Doctoral Degree Program
This section provides information on the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Biology. The requirements stated here include those set by the Program and those set by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Students are also encouraged to consult the Rackham Graduate Student Handbook.
Program requirements for the Ph.D. degree are administered by the Program Committee, which consists of the Program Director, Associate Director and several Program faculty. The Program Director, in consultation with this Committee has the authority to set and interpret rules and requirements and, when circumstances warrant, grant exceptions upon formal appeal. Upon entry, each student will discuss the following topics with a member of the Program Committee : his/her background, objectives and any questions related to progress to the Ph.D. degree. The Program Committee provides advice to the student until a Research Advisor has been formally selected, at which time the Research Advisor will undertake these advisory duties. However, throughout the tenure of the Program, students are encouraged and welcomed to consult with the Program Director, Program Committee and Dissertation Committee for additional advice and guidance. If questions, concerns or conflict arise at any point in the Program prior to selection of a Research Advisor, students should contact the Program Director or his designate. After selection of a mentor, students should work closely with their Research Advisor to resolve any questions or concerns. If an issue cannot be addressed at this level, students and faculty should contact the Program Director or his designate.
Course elections for each term must be approved either by the Program Committee or the Research Advisor. Each student's status is reviewed by the Program Committee after each term and an appropriate report is provided to the student when needed. NOTE: Failure to follow the approved registration can jeopardize a student's standing in the Ph.D. program, which could result in suspension of stipend and benefits. Students should not make unapproved changes to their schedules.
Academic Schedule
The academic year at the University of Michigan consists of three full terms: Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer. The Fall term begins in September and ends in December; the Winter term runs from January through April. Each Fall and Winter semester has a mid-term break in which classes do not meet and a final exam period at the end of the term. The Spring/Summer term spans May through August. Two short terms, Spring and Summer, run concurrently with the Spring/Summer term. Spring classes meet May through June and Summer term courses meet July through August. Most didactic courses of interest to graduate students are offered only in the Fall and Winter terms. Class periods begin ten minutes after the hour (or half-hour), although classes are listed as beginning on the hour or half-hour. Note: The words "semester" and "term" possess identical meanings at UM and are used interchangeably.
Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
The degree Doctor of Philosophy is the highest degree conferred by the University of Michigan. It is a research degree. It is never conferred solely as a result of study, no matter how faithful, extending over any prescribed time period or for any amount of course work or research accumulated. The degree represents more than merely the sum of semesters in residence and of credits for courses taken. The length of residence and the plan of study are of secondary importance. The degree is granted solely upon evidence of general proficiency and of distinctive attainment in the special field chosen by the candidate. The degree is granted particularly upon a recognized ability for independent and insightful investigation as demonstrated in a thesis based upon original research combined with creative scholarship and presented with a high degree of literary skill.
Program Requirements
Program requirements are directed primarily towards giving students practice and skills in research, discovery, problem solving and creative learning, particularly in their area of interest. The requirements governing examinations and basic courses are designed to test and solidify the fundamental background of the student in the main branches of Chemical biology while still encouraging an early start in research.
Graduate School Requirements
The basic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy set by the Graduate School and the Program include:
1. Minimum residence and fee requirements.
2. A 5.0 (B) average for all courses in the graduate student's record.
3. Appointment of a Dissertation Committee to supervise the student's program and progress in research.
4. Recommendation by the Program for admission to candidacy (Candidacy Exam).
5. Approval of the written dissertation by the Dissertation Committee and the Graduate Dean and a final oral examination by the Committee (Dissertation Defense).
Credits and Rackham Fee Total Requirements
Registration is required of any person using University facilities (classes, laboratories, libraries, computing center, consultations with faculty, etc.) in progress toward a degree with the exception of Spring, Summer and Spring/Summer terms.
A pre-candidate student is considered full-time with registration of nine hours per term, while a candidate is considered full-time with registration of eight hours. Graduate students must hold full-time status during each Fall and Winter term.
