(1) Quarterly conference, 12-1 pm, date TBA
(2) One day (Saturday) retreat at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, CA (Scheduled for April 4, 2009)
*NB M200C, NB 200D, NB 200E and NB M227 are offered alternate years
B. Laboratory Rotation Policy
During the first year, laboratory rotations are required in three different Neurobiology faculty laboratories. Students must work in a lab during each academic quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring). The Department of Neurobiology graduate program will fund, as part of the student's total financial package, a maximum of four rotations per student (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer (final)), in four different laboratories. Rotation members are selected from an approved list of faculty in the Department of Neurobiology (available from the Student Affairs Officer in the Neurobiology office). At the time faculty members make themselves available as rotation mentors, it is understood that they will have the space and resources available if any student wishes to join the faculty member's laboratory for his/her thesis work.
Fall quarter rotations may be arranged at any time prior to the start of the Fall quarter. The duration of a rotation is 10 weeks and students are enrolled for at least 2 units of Neurobiology 596 credit (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). Before the beginning of each rotation, the student and the professor should have an agreement as to how many hours (for instance, 20 or 30 hours per week) the student is expected to be in the lab. Depending on the nature of the lab experiments, this may include working more than 8 hours per day and on weekends.
Students and mentors are asked to discuss the nature of the research and experiments, as well as both the mentor's and student's expectations, prior to the start of the rotation. A midpoint and end of rotation discussion between the student and mentor is also desirable. Students are responsible for arranging the three meetings with the rotation mentor. A rotation evaluation (rating the student in several categories and assigning a final grade) will be completed at the end of the quarter by the mentor and will be available in the Neurobiology office for viewing at the student's request. Copies will be distributed to the student's first-year faculty advisor.
Rotations for the Winter Quarter can be arranged any time after November 1. Rotations for the Spring Quarter should not be arranged prior to January 15.
If necessary, the fourth (and final) rotation, for students who have been unsuccessful in matching with a thesis mentor, takes place during the summer quarter after the first year. The final rotation form, signed by both mentor and student, is required prior to the start of the rotation. Students not accepted by a mentor after the completion of a final rotation will usually be recommended for dismissal from graduate study at UCLA. This recommendation to the Graduate Division will be submitted by the Vice Chair of the Department of Neurobiology after reviewing the student's academic record and consulting with the Department of Neurobiology Graduate Program Committee.
Beginning with the 2003-2004 academic year, it is possible to rotate in laboratories of faculty who are not members of the department. These rotations should be in neurobiology-affiliated programs. These rotations need prior approval by the Department Graduate Advisor.
C. Teaching
All students admitted into the Department of Neurobiology graduate program will obtain experience in teaching by serving as a teaching assistant (TA) for two quarters, one quarter during the second year and one quarter during the third or fourth year. First year students are not permitted to serve as teaching assistants. The Department of Neurobiology Graduate Program Committee will consider exceptions (submitted by petition) to the timing of the teaching assistantships. The TA-ship requirement may be met by any of the following combinations:
1) two undergraduate Life Science/Neuroscience courses
2) one undergraduate Life Science/Neuroscience course and one Neurobiology Professional course
The teaching requirement is an educational and professional experience and course credit will be given. If TA-ing a Life Science course, a course on approaches and methods for successful teaching is required. This course may be administered by the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Department (MCD Bio 495), the Interdepartmental Program in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology or the Department of Physiological Science. Teaching opportunities beyond two quarters are available with the consent of the research mentor. During quarters when students are appointed as teaching assistants, the TA salary will generally substitute for stipend support.
