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GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

2007-2008



Geosciences MA/MS Handbook 2007-2008


I. Introduction

This handbook describes the admissions and degree requirements for the Masters programs in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas. A student enrolled within the Masters programs of the Department of Geosciences is required to read this handbook and sign the contract page at the end of the handbook that states that the student understands the procedures and guidelines and agrees to abide by them throughout his/her tenure within the program. The signed contract will be placed in the student’s file. The handbook is designed to supplement the information provided in the University of Arkansas Graduate School Catalog. The Catalog is available in hardcopy from the Graduate School and can also be accessed online at:

University of Arkansas Graduate Catalog

The contact information for the Graduate School is:

The Graduate School
119 Ozark Hall
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-4401 Voice

The Department of Geosciences offers a Masters program in Geology (MS) and a Masters program in Geography (MA). Each program has separate admissions requirements, separate requirements for fulfilling the Masters degree and separate graduate coordinators. The current graduate coordinators are:

The Department also is part of the interdisciplinary graduate programs in Environmental Dynamics and Space and Planetary Sciences. Environmental Dynamics offers only the PhD. Space and Planetary Sciences offer the MS and PhD. Students may also obtain the MS in Geology or MA in Geography with a concentration in Space and Planetary Sciences. For additional information regarding these degree programs, contact:

The main office is in 113 Ozark Hall. The members of the office staff are here to keep the department running smoothly and to help all of us with whatever problems and concerns that we may have. Although each staff member will do her best to resolve any situation, each one is responsible for specific aspects of the department.

II. Admissions requirements

University of Arkansas Graduate School

Students wishing to pursue a Masters degree in the Department of Geosciences must be admitted to both the Graduate School and the department. Detailed requirements for regular admission to the Graduate School are outlined in the Graduate School Catalog. Application forms and Catalogs can be obtained from the Graduate School.

The Graduate School Admissions Office
119 Ozark Hall
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-4401
Toll-free 1-866-234-3957
http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/

B. Department of Geosciences

All students wishing to pursue degrees in either Masters program must be admitted to the Graduate School (see the Graduate School for admission requirements and procedures). The student must also submit an application packet to the Department of Geosciences if they are interested in a teaching assistantship (see C. Financial Assistance below). The packet submitted for a teaching assistantship should include:

All files must be complete by March 15th for admission in the Fall semester and by October 15th for admission in the Spring semester if the student is seeking financial aid. The department does not require the GRE for admission into either program.

Each program also has specific prerequisites as follows:

C. Financial Assistance

Department of Geosciences
113 Ozark Hall
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-3355

III. Requirements for the Masters programs in Geosciences.

IV. Advisory Committee, Thesis Research, and Research Compliance.

A. Advisory Committee.

All students are assigned an advisory committee on entering the program. The chair of the advisory committee may or may not become the student’s principal advisor. The role of the principal advisor is to guide the student’s program, both in terms of course selection and thesis research. During the first semester a student should ascertain which faculty member in the program would provide the best direction for his/her program and, in consultation with that person should establish a three person advisory committee. The students should file their Advisory Committee form with the Graduate School no later than the first week of their second semester. Advisory Committee forms are available from the Graduate School and from the Department of Geosciences. Once the committee has been formed the student should maintain regular contact with the principal advisor and should keep the rest of the committee informed of his/her progress on a monthly basis. Composition of the advisory committee varies by program. In Geology, the committee can be made up of faculty entirely from the Geology division, or can include an outside member if the principal advisor wishes. In Geography, the committee must include a member from outside the division of Geography. All faculty who serve on graduate committees must have graduate faculty status – it is not the responsibility of the student to ensure this, but it is useful if the student reminds the advisor of this fact as the committee is formed. The advisory committee is generally also the thesis committee but can be changed easily. However, once the Thesis Committee form (see Thesis research) has been submitted to the Graduate School it becomes more difficult to change the composition of the committee.

B. Thesis Research.

The primary requirement for almost all students in the program will be the satisfactory fulfillment of the master’s thesis. Students should begin to discuss possible topics as soon as they have identified an appropriate principal advisor. As soon as a thesis proposal has been identified, the Thesis Committee form should be submitted to the Graduate School – again this form is available from the Graduate School or the Department of Geosciences. Any student planning to undertake research that involves the use of human (i.e. survey research) or animal subjects or the use and storage of radioactive, toxic, or biohazardous substances must file the relevant forms and obtain prior approval from the appropriate Campus Research Compliance Committee before beginning the thesis work (see Research Compliance below). The student must file these forms at the same time that he/she submits the Thesis Committee form. The thesis must report the results of an original research problem on a topic, and using methodology, approved by the principal advisor and the rest of the thesis committee. Students must complete at least 6 credit hours of thesis and may not begin to take thesis hours until the Thesis Committee form as been filed with the Graduate School. Students should anticipate filing their Thesis Committee form at the beginning of their third semester. At the absolute latest, students must file the form at least three months prior to their anticipated defense date to allow sufficient time for the committee to have input into the thesis.

