Graduate Studies
Graduate Degrees Offered: 2003-2004
At the University of California, San Diego all programs leading to masters
degrees and to doctoral degrees (other than the M.D.) are under the jurisdiction
of the Graduate Council and are administered by the Office of Graduate
Studies and Research.
The combined administrative responsibility for graduate studies and
for research reflects the intention of the San Diego campus to emphasize
the research character of graduate education. Doctoral and most masters
degrees are the culmination of creative effort and attest to the ability
of the recipient to continue original inquiry. In addition to requiring
original research, most of UCSDs graduate programs expect their
students to obtain teaching experience.
Much of the training UCSD offers takes place outside the classroomnot
only in seminars but in independent research and in tutorial work. Students
can benefit from the many visitors from other universities; there are
opportunities to study at other campuses of the University of California;
and many students become involved in the research activities of UCSDs
research institutes and centers. La Jolla has become one of the most important
intellectual centers of the West. Not only has UCSD attracted many of
the worlds great scholars, but other research institutions located
nearby such as the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the Burnham
Institute, and The Scripps Research Institute have enhanced the areas
reputation.
The Nature of Graduate Instruction
Graduate courses demand, on the part of both instructor and student,
a capacity for critical analysis and a degree of research interest beyond
those appropriate for undergraduate study. These courses generally carry
a number in the 200 series and may be conducted in any of several ways:
(1) as advanced lecture courses; (2) as seminars in which faculty and
students present critical studies of selected problems within the subject
field; (3) as independent reading or study under faculty supervision;
or (4) as research projects conducted under faculty supervision. Graduate
courses numbered 400499 are designed for professional programs and
may not be used to satisfy minimum graduate course requirements for degrees
other than the specific degree program for which they are offered. Courses
at the upper-division level (100197) may be taken in partial satisfaction
of the requirements for an advanced degree.
Graduate students may take lower-division courses (199) for a
letter grade, but grades earned in those courses will not be considered
in their overall grade-point average (GPA) for the purpose of determining
good standing, except for students in the M.P.I.A. program who may take
lower-division language courses for a letter grade and for inclusion in
their GPA for the purpose of determining good standing.
The graduate student is accorded considerable liberty in choice of courses
as long as minimum departmental core course, departmental requirements
and grading standards, and residency requirements are met.
Administration
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research is administered by the dean
of Graduate Studies, who is responsible for graduate admissions; graduate
degree programs; the administration of fellowships, traineeships, and
other graduate student support; the development of new programs; and the
maintenance of common standards of high quality in graduate programs across
the campus.
The dean reports to the senior vice chancellor of Academic Affairs and
to the Graduate Council, on the administration of graduate affairs.
The Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is a standing committee of the San Diego Division
of the Academic Senate composed of faculty and graduate students. The
primary function of the council is to exercise overall responsibility
for graduate study programs and to implement systemwide policies, procedures,
requirements, and standards.
The Graduate Adviser
The graduate adviser in a department, group, or school is the faculty
member to whom graduate students direct requests for information about
graduate study in a particular program.
The graduate advisers duties include:
- Advising the dean on admission of graduate students.
- Advising graduate students regarding their programs of study and
other matters pertinent to graduate work.
- Appointing individual advisers for each graduate student.
- Approving official study lists.
- Acting on the petitions of graduate students.
- Insuring that adequate records are maintained on all graduate students
in the department, group, or school, and supplying relevant information
as requested by the dean.
- Assisting the dean of Graduate Studies in the application of university
regulations governing graduate students, graduate study, and graduate
courses.
- Advising the chair of the department and the dean of Graduate Studies
about developments of the graduate program in the department, group,
or school.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is the officially recognized
graduate student government at UCSD. It represents all graduate and medical
studentsincluding those at Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, the
School of Medicine, and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciencesin
academic, administrative, campus, and university matters. The GSA Council,
composed of six executive officers and representatives from each department,
group and school, nominates graduate student representatives for appointment
to campus governing bodies and committees, including the Graduate Council,
the Registration Fee Committee, and the systemwide Student Body Presidents
Council. The GSA also sponsors projects and social activities designed
to improve the academic and social lives of students. Meetings are open
to all graduate and School of Medicine students.
For more information contact the GSA at (858) 534-6504.
Graduate Student Diversity
The University of California, San Diego actively recruits and admits
qualified students to graduate programs who will enhance the diversity
of UCSD graduate programs.
UCSD recognizes the value to students, faculty, staff, and the community
in having a campus which reflects the full richness and talents of the
people of California. Diversity is viewed as a campus strength and a critical
component of higher education. The campus has a firm commitment to recruit
and admit graduate students from all demographic groups including students
from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
The Graduate Student Affairs Unit in the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research provides an array of counseling and advocacy services to
assist U.S. citizens and permanent residents in applying to graduate school,
obtaining financial support, and successfully completing graduate degree
programs.
UCSD offers the San Diego Fellowship Program, which is designed to increase
campus diversity. The fellowship provides two awards: The San Diego Fellowship
and the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship. Incoming students who have overcome
significant economic, educational, or social hardship in pursuit of their
education or whose presence would enhance campus or departmental diversity
in other ways are eligible for awards through the San Diego Fellowship
Program. Fellows receive a stipend plus fees for up to two years. Nonresident
fellows are eligible for a tuition scholarship in their first year. Doctoral
fellows are guaranteed comparable departmental support for at least two
additional years. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Nominees for the San Diego Fellowship must be recommended for admission
to a program leading to a Ph.D., D.M.A., Ed.D., M.F.A., M.P.I.A., the
M.A. in Latin American Studies, or the M.A. in Teaching and Learning.
For the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship, nominees must be recommended for
admission to a Ph.D., D.M.A., or Ed.D. program. Integral to the fellowship
experience, fellows are assigned a faculty mentor in their major department
to assist with academic and research goals.
Fellows making good progress are eligible for departmental financial
support for subsequent years usually in the form of teaching, research,
and language assistantships.
In addition, a limited number of graduate student research awards are
available in specific science disciplines through the UCSD-NIH Scholars
program and The National Science Foundation Minority Access to Science,
Engineering and Math (MASEM) Fellowship.
For assistance and further information about special opportunities for
underrepresented students, contact the assistant dean for Student Affairs,
Office of Graduate Studies and Research, 518 ERC, (858) 534-3555 or (858)
534-3803.
For additional information on students with disabilities, see Disabled
Student Services (page 98).
Career Services for Graduate Students
The Career Services Center offers a wide range of programs and services
to assist graduate students with their career planning and job search
needs. Individual career counseling is available on both an appointment
and drop-in basis. In addition, workshops and special events are regularly
offered covering such areas as resume writing, job search strategies,
and nonacademic employment options. The Career Services Center houses
a career reference library containing information on employers, job listings,
alumni contact list, salaries, sample resumes, and publications pertinent
to graduate students career issues. An online database and Internet
access computer lab is also available to assist in placement efforts.
For more information, see the Career Services section of this
catalog or visit the Career Services Office.
General Requirements for Higher Degrees
Courses and Grades
Only upper-division and graduate courses in which a student is assigned
grades A, B, C (including plus [+] or minus []), D, or S are counted
in satisfaction of the requirements for doctoral and masters degrees,
the master of fine arts, master of Pacific international affairs, master
of arts, master of engineering, master of science, doctor of musical arts,
and doctor of philosophy degrees. An Incomplete grade, as well as an NR,
will automatically lapse to an F or U if it has not been removed when
the final report for the degree is approved by the Office of Graduate
Studies and Research. (See also Grades.)
Undergraduate language courses and courses in the 400 series are only
used for degree credit in the program for the M.P.I.A. degree offered
by the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies.
For course information see the section on International Relations
and Pacific Studies elsewhere in this catalog.
Registration in the Final Quarter for the Award of the Degree
A student completing course work, using university facilities including
the library, or making any demands upon faculty time (other than final
reading of the thesis or dissertation, or administering the comprehensive
or doctoral examination), must register in the final quarter in which
the degree is to be conferred. Students who need only to submit their
theses or dissertations, or to take the comprehensive or final examination
may pay a filing fee in lieu of registration in the final quarter (see
Filing Fee).
Master of Arts and Master of Science Degrees
The master of arts and master of science degrees are offered under two
plans: Plan I, Thesis, and Plan II, Comprehensive Examination. Since some
departments offer both plans, with varying unit requirements, students
should consult with their advisers before selecting a plan for completion
of degree requirements.
Programs of Study
Plan I: Thesis Plan
A minimum of at least thirty-six quarter-units are required: eighteen
units in graduate courses, including a minimum of twelve units in graduate-level
courses in the major field; twelve additional units in graduate or upper-division
courses; and six units in research course work leading to the thesis.
Consult your department for specific unit and course requirements.
Following advancement to candidacy, the student electing Plan I must
submit a thesis. The thesis committee, appointed by the chair of the department
or group and approved by the dean of Graduate Studies, consists of at
least three faculty members, with at least two from the candidates
major department.
Information covering thesis preparation is contained in the publication,
Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Doctoral Dissertations
and Masters Theses, which is mailed to students electing Plan I,
upon their advancement to candidacy. The completed thesis is submitted
to the thesis committee for review.
When all members of the committee have approved the thesis, a Final
Report of the Thesis for the Master of Arts or Master of Science Degree
under Plan I must be completed. The candidate submits the thesis to the
Office of Graduate Studies and Research and upon approval by the dean
of Graduate Studies, files the thesis with the university archivist who
accepts it on behalf of the Graduate Council. Acceptance of the thesis
by the archivist with a subsequent second approval by the dean of Graduate
Studies represents the final step in the completion of all requirements
by the candidate for a master of arts or master of science degree on the
San Diego campus.
