Graduate Student Handbook - Revision history

Nora Mitchell: /* Off Campus */

2013-05-17T17:18:55Z

Off Campus

Dustin Ray: /* DEGREE REQUIREMENTS */

2013-05-16T15:52:25Z

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Hayley Kilroy: /* Food and Drink */

2013-05-16T12:08:22Z

Food and Drink

Hayley Kilroy: /* Local Services */

2013-05-16T11:43:16Z

Local Services

Hayley Kilroy: /* Airport */

2013-05-16T11:31:22Z

Airport

Nora Mitchell: /* Credit Requirements */

2013-05-15T17:37:15Z

Credit Requirements

Nora Mitchell: /* The Research Prospectus, the Dissertation, and the Oral Defense */

2013-05-15T17:35:23Z

The Research Prospectus, the Dissertation, and the Oral Defense

Nora Mitchell: /* The Research Prospectus, the Dissertation, and the Oral Defense */

2013-05-15T17:34:58Z

The Research Prospectus, the Dissertation, and the Oral Defense

Nora Mitchell: /* Language Requirement */

2013-05-15T17:30:08Z

Language Requirement

Michael Hutson: /* Food and Drink */

2013-05-15T00:19:24Z

Food and Drink

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 *Indian: Wings Express (they have an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet)
 *Mexican: Chuck & Margarita’s (C), Coyote Flaco (C, near Coventry), Baja Cafe
-*American: Chuck’s Steakhouse (C, same location as Chuck & Margarita’s), Red Rock Cafe (C), Yukon Jack's (C), Bidwell Tavern (C), Cafemantic (C)
+*American: Geno's, Chuck’s Steakhouse (C, same location as Chuck & Margarita’s), Red Rock Cafe (C), Yukon Jack's (C), Bidwell Tavern (C), Cafemantic (C)
-*Desserts: UConn Dairy Bar, FroyoWorld, Insomnia Cookies, Gino's, The Farmer's Cow (C)
+*Desserts: UConn Dairy Bar, FroyoWorld, Insomnia Cookies, MooYah, The Farmer's Cow (C)
 *Bars: Ted's, Pub32 (C, $3 pints after 7pm on Thursdays!), Husky's, Willibrew (C)
-*Liquor stores: Sam's (not great), Villa Spirit Shoppe (recommended), Bird Dog Liquors (C)
+*Liquor stores: Ted's Spirit Shop (not great), Villa Spirit Shoppe (C, recommended), Bird Dog Liquors (C)
 There are tasty eateries in the local area (Willimantic, Manchester, Hartford, etc). Ask fellow grad students for their favorite recommendations!  There are a lot of them listed on [http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Storrs%2C+CT&x=0&y=0 Yelp], or ask your fellow students.

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 In this section is all the basic information you need for completing your degree in EEB. It may seem like too much information to handle as a new student, in which case feel free to skip this whole section. Or maybe you are the type of person who wants all the gory, depressing details right from the beginning, in which case you should read every word. Just keep in mind that you’ve got time.
-The official word on all these particulars comes from the graduate school catalog – not the document you are presently reading. A link to the official scoop on things, the forms mentioned below, and other useful information about all the hoops you need to jump through can be found by rooting around online at:
+The official word on all these particulars comes from the [http://graduatecatalog.uconn.edu/ graduate school catalog] – not the document you are presently reading. A link to the official scoop on things, the forms mentioned below, and other useful information about all the hoops you need to jump through can be found by rooting around online at:
 http://www.grad.uconn.edu/