The current Rackham requirement provides for a minimum total of 68 Rackham Fee Totals (RFTs). Rackham Fee Totals are similar to credit hours; however, the number earned in a single term is limited. A pre-candidate graduate student can earn a maximum of nine RFTs per term; a candidate graduate student can earn a maximum of eight RFTs per term. A minimum of 36 RFTs must be accumulated prior to admission to candidacy; these hours include all required Chemical Biology graduate courses as well as ChemBio 990 and any courses in which the student registers and pays tuition and fees. The 32 remaining required RFTs are earned through registration for ChemBio 995 (dissertation research) after admission to candidacy, including the defense term. In electing ChemBio 990 (pre-candidate research), the number of credits elected may range from one to eight per term as approved by the advisor; however, a student must register for a total of nine credit hours per term prior to candidacy. For ChemBio 995, the number of elected credit hours is fixed at eight and the candidacy tuition fee is fixed at an amount less than the regular pre-candidate full-time fee. After passing candidacy, a candidate may register for one "free" course in addition to ChemBio 995 without an additional fee.
Students who have earned a relevant Master's degree at another approved university are required to accumulate 18 RFTs prior to achieving candidacy and 50 total RFTs to graduate. Relevancy of a previous Master's degree is determined jointly by the Program and the Graduate School .
Course Requirements
Program requirements for course work fall into two categories: (a) those specified by the Program and applying generally to all students, and (b) those specified by the student's academic advisor.
The Program Committee and the student's Dissertation Committee both are charged with the responsibility to see that the individual student has a program of course work that is both broadly supportive of his/her specialized field of study and also indicative of the breadth and range of interest.
One of the requirements of the Program is for a student to be "in good standing," which requires the student to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 or better. This average must be achieved by the end of the second term. Research and seminar courses are not included in calculation of the GPA.
An "I" (incomplete) grade may be assigned to a student only if the unfinished part of the student's work is small, the work is unfinished for reasons acceptable to the instructor, and the student's standing in the course is a "B" grade or higher. Incomplete grades can be changed to letter grades only if the incomplete work is made up by the end of the fourth full term beyond the term for which the "I" was assigned. The grade of "I" is permanently retained on the student's record next to the actual grade. For example, if a student submits the completed work after receiving an "I" and has earned a B+ for the course, the grade will appear on the transcript as "IB+." "I" grades are not accepted for thesis research courses (ChemBio 990 and 995).
The Program is concerned that the student has an adequate undergraduate background in chemistry, biology and mathematics and that the Program's core courses adequately prepare students to branch into more specialized fields in chemical biology and to begin independent research. During Year One, students are required to complete four core courses in Chemical Biology: ChemBio 501, 601, 502 and 602. Also in Year One, students are required to complete PIBS 503 (research responsibility and ethics) and two terms of ChemBio 599 (Chemical Biology Research Rotation). In Year Two, students are required to complete ChemBio 800 (Chemical Biology Seminar). In addition to the core courses, four other graduate level courses are required. One elective course in Year Two must be biologically oriented. Students entering with relevant previous graduate credit from other universities may be excused from some of the preceding course requirements by petitioning the Program Director and Program Committee.
Research Rotations
In order to help students choose a Rotation Advisor and research group, all new students are required to register for laboratory rotations in the Fall and Winter of Year One (ChemBio 599). Research rotations acquaint students with the research efforts of the faculty whose research matches their interest. First year students are also required to attend the Faculty Poster Session, which is held during the first week of Fall classes. The Program Office provides students with rotation project descriptions and faculty contact information. This session provides students with the opportunity to meet faculty and their research groups, ask questions and select a lab in which to rotate for the Fall term. In many cases, students will elect a Research Advisor from one of the labs in which they have rotated; however, there is no compulsion for the students to join the research groups in which they rotate. Students may petition the Program Committee if they desire to complete a third research rotation in the Spring/Summer term prior to or following Year One; this provides students with the opportunity to rotate in the same lab twice if desired. Otherwise, students rotate in two separate labs in the Fall and Winter terms. Fall laboratory rotation projects must be selected within one week of the Faculty Poster Session; Winter lab rotation projects are selected in the first week of December. Faculty are not permitted to make rotation commitments to students prior to the Poster Session in the Fall. For the Winter term, that date is the fourth week of November.