Plan II: Comprehensive Examination Plan
A minimum of at least thirty-six quarter-units are required: twenty-four
units in graduate courses, including a minimum of fourteen units in graduate-level
courses in the major field; and twelve additional units in graduate or
upper-division courses. Consult your department for specific unit and
course requirements.
Apprentice Teaching
A maximum of six units of 500-level courses (apprentice teaching) may
be credited toward the degree requirements.
Academic Residence
The minimum residence requirement is three academic quarters, at least
one of which must follow advancement to candidacy. Academic residence
is met by satisfactory completion of six units or more per quarter, some
of which must be graduate level.
A candidate must be registered in the quarter in which the degree is
to be awarded. (See Registration in the Final Quarter for the Award
of the Degree.)
Advancement to Candidacy
After completing all preliminary requirements of the major with a GPA
equivalent to 3.0 in upper-division and graduate course work undertaken,
a total of no more than eight units of F and/or U grades, and a minimum
of two quarters or more of residency, the student may file an Application
for Candidacy for the Thesis or Comprehensive Examination, Plan I or II,
for the Master of Arts or Master of Science Degree. An Application for
Candidacy must be filed no later than two weeks after the first day of
the quarter in which degree requirements are to be completed. (See Academic
Calendar.)
Following advancement to candidacy, the student electing Plan II must
pass a comprehensive examination administered by the major department.
A Final Report of the Comprehensive Examination for the Master of Arts
or Master of Science Degree under Plan II is used to report successful
completion of the examination requirement.
Transferring Credit
With the approval of the major department and the dean of Graduate Studies,
upper-division and graduate course work completed with a grade of B
or better while in graduate standing at another campus of the University
of California may be accepted in satisfaction of one of the three quarters
of residence and up to one-half of the quarter-units of credit required
for the masters degree at UCSD.
On the recommendation of the major department and with the approval
of the dean of Graduate Studies, a maximum of eight quarter-units of credit
for work completed with a grade of B or better in graduate standing
at an institution other than the University of California may be applied
toward a masters degree at UCSD. Courses used must be taken prior
to matriculation at UCSD.
In any case, no more than a total of one-half of the units required
for a masters degree may be transferred in from any UC or other
institutions. Courses used for a previous degree may not be transferred.
A letter from the institution from which the courses are being transferred
will be required stating the courses were not used toward another degree.
Course work approved for transfer credit will not be included in calculating
a students grade-point average, regardless of the source.
Master of Advanced Studies (M.A.S.)
The UCSD Department of Family and Preventive Medicine in the School
of Medicine offers a Master of Advanced Studies (M.A.S.) in Leadership
of Health Care Organizations. The program is designed for health care
professionals including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals,
as well as medical students and residents. Degree requirements, curriculum,
and other details regarding the program may be obtained from the program
of Leadership and Health Care Organizations.
Masters of Education (M.Ed.)
The Teacher Education Program offers a Masters of Education (M.Ed.)/Multiple
Subject Credential to authorize teaching grades K6, and a Masters
of Education (M.Ed.)/Single Subject Credential for teaching 712
grades is offered in the subject areas of biology, chemistry, geoscience,
English, mathematics, and physics. Degree requirements, curriculum, and
other details regarding the program may be obtained from the Teacher Education
Program.
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
Several departments in the School of Engineering offer the Master of
Engineering (M.Eng.). The M.Eng. is a terminal degree designed to address
the technical needs of engineers. Degree requirements, curriculum, and
other details regarding the program may be obtained from the Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Bioengineering.
The Master of Fine Arts Degree
The Master of Fine Arts degree is offered in the Departments of Theatre
and Dance, and Visual Arts under a modified thesis plan. A short written
thesis that may be regarded as a position paper, presenting a descriptive
background for the students work, is required. There is no written
final examination, but great weight is given to the candidates final
presentation and the oral defense of the thesis.
Program of Study
Plan III: Modified Thesis Program
Seventy-two quarter-units for visual arts and ninety quarter-units for
theatre, with a GPA equivalent to 3.0 in upper-division and graduate course
work undertaken, are required for a Master of Fine Arts degree. Information
covering thesis preparation is contained in the publication, Instructions
for the Preparation and Submission of Doctoral Dissertations and Masters
Theses, which is mailed to students upon their advancement to candidacy.
The completed thesis is submitted to the thesis committee for review.
Following the filing of an Application for Candidacy for the Modified
Thesis, Plan III, the candidate must submit a thesis. The thesis committee,
appointed by the chair of the department and approved by the dean of Graduate
Studies, consists of four faculty members; three from the department and
one, preferably tenured, from outside the department.
When all members of the committee have approved the thesis, a Final
Report of the Modified Thesis Examination, Plan III, for the Master of
Fine Arts degree must be completed. Approval by the dean of Graduate Studies
and subsequent acceptance of the thesis by the university archivist, Special
Collections, represents the final step in the completion of all requirements
by the candidate for a Master of Fine Arts degree on the San Diego campus.
Academic Residence
The minimum residence requirement is six academic quarters for visual
arts and eight academic quarters for theatre, at least one of which must
follow advancement to candidacy in either program. Academic residence
is met by satisfactory completion of six units or more per quarter, some
of which must be graduate level. The entire residence requirement must
be satisfied at UCSD.
A candidate must be registered in the quarter in which the degree is
to be awarded. (See Registration in the Final Quarter, page
78)
Advancement to Candidacy
After completing all preliminary requirements of the department with
a GPA equivalent to 3.0 in upper-division and graduate course work undertaken,
a total of no more than eight units of F and/ or U grades, and a minimum
of five quarters of residency, the student may file an Application for
Candidacy for the Modified Thesis, Plan III, for the Master of Fine Arts
Degree. An application for candidacy must be filed no later than two weeks
after the first day of the quarter in which degree requirements are to
be completed. (See Academic Calendar.)
Graduate Work Completed Elsewhere
In exceptional circumstances, a student may be given a leave of absence
for the purpose of studying elsewhere. While appropriate credit may be
allowed for course work completed elsewhere with a grade of B or better
in a graduate program, the period involved will not reduce the UCSD academic
residence requirement of six academic quarters for visual arts and eight
quarters for theatre.
The Master of Pacific International Affairs
The Master of Pacific International Affairs program provides training
for those interested in pursuing professional careers in international
affairs and international management with an emphasis on the countries
of the Pacific Rim. For degree requirements and curriculum, please refer
to the International Relations and Pacific Studies description under the
catalog listings of programs of instruction.
The Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (D.M.A.)
The DMA degree emphasizes the dual preparation for professional careers
in the performance of contemporary music, as well as in the equally demanding
area of teaching these skills on an advanced level. Candidates for this
degree are expected to demonstrate musical excellence, artistic maturity,
and the capability for doing original scholarly work. For degree requirements
and curriculum, please refer to the Department of Music description under
the catalog listings of programs of instruction.
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The doctor of philosophy degree is a research oriented degree which
requires individual study and specialization within a field or the establishment
of connections among fields. It is not awarded solely for the fulfillment
of technical requirements such as academic residence and course work.
Candidates are recommended for the doctorate in recognition of having
mastered in depth the subject matter of their discipline and having demonstrated
the ability to make original contributions to knowledge in their field
of study. More generally, the degree constitutes an affidavit of critical
aptitude in scholarship, imaginative enterprise in research, and proficiency
in communication, includingin most departmentspractice in
teaching.
Program of Study
The students program of study is determined in consultation with
the adviser who supervises the students activities until the appointment
of the doctoral committee. A doctoral program generally involves two stages.
The first stage requires at least three quarters of academic residence
and is spent in fulfilling the requirements established by the Academic
Senate and by the major department, group, or school. When the department
considers the student ready to take the qualifying examination, it arranges
for the appointment of a doctoral committee. Immediately upon passing
the qualifying examination administered by the doctoral committee, the
student advances to candidacy.
The second or in-candidacy stage is devoted primarily to independent
study and research and to the preparation of the dissertation. A minimum
interval of three quarters of academic residence must elapse between advancement
to candidacy and the filing and final defense of the dissertation.
Foreign Language Requirements
Some doctoral programs require candidates to demonstrate language proficiency
in one or more languages as part of the formal requirements for the Ph.D.
degree. In these cases, the testing of proficiency is the responsibility
of the department, group, or school concerned.
Ph.D. Time Limits
All graduate students in doctoral programs are subject to campus policy
on time limits to the Ph.D. Each graduate program has three time limits
pertaining to students academic progress toward the Ph.D. degree:
(1) the registered time by which a student must advance to Ph.D. candidacy;
(2) the registered time during which a doctoral student is eligible for
support; and (3) the registered time by which a student must complete
all Ph.D. requirements. Students will not be permitted to continue in
doctoral status beyond the pre-candidacy and total registered time limits.
Students will not be permitted to receive UCSD-administered financial
support beyond the support limit. Information about these time limits
is given in the descriptions of each departments graduate program
in this catalog and departmental publications.
University policy requires that graduate students be continuously registeredunless
on an approved leave of absencefrom the first quarter of enrollment
to completion of degree requirements. (See Continuous Registration
and Leave of Absence.)
For purposes of calculating when precandidacy and total registered time
limits are reached, accrued time is the elapsed time from first enrollment
as a graduate student at UCSD less (a) time withdrawn or on approved leave
of absence, and (b) time between completion of one graduate program at
UCSD and first registration in another. For the support time limit, a
maximum of three quarters of approved leave or withdrawal may be deducted
from elapsed time in calculating accrued time. Time spent in graduate
study at another institution or University of California campus prior
to beginning graduate study at UCSD will not count toward accrued time,
with the exception of students entering the Ph.D. program in electrical
engineering, computer science, or music who have earned a masters
degree in that discipline. All of the following will count toward accrued
time: time spent at UCSD as a masters, non-degree, or intercampus
exchange graduate student; time spent on leave beyond three quarters;
time spent between completion of or withdrawal from a graduate program
at UCSD and re-registration in the same field of study. Pre-candidacy
and total registered time limits will not accrue during periods of leave
of absence and/or withdrawal in excess of three quarters.
Further information may be obtained from departmental graduate coordinators
or the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Academic Residence
The minimum residence requirement for the doctor of musical arts degree
and doctor of philosophy degree is six quarters, three of which must be
in continuous academic residence at UCSD. Residency is established by
the satisfactory completion of six units or more per quarter, at least
some of which must be at the graduate level. Joint doctoral students meet
the UCSD academic residency requirement by successfully completing a minimum
of thirty-six units of course work at UCSD.
A candidate must be registered in the final quarter in which the degree
is to be awarded. (See Registration in the Final Quarter.)
The Doctoral Committee
At least three weeks prior to a scheduled qualifying examination, the
department requests approval for the appointment of the doctoral committee
by the dean of Graduate Studies. This committee conducts the qualifying
examination, supervises the preparation of and passes upon the dissertation,
and administers the final examination.
The committee consists of five or more officers of instruction, no fewer
than four of whom shall hold professorial titles of any rank. The committee
members shall be chosen from two or more departments/programs; at least
two members shall represent academic specialties that differ from the
students field and one of these two must be a tenured UCSD faculty
member from another department. Consult the departmental graduate coordinator
or the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for further details.
Reconstituted Doctoral Committee
For a variety of reasons a doctoral committee may need to be reconstituted.
The request for reconstitution of the membership of a doctoral committee
must be submitted on a reconstitution form to the dean of Graduate Studies
by the chair of the candidates major department, group, or school
no less than two weeks prior to the qualifying examination or defense
of the dissertation. The request must include departmental affiliation
of the members of the proposed reconstituted committee and the reason(s)
for requesting the change.
Qualifying Examination and Advancement to Candidacy
The doctoral committee administers the qualifying examination and authorizes
the issuance of the Report of the Qualifying Examination and Advancement
to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Formal advancement
to candidacy requires the student to pay a candidacy fee to the cashier
prior to submitting the form to the dean of Graduate Studies for approval.
Students must maintain a GPA equivalent to 3.0 or better in upper-division
and graduate course work undertaken with a total of no more than eight
units of F and/or U grades in order to take the qualifying examination
and advance to candidacy.
If the committee does not issue a unanimous report on the examination,
the dean of Graduate Studies shall be called upon to review and present
the case for resolution to the Graduate Council, which shall determine
appropriate action.
Dissertation and Final Examination
A draft of the doctoral dissertation should be submitted to each member
of the doctoral committee at least four weeks before the final examination.
The form of the final draft must conform to procedures outlined in the
publication, Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Doctoral
Dissertations and Masters Theses, which is mailed to candidates
upon their advancement to candidacy.
The doctoral committee shall supervise and pass on the candidates
dissertation and conduct the final oral examination which shall be public
and so announced.
If the committee does not issue a unanimous report on the examination,
the dean of Graduate Studies shall be called upon to review and present
the case for resolution to the Graduate Council, which shall determine
appropriate action.
The Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation for
the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy form is initiated by the department,
group, or school, signed by members of the doctoral committee, and the
chair of the (major) department, group, or school.
The candidate submits the dissertation to the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research and, upon approval by the dean of Graduate Studies, files
the dissertation with the university archivist, who accepts it on behalf
of the Graduate Council. Acceptance of the dissertation by the archivist,
with a subsequent second approval by the dean of Graduate Studies, represents
the final step in the completion by the candidate of all requirements
for the doctor of philosophy degree. All dissertations and theses submitted
in partial satisfaction of Ph.D. or masters degree requirements
shall be catalogued and shelved in the university library and dissertations
shall be submitted to University Microfilms, Inc., for publication.
Candidate in Philosophy Degree
In several departments, as approved by the Graduate Council, the intermediate
degree of candidate in philosophy (C.Phil.) is awarded to students upon
advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The minimum residence requirement
for this degree is three quarters of continuous academic residence at
UCSD. The C.Phil. degree cannot be conferred simultaneously with or following
the award of a Ph.D. degree.
Letter of Completion
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research will direct the Office of
the Registrar to issue a Letter of Completion to a graduate student who
has completed all requirements for a higher degree but whose diploma has
not yet been issued.
Postgraduate Appointments
A UCSD graduate student is not eligible for any UCSD postdoctoral appointment
until all requirements for the Ph.D. degree have been completed. Such
appointments may begin after the university archivist has accepted the
dissertation and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research has accepted
the final report.
Special Degree Programs
Graduate Programs in the Health Sciences
The university offers research training programs in the health sciences
leading to the doctor of philosophy degree. The purpose of these graduate
programs is to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in
the basic medical sciences. Program requirements are flexible, consisting
of graduate courses and supervised laboratory or clinical investigation.
Graduate programs in the health sciences are offered by (1) regular campuswide
departments with activities related to the health sciences, for example,
the Departments of Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry,
and Psychology and (2) interdisciplinary groups of faculty drawn from
the School of Medicine and from campuswide departments or from San Diego
State University.
The following departments or interdisciplinary graduate groups provide
research training opportunities in the biomedical sciences and should
be contacted directly for further information: biomedical sciences, biochemistry
(in either biology or chemistry and biochemistry), bioengineering, bioinformatics,
biology, biophysics, chemistry, clinical psychology, molecular pathology,
neurosciences, physics, psychology, public health (in either epidemiology
or health behavior), and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Ph.D.-M.D. Program
Students may meet the requirements for both the Ph.D. and M.D. degrees
in programs offered jointly by the School of Medicine and the graduate
programs in the health sciences. In most cases, students are first admitted
to the School of Medicine and may then apply for admission to a relevant
graduate program. However, those students who wish to be considered for
admission to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) may apply for
admission to the School of Medicine and the MSTP concurrently.
Elements of the first two years of the medical school curriculum satisfy
many of the requirements of the graduate program, but additional courses
will be required. Thus, the student must complete requirements for the
Ph.D. in accordance with the regulations of a department or a group and
must in addition meet the requirements for the professional degree. Students
interested in such programs should consult the associate dean for Student
Affairs, School of Medicine.
Joint Doctoral Programs
Certain departments of the University of California cooperate with similar
departments on the several campuses in the California State University
System to offer joint programs of study leading to the Ph.D. degree. At
UCSD, joint doctoral programs in biology, chemistry, clinical psychology,
language and communicative disorders, engineering sciences (applied mechanics),
mathematics and science education, and public health (in either epidemiology
or health behavior) are currently offered in conjunction with San Diego
State University and a Ph.D. in drama and theatre is offered in conjunction
with University of California, Irvine. Applicants interested in these
joint programs should consult the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Communicative Disorders, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology,
Theatre and Dance; or the Office of the Dean, College of Engineering;
or the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education; or School
of Public Health at San Diego State University. Joint doctoral students
meet the UCSD academic residency requirement by successfully completing
a minimum of thirty-six units of course work at UCSD.
Special Programs
Intercampus Exchange Program for Graduate Students
A graduate student registered on any campus of the University of California,
who wishes to take advantage of educational opportunities for study and
research available on another campus of the university, must apply to
become an intercampus exchange student on that UC campus. UCSD students
must have completed at least one quarter of study and be in good standing
prior to beginning an exchange.
Informal arrangements between departmental faculty on the two campuses
must be undertaken prior to submission of a students application
to assure that space in desired courses, seminars, or facilities will
be available.
No later than four weeks prior to the opening of the term on the host
campus, a student must complete the Application for Intercampus Exchange
Program for Graduate Students available at the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research. This application, approved by the students departmental
graduate adviser and and the graduate dean of the home campus, is forwarded
for approval by the department and the graduate dean on the host campus.
Students participating in an intercampus exchange must pay all required
fees and enroll as appropriate at the home campus. Evidence of fee payment,
at the home campus, must be presented to enroll in classes at the host
campus.
An exchange student is not admitted to graduate standing at the host
campus, but is considered a graduate student in residence at the home
campus. Grades obtained in courses taken by the student enrolled in the
intercampus graduate student exchange program are transferred to the home
campus for entry on the students official record. Library, health
center, and other student privileges are extended by the host campus.
Off-Campus Study
(Other than Intercampus Exchange Program)
If the research and study program of a graduate student requires being
off campus for extended periods of five weeks or more, the student may
apply for off-campus study. During such periods a student is required
to remain a registered student at UCSD and to carry twelve units of course
work or research.
If the off-campus study is outside the state of California, one-half
of the registration fee may be waived. All required fees including, but
not limited to the full educational fee, student center fee, recreation
facility fee, health insurance fee, and nonresident fee, if applicable,
must be paid.
