INTRODUCTION

The Department of Geological Sciences occupies the 50,000 square feet of floor space in Elisha Mitchell Hall and houses a departmental library which contains over 48,000 volumes as well as periodicals, maps, and electronic resources in the geosciences. We are a relatively small department--12 faculty on our instructional staff, ~25 undergraduate majors and ~25 graduate students--where students have access to all faculty and all resources.
Research equipment and facilities include: thermal ionization mass spectrometer; Class 100 clean lab; direct current plasma spectrometer; X-ray diffraction; flame- and graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometer; scanning electron microscope; one-atmosphere gas-mixing furnaces; fluid-inclusion heating/freezing stage; counting laboratory (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-emitting radionuclides); gas-, liquid-, and ion-chromatography equipment; carbon/nitrogen/sulfur analyzer; benzene synthesis 14C laboratory; percent carbonate and organic C facility; preparation labs for stable isotope analysis; gas chromatograph-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer; ICP mass spectrometer and electron microprobe (at Duke University); MacCarthy Geophysical Laboratory, including nineteen seismometers and the North Carolina Seismic Network; thin section and polishing equipment. The department also has a large variety of computing resources which includes Macintosh and Windows-based computers, UNIX workstations, a GIS/mapping laboratory, and computer graphics and imaging facilities. A Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 provides centralized scientific computing on campus, and a Cray supercomputer cluster is available at the North Carolina Supercomputing Center. UNC and Duke University jointly operate the R/Y Cape Hatteras, a part of the UNOLS oceanographic research fleet, which is docked at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC.
You are a very important part of this department! We strive to be a department in which everyone--undergraduates, graduate students, research and administrative staff, and faculty--is an active participant and feels welcome. The following staff is available to provide you with a wide variety of assistance and information.
Darrel Sandiford, Electronics Technician: computer/network problems, electronic repairs, Rm. 327. Miriam Kennard, Librarian, Rm. 121B. Vacant, Lab Manager: technical/instructional support, mail, audio/visual equipment Rm. 116. Wendy Dale, Receptionist: supplies, copiers, travel, purchasing, Rm. 107. Yvette Thompson, Student Services Assistant: everything for students not covered above! Rm. 115.

Each graduate student is responsible for knowing pertinent Graduate School policies and procedures (the Graduate School Policies and Procedures document and the Graduate School Handbook are downloadable in PDF format from the Graduate School web site at http://handbook.unc.edu/.   This guidebook concerns policies within the Department of Geological Sciences and is intended only as a supplement to the Graduate School Handbook.  In instances of discrepancy between this document, the Graduate School Handbook and the Graduate School Record, the Graduate School Handbook takes precedence.

You -- the graduate student -- should review your progress periodically and check the regulations and procedures to give yourself advance warning on deadlines. The Chair of your Graduate Committee (hereafter referred to as "Major Advisor"), the Director of Graduate Studies, or the Student Services Assistant (hereafter referred to as "the Secretary") will be glad to assist you. The official departmental records on graduate students are maintained by the Secretary (room 115). Checklists designed to assist the student and the Secretary in monitoring the student's steps toward completion of his/her degree is at the end of document.

Within the framework of Graduate School and departmental regulations, the student's Graduate Committee sets specific course requirements.  Graduate committees must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. 

• A preliminary Advisory Graduate Committee will be assigned to each student at the time of first enrollment. This committee will give advice and approve courses until a student chooses a Major Advisor (this may have been done prior to matriculation) which should be done no later than the end of the first semester in residence.

2. The student and his/her newly-chosen Major Advisor will select a Thesis or Dissertation Graduate Committee no later than the end of the second semester in residence. Three members are required for the M.S. committee and five members for the Ph.D. committee.  A majority of graduate committee members must be from the UNC Department of Geological Sciences, whether at the MS or Ph.D. level.  A majority of graduate committee members must be from the UNC Department of Geological Sciences, whether at the MS or Ph.D. level.