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 === Food and Drink ===
-The University offers a meal plan, which allows you to eat in the dining halls and purchase meals from retail restaurants on campus. To obtain more information, contact the Department of Dining services or check their website. There are a few meal trucks on campus serving general truck-fare (e.g. soups, sandwiches, etc), although Lizzie’s truck (located on Whitney Rd) offers meals with a gourmet twist.
+====On Campus====
-The campus and downtown Storrs are undergoing improvements so there are many new restaurants and cafes popping up every semester. Below is a list of restaurants in the area some within walking distance others require a car (C):
+There are several [http://www.studentunion.uconn.edu/foodanddining.html food options in the Student Union]: cafeteria-style food, Wendy's, Panda Express, and Dunkin Donuts.  You can also get ice cream at the Blue Cow.  Cash or meal plans can be used there.
 *Sandwich shops: Blimpie’s, Subway, Ted’s, Sara's Pockets (Mediterranean), Dog Lane Cafe
 *Pizza: Ted's, New York Style Pizza Co (C), Papa Gino's (Student Union), Sgt. Pepperoni, Wooster St., Willington Pizza (C)
-*Coffeehouses/cafes: [http://www.uccafes.uconn.edu/ Uniquely Caffeinated Cafes] (campus-run, several located in buildings including one in the adjacent Bio/Physics bldg), Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts (student union and elsewhere on campus and off)
+*Asian: Chang’s Garden, Oriental Cafe II (C or bus)
-*Asian: Chang’s Garden, Oriental Cafe II (C or bus), Panda Express (student union)
+*Indian: Wings Express (they have an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet)
-*Indian: Wings Express (they have an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet);
+*Mexican: Chuck & Margarita’s (C), Coyote Flaco (C, near Coventry), Baja Cafe
-*Mexican: Margarita’s (C), Coyote Flaco (C, near Coventry), Baja Cafe
+*American: Chuck’s Steakhouse (C, same location as Chuck & Margarita’s), Red Rock Cafe (C), Yukon Jack's (C), Bidwell Tavern (C), Cafemantic (C)
-*American: Chuck’s Steakhouse (C, same location as Margarita’s), Friendly’s, Nathan Hale (on campus), Chuck & Augies (Student Union), Zenny’s Restaurant (C), Red Rock Cafe (C), Yukon Jack's (C), Bidwell Tavern (C), Cafemantic (C)
+*Desserts: UConn Dairy Bar, FroyoWorld, Insomnia Cookies, Gino's, The Farmer's Cow (C)
-*Desserts: UConn Dairy Bar, FroyoWorld, Insomnia Cookies, Gino's
+*Bars: Ted's, Pub32 (C, $3 pints after 7pm on Thursdays!), Husky's, Willibrew (C)
-*Bars: Ted's, Pub32 (C, $3 pints after 7pm on Thursdays!), Husky's, Willibrew (C), Nathan Hale Inn
 *Liquor stores: Sam's (not great), Villa Spirit Shoppe (recommended), Bird Dog Liquors (C)
-The Graduate Student Senate sponsors graduate student parties (with free or discounted food and drink) as well. It is certainly a good place to mingle with graduate students outside of the department.
+There are tasty eateries in the local area (Willimantic, Manchester, Hartford, etc). Ask fellow grad students for their favorite recommendations!  There are a lot of them listed on [http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=Storrs%2C+CT&x=0&y=0 Yelp], or ask your fellow students.
 === Local Services ===

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 === Local Services ===
-The local banks include Bank of America and First Niagara (on Rt 44 across from Red Rock Cafe), Liberty Bank (Route 195, south of campus), and People’s Bank (Storrs Plaza and in the Co-op). Payroll now offers direct deposit which could save you on bank fees; call payroll (860-486-2423) or talk to Lois Somers (Biology Central Services) for more information. There is also a Bank of America ATM at the Student Union.
+The local banks include Bank of America and First Niagara (on Rt 44 across from Red Rock Cafe), Liberty Bank (Route 195, south of campus), and People’s Bank (Storrs Plaza and in the Co-op). Payroll now offers direct deposit which could save you on bank fees; call payroll (860-486-2423) or talk to Lois Somers (Biology Central Services) for more information. There are also Bank of America ATMs at the [http://goo.gl/bbwo0 Student Union] and at [http://goo.gl/maps/5DC7T Wilbur Cross].
 There is a CVS at [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=44+and+195+storrs+ct&hl=en&sll=41.500765,-72.757507&sspn=1.01411,2.705383&t=h&hnear=U.S.+44+%26+Connecticut+195,+Mansfield,+Tolland,+Connecticut+06268&z=16 Four Corners], as well as 2 decent gas stations (Cumberland Farms, Shell), as well as Dick's Auto Care. Cumberland Farms is open 24 hours.
-The plazas on the south side of campus have two coin laundries. If you’re living in the grad dorms there are laundry facilities in the dorms.
+There are no longer any coin laundries in Storrs, but if you’re living in the grad dorms there are laundry facilities in the dorms.  Apartment complexes usually have their own laundry facilities.
 == One final note ==

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 === Airport ===
-The nearest airport is [http://www.bradleyairport.com/home/ Bradley International Airport] in Hartford, about 45 minutes away from Storrs.  Another option is the [http://www.pvdairport.com/ Providence Airport], which is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away. There are no easy or convenient ways to get to the airport if you don't have a car; the best thing to do is ask a friend or someone from the department for a ride. [http://www.massport.com/logan-airport/Pages/Default.aspx Boston Logan] can sometimes be cheaper to fly from if you can get a ride there or take the bus.
+The nearest airport is [http://www.bradleyairport.com/home/ Bradley International Airport] in Hartford, about 45 minutes away from Storrs.  Another option is the [http://www.pvdairport.com/ T.F. Green Airport] in Providence, which is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away. There are no easy or convenient ways to get to the airport if you don't have a car; the best thing to do is ask a friend or someone from the department for a ride. [http://www.massport.com/logan-airport/Pages/Default.aspx Boston Logan] can sometimes be cheaper to fly from if you can get a ride there or take the bus.
 == THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ==

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 You need a certain number of credits to get your degree. Exact amounts can vary but the guidelines are as follows: for a Master’s - 15 credits plus a thesis, or 24 credits and no thesis; for a Ph.D. - at least 40 post-baccalaureate credits (i.e. if you have a Master’s already, count these credits). The Graduate School has been known to approve plans with 39 credits.
-It is important to recognize that non-departmental courses can qualify (unless you are taking them for the language requirement, in which case they cannot be counted). 200-level courses can also apply up to a maximum of ten, and they must not be open to sophomores (although this rule can be broken if you get permission). Specifics must be approved and finalized in your plan of study.
+It is important to recognize that non-departmental courses can qualify. 2000-level courses can also apply up to a maximum of ten, and they must not be open to sophomores (although this rule can be broken if you get permission). Specifics must be approved and finalized in your plan of study.
-To fill your schedule for full-time status, register for GRAD 395 (Masters) or GRAD 495 (Doctoral). Register for the section that corresponds to the number of credits you need (e.g., section 02 for two credits).
+To fill your schedule for full-time status, register for GRAD 5950 (Masters) or GRAD 6950 (Doctoral) research credigts. Register for the section that corresponds to the number of credits you need (e.g., section 02 for two credits).
 === Plan of Study ===

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 === The Research Prospectus, the Dissertation, and the Oral Defense ===
-The Graduate School also requires that you submit a research prospectus in addition to your plan of study. This is reviewed by people who may be from other fields (e.g. the arts, engineering etc.), so you want to pitch it to a broader audience. Kathy Tebo has a department form you must complete in order to have your prospectus reviewed. The [http://www.grad.uconn.edu/current/dissertation.html dissertation] is a research paper (or series of papers) you write. It’s long; set aside a couple of years. The oral defense is a seminar you give explaining the research done for your dissertation. Ask a student who is nearing the end of his or her degree about what this entails or you can find out first hand by attending a defense. There are also a set of forms specific to the [http://www.grad.uconn.edu/current/MSProg.html Master's program].
+The Graduate School also requires that you submit a research prospectus in addition to your plan of study. This is reviewed by people who may be from other fields (e.g. the arts, engineering etc.), so you want to pitch it to a broader audience. Kathy Tebo has a department form you must complete in order to have your prospectus reviewed. The dissertation is a research paper (or series of papers) you write. It’s long; set aside a couple of years. The oral defense is a seminar you give explaining the research done for your dissertation. Ask a student who is nearing the end of his or her degree about what this entails or you can find out first hand by attending a defense.
 === Important Forms for Graduate Students ===

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 If you are here you already have an advisor. You can change advisors but this is best to do within your first academic year and certainly before starting research. It can be done at any time, but the political and academic repercussions could be difficult. You may lose time in the process. If you change your major advisor, you must fill out the proper form for the Graduate School (form available from BCS). Please be sure to inform Kathy Tebo of the change as well.
 Your advisor is automatically the chair of your committee, the group of professors who supervise and aid your research. Your committee must include at least three people, counting your advisor; add more members if you want. External (not associated with the University of Connecticut) committee members are possible but not required. The job of forming a committee is in your hands -- you chose the members. When choosing your committee, keep in mind that official committee members must be present for the general exam and oral defense (more on those events below). You have the option of having some "readers" (whose names can appear on the signature page of your dissertation), who do not need to be present at either event. You do not have to choose your committee immediately (committees are finalized generally at the end of your second year/beginning of third year) but you should think about potential committee members as soon as possible. Ask other students about their experiences.
 === GPA Requirement ===