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Education / Graduate Education / PhD Programs / Biochemistry & Molecular Biology / Curriculum / Handbook / General Policy

General Policy

Space

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics provides office space for students with computer access. Once a research advisor has been chosen, the student will usually be given a desk in the advisor's laboratory

Vacations / Holidays

Graduate students are supported by fellowships or research grants from various internal and external sources, each with specific regulations regarding vacations. Generally, fellows and trainees are expected to engage in full-time study and are entitled to the following official University Holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after
  • Christmas Day

The School of Medicine also allows for a 2-week vacation period per year, in addition to these holidays. Semester breaks are not considered holidays, and any absences during these periods require prior approval. All absences, including vacations, must be communicated to your advisor and approved by both the advisor and the Graduate Studies Coordinator (Marianne Arcoraci) at least one month in advance.

International Students

Must adhere to the policies of the International Student’s Office. Stipends will not be paid for unauthorized absences.

Dismissal Procedure

In the event of chronic poor performance, behavior, and/or attendance, a student may be subject to dismissal from the laboratory by their advisor, subject to the approval of the Program Directors and the Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The Advisory Committee, in consultation with the student’s committee and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Chair, will then determine if the student will be allowed to remain in the program. In that case, the student may rotate in one or more labs for up to 3 months to find a permanent advisor.

Switching Labs

On rare occasions, students may wish to discontinue their research with a chosen permanent advisor and begin thesis research in a different laboratory. Such a change should be considered only as a last resort, as it often results in a significant extension of time needed to complete the Ph.D. However, if a student finds the situation untenable and wishes to switch labs, the following steps must be taken:

  • The change must be approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee, the Department Chair, and the Senior Associate Dean. 
  • Once approved, the student may rotate in one or more labs for up to three months to identify a new permanent advisor.
  • If a new advisor is not identified by the end of this period, the case will be reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee, and the student may be asked to leave the program.

Emergency or Temporary Closings and Other Changes in Class Schedules and University Operations

The University plans to commence and conclude classes on the dates indicated in the academic calendars. But unforeseen circumstances or events may occur that require the University to temporarily close or otherwise adjust its student life, residential housing, class schedules and format, method and location of instruction, educational activities, and operations because of reasons beyond the University's control. For example, such circumstances or events may include but are not limited to inclement weather, the onset of public health crises, being subject to government order(s), significant safety or security concerns, faculty illness, strikes, labor disturbances, sabotage, terrorism, war, riot, civil unrest, fire, flood, earthquake, acts of God, malfunction of University equipment (including computers), cyberattacks, unavailability of particular University facilities occasioned by damage to the premises, repairs or other causes, as well as disruption/unavailability of utilities, labor, energy, materials, transportation, electricity, security, or the internet. If any of these or other unforeseen circumstances or events outside of the University's control occur, the University will respond as necessary and appropriate, and it assumes no liability for any interruption or adjustments made to student life, residential housing, class schedules and format, method and location of instruction, educational activities, and operations caused by these or other unforeseen circumstances or events. And the University shall not be responsible for the refund of any tuition or fees in the event of any such unforeseen circumstances or events, except as may otherwise be expressly provided in the University's Leave of Absence and Withdrawal Policy or its published tuition refund schedule available online.

Change of Address

Be sure to report any changes in address as they occur in: