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Graduate Handbook

for the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Program
at Michigan State University

Last revised 1 July 2008


All students in the EEBB Graduate Program are appointed through a participating MSU department. Therefore, this document serves as a supplement to the Graduate Handbook for each student’s home department. There are more than a dozen departments that participate in the EEBB Program, and each department has specific requirements, expectations, and other guidelines for its students.

This document focuses primarily on the requirements, expectations, and other guidelines that are specific to the EEBB Program. In some cases, these requirements, expectations, and other guidelines may be similar or identical to those for participating departments. In other cases, the requirements, expectations, and guidelines for EEBB may extend those that pertain to the student’s home department.

All EEBB students must therefore be cognizant of the dual requirements, expectations, and guidelines pertaining to both the EEBB program and their home department. In addition to consulting the relevant graduate handbooks, every EEBB student should work closely with his or her advisor, guidance committee, and administrative staff to ensure that he or she is satisfying all of the relevant requirements, expectations, and guidelines.

(Navigation Note: To reduce loading time, each section of the handbook is a separate page. Clicking on sections I - IX will take you to that section of the handbook. For a complete printable copy in .pdf, see below.)
Link to complete Graduate Handbook for the EEBB Program at MSU (.pdf)


I. Program Overview

A. Introduction
B. Nature of a Dual Program
C. EEBB Program Affiliated Departments
D. Administrative Organization of the EEBB Program

 

II. Program Components/Plan Options

 

III. Degree Requirements and Time Lines

A. Degree Requirements

1. Academic Program
2. Teaching
3. Education Requirements
4. Application Procedures
5. Deadline for Applications
6. Course requirements for a dual-major Ph.D. in EEBB and the student’s affiliated home department
7. Course requirements for a Master’s degree (Plan A or B) in the student’s affiliated home department with a specialization in EEBB
8. Course Waivers and Substitutions
9. Typical Time Line for the Ph.D. Program
10. Typical Time Line for the Master’s Certification

 

IV. Selection of Thesis/Dissertation Advisor

 

V. Formation of the Guidance Committee

 

VI. Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Final Oral Examination

 

VII. University Policies on Academic Performance, Integrity and Safety in Research and Creative Activities

A. Academic Standards
B. Ethical Standards
C. Time Limits
D. Research Involving Human or Animal Subjects or Hazardous Substances
E. Residence
F. Transfer Credits
G. Graduate Assistant Illness/Injury/Pregnancy Leave Policy
H. Work In Absentia
I. Student Travel Authorization
J. Foreign Travel
K. Miscellaneous EEBB Program Policies and Guidelines

1. Language Requirement
2. EEBB Student Travel Fellowships
3. EEBB Summer Fellowships
4. Grievance Procedures

 

VIII. Special Information for Foreign Students

 

IX. University Resources and Services for Graduate Students

A. Academic Facilities

1. Student Services
2. Michigan State University Library
3. Computer Center and Statistical Consulting

a. Computer User Services
b. Programming Service
c. Other Computer Facilities
d. Center for Statistical Consulting

4. Bookstore
5 . Learning Resources Center
6 . Service Learning Center
7 . The Writing Center
8. Career Development & Placement Services
9. CIC Traveling Scholar Program

B. Health Facilities

1. Health Insurance
2. Office of Handicapper Students
3. Counseling Center
4. Olin Health Center
5. Women’s Resource Center
6. Intramural Sports Facilities

C. Transportation and Parking on Campus

1. Parking on Campus
2. Buses
3. Bikes

D. Graduate Student Organizations

1. MSU/Graduate Employees Union (GEU)
2. Council of Graduate Students (COGS)

a. MSU Student Food Bank
b. Copy Center
c. Thesis and Dissertation Copying
d. Legal Aid
e. Short-Term Loans
f. Endowment Fund

3. Faculty-Professional Women’s Association

E. University Guides and References

1. Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities
2. Funding Guide
3. Career and Professional Development
4 . Resource Guide
5 . Academic Programs
6 . The COGS Graduate Student Handbook
7 . Spartan Life
8 . The Schedule of Courses and Academic Handbook
9 . The Faculty and Staff Directory
10 . Guide to the Preparation of Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations
11. The Graduate Post
12. MSU News Bulletin
13. The State News

F. Directory of Frequently Contacted Offices

1. Program
2. Department and College
3. University

a. Administration
b. Student Services
c. Owen Hall
d. Computer Center
e. International Center
f. Library
g. Student Health Services

G. Selected MSU Web Sites