
School Due PhD w/ MS end of 4th
quarter PhD no MS end of 5th quarter
MS end of 2nd quarter Note grad school
wont let you register if not done
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2. Proposal Meeting Research Proposal Must
write a research proposal (no formal format) and
present at a proposal meeting with committee.
Need signatures on proposal. Due end of 2nd
year (PhD) or of 1st year (MS) Can combine
Proposal meeting with Program of Study Meeting
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3. Preliminary Exam Oral exam to enter
candidacy (PhD only). No written
exam. Must notify graduate school 2 weeks
before to get paperwork. One negative vote
allowed more than one, must take again. Only 3
preliminary exams can be administered.
Due by end of 3rd year
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4. Defense (final exam meeting) Public
presentation, then defend thesis in private with
committee. Must notify graduate school 2 weeks
before to get paperwork. One negative vote
allowed more than one, must take again. Only 2
final exams are allowed. Due at end of 5
years (PhD) and 2 years (MS) Consult Graduate
School for thesis details (i.e., timing,
format, bound copies, etc.).
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• Other Zoology Graduate Program Requirements

1. Teaching Requirement Minimum of 3 quarters
of teaching (PhD only). Dont expect a
waiver!
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3. Annual Review of Progress All students must
be reviewed each year by GSC (usually
1st week in December). First year students
exempt. Submit CV and review statement, meet
with GSC faculty, receive review from GSC,
signed by you, advisor, and Chair of GSC (see
appendix to Manual) 4. Limits for Completion of
Program and Financial Support PhD5
years MS2 years Must petition to stay longer
or continue support.
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Financial Support and Course Loads 1. Graduate
Assistantships Graduate Teaching Assistantship
(GTA) Graduate Research Assistantship
(GRA) Both are usually 0.40 FTE (40 or 16
hours a week). Includes a tuition waiver 85
health insurance. Appointments made on a
quarterbyquarter basis but usually 9
months in advance should be supported with a GRA
in the summer provided by advisor. A few
TAs available. TAs must be here to
teach Dont back out on short notice
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Financial Support and Course Loads
(continued) 2. Fellowships NSF pre-doctoral
fellowships EPA STARR fellowships NSERC NERR
S Tuition waiver for all fellowships has been
historically granted see handbook Note
minimum salary required for tuition deferral if
foreign fellowship!! University-wide fellowships
and awards Announced via emails Many require
nomination by Department. Advisor submits
pre-nomination, GSC chooses nominee
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• Financial Support and Course Loads (continued)
• 3. Course Loads for Assistantships
• All GTA or GRAs must register for 16 credit
  hours each academic term
• 9 credits of Zoology (Z 503/603 or Z 501/601)
  in summer
• Minimum of 3 to keep in standing if really not
  physically here

non-Zoology OK only if on program
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Petition Procedures Typical reasons to file a
petition to the GSC 1. Limit for degree
completion or financial support has been
reached PhD5 years MS2 years Petition
letter should address all the points given
in the Graduate Handbook. Due February 1st
before extension year. Extensions of financial
support are for one academic year or less. A
second year of support is rarely granted.
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Expected Timetable First Year Take Scientific
Skills Seminar (Z 507) Select Graduate Program
Committee Hold Program of Study Meeting and file
Program of Study (MS or PhD w/ MS) Hold Research
Proposal Meeting and file Research Proposal
(MS) Second Year Undergo 1st Annual Review Hold
Program of Study Meeting and file Program of
Study (PhD w/o MS) Hold Research Proposal Meeting
and file Research Proposal (PhD w/ MS) Submit
Masters Thesis and take Final Oral Examination
(MS) if not, apply for extension Third
Year Undergo 2nd Annual Review Take Doctoral
Preliminary Oral Examination Fourth through Fifth
Years Undergo 3rd and 4th Annual Reviews Submit
Dissertation and take Final Examination if not,
in 5th year, apply for extension
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Miscellaneous Health insurance over the
summer if not on TA or RA Must fill out a form
in Spring to get 50 coverage (must be
returning in fall) Travel Get
pre-approval Note the Enterprise rentals See
Torris notes in handbook