The University of Toledo

Health Science Campus College of Graduate Studies Handbook 2012-2013

 

 

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Academic Advisor Role		Change of Major Advisor
Academic Advisory Committee Submission		Composition of Academic Advisory Committee
Administrative Advisor		GRAD Committee Approval Form
Change Area of Concentration or Program		Major Advisor Role

 

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT

Graduate Research Advisory (GRAD) Committee Approval & Assurances Form     (top of page)

Students must complete the Graduate Research Advisory (GRAD) Committee Approval & Assurances Form and verify their faculty advisor has received the required approvals prior to beginning any research for a project, thesis, or dissertation involving humans, animals, radiation, or biohazardous substances. Federal regulations do not allow retroactive approval. Completion of the GRAD form indicates that a student’s committee has approved both a topic and an approach for the research, and is aware of federal requirements for institutional review of research methods. Policy information and required applications referenced on the GRAD form are available on the Research & Sponsored Programs website http://utoledo.edu/research/ .

This form normally should be completed at the time the student determines the nature of the research project. However, in all cases the student must have submitted the form demonstrating compliance before engaging in related research. Failure to obtain the proper approvals could prevent or significantly delay the awarding of the degree. Compliance with federal and state regulations is essential to assure continued funding of the University research programs and, therefore, requires cooperation of all University researchers.

If a student works on a project that is supported by a research grant or contract between the University and an external entity or entities, the student must comply with all terms of the grant or contract. Contractual agreements in support of research or other sponsored activities are legally binding on the University, including the administration, faculty and students engaged in the sponsored projects.

[All PhD in Biomedical Sciences and MSBS Research Track students must identify their major advisor and complete the GRAD Form by the end of their first year.]

Academic Advisory Committee    (top of page)

The Committee Member Section of the Grad Form establishes the faculty who will act as mentors to the graduate student. The Advisory Committee must include only faculty with the appropriate level of graduate faculty status.  Please check with your prospective faculty member or department regarding graduate faculty status.  A description of the graduate faculty membership levels can be found at http://www.utoledo.edu/graduate/files/GC_Member_Bylaws_12_7_10.pdf

Composition of Academic Advisory Committee  (top of page)

PhD in Biomedical Sciences:  Candidates' advisory committees are composed of a minimum of five members, and all members must hold appropriate graduate faculty status at the University of Toledo. 

MSBS degree research track:  Candidates' advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, and all members must hold appropriate graduate faculty status at the University of Toledo.

MSBS degree clinical track (including Physician Assistant Studies), Doctor of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Doctorate:  Candidates’ advisory committees are composed of a minimum of one member for students electing scholarly projects. Thesis advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, and all members must hold appropriate graduate faculty status at the University of Toledo. A thesis research advisory committee member, who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo, must have an earned doctoral degree.

DNP Degree: The Project Committee will consist of a chair and two other graduate faculty members selected in collaboration with the chair. The other committee members need to have Full Graduate Faculty or adjunct full Graduate Faculty status as appointed by the respective College of Graduate Studies. For the WSU student one of the two members needs to be a UT College of Nursing faculty who has WSU adjunct full Graduate Faculty status. For the UT student one of the two members needs to be a WSU College of Nursing and Health faculty who has UT Special Graduate Faculty status. The third member may be from the student’s home university and have Associate Full Graduate Faculty Status or from the agency where the project is being conducted (generally where your mentor works), be in a profession other than nursing and is considered an expert in their field. You need to negotiate with these individuals regarding their availability and willingness to serve on the committee. Information

MSN degree candidates thesis advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, and all members must hold appropriate graduate faculty status at the University of Toledo. A thesis research advisory committee member, who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo, must have an earned doctoral degree.

MSOH degree candidates' thesis advisory committees are composed of a minimum of three members, and all members must hold the appropriate graduate faculty status at the University of Toledo. The scholarly project advisory committee has one member who must must hold the appropriate graduate faculty status at the University of Toledo.  An advisory committee member who is not a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Toledo Health, must have an earned doctoral degree.

Academic Advisory Committee Submission      (top of page)

The advisory committee is recommended by the graduate student and the major advisor and is submitted to the College of Graduate Studies on the GRAD Form. The advisory committee must be approved by the appropriate program/track director, and Associate Dean of the respective College.  Any additions or removals of committee members must be made on an amended GRAD Form and submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Major Advisor Role     (top of page)

One important decision for a graduate student is the selection of a major advisor. The decision by the graduate student and the major advisor to work together is by mutual consent and only after careful consideration by both parties.  If a student cannot identify a major advisor within the first year of study, the student is subject to dismissal. The major advisor serves as a liaison between the student and the College of Graduate Studies.  The major advisor of a student has the primary responsibility of:

1. Assuring that the student's project/thesis/dissertation research is performed with appropriate design and methodologies, and that it has the necessary depth and originality. In addition, the major advisor bears responsibility for the validity and the scientific integrity of the student's research.
   The major advisor may not assign research used to satisfy the criteria for a thesis or dissertation if there would be undue restrictions on publication. If there are any restrictions on publication, the student, program/track director and the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies must be advised in writing prior to beginning the research, and must approve any such restrictions.
2. Determining that research protocols involving animal subjects, human subjects (projects involving humans in any way, including administration of questionnaires, etc.), hazardous materials, biohazards, recombinant DNA, and/or radioisotopes have all required approvals before the student's research is initiated.
3. Ensuring that the advisory committee is properly constituted, that the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus requirements are met, and for ensuring that the Plan of Study is approved by the entire advisory committee (sometimes done by an academic advisor).
4. Supervising the implementation of the policies of the College of Graduate Studies, Health Science Campus, within the area of concentration as they pertain to the graduate student.
5. Serving as chairperson of the student’s Academic Advisory Committee.
6. Notifying the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies of any change in official status of the graduate student.  This especially refers to students who withdraw from the programof the college;.
7. Informing the advisee's departmental chairperson, program/track director, Associate Dean of the college; and the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies of any problems related to the graduate student.
8. Coordinating continuing predoctoral fellowship/graduate research assistantship award support with the College of Graduate Studies, Health Science Campus, and the area of concentration.
9. Assuring the final draft of the dissertation, thesis or scholarly project meets the requirements of content, proper grammar and formatting before submitting to the other members of the student's Academic Advisory Committee. Also, the major advisor is responsible for assuring that these criteria are met prior to submitting an abstract for a scholarly project or the final draft of the dissertation or thesis to the College of Graduate Studies Health Science Campus.
10. Other duties as required to assure appropriate guidance of the graduate student through all steps of the student's progress toward fulfillment of degree requirements.

Academic First Year Advisor Role     (top of page)

Incoming graduate students may be assigned an academic advisor who counsels them regarding academic/course objectives until a major advisor is selected.

Administrative Advisor Role     (top of page)

If the major advisor will not be available, e.g., if the major advisor were on faculty improvement leave, the advisory committee, with the approval of the Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, may name a member of the College of Graduate Studies Faculty as an administrative advisor to handle administrative responsibilities.

Change of Major Advisor     (top of page)

A change in the major advisor requires the recommendation of the chairperson of the degree program committee or the track director. This will be done on a Request for Change of Major Advisor or Program Form.

Change of Area of Concentration/Program     (top of page)

A graduate student who wishes to change her/his area of concentration or program/track should complete a Request for Change of Major Advisor or Program Form. After receiving a recommendation from the new area of concentration or track, a decision will be made by the College of Graduate Studies Associate Dean in consultation with the Associate Dean(s) responsible for the student’s former and proposed program/track.