Committee members from outside the faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences or outside the Graduate Faculty of UNC-Chapel Hill must have a special appointment to the Graduate Faculty for the period of time he/she will serve on a student’s committee.

As soon as the Major Advisor and Graduate Committee are chosen:

• M.S. students must file a Composition of Thesis Committee form with the Secretary for their permanent departmental file. This form must be signed by the Director of Graduate Studies.
• Ph.D. students must file a Report of Doctoral Committee Composition Part I form with the Secretary who will submit it to the Graduate School. This form must be signed by the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

At least 18 hours of course work must be in the field of the major.  Additional course requirements will be determined by individual graduate committees, often in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. 

 

MASTER'S

30 graduate-level hours (courses numbered 400 or higher), 24 of which must be taken in residence.  This must include a minimum of three (3) but no more than six (6) hours of thesis (Geological Sciences 992).   Upon approval by the Graduate School, up to 20% of the total hours required for the master’s degree may be graduate-level courses transferred from another accredited institution or from UNC-Chapel Hill for courses taken before admission to a degree program in the Graduate School.

DOCTORAL

 

48 graduate-level hours.  This must include a minimum of six (6) hours and preferably no more than twelve (12) hours of dissertation (Geological Sciences 994), and a minimum of 15 hours of coursework.  Up to 30 hours of course credit taken to complete a Master's degree earned at this university or another accredited college or university may be accepted toward course credit required for the doctoral degree.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

nternational students must observe all enrollment conditions required by their student visa, including remaining enrolled full time throughout their course of study.   It is advisable for international students to enroll for a minimum of nine (9) hours for the first two semesters (M.S.) or first four semesters (Ph.D) in residence; the remaining hours may be completed over the remainder of the student's enrollment period. 

There is no transfer of course credit for the MS degree for foreign students from a university where course content cannot be determined as being equal or superior to that from a university in the United States.

Courses taken by graduate students to remove undergraduate deficiencies must be completed by the end of the first year in residence. No graduate credit or residence credits will be given for any courses numbered less than 500.
*Because of the residence credit requirement by the Graduate School, it is in the best interest of all doctoral candidates to register for a minimum of nine (9) or more hours for the first four semesters in residence.

All new international students subject to TOEFL must take the University’s English Proficiency Test before registering for their first semester of study. Students who do not achieve a passing score will be required to enroll in and attend a non-credit course entitled “English for Foreign Students: English 101”.

Until all of the required coursework has been completed, a graduate student should register for a minimum of nine (9) hours per semester.  Maximum permissible registration is 16 credit hours per semester.  After completing two (2) years in residence at UNC-Chapel Hill and after passing all courses required for the M.S. by his/her Graduate Committee, the M.S. student may not take more than two (2) courses without specific permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.  This rule applies even if the M.S. student has received approval to proceed to the Ph.D.

Any student engaged in thesis or dissertation research and/or writing that involve the use of University faculty time or facilities must be registered in the semester in which he or she is using faculty time or facilities.  If the student has already completed the required number of hours, this registration must be for three credit hours.  Provided that no use of University faculty time and/or facilities is required, a student need not be registered in the semester in which the degree is to be awarded, unless the thesis or dissertation is defended and submitted during the same semester, since submission constitutes a significant use of University time and facilities.

The Graduate School requires a minimum number of semesters "in residence" at UNC-Chapel Hill.  Residence requirements for degree status are independent of and unrelated to North Carolina residency determinations.  These requirements are monitored by the Graduate School and must be fulfilled in order to receive a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   See “Residence Credit” section of the Graduate School Handbook for further information and explanation.

A. Requirements for Master's Degree:  M.S. candidates are required to complete a minimum residence credit of two (2) full semesters, either by full-time registration (nine [9] or more credit hours), or by part-time registration over a larger number of semesters. Transfer credits are NOT included in the computation of residence credit.

