IV. UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Policies regarding graduate studies at Michigan
State University are established at three levels of academic administration:
University, College and Department or Program. This system tends to generate
multiple policies, and may result in no single reference from which a
complete statement of policy can be found. This section is intended to
bring all of these policies into focus and to clarify those that may appear
to be contradictory. In general, University policies override College
policies, College policies override Department or Program policies, and
Department policies override Committee policies. Program policies have
been established to resolve issues not specifically covered by College
or University policies.
A. Academic Policies
Academic Standards
Michigan State University is committed to high academic
standards and expects all doctoral students to excel in their programs
of study. A 3.00 cumulative grade point average must be maintained. The
program of study cannot include more than three grades of less than a
3.0. Credits will not be awarded for courses in which a grade below a
2.0 is earned. If the student receives a grade below a 2.0 in any course
during his/her program of study, he/she will be required to repeat the
course. The College of Natural Science policy on academic standards for
graduate students can be found at
http://www.reg.msu.edu/read/UCC/updated/nscgrdsty.pdf
A grade point average is one measure of academic standing. However, academic standards also include consideration of the student's suitability for conducting research, competency in his/her major field and rate of progress toward completion of the degree. The Neuroscience Program faculty feels that it is a disservice to permit a student to continue toward the degree without the necessary qualifications for retention. Judgment regarding retention is made by the student's major professor and/or Guidance Committee members. If it is decided that a student lacks such standards, he/she may be asked to withdraw according to the procedures as defined in the publication Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities, which is part of the COGS Graduate Student Handbook available annually from the Council of Graduate Students Office, 316 Student Service Bldg.
Research credits are not considered in determining the grade-point average.
Justification for retention must be furnished to the Graduate School Office
for any graduate students whose GPA is below a 3.0 for 14 or more credits.
The College of Natural Science may also remove students from degree standing
based on the policy outlined in
http://www.reg.msu.edu/read/UCC/updated/nscgrdsty.pdf
If a Neuroscience Program graduate student's grade point average is below
a 3.0, exclusive of research, the major professor and Guidance Committee
must decide whether or not the student will be permitted to continue.
The results of their decision will be filed in writing with the Neuroscience
Program Director.
The Guidance Committee and academic unit are jointly responsible for
evaluating the student's competence as indicated by grades in core and
other courses, research performance and development of professional skills
and rate of progress as indicated by the number of courses for which grades
have been assigned or deferred. Written evaluations (see Appendix J) will
be communicated to the graduate student at least once a year and a copy
of such evaluations must be given to the Neuroscience Program Office to
be placed in the graduate student's file. A student whose performance
does not meet the standards of quality, will not be permitted to continue
to enroll in the degree program, and appropriate action will be taken
by the Neuroscience Program Director. As mentioned above for annual progress
evaluation, a student may file a written dissent that will be discussed
with the Program Director and student's Guidance Committee for resolution.
.
Time Limits
The comprehensive examination must be passed within five years
and all remaining requirements for the degree must be completed within
eight years from the time of a student's first enrollment as a doctoral
student (the date of the first course included for degree certification).
The majority of students in the Neuroscience Program complete their Ph.D.
in 5 years. If this limit is exceeded, the Neuroscience Program Director
will consult with the student's Guidance Committee members to determine
the circumstances. The committee may file a letter justifying the continuation
of the student, and the extension must be approved by the College of Natural
Science and the Graduate School. If no letter is filed, or if a majority
of the committee decline to sign the letter, the Neuroscience Program
Director shall inform the student by letter that he or she is no longer
eligible to register in the Neuroscience Program. If the degree requirements
are not completed within this eight-year period, the comprehensive examinations
must be passed again.
Research Involving Human Or Animal Subjects Or Hazardous
Substances
(
http://www.humanresearch.msu.edu/
and
http://www.msu.edu/user/aucauc/home.html)
Federal and University regulations require that all research projects
involving human subjects and materials of human origin be reviewed and
approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before initiation. University
Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (UCRIHS) is an Institutional
Review Board (See UCRIHS
web site for more information at
http://www.humanresearch.msu.edu.
Under the regulations, a human subject of research is an individual (1)
from whom an investigator obtains data by interaction or intervention
or (2) about whom the research obtains confidential information.
Michigan State University policy requires that use within the institution of living vertebrate animals (includes laboratory rats and mice, etc.) be reviewed for appropriateness by the All-University Committee on Animal Use and Care (AUCAUC) before use of these animals commences. This pertains to all university owned animals, including client-owned animals used in research, and animals studied undisturbed in their natural habitat. For general reference, the publication that details the standards to which the university conforms is the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Departure from this published guideline requires written scientific justification in the animal use form. Principal investigators and course directors must obtain approval from the AUCAUC, before initiating any research, testing, or instructional project involving the use of vertebrate animals.
The Graduate School will not accept doctoral dissertations containing research on human subjects that have not been reviewed and approved previously by UCRIHS or research involving animal use without previous review and approval from ULAR/AUCAUC. The Graduate School will verify UCRIHS Log numbers and AUF numbers before granting degrees.
The University acts through its advisory committees and academic governance bodies to insure that individual research and scholarly projects incorporate appropriate safeguards when dealing with radiation, biological and chemical hazards. All individuals performing work with hazardous substances must accept a shared responsibility for operating in a safe manner once they have been informed about the extent of risk and safe procedures for their activities. Individuals are responsible for safely performing activities associated with hazardous substances.
All persons who handle hazardous substances are required to participate in yearly training sessions sponsored by the Office of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Safety ORCBS. Annual renewal training may be obtained by taking an online course. Information regarding these sessions and courses can be obtained by contacting the ORCBS office at 355-0153. If a Neuroscience Program graduate student has a question regarding safety, he/she should ask the major professor. If the question of safety is not resolved, the student should contact the ORCBS for further information and a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
If a Neuroscience Program graduate student has a question regarding safety, he/she should ask the major professor. If the question of safety is not resolved, the student should contact the ORCBS for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Residence
Two consecutive semesters of enrollment with at least six
credits of graduate work each semester is required to obtain a degree
from Michigan State University.
Transfer Credits
Graduate credits may be transferred from other accredited institutions
or foreign institutions of similar quality if they are appropriate to
a Neuroscience Program graduate student's program, approved by the Neuroscience
Director, and provided they were completed within the time limits approved
for the earning of the degree desired at Michigan State University. Only
graduate-level courses in which at least a 3.0 (B) grade was received
will be considered for transfer.
Graduate Assistant Illness/Injury/Pregnancy
Leave Policy
From the Graduate School Guide to Graduate Assistantships:
http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/all/gradasst.pdf
"A graduate assistant unable to fulfill the duties of his/her appointment
because of illness or injury shall notify the administrator of his/her
appointing unit as soon as circumstances permit. Similarly, a graduate
assistant unable to fulfill the duties of her appointment because of pregnancy
shall notify the administrator of her major unit as soon as circumstances
permit. During the illness, injury, or pregnancy, the major unit shall
adjust (reduce, waive, or reschedule) the graduate assistant's duties
as those duties and the assistant's physical circumstances reasonably
dictate. If total absence from duties becomes necessary and the graduate
assistant is still enrolled, the appointing unit shall maintain the stipend
of the appointment, provided for a period of two months or to the end
of the appointment period or the semester, whichever occurs first. The
graduate assistant shall have the right to return to the assistantship,
within the original terms of the appointment, at such time as he/she is
able to reassume their duties."
Work In Absentia
Candidates for the doctoral degree may, with the approval
of the major professor and Guidance Committee members, conduct some work
in absentia. Arrangements for registration may be made by applying at
the Office of the Dean, College of Natural Science.
Language Requirement
The Neuroscience Graduate Program does not have a language requirement.