C. Research Compliance.

The University of Arkansas has established six committees to facilitate the review process designed to protect the rights and welfare of research participants and provide guidance on research integrity issues. The guidelines are dictated by state and federal laws and by policies of funding agencies. The six committees are: the Institutional Review Board (human subjects), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Radiation Safety Committee, the Toxic Substances Committee, and the Conflict of Interest and Commitment Oversight Committee. Students who engage in research that potentially requires review by any of these committees must file the appropriate forms and obtain approval by the relevant committee prior to initiating the research. Additional information is available on-line at: http://www.uark.edu/admin/rsspinfo/compliance/human-subjects/index.html.

Students should discuss with their major thesis advisors if their research requires prior approval from one of these committees. If students and/or faculty advisors are unsure if approval is required, they can contact the Research Compliance officer in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

V. Final Examinations

Final examinations for all students will take the form of an oral defense conducted by the Thesis Committee. Students should anticipate turning drafts of their thesis into their principal advisor until he/she determines that it is ready to be submitted to the rest of the committee. At that point the student should anticipate at least a one month turn around before the defense can be scheduled. Thus, a student who wishes to graduate in the Spring semester should turn in the defense copy of his/her thesis to the committee no later than mid-March (see timetable in Miscellaneous). Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, following agreement by the student and his/her thesis committee. The time and date of the thesis defense must be posted at least 5 business days in advance. The defense will consist of a short presentation of the research by the student followed by an open period of questions from the general audience. The thesis committee can then dismiss the general audience and close the defense to allow a period of questions from the committee. The student must bring the three signature pages for the thesis (see the Graduate School instructions for Thesis form) and the Final Examination form to the defense. The signature pages will be signed and returned to the student when the final draft of the thesis is ready to be turned into the Graduate School.

VI. Graduation Procedures

A. Submitting the Completed Thesis

Three typewritten copies of the completed thesis in the prescribed form must be presented to the candidate's thesis committee for approval at least six weeks before the degree is to be conferred. The student is advised to consult the Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations (website: http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/dean/thesisguide.html) prior to undertaking the preparation of the document. After approval by the committee and the Dean of the Graduate School, two copies must be deposited in the Mullins Library at least two weeks before the degree is to be conferred, together with two copies of an abstract, of not more than 350 words, approved by the major advisor as suitable for publication. The third copy of the thesis shall be presented to the candidate's major department. One copy of a student’s completed thesis must be submitted to the Department of Geosciences office in addition to copies deposited in the library and with the student’s advisor. This office copy may be printed on non-bond paper and it should be submitted as loose pages suitable for binding. Upon submission of the dissertation, the Department of Geosciences office will arrange for binding by the University of Arkansas Printing Services. For information concerning submission of the thesis to the archives at the University of Michigan, consult http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/forms/student/masters_theses_publishing_agreement.pdf

B. Graduation

A student cannot be cleared for graduation until an application for the degree has been filed with the Registrar's Office and the appropriate graduation fee has been paid. The degree application card is obtained from the Graduate School Office and filed with the Registrar for the semester in which the student expects to receive the degree. If the student does not graduate in the indicated semester, the student must reapply for graduation by contacting the Registrar's Office. Please refer to the Master's Calendar for specific deadline dates.

Once a year, the University of Arkansas offers a number of ceremonies in the month of May for graduates who have completed graduation requirements within the academic year. Graduate students are recognized at the All-University Commencement ceremony which occurs on a Saturday morning in early May and runs approximately 2 hours. Additional information is made available in the spring semester of each academic year.

i. Participation in Commencement Ceremony. Summer, fall, and spring Degree Recipients/Applicants are invited to participate in the All-University Commencement ceremony. Degree applicants for the future summer and fall semester MAY participate with approval of their advisor. A form is required and may be obtained from the Graduate School. An immediate family member (spouse, parent, child) who is a member of the academic faculty at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, may present your diploma. Please contact the Graduate School for arrangements.

ii. Deadline For Name to be Included in Commencement Program. The Graduate School makes the effort to include as many graduate students in the Commencement Program as possible. Keep in mind that there are printing deadlines. We tell students that their name should be included if they apply for graduation by late February. All past degree recipients for the academic year are automatically included.

VII. Honor Code and Academic Dishonesty

The following description is excerpted from the Graduate Catalog of Studies of the University of Arkansas and repeated in this handbook to ensure that students in the Masters programs in the Department of Geosciences understand their responsibilities and the gravity of any infractions. In the discussion below, AUJ is the All University Judiciary. The All University Judiciary is defined, and its composition described, in the Student Handbook.

A. Honor Code for the Graduate School

The mission of the Graduate School is to provide post-baccalaureate students with the opportunity to further their educational goals through programs of study, teaching, and research in an environment that promotes freedom of expression, intellectual inquiry, and professional integrity. This mission is only possible when intellectual honesty and individual integrity are taken for granted. The graduate student at the University of Arkansas is expected to:

It is expected that graduate students will refrain from all acts of academic and research dishonesty and will furthermore report to the Graduate School any acts witnessed. The pledge of the Honor Code is this:

“On my honor as a graduate student at the University of Arkansas, I certify that I will neither give nor receive inappropriate assistance on the work I do for my degree.”