B. Requirements for Doctoral Degree:  Ph.D. candidates are required to complete a minimum of four (4) semesters of residence credit. At least two of these must be earned in contiguous registration of no fewer than six credit hours on this campus. The residence credit requirement requires UNC-Chapel Hill registration, i.e., transfer credits are NOT included in the computation of residence credit.

A student completing a Master’s degree at UNC-Chapel Hill may request to proceed to the Doctoral program.  Approval by the master's thesis committee, the graduate admissions committee, and the assembled faculty of the department is required.  Specific steps to be followed are:

By January 31, the student must submit the Master's Student Request to Proceed Beyond the M.S. Program form to the Chair of the department.  Each of the following is required:

1. Recommendation by the master's thesis committee, as well as assurance from Major Advisor that the thesis will be completed by the beginning of the following semester.

 

1. Recommendation by graduate admissions committee, who will evaluate the applicant along with other (outside) applicants for admission.  All pertinent information is to be on file for review, including at least three new letters of recommendation.  NOTE:  If a thesis draft is on file, new letters of recommendation are not required.

1. Approval by the assembled faculty of the department.  For approval, the student must have the written support of a potential advisor, plus four faculty members who agree to serve on a dissertation committee.  The student must have discussed a research project with a potential advisor. 

 

Approval to proceed beyond the M.S. does not carry an automatic offer of financial support.  All decisions on financial support are deferred to the spring faculty meeting when offers of financial support for incoming students are discussed.   The student and his/her potential advisor should endeavor to obtain support from external funds.

This may be recommended by the student’s Masters committee and approved by a majority vote of the Geological Sciences faculty after one year in residence and after passing the Master’s Comprehensive exam in cases of superior scholastic and research potential.

Failure to register for a semester (or withdrawal during a semester) constitutes a complete withdrawal from the university. Readmission requires submission of an application to the Graduate School; deadlines for receipt of application is set by the Graduate School (see website). (Note: Applications for Readmission may be obtained from the Graduate School, and no application fee is required.) Applications for Readmission are referred to the Department and subsequently to the Admissions Committee for its recommendation. The Committee will give particular attention to the reasons for the candidate's withdrawal, his/her status within the department at the time of withdrawal, and any progress (or lack thereof) toward completion of the degree since withdrawal. A letter from the student's Major Advisor addressing these matters is required for Committee review.

 

GRADES

Permanent grades for graduate students in graduate courses are: H (clear excellence), P (satisfactory), L (low pass), and F (fail). While thesis and dissertation research (Geology 992, 994) is in progress, the grade of S (satisfactory progress) is given. “S” grades are converted to letter grades upon completion of the research.  These grades should not be interpreted as equivalent to the more traditional A, B, C, D, F system.

A graduate student becomes academically ineligible to continue in the Graduate School if he or she receives any grade of F or receives nine (9) or more hours of L.  Students made ineligible under these conditions may petition the Graduate School for reinstatement with the prior approval of the department.

A graduate student also becomes academically ineligible to continue if he or she fails to have an approved MS thesis research proposal by the end of the third semester in residence, an approved Ph.D. dissertation proposal by the end of the fourth semester in residence.

A graduate student must make a at least a  B- on all UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate courses (numbers below 500) required for his/her degree program.

A Master's student has five (5) calendar years from the date of first registration in the Master's program to complete the master's degree. (This includes registration in the Graduate School through the UNC Continuing Studies program.) A doctoral student has eight (8) calendar years from the date of first registration in the doctoral program to complete the doctoral degree.  The student shall not turn in a thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School without the written approval of the major advisor.
NOTE: Information regarding leave of absence, extension of time limit, etc., can be found in the Graduate School Handbook.
After completing two (2) years in residence at UNC-CH and after passing all courses which are required for the M.S. by his/her Graduate Committee, the M.S. student may not take more than two (2) courses without the specific permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. This rule applies even if the M.S. student has received approval to proceed to the Ph.D.