A graduate student who holds a fellowship, traineeship, or a research
assistantship and desires to study off campus may do so under the following
circumstances: The student must have completed at least one year of graduate
study at UCSD, obtained the approvals of the academic department and the
dean of Graduate Studies, and agreed to comply with the rules and regulations
governing the award or appointment.
Regulations concerning accepting additional awards or compensation for
appointments as outlined under the financial assistance section apply
to off-campus study as well as on-campus study.
UCSD Extension
Students wishing to offer UCSD Extension course work taken prior to
admission at UCSD as a graduate student in partial satisfaction of requirements
for a masters degree must file a General Petition with the Office
of Graduate Studies and Research. Acceptance of such course work is subject
to the regulations on Transferring Credit (which are described
elsewhere in this catalog) the recommendation of the major department,
and approval of the dean of Graduate Studies, and will be considered upon
satisfactory completion of course work in a regular session.
COMPLIMENTARY ENROLLMENT
Through a reciprocal agreement with UCSD Extension, a limited number
of spaces in extension classes are open to full-time graduate students
(registered for twelve units or more) in good standing without payment
of additional fees. The number of spaces available for each quarter varies.
The student must obtain a UCSD Application for Enrollment from the Office
of Graduate Studies and Research and personally secure the necessary approvals.
Course work taken through Complimentary Enrollment cannot be used in partial
satisfaction of requirements for a masters degree, nor can it be
used toward the twelve unit full-time enrollment requirement.
Education Abroad Program
Graduate students may apply to study at most Education Abroad Program
(EAP) host institutions, provided that they meet EAP requirements and
have completed at least one year of graduate work prior to departure,
are in good standing, and have the support of their academic department
and graduate dean.
Costs vary according to location.
Students pay fees to the University of California and are enrolled at
UCSD while abroad. Full academic credit is received for courses satisfactorily
completed.
At UCSD, complete information and application forms for the various
overseas campuses may be obtained from the Programs Abroad Office, International
Center, University Center, 0018 or on the Programs Abroad Web site http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/icenter/.
In addition, the Programs Abroad Office also offers information and advisory
services to graduate and undergraduate students interested in pursuing
other activities involving study, research, work, or travel abroad.
For a detailed list of the countries with EAP study centers, see also
Education Abroad Program in chapter entitled Courses, Curricula,
and Programs of Instruction. Study abroad information is also available
online by accessing the EAP Web site http://www.uoeap.ucsb.edu.
Postdoctoral Study
Postdoctoral fellows, trainees, scholars, and medical fellows play an
important role in UCSDs teaching and research programs. All interested
candidates should make advance arrangements with the appropriate department
or research unit. The Office of Graduate Studies and Research has administrative
responsibility for the appointment and census of postdoctoral scholars
undertaking training at UCSD. A scholar is appointed by means of a Postdoctoral
Study Appointment form initiated in the office of the faculty sponsor
and is eligible for a UCSD academic photo identification card and library
privileges. The scholar is also eligible to purchase OGSR-sponsored Health
Net medical and DentiCare dental insurance.
All scholars are required to have adequate health insurance. Information
on Health Net, DentiCare, and enrollment procedures may be obtained from
administrative offices of departments, organized research units, or OGSR.
Fees
The following schedule of fees is anticipated for the 20032004
academic year:
Fees Per Quarter*
|
Resident
|
Nonresident
|
Tuition
Registration
Educational
Student Center
Recreational Facilities
Graduate Student Assoc.
Health Insurance
Totals
|
$
238.00
1,386.00
37.00
82.00
12.00
417.00
$2,177.50
|
$3,859.00
238.00
1,472.00
37.50
82.00
12.00
417.00
$6,122.50
|
Miscellaneous Fees and Fines
Students should also be aware of the following charges:
Application fee for admission
Duplicate Photo-ID card
Petition for Readmission
Advancement to Candidacy for Ph.D.
Transcript of Record
Late payment of fees (Late registration)
Late enrollment
Late and retroactive Add/Drop
Returned check collection
Filing fee
UCSD Statement Late Charge
|
$40
10
40
50
5
50
50
3
25
119
25
|
* Subject to change without notice. Updated information
regarding fees may be found on the Web site http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/financialinfo/gradstudent/tuition_fees/
index.htm.
All receipts for payments made to the cashier, whatever their nature,
should be carefully preserved. Not only do they constitute evidence that
financial obligations have been discharged, but they may be required to
support a claim that certain documents or petitions have been filed.
**Fees for graduate students approved for enrollment in a half-time
program (not to exceed six units) may be reduced by one-half of the Educational
fee and one-half of nonresident tuition for nonresidents.
California Residency and the Nonresident Tuition Fee
Each new student entering UCSD is required to submit a Statement of
Legal Residence to the Office of the Registrar. No tuition is charged
to students classified as residents of California. Nonresidents, however,
are required to pay a quarterly tuition fee.
A complete statement covering California residence requirements, determination
of residence for tuition purposes, and/or recognized exceptions appears
in the section Residence Requirements or on the Web site https://hollerith.ucsd.edu/cgibin/studentlink.p1/5/students/finances/residency/.
Additional information may be obtained from the Campus Residence Deputy,
Office of the Registrar, Building 301, University Center. No other university
personnel are authorized to supply information relative to residence requirements
for tuition purposes. Students seeking to establish California residency
for tuition purposes are advised to review the requirements and deadlines.
Adherence to the published deadlines is the responsibility of each student
and is essential. Exceptions to waive or extend deadlines are not considered.
To the extent funds are available, subject to change, waiver of nonresident
tuition may be granted to spouses and dependent, unmarried children under
age twenty-one of university faculty members who are qualified for membership
in the Academic Senate. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of
the Registrar or the Academic Senate Office.
University Registration Fee
The university registration fee is a quarterly fee required of all registered
students, and it must be paid at the time of the students registration.
This fee is for services which benefit the student and are complementary
to, but not part of, the regular instructional programs of the university.
No part of this fee is refunded to students who do not make use of these
services; however, students who petition and are approved for out-of-state
study will receive a waiver for one-half of the registration fee. Exemption
from this fee may be granted to surviving children of certain deceased
California fire fighters or police officers. Students who believe they
may qualify for an exemption on this basis must consult with the Student
Financial Services Office, Building 201, University Center, for a ruling.
Student Health Services and Insurance Plans
The Student Health Service (SHS) is a nationally accredited health care
facility providing primary health care for no or minimal charge during
the academic year for all students who pay the university registration
fee. Students with the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP)
in the spring have access to the SHS during the summer at no additional
charge. Students without GSHIP may be seen in the summer for a modest
fee. Additional information on the wide variety of services available
at SHS is available via the Web at www.ucsd.edu/shs.
SHS provides primary health care to all students with GSHIP. Access
to GSHIP benefits requires written SHS referral except in cases of emergency
care or 100 miles out of UCSD area.
The Graduate Student Health Insurance (GSHIP)
GSHIP is a mandatory year-round insurance plan for graduate and professional
students unless a waiver has been granted (see WAIVERS). Students must
be enrolled in GSHIP for the spring quarter in order to retain coverage
through summer. Three quarterly payments will provide year-round coverage
under GSHIP. The spring quarter premium extends insurance coverage through
the summer quarter. Benefits and additional information may be viewed
at the Web site www.ucsd.edu/shs.
Premium payment for GSHIP is due with the payment of the registration
fee. Premiums for students holding graduate academic appointment titles
for a full academic term at 25 percent time or greater will be paid directly
by the university. Premiums for most students holding fellowships and
training grants are also paid directly. Loans to cover premiums may be
available for students who receive need-based financial assistance.
For first-year students arriving on campus prior to the start of the
academic calendar year, it is highly recommended that the student review
current insurance status and purchase short term coverage if necessary.
Insurance information may be obtained by calling the insurance counselor
at (858) 534-2123.
REFUNDS
No premium refunds are permitted, except when a student withdraws on
or prior to the first day of classes, in which case a full refund of the
premium will be made and coverage for that quarter will be canceled effective
from the first day of the quarter. If an insured enters the armed forces,
a pro-rata refund of premium paid will be made upon request. Refunds for
all other fees are subject to the Refund Fee Schedule published in the
Schedule of Classes. That refund schedule is effective beginning
on the first day of the quarter and counts all calendar days. Students
cannot expect exceptions to this schedule, regardless of the circumstances
of the leave of absence/withdrawal request.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
A student is eligible to be enrolled in GSHIP when on approved Leave
of Absence for a total of three academic quarters. A student on approved
leave is responsible for his or her enrollments and premium payments and
for the Student Health Service access fee which is payable each quarter
including summer. Enrollment in GSHIP is through the Student Health Insurance
Office at the Student Health Services (SHS).
WAIVERS
Students already insured under a policy containing benefits equal to
or better than GSHIP may be eligible for GSHIP waivers up to one academic
year. Documents required for a waiver are: 1) students written request,
2) proof of present insurance and premium payment to the end of the quarter,
3) a copy of the summary of insurance benefits, and 4) a copy of the insurance
identification cards. Submit written requests directly to UCSD, Student
Health Insurance Office, 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0039, La Jolla, CA,
92093-0039 no later than the last business day of the first week of the
quarter. Final decisions regarding waiver requests will be mailed to the
student by SHS.
Educational Fee
The educational fee was established as a required fee for all students
beginning with the fall quarter 1970. It is used to cover a variety of
educational costs as determined by the regents. The educational fee may
be reduced by one-half for students enrolled in six units or fewer (see
Part-time Study).
Student Center Fee
Every student is required to pay a student center fee each quarter.
Recreation Facility Fee
Every student is required to pay a recreation facility fee each quarter.