Student Travel Policy
Students are eligible for travel funds from the Neuroscience Program if they will be presenting at a conference/meeting and are first authors. Eligible students must submit a written request to the Graduate Office of the Neuroscience Program for travel funds. This can be in the form of an e-mail and with enough time in advance in order to receive the travel funds before the trip.
The Neuroscience Program will issue travel vouchers for each of its graduate students who travel for insurance purpose and if the student will receive travel funds from the Program. Therefore, students are responsible for informing the Program office of any travel plans before the departure date so that a travel voucher is issued.
The Program will provide travel funds to the students, once approved by the Graduate Office, in the form of fellowships. The fellowships will be in the amount of $500.00 before taxes.
It is important that students maintain their university account up to date. If this is not the case, any outstanding charges will be first covered by the fellowship and the balance will be made available to the student.
If students obtain travel funds from other departments and none from the Neuroscience Program, the travel voucher will be issued by the other departments for processing of the reimbursement.
If students receive a travel fellowship (from the Neuroscience Program or other departments), they will inform the person processing their travel voucher of the receipt of such fellowship so the amount of the travel fellowship is deducted from the amount to be reimbursed.
Please remember that students are eligible for travel funds from the Program once (one travel fellowship for $500) per academic year and that it is the student's responsibility to make the request in time to receive the funds when they are needed, if before travel.
Foreign Travel
Neuroscience Program students who plan to travel to a foreign
country on Michigan State University activities should consider the following
issues: (1) contact the Olin Health Center Travel Clinic at least three
months in advance of your date of departure. Travel to particular countries
may require one or more vaccinations or boosters. In addition, potential
health hazards, travel problems and restrictions for each country will
be reviewed by the travel clinic nurse. If you are traveling for pleasure,
you are welcome to use the Olin Travel Clinic. (2) If you intend to pursue
a research project in another country, you should have permission from
the appropriate governmental agency in that country. For some countries
it may take up to one year to obtain approval. (3) If you intend to bring
plant or animal tissue samples or DNA/RNA back to the United States you
are likely to need approval from the Agriculture Department or from the
Center for Disease Control. Be sure to obtain proper letters of authorization
to bring biological samples back to the United States. (4) Obtain Michigan
State University Travel Authorization from the Neuroscience Program, (5)
Obtain the proper pharmaceuticals to take with you in case of an emergency.
These might include, for example, small packets of dehydration salts if
you have experienced excessive fluid loss, appropriate antibiotics in
case of food-poisoning or an infected wound and anti-malarial/preventative
medication. Be aware that in some countries possession of illegal drugs
is a death sentence. (6) Request from Michigan State University through
the Neuroscience Program office the free medical emergency evacuation
insurance at the time you apply for Michigan State University travel authorization.
This insurance will cover the cost of your evacuation to an appropriate
medical facility if you are ill or have had an accident. It is also helpful
to talk with other people who have spent time in the country you intend
to visit to get a sense of the customs, of food related problems, of the
medical care, of travel arrangements and of safe and unsafe personal activities.
B. Special Information For Foreign
Students
(http://www.isp.msu.edu/OISS/)
Michigan State University is authorized under immigration regulations to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. The Neuroscience Program welcomes applications from foreign students. When a foreign student receives the formal application packet, he/she should complete all forms and return them via air mail, if possible, to the Neuroscience Program Office, 108 Giltner Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 by the application deadline.
Minimum Requirements For Admission
There are three basic requirements for admission to the
Neuroscience Program at Michigan State University: (1) a strong and above
average educational history. Applicants must have successfully completed
at least the equivalent of an American undergraduate degree (4 years),
with a minimum grade-point-average (GPA) of a 3.0, (2) adequate financial
resources (a graduate assistantship meets this requirement) and (3) sufficient
English language proficiency, as discussed below.
English Language Proficiency
All foreign applicants are required to be proficient in
English as a condition for regular admission to Michigan State University.
