Graduate Program
Graduate Associates
Qualified PCMB students are supported as Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA), Graduate Research Associate (GRA), or Graduate Administrative Associate (GAA) with tuition and fee waivers. All financial support is contingent upon the conditions that the student maintains good academic standing (see below and Graduate School Handbook), fulfills the assigned duties associated with the support, and has a valid visa status (for international students).
Eligibility:
See relevant section of theGraduate School Handbook. To hold a GA appointment, a student must satisfy the following eligibility requirements.
The Student:
See relevant section of the Graduate School Handbook for additional information.
After being accepted for departmental support by the GSC, the student
will receive a letter of offer of an associateship from the chairperson
of the GSC. A returned copy of that letter signed by the graduate
student shall constitute a commitment to accept the appointment for
the period indicated. International students must pass the Spoken
English Test ("Mock Teaching Test") before the end of their
3rd quarter to remain eligible for financial support through the
PCMB Department.
Facilities:
The Department provides its GAs with office space and other facilities and supplies necessary to carry out their assigned duties. These will include such items as a desk and chair, file space, a mailbox and access to a typewriter, word processor, duplicating equipment and a telephone.
General Duties and Work Load:
The type of associateship a student receives (GTA, GRA, GAA and
etc) depends on departmental teaching loads and the availability
of grant funds. The Department Chair assigns GA duties in consultation
with the GSC and the student advisors.
Normally a GTA on a 50% FTE appointment entails service for not
more than 20 hours per week. This may include 10 or more hours
of instructional contact in addition to time spent on such work
as preparation in connection with course assistance, student counseling,
or other related activities. GTAs are expected to consult with
the faculty member supervising their work assignment concerning
absences between quarters and to make arrangements to complete
course preparations required in the week preceding the first day
of class for each quarter.
A GA on active duties may not accept other gainful employment without
permission from the PCMB GSC. International GAs must obey regulations
of the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service (BCIS).
The Office of International Education (OIE) can provide specific
information.
Reappointment After Resignation:
A GA who voluntarily resigns the appointment because of unwillingness to perform assigned duties will not be considered for reappointment. A GA who resigns due to exceptional circumstances such as health or personal problems may be considered for reappointment in the following year, at which time the student will compete with all other applicants for available associate positions.
Grievance Procedures:
Resolution of grievances should be sought sequentially through discussion with the faculty advisor(s), the GSC, and the department chairperson. If such discussions fail to provide a resolution, the grievance procedures established by the Graduate School should be followed. Copies of such procedures are available in the departmental office and the Graduate School.
Departing and Returning Students:
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Departing Students:
Students leaving the Department will be required to fill out a severance form. A copy of this form will be provided to the student's advisor at the time of scheduling of the final M. Sc. or Ph.D. examination. The form provides a space to validate the proper return of keys and other departmental or lab properties. A student should understand that all original lab/research notes are the properties of the Ohio State University and must remain in the lab unless other arrangements have been made between the student and the dissertation advisor. The severance form must be approved by the GSC Chair before the student leaves the department. Students who leave the department without completing a degree must follow the same procedures.
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Returning Students:
A student who has interrupted studies in the Department for less than two years may reactivate his/her student status by calling the OSU Graduate School at (614) 292-6031. If the interruption is longer than two years, the student must petition to the GSC for readmission.