Reduced Fee Enrollments
- One-half of the established registration fee may be waived for graduate
students whose research or study requires them to remain outside the
state of California for five weeks or more of the quarter. Students
must file a General Petition for this privilege. The reduction pertains
to one-half of the registration fee only. A student must pay, in addition,
all required fees including, but not limited to, the educational fee,
student center fee, recreation facility fee, health insurance fee, and
nonresident tuition fee, if applicable.
- Graduate students approved for enrollment in a half-time program
(not to exceed six units) are eligible for a reduction in fees of one-half
the educational fee, and, if applicable, one-half of the nonresident
tuition fee.
- A full-time employee who is not subject to nonresident tuition, who
has worked full time for the university for at least six months prior
to the latest date that registration will be accepted, and who meets
the admission requirements of the university is eligible for two-thirds
reduction of both the university registration fee and the university
educational fee for up to nine units or three regular session university
courses per quarter, whichever is greater. An employee so registered
is ineligible for the services and facilities of the Counseling Center,
recreation facilities, or the Student Health Services, other than those
services to which the employee is regularly entitled (University of
California Staff Personnel Policy 260.23). Authorization for this privilege
is secured from the Staff Personnel Office for staff employees, or from
the Academic Personnel Office for individuals on academic appointments.
NOTE: In accordance with Academic Senate regulations, no voting
member of the San Diego Division of the Academic Senate shall be recommended
for a higher degree from UCSD unless the dean of Graduate Studies shall
have certified that all requirements for that degree have been met prior
to the appointment to a rank carrying the voting privilege.
Filing Fee
A student registered in the immediately preceding quarter, or on an
approved leave of absence who has completed all requirements except for
the final reading of the dissertation or thesis or the taking of the final
examination is eligible to petition to pay a filing fee in lieu of registering
and paying all required fees in the final quarter. The filing fee applies
to both residents and nonresidents. Students must apply for this privilege
by means of a General Petition.
Refund of Fees
Students who withdraw from the university during the first five weeks
of instruction (35 calendar days) may receive partial refunds of fees,
excluding health insurance, if applicable. The date of withdrawal, as
related to the fee refund schedule, shall be the date on which notice
of withdrawal is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
(OGSR). See Schedule of Classes for schedule of refunds.
Parking Fee
Students who park motor vehicles, including motorcycles, on the campus
are subject to parking fees. (See Parking, in chapter entitled
Campus Services and Facilities.)
Penalty Fees
Penalty fees (see Fees), are charged for failure to comply
with normal deadline dates. To avoid such fines, students should fulfill
all requirements in advance of the deadlines listed in the Schedule of
Classes.
Transcript Fees
Students may obtain transcripts of their UCSD records from the Office
of the Registrar for $5 for each copy. Transcripts must be requested several
days in advance of date needed.
Late Fees
Students are responsible for meeting quarterly enrollment and registration
(fees payment) deadlines which are published on StudentLink, in the Schedule
of Classes, and a variety of student-directed Web sites and publications.
A $50 late fee will be assessed for late enrollment and/or late registration
up to $100 total. Late enrollment automatically causes late registration
as payments cannot be credited to a students account until enrollment
occurs. Late fee waivers are rarely granted and only in extenuating and
verifiable circumstances. Only certain staff in the Office of Graduate
Studies and Research (OGSR) are authorized to grant waivers.
Financial Assistance
Several kinds of financial assistance are available to graduate students
at UCSD. These include fellowships and traineeships; assistantships in
teaching, language instruction, and research; scholarships in full or
partial payment of tuition and/or fees; and loans and grants-in-aid. Further
details about these awards/appointments may be obtained from departmental,
group, or school offices.
Descriptions in this section deal entirely with awards administered
directly by the university.
Applicants for financial assistance should note the following: Pursuant
to Section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974, applicants for student financial
aid or benefits are hereby notified that mandatory disclosure of their
Social Security number is required by the University of California to
verify the identity of each applicant. Social Security numbers are used
in processing the data given in the financial aid application; in the
awarding of funds; in the coordination of information with applications
for federal, state, university, and private awards or benefits; and in
the collection of funds and tracing of individuals who have borrowed funds
from federal, state, university, or private loan programs.
Fellowships and Traineeships
Regents Fellowships, offered to students with excellent academic and
research qualifications, provide a stipend of $10,000 for nine or ten
months, plus tax-free resident fees and nonresident tuition, if applicable.
These awards may be supplemented with a partial graduate student researcher
or research fellowship from available departmental resources. The amount
of the supplement varies by department.
The San Diego Fellowship is designed to increase the quality of education
and research by enhancing campus diversity. Currently it provides a minimum
stipend of $1,000 per month plus resident fees and one year of nonresident
tuition. These awards are usually given for two years. Academic departments
are responsible for two additional years of support for the Ph.D., D.M.A.,
or Ed.D. students awarded this fellowship. Look online at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/fellowships/
sd_fellowship/index.htm for further information.
The seven most outstanding nominees for the San Diego Fellowship are
awarded the Cota-Robles Fellowship. Fellows receive a $15,000 stipend
plus fees for two years. Nonresident fellows are eligible for a tuition
scholarship in their first year. Doctoral fellows are guaranteed comparable
departmental support for at least two additional years.
The Minority Access to Science, Engineering and Mathematics (MASEM)
program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This fellowship
is awarded to a limited number of new underrepresented graduate students
in selected programs in science, mathematics, and engineering. For further
information, look online at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/masem/index.htm.
The NIH Scholars Program is funded by the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This award is for a limited number of new graduate students from
underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral science programs.
For further information look online at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/nih/index.asp.
All other fellowship stipends are established by the department, group,
or school and may vary in tenure from one to twelve months and in amount
from $100 to $2,000 per month. Fellowships awarded for one, two, or three
quarters will also provide tax-free resident fees and nonresident tuition,
if applicable. Awardees must register for twelve units of upper-division
and graduate-level work each quarter and must remain in good academic
standing, as described under Standards of Scholarship of this
catalog.
Fellows and trainees on twelve-month tenure are required to devote full
time to graduate study and research during the summer as well as during
the academic year. A brief resume of proposed summer graduate study or
research, approved by the appropriate adviser, must be filed with the
dean of Graduate Studies before the end of the spring quarter preceding
the summer portion of the fellowship or traineeship tenure.
Some fellowships and traineeships offer the privilege of participation
in the teaching or research programs of the university.
The principal types of fellowships/scholarships at UCSD are the following:
- Regents Fellowships
- San Diego and Cota-Robles Fellowships
- Research Fellowships
- U.S. Public Health Service Predoctoral Traineeships
- Fee Scholarships
- Tuition Scholarships
- Tuition and Fee Scholarships
Assistantships
Graduate students may be appointed by UCSD on a part-time basis as graduate
student researchers and teaching assistants.
Graduate students enrolled full-time (twelve units or more) may be appointed
up to 50 percent time (twenty hours/week) during the academic year and
100 percent time during the summer months, although most departments limit
support to 50 percent time year-round. Students enrolled for less than
full-time (one to eleven units) are eligible, at the discretion of the
department, for 25 percent time appointments. Appointees must remain in
good academic standing, as described under Standards of Scholarship.
Graduate students who are appointed as graduate student researchers
are eligible for remission of tuition and fees if they have a minimum
25 percent appointment for the entire quarter for which tuition and fees
are paid, or the dollar equivalent; have an appointment effective with
the first week of instruction in the quarter for which tuition and fees
are paid; and are within the time limits for support described earlier
in this section.
Teaching assistants and others appointed on academic titles at 25 percent
time or more for the quarter are eligible for payment of partial fee remission
of 100 percent of the annual education and registration fees and 100 percent
of the Graduate Student Health Insurance fee.
Graduate students appointed as teaching assistants, associates, readers
or tutors (ASES) are represented by the Association of Student Employees/UAW
under a collective bargaining agreement with the university. All salary
payments under these titles are subject to a deduction of 1.15 percent
for union membership dues or a 0.92 percent agency fee deduction for students
who choose not to become members of the union. The university/UAW Agreement
can be retrieved electronically at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/ase/index.htm
All graduate students who are U.S. citizens and appointed as teaching
assistants or graduate student researchers or are employed by the university
in other positions are required by the California Constitution to sign
the State Oath of Allegiance. In addition, all graduate student appointees
and employees are required by university policy to sign the universitys
Patent Agreement. Copies of both documents may be obtained from the students
academic department.
Taxability of Awards
Under the 1986 Tax Reform Act , the taxability of awards is as follows:
- Fellowships and Scholarships. The portion of the stipend used for
tuition, fees, books, and course-related expenses required of all students
in the course are not taxable income. The portion of a stipend used
for other purposes are taxable income.
- Graduate Student Researchers and Teaching Assistants. All compensation
is taxable income.
- Payment of tuition and fees under the Graduate Student Researcher
Tuition and Fee Remission program and payment of partial fee remission
and graduate student health insurance for those appointed 25 percent
time or more as teaching assistants or other academic titles, is nontaxable
income.
- Grants for Travel to Scholarly Meetings and for Graduate Student
Research Expenses. Not taxable.
Students are advised to review available tax materials and make their
own decisions about tax withholding, reporting of income, excluding income
from taxation, and filing required tax forms. UCSD departmental and central
administrative staff are not able to advise students on individual tax
matters.