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate
their proficiency by meeting certain minimum standards on any one of the
following tests.
1) Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L) (Educational Testing
Service, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08549, USA). Please see
(http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/prospect/gradappintl.pdf)
for requirements. The official report must be sent directly from the Educational
Testing Service.
2) Michigan English Assessment Battery (MELAB), (The English Language Institute, Testing and Certification Division, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1057, USA). An average score of 83 or higher with no subscores below 80. The official report must be received by the English Language Center from the University of Michigan. (Not available in P.R. China)
3) English Language Center (ELC, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48825-1035, USA). The ELC provides programs to teach English or improve skills. An average score of 80-85, with no subscores below 80, or an average score above 85, with no subscores below 78 is required for admission. This exam is given at Michigan State University and is generally used only by international students already residing in the United States. More information can be found on the English Language Center's web page at http://www.elc.msu.edu/
Visa Information
Please visit the Michigan State University International
Students and Scholars office website for current information
(
www.isp.msu.edu/oiss).
Teaching Assignments For International Students
All international students admitted to the Neuroscience Program whose
first language is not English will be interviewed by the English Language Center
(ELC) faculty upon arrival on campus or after completing their first year of
graduate studies. The English Language Center is located in Wells Hall, MSU.
Each student will receive an interview by the ELC staff. A students' ability
to understand and speak English will be reported to the Neuroscience Program
and whether or not the student is approved for a teaching assignment. Students
who fail to pass the minimum Michigan State University standard will not be
assigned to classroom teaching until their language skills have improved.
They may be required to participate in ELC classes. More information regarding
the ELC’s English classes can be found on their web site at
http://www.elc.msu.edu/.
All international Neuroscience Program graduate students are required to take the SPEAK test (minimum score of 50 or waiver by interview) and attend a three day international teaching assistant orientation at the beginning of their second year. The orientation will provide the international teaching assistant with instruction and practice in classroom teaching. For additional information, see the Teaching Assistant Program website at http://tap.msu.edu/.
Office For International Students And Scholars
(OISS)
(http://www.isp.msu.edu/OISS/)
The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS)
serves international students and foreign faculty. OISS is a resource
center for information and consultation on matters related to the international
student and faculty/scholars. The staff is prepared to help in any of
the various areas of concern, including academic problems, immigration
questions, social health, employment or financial matters. The office
also organizes seminars and workshops on topics of interest to the broad
university community. These have included immigration regulations, cross-cultural
communication, pre-departure programs for graduating students and various
training programs. The OISS is located in 103 Center for International
Programs, MSU, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1035, (517) 353-1720. It is critical
that international students familiarize themselves with the Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) policies, available at
http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/forms/sevisqa.pdf
Health Insurance
(http://www.hr.msu.edu/HRsite/Benefits/Students/HealthCov)
“Graduate assistants (domestic and international) are automatically
enrolled in a GA health insurance plan, the premium of which is paid by
the University. The plan provides the following coverage:
"For questions regarding coverage under this plan, enrollment or premium payment, contact The Chickering Group directly on the web at http://www.chickering.com/msudirect.htm. For questions concerning waiver processing or general information, contact the MSU Benefits office at 517.353.4434 or 1.800.353.4434. The Benefits Office is located at 1407 S. Harrison Road, Suite 140A (Nisbet Building), East Lansing, MI 48823.
Orientation
An orientation program provided by the Office of International
Education Exchange at MSU is required for all new international students.
Some of the issues discussed are: U.S. education system, legal issues,
campus and community resources, extracurricular, social and educational
opportunities and registration procedures. The orientation is usually
one week long and is held prior to the beginning of the student's first
semester. In addition, all new Neuroscience Program graduate students
will participate in an orientation session for the Neuroscience Program.
Support Services
The Office for International Students and Scholars has organized
a group of nationality clubs, which the international student may join.
A list of the names and phone numbers of the officers of each club is
available from the OISS.