Students will be asked to sign this pledge upon admittance to the Graduate School. Faculty, Department Chairs and/or Program Directors also may require students to sign this pledge before completing the requirements of a course or a program of study. The Department of Geosciences requires students sign this pledge. The Department of Geosciences further requires that the signed pledge be placed in the student’s file. Lack of a signed pledge on file in the Department Office may result in delay of graduation from the masters program.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty involves acts that may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational process at the University of Arkansas. Included is an act by which a student gains or attempts to gain an academic advantage for himself or herself or another by misrepresenting his or her or another’s work or by interfering with the completion, submission, or evaluation of work. These include, but are not limited to, accomplishing or attempting any of the following acts:

  1. Altering of grades or official records.
  2. Using any materials that are not authorized by the instructor for use during an examination.
  3. Copying from another student’s paper during an examination.
  4. Collaborating during an examination with any other person by giving or receiving information without specific permission of the instructor.
  5. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining information about an examination not yet administered.
  6. Collaborating on laboratory work, take-home examinations, homework, or other assigned work when instructed to work independently.
  7. Substituting for another person or permitting any other person to substitute for oneself to take an examination.
  8. Submitting as one’s own any theme, report, term paper, essay, computer program, other written work, speech, painting, drawing, sculpture, or other artwork prepared totally or in part by another.
  9. Submitting, without specific permission of the instructor, work that has been previously offered for credit in another course.
  10. Plagiarizing, that is, the offering as one’s own work the words, ideas, or arguments of another person without appropriate attribution by quotation, reference, or footnote. Plagiarism occurs both when the words of another are reproduced without acknowledgement or when the ideas or arguments of another are paraphrased in such a way as to lead the reader to believe that they originated with the writer. It is the responsibility of all University students to understand the methods of proper attribution and to apply those principles in all materials submitted.

Academic dishonesty also includes:

  1. Sabotaging of another student’s work.
  2. Falsifying or committing forgery on any University form or document.
  3. Submitting altered or falsified data as experimental data from laboratory projects, survey research, or other field research.
  4. Committing any willful act of dishonesty that interferes with the operation of the academic process.
  5. Facilitating or aiding in any act of academic dishonesty.

B. Sanctions

The Department of Geosciences will administer the sanction that it sees most warranted in each case of academic dishonesty. In some cases, sanctions will be imposed directly and exclusively by the faculty member most closely involved in the case of academic dishonesty. In other cases, an individual faculty member may wish to bring the case forward to the Department for consideration. The Department of Geosciences will refer each case of academic dishonesty that any faculty member wishes to bring forth to a Committee appointed by the Chair. The Committee, in conjunction with the faculty member(s) who are involved in the case, will determine the sanction. In the case that expulsion from the program is recommended, the entire faculty of the Department of Geosciences will vote on the recommendation.

The following is excerpted from the Catalog of Studies and modified where appropriate:

The choice of sanctions in cases of academic dishonesty always involves consideration of the integrity of the educational process of the University. There is no place in that process for academic dishonesty, and if a student is undermining the integrity of that process, then separating that student from the University is the natural sanction. The intent of this policy is to make acts of academic dishonesty clear risks – that is, the sanctions are to be sufficiently heavy to deter academic dishonesty. Thus, the application of a grade sanction as the only sanction is to be very carefully considered and should occur only in unusual cases. The following are possible sanctions for academic dishonesty:

  1. Grading Sanctions. An instructor may apply grading sanctions. Such sanctions may also be recommended by either the judicial coordinator in case of administrative action or by AUJ (All University Judiciary), but the final decision will be that of the instructor. Grade sanctions may consist of either grades of zero or failing grades on part or all of a submitted assignment or examination, or a lowering of a course grade, or a failing grade. All grade sanctions must follow the procedures specified (see Sanctions below). A grade sanction may be appealed by the student (see Appeals below).
  2. Admonition or Probation. These are applied by either administrative action or AUJ action. The types:
    1. Admonition. This is a firm warning against future violations, filed in the Office of the Judicial Coordinator.
    2. Conduct Probation. This is a probation imposed for a specified period and constitutes a final warning and a second chance to demonstrate what has been learned and to show improved judgment.
    3. Personal Probation. This is a probation imposed for a specified period and constitutes a final warning of more severe sanctions. This requires the student to meet periodically with a University official to discuss and explore alternatives to the kind of behavior that resulted in the sanction.
    4. Disciplinary Probation. This is probation imposed for a specified period and constitutes a warning that affects the student’s good standing in the University. Violations of regulations during the period are likely to result in suspension or expulsion. During the period, the student is no longer to hold campus offices, receive honors, or represent the University in extracurricular or intercollegiate activities.
    5. Educative Sanctions. These include a variety of assignments, tasks, or experiences that should make the offender more aware of the nature of the general problem of academic dishonesty. These may be applied in conjunction with any admonition or probation.
  3. Suspension. Suspensions for a specified period of time from the University may be recommended by AUJ. Such suspensions may be for the remainder of a semester or for a specified number of semesters. In cases of clearly premeditated cheating or cases where either illegal actions or conspiracy with others is involved, suspension for at least the remaining part of a semester or one full semester must be considered as a sanction. Also, suspension will normally be the minimal sanction in cases where a student is guilty of academic dishonesty for a second time.
  4. Expulsion. Expulsion from the University for an indefinite period of time may be recommended by AUJ.

C. Application and Appeal of Sanctions

The following is taken from the Graduate Catalog of Studies. Sanctions for acts of academic dishonesty committed by graduate students may be applied in the following ways.