Satisfactory progress is difficult to define because each student's program is individually designed. Thus there can be no set schedule for all students. Generally, the M.S. degree program should be completed in four semesters (or two calendar years); for students with an M.S. degree, the Ph.D. degree program should be completed in six semesters beyond the M.S. To help monitor each student's progress, a Master’s or Ph.D.checklist must be completed each year by the student and his/her Major Advisor. This form is to be submitted to the Secretary by April 15.
Lack of satisfactory progress toward a graduate degree usually is indicated by one or more of the following:
1. Absence of a committee-approved thesis or dissertation proposal by the end of the second semester of either the M.S. or Ph.D. program.
2. Grades of less than P for graduate courses, i.e., receiving a grade of L or F (n.b., grades of IN automatically become an F after one year if necessary work is not satisfactorily completed).
3. Completion of fewer than 15 credit hours (total) of graduate courses in the first two semesters.
4. Grade of C+ or less in any required undergraduate course (numbered below 100) while enrolled in the graduate program; this does apply to courses taken at other UNC campuses and at other colleges and universities.
5. Failure of any written or oral examination.
6. For Ph.D. students entering on the basis of having a prior Master’s degree , failure to complete his/her master's degree at the prior institution within one year of entering UNC-CH.
Determination of unsatisfactory progress will be made by the Department Chair following consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and the members of the student's Graduate Committee. Lack of satisfactory progress will make a student ineligible for departmental assistantships and fellowships, and will also make a student ineligible for Martin summer support.

MASTER'S DEGREE

Master's students must pass a comprehensive written examination and a final oral defense of their thesis.

Comprehensive Written Examination

The Master's Comprehensive Written Examination will be given during March or during the second semester, at which time approximately two-thirds of the required coursework should have been completed. This examination will be prepared by the Director of Graduate Studies.  Material covered will include: 1) background which the department expects a student to know prior to entering the Master's program; and 2) questions designed to determine the student's ability to assimilate and use all geological and other pertinent information that has been studied up to this point in her/his career.  Copies of past MS written questions may be obtained from Yvette Thompson.  Each question on the exam will be graded by the student’s graduate committee.  The student’s graduate committee will determine whether the student has passed or failed the exam as a whole.  Whether or not the results is a pass or fail, deficiencies discovered  can be remedied (at the decision of the Graduate Committee) by taking recommended coursework in the second year of the student's tenure. A student who fails the examination must wait at least three months before retaking it. No student may take an examination a third time without approval of a written petition to the Administrative Board of the Graduate School.
Within two weeks following the Master's comprehensive written examination, the Graduate Committee and student will meet to 1) discuss the results of the examination, 2) decide whether the grade is "pass" or "fail", based on the vote of 2/3 (2 of 3 members) of the committee, and 3) decide whether specific coursework needs to be added to the student's program. The entire comprehensive written examination is to be available at this committee meeting.  Students should inform the Director of Graduate Studies if this meeting has not taken place within tow weeks following the Master’s written exam.  The exam, appropriate remarks, and a pass or fail grade will be forwarded by the major advisor to the Secretary along with the completed Master’s Comprehensive (Written) Exam form immediately following the meeting with the graduate student.  A copy of the graded examination will then be given to the student.
The Secretary will maintain records regarding pass/fail, as well as any additional coursework that must be satisfactorily completed.  The Chair will submit the Master's Comprehensive (Written) Exam form to the Graduate School.

Final Oral Defense

The final oral defense is to be scheduled no earlier than two (2) weeks after all members of the committee have been given a final draft of the thesis for review.  This final draft must be judged by the thesis advisor to require no substantial revision.  At the time of the final oral defense, but not later, the committee may require minor changes by a majority vote of the committee members.  A specific list of changes/revisions will be given to the student within 24 hours of the oral defense.  The student must complete these changes/revisions to the satisfaction of the major advisor.  The major advisor shall not add additional changes/revisions after the initial list is given to the student.  When these requirements have been met, the Report of Final Oral Examination is signed by the committee members and submitted.

