1. Graduate Student Orientation
Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah

2. Participants Dr. Kevin Perry, Department Chair
Leslie Allaire, Administrative Manager
Michelle Brooks, Academic Advisor
Contact Information
(Michelle)
(Leslie)
(Kevin)

3. Graduate Student Guide

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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).

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Applying for Graduation
Graduation applications are submitted in person, via 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:
TERM
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Fall Graduation (December)
July 1
Spring Graduation (May)
November 1
Summer Graduation (August)
March 1

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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)

21. Graduate Student Summary

22. Graduate Student Summary

23. Requirements Audit

24. Computer Support
Desktop administration is handled by the Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC).
Any software and hardware issues can be dealt with by ing
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.

25. 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
Student Advisory Council Representative:
Taylor McCorkle

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

27. Questions? Any questions?
If you think of questions after orientation, feel free to with any inquiries or concerns.