A. Initial Report of Infraction

1. Infractions Involving Graded Course Work

When an instructor determines or believes that a student in the instructor’s class is responsible for academic dishonesty deserving of sanction, the instructor will meet with the student and explain the allegation. Without waiving the option to pursue charges, the instructor may also choose to contact the Office of Student Mediation and Conflict Resolution for help in resolving the situation. If the instructor wishes to pursue charges of academic misconduct, he/she should within five working days after meeting with the student, or as soon as practicable thereafter, follow a. or b. (following). If the Office of Student Mediation and Conflict Resolution is involved, the five days does not begin until the instructor is aware of the termination of those Services. (If the instructor is either a graduate teaching assistant or a temporary faculty member, then a supervising faculty member or the departmental head or Chairperson may assist in the handling of an academic dishonesty case.)

  1. The instructor may determine a grade sanction and within five working days report that sanction along with the essential details of the matter to the judicial coordinator in the Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics and to the Graduate Dean. The student sanctioned in this way by an instructor will be notified by the Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics and will have five working days from that notification to request a hearing by the All University Judiciary (AUJ). If the student does not request a hearing within five working days, then it is assumed that the sanction is not contested. The student will be required to have a conference with the judicial coordinator so that the consequences of the action can be made clear. The student may appeal a grade sanction to the AUJ only on the grounds that he/she did not commit the violation. If the student wishes to appeal the severity of a sanction, he/she will follow the Academic Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students (see Appeals below). To the extent practical, at the discretion of the instructor, during the course of an appeal to the AUJ or the Graduate Grievance committee (depending on the nature of the appeal), the student’s participation in the affected class should continue so that any action can be reversed without prejudicing the student’s academic performance and evaluation. The AUJ is given the authority to determine whether the evidence substantiates the charges of the instructor. If the AUJ determines that the evidence does not substantiate the charges, the grade sanction will be withdrawn and the matter will end. Should the AUJ determine the evidence does substantiate the charges of the instructor, the grade sanction will stand, and The AUJ may also impose additional sanctions. The Department of Geosciences and/or the Graduate School may impose sanctions in addition to those imposed by the instructor and the AUJ, including expulsion from the masters program or the University. While the instructor should be consulted in such cases, these additional sanctions may be imposed by the AUJ, the Graduate School and/or the Department of Geosciences without the permission of the instructor. In addition to other sanctions, graduate students may be dismissed by the Department of Geosciences or the Graduate School on the first or any subsequent instances of academic dishonesty. Students may not withdraw from courses in which judicial action is pending or in which they have received a grade sanction.

  2. The instructor may file an incident report form referring the case to the student judicial process for determinations of responsibility and the application of sanctions. If the student is determined to be responsible for academic dishonesty, then the instructor may apply a grade sanction in addition to whatever sanctions are applied by the judicial process. To the extent practical, at the discretion of the instructor, while such a case is pending in the judicial process, the student’s participation in the affected class should continue, to avoid pre-empting the options available after responsibility is determined. If the student is determined to be responsible for the actions charged, the instructor will impose a grade sanction. The AUJ has no authority to impose a grade sanction but is permitted to make a recommendation and to impose other sanctions, as described below. Additionally, the Graduate School and/or the Department of Geosciences may impose sanctions in addition to those imposed by the instructor. In such cases, the instructor should be consulted, but additional sanctions may be imposed by the AUJ, the Graduate School, and/or the Department of Geosciences without the permission of the instructor. Students may not withdraw from a course for which judicial action is pending or in which they have received a grade sanction. Should the graduate student feel that the severity of the grade sanction is unfair, he/she may appeal via the Academic Grievance Policy for Graduate Students (see Appeals below). It should be noted that, in addition to other possible sanctions, graduate students may be dismissed by the Department of Geosciences and/or the Graduate School on the first or any subsequent instance of academic dishonesty.

2. Infractions Not Involving Graded Course Work

Cases of academic misconduct may occur in situations not involving graded course work. One example is a situation where a graduate student plagiarizes material for his/her thesis. In cases not involving graded course work, the Chair of the Department of Geosciences and major professor, or other appropriate official(s) will meet with the student. Without waiving the option to pursue charges, the Department of Geosciences may also choose to contact the Office of Student Mediation and Conflict Resolution for help in resolving the situation. If the Department of Geosciences decides to proceed with charges of academic misconduct, the Chair or other appropriate official will, within five working days after meeting with the student, or as soon as practicable thereafter, follow one of the following: (If the Office of Student Mediation and Conflict Resolution is involved, the five days does not begin until the instructor is aware of the termination of those services.)

a. The Geosciences faculty will determine a sanction, and the Department Chair will, within five working days after meeting with the student (or as soon as practicable thereafter), report that sanction along with the essential details of the incident to the judicial coordinator in the Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics and to the Graduate Dean. The student sanctioned in this way by the Department of Geosciences will be notified by the Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics and will have five working days from that notification to request a hearing by the AUJ. If the student does not request a hearing within five working days, then it is assumed that the sanction is not contested. The student will be required to have a conference with the judicial coordinator so that the consequences of the action can be made clear. The student may appeal such a sanction to the AUJ only on the grounds that he/she did not commit the violation. If the student wishes to appeal the severity of a sanction, he/she will follow the Academic Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students (see Appeals below). While such a case is pending in the student judicial process, to the extent practical, at the discretion of the Department of Geosciences, the student’s participation in the masters degree program should continue so that any action can be reversed without prejudicing the student’s academic performance and evaluation.