DOCTORAL DEGREE

Ph.D. students must pass 1) an oral defense of a preliminary proposal, 2) a written examination and 3) a final oral defense of the dissertation. 

Oral Defense of Preliminary Research Proposal

1. This examination will be given approximately four weeks after the beginning of the student's second semester in the Ph.D. program.  This constitutes the “comprehensive doctoral oral examination” required by the graduate school.

 

1. At least two (2) weeks prior to the examination, the student is to submit to his/her committee a preliminary research proposal approximately eight to ten pages in length.  This may or may not be on the same topic as the final doctoral research proposal.

1. The committee will evaluate the proposal for scientific content and quality of writing, and the student will orally defend the proposal.  The committee will also question the student about other topics deemed pertinent to assessing his/her academic background and readiness to proceed with doctoral research.

 

1. The doctoral committee will discuss the results of the examination and decide whether the student has passed or failed by a majority vote of the committee.

A student failing the oral examination must wait at least three months before retaking it.  No student may take this examination a third time without approval of a written petition to the Administrative Board of the Graduate School.

Doctoral Written Examination

1. This doctoral written exam may be taken no earlier than the last semester in which the student is taking required courses. It must be taken no later than the beginning of the subsequent semester.  Exceptions may be made only with prior approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

1. The date of the examination is to be arranged by the student and his/her committee.

1. At least ten days prior to the examination, the student is to submit to members of the committee a dissertation progress report in which data and major conclusions from the student’s dissertation research are made available.

 

1. The examination typically will consist of 1) questions on the student's dissertation research, and 2) questions on any area of science deemed appropriate by the committee.

1. The examination typically is given on 2 successive days, up to 6 hours per day, with questions supplied by each committee member.

 

1. Within two weeks following the doctoral written examination, the student's Major Advisor will call a meeting of the student's doctoral committee and the Director of Graduate Studies to 1) discuss the results of the examination, 2) decide whether the student's grade is "pass" or "fail", based on a positive vote of 4 of 5 members of the committee, and 3) decide whether specific coursework needs to be added to the student's program.  Students may review graded exams.

A student failing the examination must wait at least three months before retaking it.  No student may take this examination a third time without approval of a written petition to the Administrative Board of the Graduate School.

Final Oral Defense

The final oral defense is to be scheduled no earlier than two (2) weeks after all members of this committee have been given a final draft of the dissertation.  This final draft must be judged by the dissertation advisor to require no substantial revision.  At the time of the final oral defense, but not later, the committee may require minor alterations and corrections by a majority vote these are to be given to the student in writing.  When these requirements have been met to the satisfaction of the major advisor, the Report of the Final Oral Examination is signed by all committee members and submitted.  The committee shall not require additional alterations or corrections beyond the initial list given to the student after the final oral defense.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

It is the policy of the Department of Geological Sciences to admit students with an assistantship whenever possible.  Currently, only teaching assistantships are supported by departmental funds; research assistantships are supported by grant funds. Typically the department supports M.S. Candidates for four semesters and Ph.D. Candidates for six semesters. Exceptions to the typical limits of supports are made on a case-by-case basis depending on the availability of funds, departmental needs, and the student's timely progress toward the completion of the degree.  Students approved to proceed directly from the bachelor's degree to the Ph.D. at Chapel Hill may receive up to 10 semester’s total support.  A professor may use research grants, at his/her discretion, for support beyond the typical departmental limits. 

Teaching Fellowship

The Department annually awards a one-year teaching fellowship, The Walter H. Wheeler Teaching Fellowship.  Established in 1994 primarily through the generosity of the late Walter "Walt" Wheeler, a member of our faculty for over 35 years, in honor of his many contributions to the department and to Geological Sciences, this fund is supported by the family and former friends, colleagues, and students. 