In general, 20 hours per week of time spent conducting research in the lab is considered the minimum requirement, although each lab will differ. Additionally, students are encouraged to spend as much of their study time in the laboratory as possible, as this provides students with the greatest exposure to the laboratory culture.
Once a research rotation is complete, students are required to prepare a one-page report that consists of the following sections: introduction, results, discussion, conclusion, and references (references are not to be included in the one-page requirement). This report must be prepared independently by the student and submitted to the Program Office by the last day of classes.
Choosing a Research Advisor
Choosing a Research Advisor generally occurs after the second term of enrollment. The formal steps preceding the choice include:
1. Completion of the research rotation course (ChemBio 599) in two separate labs in the Fall and Winter terms.
2. Discussion of the student's research focus and interests with the academic advisor at the time of the first term counseling.
3. Attendance at the Faculty Poster Session (required).
4. Discussion of any questions or concerns with the Program Committee advisor, the Program Director or the Associate Director.
The student and the Research Advisor are jointly responsible for following the Program and Graduate School requirements for the Ph.D. degree. The Advisor's responsibilities begin at the time of his/her agreement to accept the student into his/her group. In addition to supervising the research, the Research Advisor is expected to advise the student on course elections, examinations, independent study pertinent to his/her general development as a scientist and any other matters affecting his/her general progress toward a degree. Faculty are not permitted to make Research Advisor commitments to students prior to the second Monday in April each year.
Formation and Function of the Dissertation Committee
A Dissertation Committee should be assembled by each graduate student in consultation with his/her Research Advisor before beginning Year Two in the Program. The composition of the Committee should be reported to the Program Office no later than the last week in August of Year One so that it may be recorded with the Graduate School . The Research Advisor serves as chair of the Committee and shares the responsibility of guiding the student toward the doctoral degree with the other members. All Dissertation Committees must consist of at least four members of the graduate faculty (including the Research Advisor).
The Program requires that a student meet with their Dissertation Committee before being admitted to candidacy. The Dissertation Committee may consult with the student about concerns of his/her development as indicated by his/her course work, seminar participation and performance during examinations and in conducting research.
After being admitted to candidacy, the Dissertation Committee will meet at least once per year in order to assess the progress being made towards completion of the thesis. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange this meeting. Meeting dates should be forwarded to the Program Office so they may be recorded in the student's permanent file.
Advancing to Candidacy
Admission to candidacy marks the transition from a largely classroom-based experience to one that is focused on independent research. This milestone should occur as soon as possible and must be completed by the end of the Winter term in Year Two in order to remain in good academic standing. Early candidacy is advantageous to be eligible for reduced tuition (in general, candidate tuition is roughly 1/3 of the cost of pre-candidate tuition) and to be eligible for certain grants and fellowships administered by the Graduate School and external organizations. As a requirement for good academic standing, students must advance to candidacy before the beginning of the Fall term of Year Three. Before admission to candidacy may be recommended, a student must meet the following requirements, although not necessarily in the order shown:
1. Passing of course requirements as specified by the Program and by the Research Advisor.
2. Achievement of a 5.0 grade point average.
3. Choice of a Research Advisor.
4. Appointment of a Dissertation Committee.
5. Earning 36 or more RFTs.
6. Presentation of a seminar on a topic approved by the Research Advisor.
7. Passing the oral examination.
8. Be formally recommended for candidacy by the Dissertation Committee.
The Candidacy Examination
Each Chemical Biology student is subject to an oral candidacy examination by his/her Dissertation Committee. This examination is held in Year Two and is to be completed by the end of the Winter term (end of May). It is designed to evaluate a student's preparedness for dissertation studies by examining the student's knowledge in the fundamental scientific disciplines underlying the proposed Ph.D. research. Although many aspects of the exam may focus on the research proposal, this is not intended to be a dissertation committee meeting.
