Graduate Student Orientation Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah 2016 - 2017

Participants Dr. Kevin Perry, Department Chair Leslie Allaire, Administrative Manager Michelle Brooks, Academic Advisor Contact Information atmos-office@lists.utah.edu 801-581-6136 (Michelle) 801-581-6137 (Leslie) 801-581-6138 (Kevin)

Graduate Student Guide http://www.atmos.utah.edu/_documents/Graduate%20Student%20Guide%209.21.12%20Final.pdf

Path to Graduation M.S. Degree Ph.D. Degree Core Courses Supervisory Committee Supervisory Committee Program of Study Program of Study Doctoral Qualifying Exam Comprehensive Exam Apply for Graduation Apply for Graduation Ph.D. Defense M.S. Defense Final Thesis Approval Final Thesis Approval

Core Courses M.S. Degree Ph.D. Degree ATMOS 6010: Fundamentals of Dynamic Meteorology ATMOS 6020: Fundamentals of Physical Meteorology ATMOS 6030: Climate Dynamics ATMOS 7810: Graduate Seminar (Take for 2 semesters minimum) Courses approved by the supervisory committee

Supervisory Committee M.S. Degree Ph.D. Degree 3 members total 2 members must be regular faculty (tenure or tenure track) in the Department* Due before the end of the Fall semester of the first year 5 members total 3 members must be regular faculty (tenure or tenure track)* At least 1 member must be from outside the department If outside member is not from the University of Utah, then a CV must be sent to Michelle Due before the end of the Fall semester of first year *Research faculty may serve as supervisory committee chair with Graduate School approval if the majority of your committee is still considered regular faculty (tenure or tenure track).

Comprehensive Exam Consists of Core Course Grades, Written Research Prospectus, and Oral Presentation Potential Outcomes Pass with Distinction – move directly to Ph.D. program (may also complete M.S. if desired) Pass – may apply to Ph.D. program through CODA after M.S. completed Fail – potential dismissal from program

Written Research Prospectus Thesis Proposal (~3000 words) Includes: Background/Significance Questions/Hypotheses to be Addressed Research Plan/Methodology Preliminary Results (optional) Will be graded by the Supervisory Committee members Due the last day of classes of Spring Semester (i.e., April 25, 2017)

Oral Research Prospectus 30-Minute Presentation to the Entire Faculty 20 minutes for presentation 10 minutes for questions Will be graded by all faculty in attendance Will be scheduled for May 9 and 10, 2017

Written Research Prospectus Preparation Fall Semester Become familiar with the research projects in your group Discuss research project options with advisor Complete a literature review to identify outstanding questions and/or hypotheses Spring Semester Participate in Special Topics Course taught by John Lin (work in progress) Set weekly deadlines and stick to them Meet with your advisor often to get feedback and guidance

Doctoral Qualifying Exam (Ph.D. Students Only) Oral presentation to supervisory committee Must be completed within 2 years of Ph.D. classification Must include 1) Background and Significance, 2) Summary of Completed Research, and 3) Plans to Complete Thesis Research Potential Outcomes Pass – finish Ph.D. degree in ~ 1 year Fail – potential dismissal from program

Program of Study M.S. Degree Ph.D. Degree Minimum of 30 total credit hours Minimum of 6 hours of thesis research Minimum of 9 hours of electives Must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA At least 24 hours must be completed in residence at the University of Utah Minimum of three full years of approved graduate work Minimum of 14 hours of thesis research Minimum of 9 hours of electives Must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA At least one year must be completed in residence at the University of Utah

Applying for Graduation Graduation applications are submitted in person, via email or fax, or via mail to the Graduation Division the semester before you plan to graduate. (See table below for deadlines) Graduation applications can be found on the Graduation Division’s website: http://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/graduategraduation.php TERM DEADLINE TO APPLY Fall Graduation (December) July 1 Spring Graduation (May) November 1 Summer Graduation (August) March 1

Thesis Defense Provide completed thesis to supervisory committee members at least 3 weeks in advance Complete a publicly scheduled seminar and answer questions from supervisory committee members and the public audience Public audience is excused and supervisory committee may ask additional questions Potential Outcomes Pass – supervisory committee signs form Conditional Pass – supervisory committee requests revisions to the thesis before signing form Fail – repeat defense at a future time

Final Thesis Approval Complete any revisions requested by the supervisory committee Have supervisory committee chair and department chair sign the Final Reading Approval form Submit the Supervisory Committee Approval form, Final Reading Approval form, and thesis to the Graduate School Complete formatting changes requested by the Graduate School Thesis Office

Committee on Doctoral Advancement (CODA) Application to the Ph.D. program can be submitted by students that pass the Comprehensive Exam and successfully complete the M.S. thesis defense Application materials include: M.S. thesis, curriculum vita, personal statement, transcripts, letters of reference (from supervisory committee members), and publications CODA will review materials and make a recommendation within 30 days of receipt of a completed application CODA decision will either recommend or not recommend admission to the Ph.D. program Department chair cannot override the CODA recommendation

Tuition Benefit Program Eligibility Must be employed as a graduate research assistant (RA), graduate teaching assistant (TA), or a graduate fellow (GF), whose tuition is not paid by the award. Must meet a minimum financial support level per semester for 100% benefit. Must be registered for 11 credit hours for fall and spring semesters; 3 credit hours of thesis research only for the summer semester. Benefits include paid tuition (not fees) and subsidized health insurance, if you choose it.

Tuition Benefit Program Benefits availability 4 semesters for M.S. students. 10 semesters for students entering with a bachelors degree and pursuing a Ph.D. 10 semesters for students completing a M.S. degree at the U of U and continuing on to the Ph.D. 8 semesters for students entering the Ph.D. program with a M.S. degree from another institution. Students become immediately ineligible for the Tuition Benefit Program if their cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0.

Registration Requirements All students must be registered for at least 3 credit hours (Fall and Spring semesters) from the time of admission to degree completion Students on tuition waivers must be registered for 11 hours for fall & spring semesters; 3 hours of thesis only for summer. All students must be registered during the semester of their defense. Leave of absence is possible but must be completed well in advance.

Residency Requirements (Domestic Students Only) Students on the TBP must establish residency after accruing 40 credits Failure to establish residency before accruing 84 credits will result in out-of-state tuition charges for all courses except thesis research which must be paid by the student! NOTE: This goes into effect the semester that you reach 85 hours. (Not the following semester)

Graduate Student Summary

Graduate Student Summary

Requirements Audit

Computer Support Desktop administration is handled by the Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC). Any software and hardware issues can be dealt with by emailing issues@chpc.utah.edu. Printers are set up through CHPC as well. Home directories are backed up daily. Data directories are backed up quarterly, on request. CHPC seminar series CMES handles extra hardware accessories such as keyboards, mice, cables, etc. cmes-support@lists.utah.edu

Office Procedures Purchasing: Always talk to main office first Travel Reimbursements: Always talk to main office first Attending Conferences: Always talk to main office first Driver’s Certification & Department Truck Address Changes/Department Directory: submit updates to atmos-office@lists.utah.edu Student Advisory Council Representative: Taylor McCorkle

Main Office Mailboxes Kitchens on 7th & 8th floors of WBB Freebie food: in 8th floor kitchen Boards: deadlines, roadmap to graduation Office Supplies

Questions? Any questions? If you think of questions after orientation, feel free to email atmos-office@lists.utah.edu with any inquiries or concerns.