Graduate students in the Department of Geological Sciences are eligible to apply or be nominated for this fellowship if, by the start of the Fellowship appointment, they have taught at least three UNC-Chapel Hill introductory Geological Sciences laboratory sections, or have taught an equivalent in advanced courses.  This fellowship carries additional responsibilities in support of undergraduate and graduate education in Geological Sciences for which a supplemental stipend is awarded.

Student Support from Endowment

The Department of Geological Sciences has two endowment funds, the interest from which may be used for Graduate Fellowships.  The Preston Jones and Mary Elizabeth Frances Dean Martin Trust Fund (Martin Fund) is the larger of the two; most of our students receive at least a "top-up" fellowship from the Martin Fund.  The MacCarthy Memorial Fund is used primarily for support of geophysics.

Top-up fellowships from the Martin Fund normally are offered at the time of admission to the graduate program and continue throughout the period of departmental support (two years for the M.S., three years for the Ph.D.).  Students who receive an offer of a top-up at the time of admission must maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree to continue to receive the fellowship.  There are no restrictions on how the top-up money may be spent.

Additional support may be available to cover research expenses and/or travel to a scientific meeting to present research results. Our largest source of such support is the Martin Fund, and supplemental fellowships from this source are available only to students who already receive at least partial support from the Martin Fund.  Students must apply to receive supplemental funding. They also must apply to other organizations which fund student research; examples include Geological Society of America (http://www.geosociety.org), Sigma Xi (http://sigmaxi.org), and GSA Southeastern Section (http://geology.ecu.edu/geology/segsa/segsa.html). Recipients of supplemental funding for research or travel may be required to provide a written report on their use of the funding.

Upon their retirement in 1986, students and friends of Professor Roy L. Ingram and the late Dr. Walter H. Wheeler established the Wheeler Teaching and Ingram Research awards in honor of their many contributions to the department and to Geological Sciences.  These awards are announced at the end of spring semester or the beginning of the fall semester.  Each award consists of a cash prize, and the names of the recipients are placed on plaques permanently displayed in the Geological Sciences Library. 

Roy L. Ingram Research Award

This award is for the graduate student recognized for significant research contributions and publications.  Candidates may be nominated by students and faculty, or they may be suggested by data obtained during preparation of the department's annual report.  In April of each year, the Department Chair will compile, from information submitted by the graduate students, a list of each student's publications for the preceding year (April 1 - March 31).  This list should include published papers and abstracts, plus items accepted for publication.  The Ingram Research Award generally is given to students who have presented several papers, including at least one at a national or international meeting, or those who are senior or sole authors of research papers.  However, all students with research publications will be considered.   The recipient of the Ingram Research Award will be selected by the Chair in consultation with appropriate faculty members.

Walter H. Wheeler Teaching Award

This award is to a graduate student recognized for outstanding teaching of introductory Geological Sciences laboratories.  Candidates for the award may be suggested by students and faculty or by data collected through formal course evaluations.  A Teaching Assistant typically will have taught at least three introductory labs to be considered for the Wheeler Teaching Award.  In addition to the respect of their peers and supervisors, recipients of the award should possess these attributes: enthusiasm for quality teaching, ability to create interest in Geological Sciences, good classroom teaching abilities, and an interest in students.  The recipient of the Wheeler Teaching Award will be selected by the Chair in consultation with appropriate faculty members.

All graduate students are required to present their research to a geologic audience at least once prior to the granting of any degree.  This talk can be at a regional or national convention, or in the department (Anadarko symposium, Colloquium or "brown-bag" series).

In consultation with the Major Advisor, a student will write a thesis or dissertation proposal, which will then be presented to the Graduate Committee for discussion, modification, and approval.  Within 10 days of approval, the student will prepare and submit to the Chair a 100-150 word summary of the thesis or dissertation proposal that must include a title page with names and signatures of his/her Graduate Committee.  This summary will be posted in the department.

Students should keep all committee members informed of their research progress through committee meetings (at least one per year, typically in the spring) and/or written progress reports. Before beginning to write the thesis or dissertation, each student consult to the Graduate School's "Guide for Theses and Dissertations".