b. The Department Chair may file an incident report form referring the case to the judicial process for determination of responsibility. If the student is determined to be responsible for academic dishonesty, then the judicial board may impose a sanction in addition to that imposed by the program/department and the Graduate School. Sanctions are listed and described below. To the extent practical, at the discretion of the Department of Geosciences, while such a case is pending in the judicial process, the student’s participation in the masters program should continue, to avoid pre-empting the options available after the responsibility is determined. Unlike the situation in which the Judicial Board hears the appeal of a student protesting a sanction imposed by the Department of Geosciences, students who are sanctioned by the Judicial Board itself may appeal both the imposition of and the severity of the sanction via the Academic Grievance Procedure for Graduate Students (see Appeals below). Graduate students may be dismissed by the Department of Geosciences and/or the Graduate School on the first or any subsequent instance of academic dishonesty.

B. Appeals

1. When a sanction has been imposed by the instructor or the Department of Geosciences: The student may appeal such a sanction to the AUJ on the grounds that he/she did not commit the violation. If the student wishes to appeal the severity of a sanction, he/she will follow the Academic Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students. In both cases, the student will notify the appropriate office of his/her appeal within five working days of receiving the sanction, or as soon as practicable. For appeals to the AUJ, the student will contact the Office of Student Ethics and Community Standards. For appeals following the Academic Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students, the student will contact the Graduate School.

2. When a sanction has been imposed by the AUJ: Unlike the situation in which the Judicial Board hears the appeal of a student protesting a sanction imposed by the Department of Geosciences, students who are sanctioned by the Judicial Board itself may appeal either or both the imposition of and the severity of the sanction via the Academic Grievance Procedure for Graduate Students. Students who wish to initiate such an appeal shall contact the Graduate School within five working days of receiving the sanction, or as soon as practicable.

3. When a sanction has been imposed by the Graduate School: Students who are sanctioned by the Graduate School may appeal to the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Additional information regarding Academic Dishonesty and Sanctions may be found at the following links:

1) Dean of Student Web site

http://www.uark.edu/ua/ethics/academic2.html

2) The Catalog of Studies (undergrad)

http://catalogofstudies.uark.edu/current/studies/06_AcademicReg.pdf

3) The Graduate Catalog of Studies

http://catalogofstudies.uark.edu/current/graduate/02grad_Objectives.pdf

VIII. Miscellaneous Information

A. Annual Reviews

At the end of the second semester of his/her program, the student will meet with his/her thesis committee to establish that the student is making adequate progress towards his/her degree. A record of this meeting, including date, attendance and outcome, will be placed in the student’s file. Unsatisfactory progress may result in the student receiving a warning. Progress will be assessed again after one additional semester and lack of improvement may result in the withdrawal of assistantship support.

In accordance with the policies of the University of Arkansas Graduate School and the Graduate Council, it will be the policy of the Department of Geosciences to conduct an annual review of progress toward the degree for each enrolled student. At a minimum, the review will examine progress toward:

  1. Completing required course work with the minimum grade point average defined by the Graduate School;
  2. Completing thesis requirements including but not limited to:
    1. Establishing Advisory and Thesis Committees as prescribed in the Geosciences Graduate Handbook;
    2. Preparing a formal, written thesis proposal as prescribed in the Geosciences Graduate Handbook;
    3. Conducting an initial meeting with members of the Advisory and Thesis committees as prescribed in the Geosciences Graduate Handbook;
    4. Conducting research related to the thesis;
    5. Writing the thesis;
  3. Completing other specified requirements for the degree (e.g. satisfactory evaluations of teaching, participation in Department of Geosciences or University of Arkansas service activities, etc.).

i. Annual Review Procedure. The annual review of graduate student progress to be enacted by the Department of Geosciences will follow the procedure outlined below:

  1. During the Spring semester of each academic year, the Chair of Geosciences will remind each student enrolled in Geosciences to initiate a meeting with his/her advisor and at least one additional member of the student’s advisory or thesis committee for the purpose of evaluating student progress toward the degree. The student should plan sufficiently so that this review can be completed on or before 15 April each spring semester.
    1. The annual progress review will consist of a face-to-face interview with the student and the committee member(s) selected to serve as reviewers. In situations where it may be impractical to meet the student face-to-face, the review may be conducted with the advisor and committee member(s) via telephone or e-mail correspondence, or other vehicle agreed to by the involved parties.
    2. Upon completion of the review, the committee will articulate its assessment regarding progress toward the degree directly to the student by indicating that the student is making normal progress, adequate progress, or inadequate progress.
      1. Normal progress is defined as a combination of the items listed below appropriate to the student’s seniority and assistantship responsibilities within the Geosciences masters programs:
        1. Student has established an Advisory or Thesis Committee;
        2. Completing required Geology/Geography core courses during the first year of enrollment and residence;
        3. Completing at least 15 hours of course work per academic year or comparable work towards completion of the degree;
        4. Maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.20;
        5. Student has made significant progress toward defining a thesis topic;
        6. Student is in the process of writing a formal thesis proposal to be presented to advisory or thesis committee;
        7. Student is working with advisor to secure funding for research leading to the thesis;
        8. Student is conducting research related to the thesis;
        9. Student is writing thesis;
        10. Student is on pace to complete the degree in 2 years (4 academic semesters);
        11. Student has performed teaching duties satisfactorily.
      2. Adequate progress toward the degree is defined as a combination of the items listed below appropriate to the student’s seniority and assistantship responsibilities within the Geosciences masters programs:
        1. Completing required Geology/Geography core courses during first 3 semesters of enrollment;
        2. Completing at least 12 hours of coursework per academic year or comparable work towards completion of the degree;
        3. Maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.00;
        4. Student has established an Advisory or Thesis committee;
        5. Student has made significant progress toward defining a thesis topic;
        6. Student is in the process of writing a formal thesis proposal to be presented to advisory or dissertation committee;
        7. Student is on pace to complete the degree in 5 semesters;
        8. Student is working with advisor to secure funding for research leading to the dissertation.
        9. Student has performed teaching duties satisfactorily.
        10. Student has satisfied any academic deficiencies.
      3. Inadequate progress toward the degree is defined as a combination of the items listed below appropriate to the student’s seniority within the Geosciences masters programs:
        1. Geology/Geography core courses not completed during first 3 semesters of enrollment;
        2. Less than 12 hours of coursework per academic year or comparable work towards completion of the degree;
        3. Minimum grade point average falls below 2.85;
        4. Student not on schedule to complete degree during the 5th semester of enrollment (i.e. in 2.5 years);
        5. Student has not established an Advisory or Thesis Committee;
        6. Student has not made significant progress toward defining a thesis topic;
        7. Student has not written a formal thesis proposal to be presented to advisory or thesis committee;
        8. Student has not performed teaching duties satisfactorily.
        9. Academic deficiencies not satisfied.
  2. Following the review of student progress, the review form provided by the Graduate School will be completed to include written comments regarding the student’s progress, as well as recommendations for continued progress or recommendations to remediate inadequate progress within a realistic time frame (since the review occurs during late spring semester, either end of summer or midway through fall semester might be a reasonable time frame).
  3. At the conclusion of the review, the student and advisor will sign the review form, and copies will be distributed to the student, the advisor, and the Chair of Geosciences. The annual review forms will become part of the student’s permanent file.
  4. The Chair of Geosciences will report the progress of each student in the program to the Graduate Committee, including necessary remediation steps for those students whose progress was evaluated as inadequate. The Graduate Committee will make the final decision regarding student progress. Once this final decision is rendered, the Chair of Geosciences will forward the original signed review forms of all students to the Graduate School for inclusion in the students’ permanent files.
  5. Students who refuse to participate in the review process will be placed on short-term probationary status while reasons for their refusal are heard. If adequate cause for by-passing the review cannot be determined and the student still refuses to participate in annual reviews of progress, a statement reporting the student’s refusal to be reviewed will be forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate School and dismissal proceedings will be initiated by the Graduate School.

ii. Failure to Progress. If a student who receives an evaluation of inadequate progress fails to meet the minimum remedial steps specified by the review committee within the specified time frame, a Report-of-Non-Progress will be provided to the Chair of Geosciences by the chair of the student’s evaluation committee (ordinarily the principal advisor). This report will provide details of the failed steps.

  1. The Report-of-Non-Progress will be treated as confidential information and will be forwarded to members of the Graduate Committee for review. If a majority of Graduate Committee members agree with the findings of the Report-of-Non-Progress, this report will be forwarded to the Graduate School for additional action.
  2. At each stage of this process, the student will be informed by the Chair of Geosciences program what actions are being taken. The student may appeal decisions regarding inadequate progress in accord with guidelines of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas through the formal grievance process (see the Graduate Catalog of Studies for procedures).
  3. In developing guidelines for the annual review of graduate student progress, the Department of Geosciences recognizes that extenuating circumstances of employment, research funding, or other relevant conditions may impact on students’ progress. As such, the Department of Geosciences reserves the right to consider such circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

B. Academic dismissal/academic probation

From the Graduate Catalog of Studies:

Students may be dropped from further study in the Graduate School if at any time their performance is considered unsatisfactory as determined by either the faculty of the Department of Geosciences or the Dean of the Graduate School. Academic or research dishonesty (see Academic Dishonesty above) and failure to maintain the specified cumulative grade-point average (3.00) are considered to be unsatisfactory performance.

C. Sample Timetable

The following is the ideal timetable for a two-year program with Fall entry

It is the student’s responsibility to ascertain the exact deadlines that the Graduate School sets for the semester in which they intend to graduate.

Students who fail to meet the deadlines for a May graduation should NEVER assume that they can defend over the summer. Summer defenses can only take place with the express written permission of all the relevant committee members. Students should be aware that most faculty are not on contract from May 15th to August 15th and may not be available.

IX. Student Activities

Graduate students are encouraged to take part in the student activities of the department. There are four organizations that encompass both graduate and undergraduate students. SGE and GTU are the honors societies for Geology and Geography, respectively, and graduate students are an integral part of these organizations. In addition, Supporting Women in Geosciences (SWIG) and the Association of Women Geoscientists (AWG) cover all the students in the department. All four organizations provide extensive service and social opportunities for all graduate students. Graduate students also are expected to attend Department Colloquium, which occurs on Friday afternoons at 3:30 pm in Ozark 25 throughout the semester. Other colloquia may occur throughout the semester and graduate students are strongly encouraged to attend all those that their schedules permit.