To arrange an undergraduate teaching assistantship in a Life Science course, please contact Jia-Qing Zhao, Student Affairs Officer, in the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Department. Her office is located in 2124 Life Science Building. She can also be reached at x44256 or jzhao@lifesci.ucla.edu. To arrange an undergraduate TA-ship in a Neuroscience course, please contact Suzie Vader, Student Affairs Officer in the Interdepartmental Program (IDP) in Neuroscience. Her office is located in 1506D Gonda Building. She can also be reached at x58153 or vader@mednet.ucla.edu. To arrange an undergraduate TA-ship in the Interdepartmental Program in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology or the Department of Physiological Science, please contact Michael Carr, Student Affairs Officer for this Program and Department. His office is located at 2317 Life Science Building. He can also be reached at x53891 and mcarr@physci.ucla.edu. After you have spoken with Jia-Qing, Suzie Vader or Michael Carr, please contact Brenda Padron, the Student Affairs Officer in the Department of Neurobiology, at extension 59553.
The UCLA Graduate Council policy states that all graduate students who are not native speakers of English, whatever their citizenship or residency status and whatever subject they are teaching, must demonstrate oral proficiency in English before assuming their TA duties by passing either the TOP or Test of Oral Proficiency (replaces the old SPEAK Exam) administered at UCLA or the Test of Spoken English (TSE). The TSE is administered by the Educational Testing Services (ETS) at TOEFL Centers throughout the world.
D. Financial Support
Students admitted to the Department of Neurobiology as first-year students are guaranteed five years of stipend and fee support. Transfer students from the ACCESS Program will be guaranteed four years of stipend and fee support from the Department. Other transfer students may receive shorter guarantees depending on the number of quarters they have been enrolled at UCLA. This support package includes a stipend and registration fees, which include health insurance. For the first year, tuition is also provided for non-California residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This support may be derived from one or a combination of several sources, including GSR (graduate student researcher) appointments, TA (teaching assistant) wages, fellowships, or training grant funds. The stipend level for 2009-2010 is $27,500. For the nine-month 2009-2010 academic year, this portion (9/12) of the stipend will be distributed quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) in three equal payments. At the time of the transition into a laboratory (generally July 1 st), coordination of the remaining 3/12 as well as stipend/salary for the next four years becomes the responsibility of the student's mentor. In special circumstances, the mentor may ask students to TA for more than two quarters as part of his/her continuing support package. Recommended minimum stipend levels will be reviewed and defined annually by the Department of Neurobiology Graduate Program Committee. Any adjustments to the annual stipend level will take effect on the first day of the following University fiscal year (July 1 st).
Students in the Neurobiology Graduate Program are expected to devote themselves full-time to their studies, research, and other scholarly activities. Students therefore are strongly encouraged NOT to take outside jobs to supplement stipend support. Unless an exception by petition has been granted by the Graduate Division, University policy asserts that full-time students cannot be employed for more than 49% time at the University. Financial support is based on full-time effort during the year; thus, students are expected to be involved in research activities year-round, including the summer quarter.
E. Thesis Mentor Selection
A thesis mentor is selected from the Department of Neurobiology faculty except in special cases where a co-mentor is selected from faculty outside of the Department. Approval by the Graduate Program Committee is necessary if the student did not previously rotate with the faculty member. Faculty and students should not finalize arrangements for thesis research prior to April 15, but may defer such a decision until the 8 th week of the Spring quarter.
F. Advising
• All 1 st year graduate students in the Department of Neurobiology will be assigned a faculty advisor who serves on the Graduate Program Committee. After the 1st year, the thesis mentor becomes the faculty advisor.
• Dr. Nick Brecha, graduate advisor for the Department of Neurobiology, is also available should you have any questions or concerns regarding coursework, faculty advisor, thesis mentor selection, and other issues related to the curriculum or training.
• Brenda Padron, the Student Affairs Officer (x59553), is also available for any concerns regarding the Graduate Division, departmental and graduate program policies and procedures, student support, etc.
• Please note that additional advising resources are available through Student Psychological Services, the Dean of Students office, Ombuds Office, etc.
G. Program Activities
All students enrolled in the graduate program are required to attend and participate in the following academic activities of both the department and the graduate program:
• Orientation Day (first-year students only)
• Department of Neurobiology Retreat, including giving an oral or poster research presentation at the retreat. (First year students are encouraged but not required to make a presentation at the retreat)
• Quarterly lunch-time conferences
• Fall, winter and spring academic advising meetings (during the first year) with the assigned first year faculty advisor
• Yearly progress meeting (June or July) with the departmental graduate advisor
• Regular meetings (as needed) with the departmental graduate advisor and thesis mentor
H. Academic Progress and Standards
The minimum standards for acceptable academic progress in the Department of Neurobiology graduate program are as follows:
• A grade of B- or better must be received in each core course (Neurobiology 200A, B, C, D, E, F and G). Students who do not receive at least a B- will need to repeat the course during the second or third year of graduate training.
• Students must maintain an overall University GPA of at least 3.0 or they will be placed on probation and they will not receive stipend and fee support. Students are also subject to a recommendation for dismissal from graduate study at UCLA. Please see Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA (http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/library/spintro.htm), Academic Apprentice Personnel Manual (http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gss/appm/appmintro.htm), and Statement of Understanding, UCLA Academic Apprentice Personnel Fee Remission Benefits (http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gss/appm/appmintro.htm).
• Students must attend and pass Neurobiology 270 for six quarters during their first and second years and Neurobiology 296 until they have advanced to candidacy to maintain acceptable academic progress. Failure to pass these courses will result in the student being placed on probation and subject to a recommendation for dismissal from graduate study at UCLA.
4. Failure to match with a rotation or thesis mentor (after the fourth rotation), regardless of academic record, will result in a recommendation for dismissal of the graduate student from graduate study at UCLA.
I. Petitions to the Graduate Program Committee (GPC)
The Department of Neurobiology Graduate Program Committee will consider student petitions regarding course substitutions, grades, timing of teaching assistantships, and other business. All petitions should be addressed to the Graduate Program Committee and should be given to the Student Affairs Officer to forward to the members of the GPC.
J. Registration Procedures
Quarterly tuition and registration fee payments are processed by the Student Affairs Officer in the Department of Neurobiology.
Non-resident tuition will be provided for all out-of-state U.S. citizens and permanent residents for the FIRST YEAR OF GRADUATE STUDY ONLY. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has not qualified for in-state residency by the beginning of the Fall quarter of the second year will be responsible for payment of any non-resident tuition charges incurred in years two and beyond. Information on procedures required for establishing California residency is distributed by the Residence Deputy in the Registrar's Office and is included in this packet. All non-California resident students (foreign students excluded) should familiarize themselves with these requirements and begin the necessary steps to qualify immediately after arriving in California. All inquiries concerning residency requirements should be directed to the Residence Deputy (1113 Murphy Hall). Should permanent residency or citizenship be obtained during this period, the student should inform the Student Affairs Officer.
K. Enrollment Procedures
Prior to the beginning of each quarter, students must enroll in the approved courses through the UCLA online registration system. Please note that any changes to approved and processed study lists, adding or dropping courses and/or changes in credit detail, must be approved by the department advisor.
- Official Study List : It is the student's responsibility to make sure that his/her study list is accurate and that he/she is enrolled in at least 12 units by the end of the second week of the quarter.
- Changes in the Official Study List : After the second week of classes, changes to the official study list will require the approval of the course instructor and the department advisor. Changes are made by the use of an Enrollment Petition which can be obtained from Murphy Hall (or from the Student Affairs Officer).
- Enrollment After the Published Deadline : Failure to submit an approved study list to the Neurobiology department prior to the published deadline (Friday, second week of classes each quarter) will result in a $50.00 late study list fee assessment. Retroactive petitions must be reviewed by the Graduate Division and are unlikely to be approved.
- Coursework Limits : Twelve units of study is considered to be the normal course load for graduate students. A minimum of 12 units, both before and after advancement to candidacy, is required for all full-time students.
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