The following staff in the Department is available to provide a wide variety of assistance and information to students:

Darrell Sandiford, Electronics Technician (computer/ network, electronic repairs), Rm. 327, 962-2581.
Miriam Kennard, Librarian, Rm. 121B, 962-0681.
A. K. Straus, Accountant (state/grant/student accounts), Rm. 116, 966-4516.
Vacant, Office Asst. (supplies, travel, purchasing, mail, copiers), Rm. 107, 966-4516.
Lynn Turner, Library Technical Assistant, Rm. 121A, 962-0683.
Yvette Thompson, Student Services (admissions, registration, student records, etc.), Rm. 115, 962-0679.

The Geological Sciences Library, a collection of approximately 42,000 volumes, 42,000 maps, and 350 periodical titles, is reputed to be the best in the Southeast and among the better geoscience libraries in the country.  The permanent staff members are the Librarian and the Library Technical Assistant; other staff members are student assistants.  They welcome your questions and suggestions for improving library services and collections.  Please contact the librarian if you would like to receive individual instruction or attend a group instruction session.

The Geological Sciences Library is one of several branch libraries of the University Library system at Chapel Hill.  Other science libraries and the main library (Davis Library) also contain relevant collections.  To check their hours and borrowing codes, which may differ from those of the Geological Sciences Library, consult the Libraries' homepage at http://www.lib.unc.edu/.  If the library does not own what you need, you may also borrow books from other institutions through the libraries’ Interlibrary Loan service.  Some lending institutions charge a fee for this service.

GeoRef, the major geoscience database, is available online along with many other useful databases, electronic journals, and electronic books.  For more information on the Geological Sciences Library's collections and services, ask a member of the library staff or consult http://www.lib.unc.edu/geolib/.
If you need to gain access to the Geological Sciences Library after hours, when it is closed, see the librarian or library technical assistant.  You will need to complete a key application card and agree to a responsibilities statement.

 

 

Personal Identification Number

 

1. Personal identification number (PID) [used for identification purposes rather than the social security number] is available from Secretary.

Email

1. Log on to http://help.unc.edu, under Quick Links, select Create an ATN UserID, and follow prompts.

Paydays!

 

1. Bi-weekly pay schedule; first payday September 2006; last payday April 2007.

Direct Deposit of Pay

1. University employees are required to have their pay directly deposited into their bank account

Change Personal Information

1. Log on http://www.unc.edu/student/, select Student Central and follow prompts to change address, phone number, etc.  This should be done as soon as local information is available. 

Offices/Computers

 

Offices are assigned on space-available basis at the time of matriculation.

1. The Electronics Technician will assist with the set-up of a computer in each office and is responsible for maintenance of computers in computer labs and throughout the building.

Keys

 

1. Building, teaching labs and student office keys issued by Secretary (requires signed security agreement).
2. Library keys issued by Librarian.

Laboratory Safety Workshop

1. Required of all university employees, including graduate students.
2. Covers physical, chemical, radiological and biological hazards and topics mandated by NC OSHA and the University.
3. For dates/times of training go to http://ehs.unc.edu/, and then click on Laboratory Safety or Workplace Safety to access training schedules.

Phones and Fax

 

1. Phone calls and faxes limited to thesis-related use.

 

Use of Departmental Equipment/Facilities

 

Students should consult the person in charge prior to using any of the research and teaching equipment or facilities.  Some research equipment requires the users to pay fees, e.g., mass spectrometer, SEM.  Users should report problems to the person-in-charge, including shortages of supplies.

 

Vehicle Use & Parking

The department maintains three vehicles for teaching purposes that may be driven only by University employees (including TAs and RAs on payroll).  All drivers must provide the Secretary with a photocopy of their valid driver’s license.