A. Professional Activities

The faculty of the Department of Geosciences expect that graduate students will be active in professional activities – particularly participation in professional meetings. Both Geology and Geography offer local, regional and national meetings and the Graduate School offers limited travel funds for students who present papers at national meetings.

B. Assistantship Contracts

All students who receive assistantships have a number of responsibilities in the department. Assistantships are 9-month appointments which begin on August 15th and end each year on May 15th. Students should expect to be available in the department throughout that period. It is expected that students will be absent from the end of finals week in December until the week before classes start in January. All new students should report to the main office by August 15th to ascertain what their assigned duties will be. Returning students should report either to the main office or to their supervisors sometime during the week before classes begin. During the semester, students are expected to fulfill their duties in a professional and competent manner. Lab TAs may only be absent in an emergency (or for professional commitments such as conferences) and must have made arrangements to have some other qualified student cover their labs. Non-teaching TAs must clear any absences with their supervisors. All TAs must discuss their work schedule with their supervisors before classes begin and they must post their work schedules in a visible location outside their offices and must be present in the department during those scheduled hours. Failure to fulfill any of these conditions is grounds for the withdrawal of assistantships.

C. Office Space

A limited number of desks are available for graduate students. Spaces are allocated by the Chair of the Department in consultation with the Graduate Advisor(s) according to the following criteria.

1st priority – Ph.D. (ENDY/SPAC) students who are pursuing research in Geosciences (i.e. their affiliated department is Geosciences or their dissertation advisor is a member of the faculty of the Department of Geosciences) on teaching GAs; DDFs; DAFs; or other fellows (e.g. NSF, EPA, NASA, etc.)

2nd priority – MA/MS (Geoscience) students on TAs

3rd priority – Ph.D. (ENDY/SPAC) students who are pursuing research in Geosciences (i.e. their affiliated department is Geosciences or their dissertation advisor is a member of the faculty of the Department of Geosciences) on non-teaching GAs

4th priority – MA/MS (Geoscience) students on non-teaching GAs

5th priority – all other Ph.D.s

6th priority – all other graduate students

Limited space means that office space is rarely allocated to any student that is not receiving departmental support (i.e. only priorities 1, 2, 3 and 4 get desk space). Non-teaching GAs include all students on research assistantships (RAs).

Students will be informed that they have desk space prior to the start of classes. The allocation of individual desks is decided by the Chair in consultation with faculty members who are the supervisors of the students and the Graduate Advisor(s). You will retain your desk from one semester to the next unless notified by the Chair or your supervisor.

D. Good Citizenship

The Department of Geosciences has limited space to accommodate classrooms, laboratories, and faculty, staff, and student offices. The student offices typically house desks or cubicles for several students, resulting in space shared by many. It is imperative, therefore, that everyone treat his/her neighbor with respect to ensure tranquility and a comfortable environment for study and research. Do not take over unclaimed space. If additional storage is necessary for scientific samples, contact the Department Chair or your major advisor. Do not rearrange the furniture. The furniture is ergonomically placed, taking into consideration privacy, efficiency, overall space, and common work areas. Do not display material that others may find offensive. Do not borrow items from fellow students without their permission. In short, please be good citizens toward your colleagues in the Department of Geosciences.

E. Pets

Pets of any kind are prohibited in University of Arkansas buildings. Exceptions are granted only in the case of service animals for people with disabilities and animals used by academic departments for approved research projects, teaching purposes and artistic performances.

F. Alcohol

Alcohol is prohibited in any space occupied by the Department of Geosciences. This includes individual student, staff, and faculty offices as well as laboratories, classrooms, and departmental vans. The policy is in keeping with that of the general alcohol policy of the University of Arkansas.

G. Vans

Vans are an integral part of the Department of Geosciences. As with all departmental equipment, vans are to be used only when authorized and only for legitimate university business. Priorities are for field trips associated with GEOL, GEOG, and GEOS classes. Vans must be reserved and signed out in the log book maintained by Lisa Frye in the main office (Ozark 113). As a graduate student, particularly if you are a TA, you may be required to drive a van for a field trip. To be eligible to drive a van, you must have a clean driving record and valid driver’s license. You must also watch a 17 minute video through the Office of Student xxxxx located in the Union. Prior to departing on a field trip outside of Washington County, Arkansas, the filing of forms for insurance purposes is required. Sample forms are included in Appendix II of this Graduate Manual. Keys for the vans must be obtained from Lisa Frye in the main office (Ozark 113), who will only authorize delivery of the keys if the proper forms are completed. The forms must be handed to Lisa Frye forty-eight (48) hours prior to departure to insure that the information is conveyed to the proper campus entities.


Appendix I: GEOSCIENCES FACULTY

Stephen Boss, Associate Professor and Director of Environmental Dynamics, PhD, University of North Carolina, marine geology and geophysics, limnogeology

Van Brahana, Professor, PhD, University of Missouri, agroforestry, surface and ground water processes

Malcolm Cleaveland, Emeritus Professor, PhD, University of Arizona, tree-ring analysis and paleoclimatology, geographic information science

Jackson Cothren, Assistant Professor, PhD, The Ohio State University, geospatial modeling, geomatics

Ralph Davis, Professor, PhD, University of Nebraska, physical and contaminant hydrogeology

Fiona Davidson, Associate Professor and Director of European Studies, PhD, University of Nebraska, nationalism and European electoral geography

John Dixon, Professor, PhD, University of Colorado, weathering, periglacial geomorphology

Tom Graff, Associate Professor, PhD, University of Kansas, retail geography and migration analysis

Margaret Guccione, Professor, PhD, University of Colorado, stream geomorphology and sedimentology

Sonja Hausmann, Assistant Professor, University of Bern, limnology, global change

Phil Hays, Professor, PhD, Texas A&M, geochemistry and stable isotope hydrogeology

John Hehr, PhD, Michigan State University, Professor and Associate Dean of Fulbright College, paleoclimatology and climate change

Pamela Jansma, Professor and Chair, PhD, Northwestern University, plate kinematics, tectonics

Ron Konig, Professor, PhD, Cornell University, structural geology, general geology

Fred Limp, University Professor and Leica Chair in Geospatial Systems, PhD, Indiana University, geospatial analysis

Harold Macdonald, Emeritus Professor, PhD, University of Kansas, remote sensing

Walter Manger, Professor, PhD, University of Iowa, Carboniferous ammonoids, biostratigraphy, stratigraphy

Glen Mattioli, Professor, PhD, Northwestern University, GPS geodesy, volcanology

Tom Paradise, Professor and Associate Director of King Fahd Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, PhD, Arizona State University, stone deterioration, architecture, hazards, cartography and visualization

Dave Stahle, Distinguished Professor, PhD, Arizona State University, tree-ring analysis and climate change, human environmental interactions, ancient forests

Ken Steele, Emeritus Professor, PhD, University of North Carolina, impact of land use and storms on aqueous chemistry, evolution of groundwater

Fang-Zhen Teng, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Maryland, isotope geochemistry, crustal evolution, meteoritics

Jason Tullis, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of South Carolina, remote sensing, biogeography

Doy Zachry, Professor, PhD, University of Texas, stratigraphy, sedimentary petrology


Appendix II: Master’s Calendar for Academic Year 2007-2008

MASTER'S PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Master's Advisory Committee form, consisting of a major adviser and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, should be submitted (in duplicate) to the Graduate School immediately following or at the time of admission to the program of study.

MASTER’S THESIS COMMITTEE

The Master’s Thesis Committee form, consisting of a thesis director and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, should be submitted (in duplicate) to the Graduate School as soon as the committee has been selected but no later than three months prior to the date of the comprehensive examination.

MASTER'S THESIS TITLE

The Master's Thesis Title form, consisting of the title of the thesis and approved by the thesis director, should be submitted (in duplicate) to the Graduate School as soon as the thesis topic has been established but no later than three months prior to the date of the comprehensive examination.

THESIS REGISTRATION

Those presenting a master's thesis as a part of the requirements for the master's degree must register for a minimum of six semester hours of master's thesis. Registration beyond six hours carries no degree credit. Consult your thesis director concerning registration for thesis. NOTE: The mark of "R" is the only acceptable mark reported when a thesis is in progress. A grade or mark may be assigned to the thesis when it has been accepted by the committee. Any grade assigned by the committee for thesis is to be recorded on the Record of Progress for the Master's Degree.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DISCLOSURE

The Intellectual Property Disclosure form is required for ALL master’s students submitting a master’s thesis. This form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the time that the final copies of the thesis are submitted for deposit in the University Libraries.

PRELIMINARY COPIES

The thesis, after its acceptance by the thesis director, should be submitted for approval to each thesis committee member. The committee must receive the thesis at least three (3) weeks before the final oral defense. You must obtain and follow the "Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations" that is available at our web site www.uark.edu/grad or at the Union Bookstore.

FINAL COPIES

Two (2) unbound typewritten copies of the thesis in prescribed form should be submitted to the Graduate School at least ONE WEEK BEFORE GRADUATION (August 3, 2007 , for the August 2007 diploma; December 5, 2007, for the December 2007 diploma; and May 2, 2008, for the May 2008 diploma).

MASTER'S EXAMINATION

The master's comprehensive examination should be scheduled at least ONE (1) WEEK BEFORE GRADUATION (prior to August 3, 2007, for the August 2007 diploma; December 5, 2007, for the December 2007 diploma; and May 2, 2008, for the May 2008 diploma).

APPLICATION FOR THE DEGREE

A student cannot be cleared for graduation until an application for the degree has been filed with the Registrar's Office and the appropriate graduation fee has been paid.

The degree application is obtained from the Graduate School Office and filed with the Registrar in the semester in which the student expects to receive the degree.

You must apply for the degree with the Registrar as early in the semester as possible, but no later than:

June 15, 2007 for an August 2007 diploma;

September 28, 2007 for a December 2007 diploma;

Febrauary 22, 2008* for a May 2008 diploma.

*To be included in the 2008 All-University Commencement Program, you should apply by February 22, 2008.

If there are any questions with regard to any of the above information, please contact the Graduate School at 575-4401.

Appendix III. Forms necessary for the MA/MS programs in Geosciences.