Graduate student fellowships, scholarships and traineeships are not
subject to withholding for taxes under the Federal Insurance Contribution
ACT (FICA). The salary of graduate students appointed as Teaching Assistants
and Graduate Student Researchers, Readers, or Tutors, or who are employed
on campus is exempt from FICA if the students are registered for a minimum
of 6 units each quarter (including summer). Nonresident aliens on F-1
and J-1 visas are, by federal law, exempt from FICA.
Limited written tax information is available from academic departmental
offices and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Application Procedures
Entering students. Obtain application materials from academic
department, group, or school offices. Only one application form is needed
to apply for graduate admission and for any of the following: fellowships,
traineeships, scholarships, and assistantships (teaching, language, or
research).
In order for an applicant to be considered for a fellowship, traineeship,
or graduate scholarship for the ensuing academic year, an application
for admission with financial aid and all supporting materials must be
received by the deadline as listed in the Application for Graduate Admission.
No assurance can be given that applications can be processed after stated
deadlines. Applications for assistantships may be accepted after the deadline,
but most departments offer assistantships at the same time they consider
applications for fellowships. Therefore, applicants for these appointments
are strongly urged to submit their applications as early as possible.
Continuing and returning students. Consult with their departments.
Award Notification
The awarding of fellowships and similar awards for the following academic
year will be announced not later than April 1. UCSD subscribes to the
agreement of the Council of Graduate Schools of the United States, under
which successful applicants for awards are given until April 15 to accept
or decline such awards. An award accepted from one of the member universities
may be resigned at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given
or left in force after that date commits the student not to accept another
appointment without first obtaining formal release for that purpose.
Loans and Grants-in-Aid
An excellent package of grants-in-aid, work-study, and loans is available
to graduate students who show evidence of financial need as determined
by analysis of a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
See section on financial assistance in chapter entitled Campus
Services and Facilities.
Time Limits for Graduate Student Support
For Ph.D. and D.M.A. students, all financial support administered by
UCSD (including fellowships, scholarships, and appointment but excluding
loans) is restricted to students who are within their departmental support
time limits (see Ph.D. Time Limits and description of each
departments graduate program).
M.F.A. and M.P.I.A. students can be supported for a maximum of ten quarters.
M.A. and M.S. students can be supported for a maximum of seven quarters.
Fellowships and Research Awards from Outside the University
In addition to fellowships, traineeships, and loans administered by
the university, other types of graduate student support are available
through federal agencies and private foundations. Students wishing to
explore such sources of support for their studies at UCSD are urged to
consult one of the many directories available in the reference section
of Geisel Library, the fellowship listings provided via the Graduate Studies
World Wide Web site (http://ogsr.ucsd.edu),
the Community of Science Web site (www.cos.com),
other Web sites dedicated to graduate fellowships, through the reference
departments of other large libraries or the fellowship adviser in the
Office of Graduate Studies and Research, 518 University Center. Most application
deadlines occur in the fall or early winter. Among the many organizations
which award fellowships to students at UCSD are the Alcohol, Drug Abuse
and Mental Health Administration; Department of Defense; the Ford Foundation;
the Hertz Foundation; the Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Institute of
International Education; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
the National Science Foundation; the Social Science Research Council;
and, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
General Policies and Requirements
Integrity of Scholarship
See UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship in the Academic
Regulations section of this catalog.
Student Conduct
Graduate students enrolling in the university assume an obligation to
conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the universitys function
as an educational institution. Rules concerning student conduct, student
organizations, use of university facilities, and related matters are set
forth in UC San Diego Campus Regulations Applying to Campus Activities,
Organizations, and Students, copies of which are available online at http://ugr8.ucsd.edu/judicial
and at the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office of
Judicial Affairs.
Student Appeals
Academic Appeals
Department and program faculty have primary responsibility for maintaining
the excellence of graduate programs, and they are in the best position
to judge their students academic performance. Consequently a graduate
student appeal of an academic decision should first be made to the individual
faculty member who made the decision. If this does not result in a resolution
that is satisfactory to the student, he or she may appeal to the department
or program chair. Graduate students may appeal a course grade or Ph.D.
or masters qualifying or final exam result only if they believe
that nonacademic criteria were used in determining their grade. Students
who wish to appeal a course grade should follow the procedure described
in Grade Appeals in the Academic Regulations section
of the UCSD General Catalog.
Employment Appeals
Students holding an academic appointment, such as graduate student researcher,
are subject to the Academic Personnel Manual policy 140. A copy of this
policy is available in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research or
it may be viewed online at http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-140.pdf.
Appeals by teaching assistants, readers, and tutors are covered by the
ASE/UAW contract that may be viewed at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/ase/index.htm.
Non-Academic Appeals
Graduate students may appeal actions of departments, programs, individual
faculty members, departments, or administrators relating to a students
academic program or financial support if they believe that:
- due process was not followed in arriving at a decision
OR
- personal prejudice affected the judgment rendered.
A non-academic appeal may be submitted to the department or program
chair, individual faculty member, or administrator within one month of
the date of learning of the action or the date that the student should
have reasonably known of the action.
If an appeal to an individual faculty member or administrator is not
resolved to the students satisfaction, he or she may then submit
a written appeal to the department or program chair, who shall attempt
to adjudicate the case with the faculty member or administrator and the
student within two weeks.
If the appeal is not resolved to the students satisfaction, he
or she may then attempt to resolve the matter through written appeal to
the dean of Graduate Studies, who will attempt to adjudicate the case
within two weeks. The dean may take the appeal to the Graduate Council
for review, which may extend the time required to reach a final resolution.
The students request for the deans review should include
a written statement describing the nature of the grievance, along with
copies of any and all documents in his or her possession supporting the
grievance. Students are encouraged to contact the assistant dean for Student
Affairs in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for assistance
with the appeal process.
Exceptions
A student may request an exception to the normal procedures and requirements
governing graduate studies by submitting a General Petition, available
from the department. The petition must state clearly the reasons for requesting
the exception and bear all required approvals before being submitted to
the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Requests for exceptions to time limits require a letter of explanation
and support from the students research adviser, and support and
justification from the programs graduate adviser and endorsement
by the department or group chair. Such requests are submitted to the Graduate
Council through the dean of Graduate Studies. Exceptions to the time limits
policy are granted only in the case of truly exceptional and unavoidable
circumstances.
Grades
Standards of Scholarship
Only upper-division, graduate, and professional courses in which grades
of A, B, C (including plus [+] or minus []), D, or S (Satisfactory)
are earned can be counted in satisfaction of the requirements for a higher
degree.
A students grade-point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the
total number of grade points earned by the total unit value of graded
upper-division, graduate, and professional courses undertaken at UCSD
with the exception of those undertaken in UCSD Extension. Grades of S,
U, I, IP, NR, and W are excluded in computing a grade-point average. Lower-division
course work units are not used in computing a graduate students
grade-point average nor in satisfying program requirements for a higher
degree with the exception of language courses taken by students in the
M.P.I.A. program.
Each department or group prepares, not later than the second week of
each spring quarter, a detailed, written evaluation of each of its Ph.D.,
D.M.A., or M.F.A. students. These evaluations are designed to inform students
of their progress and to improve communications between faculty and graduate
students. Evaluations are discussed with students who may elect to add
written comments before signing the copy of the evaluation sent to the
Office of Graduate Studies and Research. A students signature on
the evaluation indicates knowledge of the assessment but does not necessarily
signify agreement.
To be in good standing academically a graduate student must meet departmental
standards including a satisfactory spring evaluation, maintain a GPA of
3.0 or the equivalent in upper-division, graduate, and professional course
work, and must not have accumulated more than a total of eight units of
F and/or U grades overall, unless departmental standards specify more
stringent grade requirements.
Good standing is a requirement for:
- Holding academic and staff appointments.
- Holding fellowship, scholarship, or traineeship appointments.
- Participating in the Education Abroad Program (EAP)
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree.
- Going on leave of absence.
- Receiving a graduate degree from UCSD.
Graduate students who are not in good standing for any reason are subject
to probation and/ or disqualification from further graduate study.
Grading System
The grade of A+, when awarded, represents extraordinary achievement
but does not receive grade-point credit beyond that received for the grade
of A. The grades of A, B, and C may be modified by plus (+) or minus ().
When attached to the grades of B and C, plus (+) grades carry three-tenths
of a grade point more per unit, and when attached to A, B, and C, minus
() grades carry three-tenths of a grade point less per unit. Grades
and grade points are described as follows:
Grade |
|
Grade
Points per Unit |
A+ |
|
4.0 |
A |
Excellent |
4.0 |
A |
|
3.7 |
B+ |
|
3.3 |
B |
Good |
3.0 |
B |
|
2.7 |
C+ |
|
2.3 |
C |
Fair |
2.0 |
C |
|
1.7 |
D |
Poor |
1.0 |
F |
Fail |
|
S |
Satisfactory
(equivalent 0.0 to B or better) |
0.0 |
Grade |
|
|
U |
Unsatisfactory |
|
I |
Incompletebut
work of non-failing quality* |
IP |
In
Progress (provisional grade; replaced when full sequence is completed) |
W |
Withdrawal
(assigned when withdrawing or dropping a course beginning fifth week
to end of ninth week of instruction) |
* Requires Request to Receive Grade Incomplete form
to be initiated and completed by the student, approved by the instructor,
and filed with the department prior to the end of finals week. The Incomplete
grade will lapse to F or U if not made up by the last day of finals week
in the following quarter.
All grades except Incomplete and In Progress are final
when entered in an instructors course report filed at the end of
the quarter.