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for reserving the vehicle and for returning it clean and refueled (full).  Cleaning includes removal of all trash from the vehicle and washing if it is dirty, muddy, etc.; gasoline is to be purchased at the Physical Plant gas station whenever possible.  If a vehicle is returned after regular hours, these responsibilities must be fulfilled as early as possible on the following workday.  The person who reserves the vehicle must report to the University Manager any damage to or malfunction of the vehicle while in their care.  Departmental vehicles are to be parked behind Mitchell Hall whenever possible; no vehicle may be left in the lower level parking lot when a campus event has reserved that lot.

 

 

 

 

M.S. CHECKLIST ~To be updated by student by April 15  each year

Timely completion of the following requirements constitutes satisfactory progress

STUDENT         _______________________________________________ 
                                                            

___1.     Select Major Advisor and Thesis Committee as soon as possible but no later than the end of the first semester.  Submit Composition of Thesis Committee form to the Secretary.
              Permanent committee:  ________________    ________________    _______________

___2.      In consultation with Major Advisor, write a thesis proposal as soon as possible but no later than the end of the second semester.  Meet with Thesis Committee for approval of the proposal and/or any modification of course program.  Submit approved copy of proposal, signed by the committee and dated, to the Secretary prior to May 1 of your first year in residence.

___3.     Upon approval of the thesis proposal, submit to the Secretary a 100-150 word summary of the proposal to be posted within the department.  Include title page with date and names and signatures of graduate committee.

___4.     Pass Comprehensive Written Examination (typically taken late March of 2nd semester).

___5.     Satisfactorily complete graduate coursework (30 credit hours) (comment on any undergraduate deficiencies or any grades of L or F in graduate courses).

___6.     Complete two semesters of required residence credit.

___7.      Give research presentation.  (talk or  poster at colloquium, GSA, or other regional or national meeting)

___8.      Apply for Graduation during last semester of registration.

___9.      Defend thesis during last semester of registration.  Final draft of thesis must be submitted to committee at least 2 weeks before defense.

___10.    Submit thesis to graduate school.  Provide a copy of the title page and abstract, plus number of pages, references, plates and the number, type, and scale of fold-out maps, to the Secretary.  Note:  Submit copy of thesis/dissertation to North Carolina Geological Survey if funding was received from them.

 

 

Ph.D. CHECKLIST ~ To be updated by student by April 15 each year

Timely completion of the following requirements constitutes satisfactory progress.

STUDENT         _______________________________________________ 
                                                             
___1.      Select Major Advisor and Dissertation Committee before the beginning of the second semester in residence.  Submit Report of Doctoral Committee Composition form to the Secretary to be filed with the Graduate School.
             Permanent committee:  __________   ___________  ____________   ____________   ____________

     2.      Defend Preliminary Research Proposal  (constitutes the “Comprehensive Doctoral Oral Examination”).  This is the defense of a research proposal; see page 5 “Oral Defense of Preliminary Research Proposal” for specifics.  This examination will be given approximately four weeks after the beginning of the student's second semester in the Ph.D. program.
                   
     3.      In consultation with the Major Advisor, submit the final dissertation proposal by the end of the second semester in residence as a Ph.D. student.  Submit approved copy of proposal, signed by the committee and dated, to Secretary.

     4.      Upon approval of the dissertation proposal, submit to the Secretary a 100-150 word summary of the proposal that will be posted within the department.  Include title page with date and names and signatures of  graduate committee.

     5.      Take Doctoral Written Examination during the last semester in which required courses are taken. 

     6.      Successfully complete graduate coursework.

     7.      Complete four semesters of required residence credit.

     8.      Give research presentation.  File notice of place and date with Secretary.
                         Martin talk given (if applicable).

     9.      Apply for Graduation.

     10.    Defend dissertation.

     11.    Submit thesis; provide a copy of the title page and abstract, plus number of pages, references, plates and the number, type, and scale of fold-out maps, to the Secretary.  Note:  Submit copy of thesis/dissertation to North Carolina Geological Survey if funding was received from them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Department of Geological Sciences - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill