Commitments of Graduate Students
- I acknowledge that I have the primary responsibility for the successful completion of my degree. I will be committed to my graduate education and will demonstrate this by my efforts in the classroom and the research laboratory. I will maintain a high level of professionalism, self-motivation, engagement, scientific curiosity, and ethical standards. I acknowledge that I am responsible for knowing and following through on all deadlines and requirements needed to graduate.
- I will meet regularly with my research advisor and provide him/her with updates on the progress and results of my activities and experiments. I will keep a thorough and accurate laboratory notebook, which will demonstrate my creativity and experimental input into the project and the overall goals of the lab.
- I will work with my research advisor to develop a thesis/dissertation project. This will include establishing a timeline for each phase of my work. I will strive to meet the established deadlines and understand that major and minor changes may occur in response to scientific challenges.
- I will work with my research advisor to select a thesis/dissertation committee. I will commit to meeting with this committee at least annually (or more frequently, according to program guidelines). I will be responsive to the advice and constructive criticism from my committee.
- I will be knowledgeable of the policies and requirements of my graduate program, graduate school, and institution. I will commit to meeting these requirements, including teaching responsibilities and attending institutional or program events.
- I will attend and participate in laboratory meetings, seminars, and journal clubs that are part of my educational program. I will be attentive and supportive of presentations given by my peers and will provide constructive criticism to help their graduate development.
- I will comply with all institutional policies, including academic program milestones. I will comply with both the letter and spirit of all institutional safe laboratory practices and animal-use and human-research policies at my institution. I will comply with all additional training and/or courses required for experimental procedures or protocols.
- I will participate in my institution’s Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program and practice those guidelines in conducting my thesis/dissertation research. I understand that these training programs are required by national institutions and government organizations to ensure institutional compliance with national regulations.
- I will apply Rigor and Reproducibility to my research. I understand that the application of rigor to the experimental design, methodology, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results ensures robust and unbiased data. I will ensure the reproducibility of my results by being meticulous in my methods and documentation.
- I will be a good lab citizen. I will agree to take part in shared laboratory responsibilities and will use laboratory resources carefully and frugally. I will maintain a safe and clean laboratory space. I will be respectful of, tolerant of, and work collegially with all laboratory personnel.
- I will maintain a detailed, organized, and accurate laboratory notebook. I will back up my data regularly and send analyzed and raw data to my mentor. I am aware that my original notebooks and all tangible research data are the property of my institution but that I am able to take a copy of my notebooks with me after I complete my thesis/dissertation. I will be as transparent as possible with all data obtained from experiments and analyses.
- I will discuss policies on work hours, sick leave, and vacation with my research advisor. I will consult with my advisor and notify fellow lab members in advance of any planned absences. I understand that some experiments or laboratory maintenance may require my presence on institutional holidays; however, these holidays are considered voluntary, not mandatory. The following dates are considered institutional holidays; however, it is in the student’s best interest to 6 inform his/her mentor of a leave of absence.
Fall Semester
- Labor Day (first Monday of September)
- Thanksgiving Holiday (fourth Thursday and Friday of November)
- December Holidays (December 24th and 25th)
- New Year’s (December 31st and January 1st)
Spring/Summer Semester
- Martin Luther King Jr. (third Monday of January)
- Spring Recess (one week in March; highly recommended to ask permission)
- Memorial Day (the last Monday of May)
- Juneteenth (June 20th)
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- I will discuss policies on authorship and attendance at professional meetings with my research advisor. I will work with my advisor to submit all relevant research results that are ready for publication in a timely manner prior to my graduation. I will communicate effectively with my advisor to discuss what data can be presented or disclosed in presentations or professional meetings.
- I acknowledge that it is primarily my responsibility to develop my career following the completion of my doctoral degree. I will seek guidance from my research advisor, career counseling services, thesis/dissertation committee, other mentors, and any other resources available for advice on career plans.
- I will communicate openly about requesting a Leave of Absence with my mentor and other administrative members.