While grades of U are not computed in a grade-point average, they are
not considered satisfactory grades for students on appointment, nor are
they considered to be evidence of satisfactory progress on the part of
any student. Therefore, a student whose record bears more than eight units
of U and/or F grades in upper-division, graduate, or professional course
work may not be eligible to continue on appointment and may be subject
to academic probation or disqualification.
Changes in Grades
All grades except I and IP are final when filed by the instructor unless
a clerical or procedural error is discovered.
No change of a final grade may be made on the basis of revision or augmentation
of a students work; no term grade except Incomplete may be revised
by further examination; and no grade may be changed after one calendar
year from the time the grade was recorded.
Repetition of Courses
A student assigned a grade of D, F, or U may petition to repeat the
course on the same grading basis for which it was first taken. That is,
a course in which a grade of D or F has been received may not be repeated
on an S/U basis. Conversely, a course in which a grade of U has been awarded
may not be repeated on the basis of a letter grade. Degree credit for
a course will be given only once, but the grade assigned for each enrollment
shall be permanently recorded. Only the grade received in the repetition
of the course will be used in calculating the overall grade-point average
for the first sixteen units repeated. For additional units repeated, the
grade assigned for each enrollment shall be used in calculating the grade-point
average.
No Report/No Record
A blank entry appearing on student transcripts in lieu of a grade indicates
that the students name appeared on a grade report but no grade was
assigned by the instructor. A blank entry will lapse automatically into
an F or U if not removed or replaced by a final grade by the last day
of instruction of the subsequent quarter, and will be computed in the
students GPA.
I (Incomplete)
The grade of I may be assigned by an instructor only when the students
work is of passing quality but is incomplete. The student must complete
and submit to the instructor the form, Request to Receive Grade Incomplete
and Removal of Grade Incomplete, which will contain both the reason for
requesting the grade I and the conditions to be met before the Incomplete
can be replaced with a final grade. The Incomplete must be made up, the
grade assigned, and the completed form filed with the Office of the Registrar
no later than the end of final examination week the following quarter.
Incomplete grades assigned in the quarter before a graduate student
withdraws or takes an approved leave of absence must be replaced by a
final grade before the end of the academic quarter following to prevent
the Incomplete from lapsing to F or U.
IP (In Progress)
An IP is assigned in a sequential course which extends over more than
one quarter, and the evaluation of a students performance may not
be possible until the end of the course. A student who has dropped out
without completing the entire sequence may be assigned final grades and
unit credit for any quarter(s) completed, provided that the instructor
has a basis for assigning the grades and certifies that the sequence was
not completed for good cause. An IP not replaced by a final grade will
remain on the students record. Courses graded IP are not used in
calculating a students grade-point average until graduation. At
that time course units still graded IP on a students record must
be treated as units attempted in calculating the GPA; thus units graded
IP will have the same effect on the overall GPA as an F or U.
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
The minimum standard of performance for a grade of Satisfactory shall
be the same as the minimum for a grade of B.
With the approval of the Graduate Council, departments may offer graduate
courses in which graduate students may elect to be evaluated on an S/U
basis and courses in which S/U grading shall be the only grading option.
Grading options for a given course are identified in course listings in
the UCSD General Catalog.
In addition, and with the approval of the department and the instructor
concerned, graduate students may elect to have the following courses graded
on an S/U basis: any upper-division or lower-division course taken (provided
they have obtained approval of the instructor and the department), and
any graduate or upper-division course outside their major department.
If departmental requirements have been fulfilled for advancement to candidacy
for the Ph.D. or D.M.A. degree, graduate students may take any course
on an S/U basis.
Selection of S/U as a grading option must be made in the first two
weeks of a quarter. Units graded Satisfactory shall be counted in
satisfaction of degree requirements but shall be disregarded in determining
a students grade-point average. No credit shall be allowed for work
marked Unsatisfactory.
W (Withdrawal)
Students who discontinue graduate study any time during a quarter without
formally withdrawing will receive failing grades for all course work undertaken.
Formal withdrawal requires filing a Leave of Absence, Extension and/or
Withdrawal form prior to leaving campus with the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research after receiving departmental approval and all other approvals
listed on the form. When a student withdraws before the end of the fourth
week of instruction, no course entries will appear on the transcript for
that quarter. Students who withdraw from the university or drop a course
between the beginning of the fifth week of instruction and the end of
the ninth week of instruction will be assigned a W (Withdrawn) by the
registrar for each course affected.
Courses in which a W has been assigned will be disregarded in determining
a students grade-point average.
Final Grades
Students may access their full UCSD graduate academic record on StudentLink
in the academic history module. The student must have his/her PID and
PAC numbers to access StudentLink. If lost or misplaced, the PAC number
may only be obtained from the Office of the Registrar (OAR) after providing
proof of identification; the PID may be obtained through the departmental
graduate program coordinator or the OAR. Students may receive computer-generated
telephone verification of their fall and winter grades (see Schedule of
Classes for complete information). While grade reports submitted by instructors
at the end of the quarter are generally considered final, students
should carefully examine their grade report or transcript for omissions
and clerical errors and consult with instructors and the Office of the
Registrar to clarify any discrepancies.
Admission Requirements
Academic
Applicants for graduate admission must present official evidence of
receipt of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher
education or the equivalent, with training comparable to that provided
by the University of California. A minimum scholastic average of B or
better is required for course work completed in upper-division, or prior
graduate study.
Admission Policies
Duplication of Advanced Degrees
Normally, duplication of advanced academic degrees, M.A., M.S., Ph.D.,
is not permitted. A duplicate academic degree is one at the same level,
e.g., a second masters degree or second Ph.D., regardless of the
discipline or the specialization awarding the degree. A professional degree
at the masters or doctoral level, e.g., M.Ed., M.P.I.A., MD. Pharm.D.,
is not regarded as a duplicate of an academic degree.
Students who already hold an advanced degree may be admitted to UCSD
to pursue a second advanced degree at the same level only under limited
circumstances, and only with the consent of the Graduate Council. Recognizing
that there are circumstances in which it is appropriate for a student
to pursue a second degree, the Graduate Council will consider the following
criteria when reviewing requests for permission to do so at UCSD.
- The degree already held by the student must be in a fundamentally
different disciplinary field from the department to which the student
is applying. A request for permission to be admitted to a degree program
at UCSD should document this clearly, and should indicate the differences
both in intellectual training and in qualification for future employment
that the second degree would confer.
- The department or program considering the applicant must make a clear
case that there is no other way at UCSD for the student to obtain the
same outcome for future employment prospects, e.g., by pursuing a masters
program or postdoctoral study rather than a second Ph.D.
If the decision of the Graduate Council is that the student should be
admitted to a particular department or program for a masters degree
alone, the student is barred from requesting permission to continue for
a Ph.D. in that department or program.
Non-Degree Study
There is no student-at-large classification at UCSD; application
for admission must be made to a specific department or group. Applicants
who wish to enroll for course work only within a department
or group and who do not intend to pursue a higher degree at UCSD may request
admission for non-degree study. Applicants for non-degree study must satisfy
all admission requirements and are not eligible for fellowships or assistantships.
Non-degree status is granted for up to one year; students may petition
the dean of Graduate Studies for a second year of non-degree status.
Part-Time Study, Including Half-Time
Students who enroll in fewer than twelve graduate or upper-division
units each quarter are considered part-time students. International students
on F1 or J1 visas must be enrolled full-time each quarter. Students who
are approved by their major department and by the dean of Graduate Studies
for enrollment in a program of half-time study (maximum of six units or
fewer) for reasons of occupation, family responsibilities or health, may
be eligible for a reduction in fees. All other part-time students (711
units) pay the same fees as full-time students.
Part-time study may be pursued in several masters programs and
a few Ph.D. programs at UCSD. In all instances, part-time students must
satisfy the same admission requirements as full-time students and are
eligible, at the discretion of a department, for appointment to 25 percent
time teaching or research assistantships. Admitted students must file
the petition for half-time study with the Office of Graduate Studies and
Research no later than the last day of the second week of the quarter
to be eligible for a fee reduction.
Application Procedures
When to Apply
Most graduate programs have an application deadline of mid-January for
fall admissions. A few programs accept applications for winter and spring
admissions. For specific deadlines refer to the online application instructions
at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu or contact
the specific program office. Applicants need not have completed their
undergraduate programs prior to applying.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete an Application for Graduate Admissions with
a nonrefundable application fee of $60 to the Office of Graduate
Admissions. UCSD encourages the use of the online application. Use of
this application requires payment by credit card. The online application
can be accessed at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu
where detailed instructions for completion of the application are provided.
If a paper mail-in application is necessary, it must be obtained from
the academic department where the applicant is applying.
Additional program and application information can be obtained from
each graduate program office. Access the UCSD Web site http://ucsd.edu
and the appropriate programs graduate study information. Telephone
numbers and campus addresses are listed with the department information
in this catalog. The Graduate Admissions Application includes application
for a fellowship, traineeship, scholarship, or assistantship. The primary
documents required in support of an application are listed below. Each
program may require additional documents.
Social Security Number Disclosure
Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, applicants are hereby notified
that disclosure of their Social Security number is mandatory. The Social
Security number entered on the application for graduate admission may
be used as the applicants identification number for part of the
UCSD graduate student record keeping system. A personal identification
(PID) number will also be assigned by the UCSD student information system
for record-keeping purposes. This record-keeping system was established
prior to January 1, 1975 pursuant to the authority of the Regents of the
University of California under Art. IX, Sec. 9 of the California Constitution.