In preparation for the exam, the student must submit a written proposal to each member of his/her Dissertation Committee. The proposal must be sufficiently detailed so that the nature of the research problem and the direction of the effort are defined and characterized; however, the proposal is not to exceed ten double-spaced typed pages (not including references) and must be written in an NIH-derived format. The proposal should contain:
a) Background
b) Specific Project Goals
c) Research Plan
d) Preliminary Data, if any
e) Literature References
Proposals not written in this format will not be accepted. The proposal must be distributed to the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks prior to the exam.
At the Candidacy Exam, the student presents a brief summary of their research proposal (less than 15 slides); this may include preliminary measurements but should not be a seminar-style presentation. Students will be examined on knowledge of the background subject areas and on their research plans. Students are expected to have a good understanding of the goals, directions, importance and pathways of the proposed research. Students should be prepared to propose alternatives and discuss background material concerned with that proposal. Students should also demonstrate that they are making reasonable progress towards their doctoral research. The Dissertation Committee will elect a Chair (other than the Research Advisor) for the meeting and that Chair will be responsible for the conduct of the exam and to consult with the student's Research Advisor prior to the exam. The Research Advisor is not a member of the examining committee and does not attend the oral examination. Given interruptions for questions and answers, it is expected that the exam will take no longer than two hours. Immediately following the meeting, the committee will determine whether or not the student is admitted to candidacy. In the event that the committee deems a student's performance unsatisfactory, the student may be granted a second attempt at the exam. In this rare case, the student must achieve candidacy prior to the end of the Fall term in Year Three.
Seminars
Participation in the Chemical Biology Seminar course (ChemBio 800) is required in Year Two of the Program. The student is evaluated on his/her presentation and earns either a "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" grade. A satisfactory grade must be received in this course before a student is admitted to candidacy. The subject matter should be related to the student's thesis project. This requirement is designed to provide students with the experience of conducting original chemical biology research and presenting it in a seminar format. The student's Research Advisor is responsible for guiding the student in the preparation of the seminar with the assistance of the other Dissertation Committee members. The seminars will be conducted in standard seminar fashion; there are generally no interruptions and an open question session will occur at the end. Students should prepare for 30-minute presentations.
The Dissertation
The regulations governing the preparation of the dissertation are given in the Handbook for Doctoral Candidates, which is distributed by the Graduate School . Candidates begin drafting the dissertation after the Committee deems the student adequately prepared. The dissertation must be submitted in draft form (i.e., before the final printing and final reproduction of figures) to the members of the Dissertation Committee two weeks prior to the defense for their suggestions. Modifications are much easier to make in the draft stage. One copy of the dissertation in its final form (but not bound) is submitted to the Rackham Office of Academic Records and Dissertations (0120 Rackham), along with two copies of the abstract and one extra copy of the title page, plus a receipt for the thesis publication fee. The total number of copies to be prepared for final distribution should include one copy for the University Library, one or more for the Research Advisor and perhaps other members of the Dissertation Committee, one for the donor of any funds granted in support of the research and one or more for the student.
Dissertation Defense
The subject matter of the dissertation is to be presented at a public Program seminar (Thesis Colloquium) in the last term of the student's residence. This is followed by a private session with the Dissertation Committee. The student is responsible for arranging his/her dissertation defense in consultation with his/her Dissertation Committee.
Degree Deadlines
The Graduate School establishes two types of deadlines related to requirements for completing the degree. The first is related to the payment of tuition fees. The student's full candidacy fee (incurred through registration for 8 credits of ChemBio 995) must be paid in the term in which the final examination is held; however, a short grace period is allowed under which the examination may be held without paying additional fees.
The second type of deadline relates to the degree conferral date. Generally, a defense must occur at least seven weeks before Commencement activities in order for the degree to be conferred on time; the final approval by the Dissertation Committee and final submission of the dissertation are required roughly three weeks before the Commencement activities. The exact deadline dates for each term are available on Rackham's website.
Chronology of the Ph.D. Degree
This section displays the typical academic progression through the Program. Students without prior graduate experience will follow this format. Students are expected to complete the Program within 5 years .
Year One: Fall Term (September - December)
- ChemBio 501 (macromolecular structure and function; 3 credits)
- ChemBio 601 (critical analysis of the current literature, 1 credit)
- ChemBio 599 (research rotation; 2 credits)
- PIBS 503 (research responsibilities and ethics, 1 credit)
- Elective course in chemistry, biological chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biophysics or other course in consultation with the Program advisor (3 credits)
Year One: Winter Term (January - April)
- ChemBio 502 (protein translation, signal transduction and combinatorial methods, 3 credits)
- ChemBio 602 (critical analysis of the current literature, 1 credit)
- ChemBio 599 (research rotation; 2 credits)
- Elective course in chemistry, biological chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biophysics or other course in consultation with the Program advisor (3 credits)
Year One: Spring Term (May - June)
- Select thesis advisor
- Select thesis committee
- Begin thesis research
Year One: Summer Term (July - August)
Year Two: Fall Term (September - December)
- ChemBio 990 (thesis research; 6 credits)
- Elective biological course (e.g., cell biology, genetics, immunology; 3 credits)
Year Two: Winter Term (January - April)
- ChemBio 800 (program seminar on student's research; 1 credit)
- ChemBio 990 (thesis research; 5 credits)
- Elective course in chemistry, biological chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, or other course in consultation with the program advisor (biological course required if not completed in Fall term of Year Two; 3 credits)
- Doctoral candidacy examination
Years Three - Five
- ChemBio 995 (thesis research; 8 credits)
- Students meet once annually with their dissertation committee to review and discuss data and to monitor progress toward the degree
- Teaching assistantships are possible for who wish to gain teaching experience
Master's Degree
There is no formal Master's degree offered in Chemical Biology; however, a Ph.D. student who fulfills the M.S. requirements may petition the Program Committee and Director to apply for the degree. The requirements for a Master's degree are:
1. Completion of all Year One and Year Two requirements.
2. Three complete terms of independent research experience (ChemBio 990 and 995).
3. "B" (5.0) cumulative grade point average.
A formal degree application must be filed with the Graduate School when the degree requirements have been met in order for the degree to be awarded. NOTE: Students entering with a Master's degree from another institution cannot apply courses used to obtain the first M.S. toward an M.S. from Michigan. Furthermore, previous M.S. degree requirements must be substantially different from the Michigan M.S. degree requirements in order for a Michigan M.S. to be awarded.
Financial Information
Tuition
Payment of resident or non-resident tuition fees is determined by residency regulations given in detail on the Registrar's Office website. Student tuition is generally paid by the Program; however, students are responsible for the registration and student fees that are associated with registration. Students who have advanced to candidacy pay a flat tuition fee without regard to their residency status.
Financial Support
The Chemical Biology Program is committed to providing all graduate students 12 months of financial support for the four to five years of their graduate program tenure. Students must be making satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree to be eligible for support. This support frees the student to concentrate on research and full-time study. Students receive aid through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships and teaching (if desired) that provide tuition, excellent health care benefits and a stipend.
Students may also receive fellowship support in the form of a Research Fellowship awarded directly to the student by a national agency (e.g., NSF), a research foundation or the University, awarded on a competitive basis.
NSF Fellowships. Applications for nationally awarded NSF Fellowships are submitted electronically using the NSF's Fast-Lane system. Information about these fellowships can be found on the NSF website. All applicants for NSF or other highly competitive national fellowships should notify the Program Director before preparing their application in order to obtain assistance in making the application as competitive as possible.
Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship. These fellowships are available only to students who have achieved candidacy. Recipients must have been formally admitted to candidacy before the Fellowship is to begin. Selection of nominees for the University-wide competition is made by the Chemical Biology Program Committee . These fellowships are relatively unrestricted and are awarded on the basis of scholastic record and the student's research achievements. For more information on this fellowship, see Rackham's website. Each year, candidate students may request that their Research Advisor nominate them for this fellowship. Final nomination decisions are be made by the Program Committee .
Shapiro Awards. These awards were established by Harold T. Shapiro, former President of the University of Michigan and Vivian Shapiro, former faculty member at the University of Michigan , to assist with interest payments on the unsubsidized educational loans that students are obliged to pay while still in graduate school. Students who have unsubsidized educational loans in excess of $10,000 are given priority. For more information on this fellowship, see Rackham's website.
Travel Grant. The Rackham Graduate School provides up to $400 for travel to present a poster or a lecture at domestic professional conferences and meetings ($700 - $900 for international conferences). Students may only receive one travel grant per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Due to strict deadlines and the rapidity with which travel grant funds are depleted, students are encouraged to apply for this funding several months in advance. For more information on travel grants, please see Rackham's website.
Graduate Student Instructorships (GSIs). Students who are interested in teaching in a given semester may request teaching assignments in the various departments that have undergraduate courses; however, positions are not guaranteed for Chemical Biology students. This appointment is made to qualified Chemical Biology graduate students who have an aptitude and interest in teaching. The conditions of this appointment are governed by the agreement which exists between the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) and the University. The standard half-time appointment calls for an average of eight contact hours per week and up to 20 hours per week for all teaching-related activities. This time commitment includes, in addition to classroom contact hours, preparation, grading, attendance at staff meetings, office hours and other similar duties. All Graduate Student Instructors who teach chemistry courses are required to attend a Chemistry Department GSI training program, which occurs once per year in August. All international students who wish to teach chemistry courses are required to complete a 3-week acculturation training course given in August (or May for eligible students) in addition to attending the chemistry GSI training. GSIs who teach courses in other departments must meet the specific training requirements of that department. Students will receive the same stipend amount per term regardless of whether or not they decide to teach.
Supplementary Income
Appointment to a half-time assistantship or to an equivalent fellowship is intended to provide sufficient financial support to enable a student to devote full time to his/her graduate program. Consequently, a condition of the appointment is that no outside employment be undertaken other than tutoring. In conditions of unusual financial stress, such as may result from extra dependents or other special circumstances, the student must discuss projected additional employment with his/her Research Advisor and the Program Director.
Stipend Payment Schedules
Fellowship stipends are paid in one lump-sum at the beginning of the term either by (1) direct deposit, or (2) check mailed to the student's local address. Training grant fellows are paid on a monthly basis at the end of each month. Stipends for teaching and research appointments are paid in four equal installments per term. Payments are available on the last working day of each month during the appointment term. Wolverine Access a useful resource for viewing and updating personal records such as local address, payment schedule and availability status. Students are strongly recommended to select direct deposit as their method of receiving funds, as it is generally the safest and most convenient method. Direct deposit forms may be obtained through the Program Office or on the Payroll Department website.
Loans
Loan funds administered through the Office of Financial Aid (2011 SAB) are available to meet the needs of any educational expense for students while enrolled in the University. The extent of this financial need must be clearly established by providing a complete statement of the applicant's financial resources and expenses for the academic year. Loans are NOT available for any non-educational expense which is normally financed by a commercial lending institution, nor are they available for the repayment of previously incurred indebtedness. For more information, please see the Office of Financial Aid website.
Income Tax Liability
The following paragraph summarizes the situation with respect to income tax liability on stipends to graduate students as it exists at the time of this writing. Current practice is subject to review by the IRS and may change at any time. Under the income tax law of 1986, stipends for fellowships and other forms of student aid are subject to income tax and must be reported quarterly. Graduate Student Instructor and Graduate Student Research Assistantship stipends are considered remuneration for services performed and, as such, are subject to withholding and income tax. For more information, please see the IRS website.
Staying Informed
Student Handbook
This Handbook is to be used as a guide to the University, Graduate School and Program rules and regulations that govern the Chemical Biology Doctoral Program. Students should familiarize themselves with requirements of the Program and the Graduate School . Throughout the Handbook, references are made to Graduate School rules and regulations; these may be found in their entirety in Rackham Graduate Student Handbook, which is located on Rackham's website.
E-mail
Each student is provided with an e-mail account. Messages and information are sent frequently to the student group (chembiostudents@umich.edu) and to individual students. It is important that students read their UM e-mail on a daily basis.
Mailboxes
Each student has a mailbox located in Room 1416 Chemistry. In addition to receiving U.S. mail, students will also receive campus mail and messages from faculty, staff, technical staff or the Graduate School in these mailboxes. Students should check their mailboxes as frequently as possible and should never receive personal mail to this mailbox.
Chemical Biology Bulletin Board
This board is located outside of the Program Office, 1500M Chemistry. Information about the Program, fellowships, scholarships, external grants, English Language Institute exams and jobs are posted there.
Academic Advisors
For academic counseling, students may consult with any faculty member on the Program Committee . Program Committee members also counsel first year students upon entering the Program. Once the Research Advisor is chosen, questions regarding course work, academic concerns and career objectives and goals should be directed to the Research Advisor. Students are required to meet with their advisor three times per term; however, the members of the Program Committee are always available for consultation.
Administration
The Program Office is located in 1500M Chemistry. This office can provide assistance in all matters of the Program, including health insurance, graduate student instructor appointments, graduate records and admissions, recruitment visits, job opportunities, key requests, room reservations and seminar postings.
Supporting Facilities
A large number of services are available across campus to support the research of Chemical Biology students. These include chemical instruments, analytical services, computational facilities and libraries.
The Chemistry Department has a number of technical services, including shops for the fabrication and repair of electronic instruments, glassblowing, and computer support. NMR, mass spectrometry, EPR, elemental analysis, small-molecule X-ray crystallography and other analytical instruments are available for either hands-on use (after training) or as a service. Extensive descriptions can be found on the Chemistry Department website.
The Medical School maintains a number of core facilities that offer important analytical services. The Biomedical Research Core Facilities include separate facilities devoted to DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, transgenic animals, NMR and protein analyses (mass spectroscopy, sequencing, amino acid analysis, etc.). For details, see the Core Facilities website. The Comprehensive Cancer Center maintains an Affymetrix and cDNA Microarray Core Facility. The Department of Pharmacology has established a Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Facility.
The Life Sciences Institute (LSI) operates the Center for Structural Biology, which has facilities for the determination of the structures of macromolecules by X-ray diffraction. The LSI also operates the Center for Chemical Genomics, which has facilities for high-throughput screening of small molecule libraries, protein production, automated cloning and protein expression and high-throughput macromolecular crystallization. For more information on these, see the LSI's website.
A number of departments and research groups maintain their own computer resources. Beyond these, campus-wide computing facilities and resources are available.
The University library system has a very large collection of scientific journals (both print and on-line), books and databases to support research in Chemical biology.
Safety and Emergency Precautions and Procedures
It is critical that students follow proper laboratory safety procedures. The research interests of the faculty of the Chemical Biology program are very diverse, making it impossible to create a single set of guidelines that are applicable to all laboratory situations open to students. It is vitally important that students become trained in the safety procedures that are relevant to their lab. For a detailed description of safety procedures in the Chemistry building, consult the Department of Chemistry Student Handbook. For more information on general safety information, please see the website for OSEH, the University of Michigan 's Occupational Safety & Environmental Health organization.
Emergency and Safety Regulations/Emergency Telephone Numbers
In case of an emergency in a campus building, occupants are to use a campus-only phone to dial 911 to provide a description and location of the emergency. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) may also be reached by dialing 3-1131.
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