Required Supporting Documents
All supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, should
be forwarded directly to the applicants prospective major department.
Academic Records
Applicants must request that official transcripts of all previous academic
work, including certification of degrees received or documentation of
status upon leaving each institution, be forwarded to their prospective
major department. Transcript labels are enclosed in the application packet
for this purpose. Only official records bearing the signature of the registrar
and the seal of the issuing institution will be accepted. Applicants with
academic work in progress who expect to complete a degree program before
the intended date of enrollment at UCSD must submit evidence of degree
conferral and a final academic record, as soon as they are available.
The undergraduate degree must be completed prior to the start of graduate
study.
Special Note to International Applicants
In all applications for graduate admission, official records bearing
the signature of the registrar or other responsible academic officer and
the seal of the issuing institution are required. However, true copies,
facsimiles, or photostatic copies of foreign academic records will
be accepted if, after the copies have been made, they have been personally
signed and stamped by an educational official of the issuing institution,
who certifies that they are exact copies of the original document.
Properly signed copies should be sent instead of irreplaceable original
documents. Unless academic records are issued in English by the institution
itself, certified English translations must accompany official documents
written in a language other than English.
Foreign academic records should show all courses attended each year,
examinations passed, seminars completed, and grades or marks received
in all institutions where formal records are maintained. Official evidence
of degree conferral must also be supplied, together with evidence
of rank in class if possible.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Scores
Most graduate programs require that applicants take the GRE. Contact
the specific program for further information. Applicants who are applying
for admission to a department, group, or school which requires that they
take the GRE should do so as early as possible to insure the timely receipt
of their score results. Applicants must take the GRE no later than
fall in order to meet most departmental deadlines for admission. Consult
the GRE Information & Registration Bulletin or the GRE Web site http://gre.org
for further information. Only official scores sent to UCSD by E.T.S. will
be accepted for admission.
To facilitate the processing of applications for admission, applicants
may forward to their proposed major department, group, or school a copy
of their GRE examination score as soon as it is received, since official
copies are not always received by the appropriate department at UCSD.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should arrange to have three letters of recommendation forwarded
directly to their prospective major department, group, or school. (Recommendation
forms are included in the application booklet.) It is most important that
letters of recommendation be completed by individuals in a position to
analyze an applicants abilities and academic or professional promise.
Applicants who have applied within the last two years, and were admitted,
but did not enroll, should check with their major department or group
to determine if letters of recommendation are still on file.
International Applicant Financial Statement
Foreign applicants are required to certify that they possess sufficient
funds to cover all fees, transportation, and living expenses during the
first academic year of graduate enrollment at UCSD. In addition, they
must certify as to the probability of funds for subsequent years of study.
An International Applicant Financial Statement, for the purpose of indicating
the amount and source of funds available for graduate study, is forwarded
to foreign applicants upon admission into a graduate program. A written
summary of present and future financial resources must be provided before
visa forms can be granted.
Opportunities for employment on or off campus, are extremely limited,
and foreign applicants should not base their educational plans on the
hope of finding employment after arriving in the United States.
Admissions Examination Information
There are a variety of internationally administered examinations which
may be taken to meet requirements for admission to graduate study or to
satisfy certain requirements for advanced degrees. Several examinations
of importance to UCSD applicants are listed here.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
All international applicants whose native language is not English and
whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English
must take the TOEFL and submit their test scores to the Office of Graduate
Admissions. Some departments now require the Test of Written English (TWE)
as well as the Listening, Structure, and Reading Sections of the TOEFL.
The minimum TOFEL score for admission is 550 for the paper-based test
or 213 for the computer-based test. Applicants admitted with low scores
may be required to take an English proficiency test upon arrival at UCSD
and to enroll in an English course until the required proficiency is attained.
Application: Information and forms are available online at http://toefl.org,
or from TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or from
United States embassies, consulates, and related centers.
Test of Spoken English (TSE)
The Test of Spoken English helps foreign students provide a reliable
measure of proficiency in spoken English. This test is highly recommended
for foreign applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship.
Test information is available at http://tse.org.
Admission and Registration
Official admission to graduate study at the university is contingent
upon review of an applicants record, receipt of final undergraduate
transcript showing degree(s) awarded, receipt of official transcripts
of all attended institutions, an affirmative recommendation by the prospective
department, group, or school, and action by the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research. The dean of Graduate Studies or the prospective major department,
group, or school may deny admission if an applicants scholastic
record is undistinguished, if the preparation is judged inadequate as
a foundation for advanced work, or in the event that no further students
can be accommodated for a given quarter. Only the official Certificate
of Admission from the dean of Graduate Studies constitutes formal approval
of admission to a graduate program at UCSD.
Official notification of admission by the dean of Graduate Studies will
be mailed well in advance of the beginning of the quarter for which application
has been made. Applicants should call their prospective major department,
if formal notification is not received four weeks prior to the beginning
of the quarter for which they applied.
Admission to graduate standing does not constitute registration for
classes. A student is not officially registered for classes until the
entire registration procedure is completed each quarter. Information and
all necessary registration materials will be available at department offices
approximately two weeks before the opening of the quarter (see Academic
Calendar).
Reapplication
Applicants who are admitted but decide not to register in the quarter
for which they first apply may request deferral of their application for
a later quarter within the same academic year or the academic year immediately
subsequent. Application for admission of a deferred applicant for the
subsequent academic year may be made by submitting a statement of activities
and official transcripts of any academic work undertaken since the first
application to the department or group. Admission is not guaranteed to
previously admitted applicants who request a deferral. In no case are
application files retained for more than four consecutive academic quarters
from the date of first application. Application after this period may
be made only by completing a new application and providing all necessary
documents, including payment of the graduate application fee.
Students who are denied admission must submit a new application and
fee together with required documentation in order to be considered for
admission in another academic year.
Readmission
A graduate student whose status has lapsed because of an interruption
in registration must petition his or her department for readmission at
least eight weeks prior to the first day of the quarter in which reenrollment
is intended. Do not complete an Application for Admission. Students
must submit supplementary transcripts of all academic course work undertaken
since last enrolled at UCSD, pay a readmission fee of $40, and complete
a General Petition and a supplementary Statement of Activities. In addition,
a Statement of Legal Residence is required for all students returning
after an absence of two quarters or more.
Readmission is not automatic.
Registration Requirements and Procedures
All students must enroll and pay fees on or before the deadline dates
established by the Office of the Registrar for each quarter to avoid paying
late fees. Enrollment materials are obtained at the major department.
(See Schedule of Classes for current deadlines.)
Full-Time Student
A full-time student is required to be registered for twelve units each
quarter of each academic year until the completion of all requirements
for the degree, including the filing of the thesis or dissertation.
Part-Time Student
A part-time student is enrolled in fewer than twelve units a quarter
but is admitted as a regular student. A part-time student must pay full
fees unless approved by the dean of Graduate Studies to enroll in half-time
status for six units or fewer. A student must file the petition for half-time
study with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research no later than the
last day of the second week of the quarter to be eligible for reduced
fees. (See Admissions Policies-Part-Time Study.)
Schedule of Classes
Detailed information on registration and enrollment procedures is contained
in the quarterly Schedule of Classes, available for purchase at the University
Bookstore before the beginning of the quarter. It is the responsibility
of each graduate student to keep informed of and meet all enrollment and
registration (fee payment) deadlines. Scheduling information may also
be found on the Office of Admissions and Records home page on the World
Wide Web: http://studentlink.ucsd.edu
Priority Enrollment
Continuing Students
Continuing graduate students may enroll in classes through WebReg or
by coming to the Registrars office any time during the quarterly
enrollment period. A Personal Access Code (PAC) number is issued to graduate
students by the Office of the Registrar. Students may also use WebReg
to add, change, and drop classes. Students who do not use WebReg may complete
Add/Drop Cards and file them with the Office of the Registrar any time
during enrollment periods.
Complete instructions for enrolling by WebReg or Add/Drop Cards can
be found in the quarterly Schedule of Classes and on StudentLink.
Confirmation of classes is immediate by WebReg. Students must officially
withdraw from a course to avoid receiving a failing grade.
New Students
New students are given academic advising in their respective academic
departments and enroll just prior to or at the beginning of their first
quarter at UCSD.
Registration Receipt
Upon payment of fees in person, the Cashiers Office will provide
a cash register receipt and will affix a validation sticker to the back
of the Student Photo-Identification Card. Students who pay fees by mail
may obtain the validation sticker from the Bursars Office.
Student Photo-Identification Card
A validated Student Photo-Identification Card is the official ID for
registered students and entitles the student to library privileges, a
student health card, and use of other university facilities, as well as
for purchasing tickets and/or admission to certain university events and
voting in student body elections.
If the Student Photo-Identification Card is lost, students may obtain
a duplicate at the Campus Card Services Office, 508 University Center;
if the Registration Receipt is lost, a duplicate may be obtained from
the Cashiers Office (see Fees).
The validation sticker is removed from the Student Photo-Identification
Card when students withdraw or go on leave of absence.
UCSD graduate students on campus continuing their graduate studies or
research during the summer months may request a Summer Validation Sticker
from their major department, group, or school office.
Registration Procedures
Students are considered enrolled when they have requested at least one
course and space in it has been reserved. Every effort will be made to
enroll students in their preferred class sections. Students are not considered
registered until they have both enrolled in classes and paid registration
fees.
Payment of Registration Fees
Please refer to the Payment of Registration Fees section
in the Undergraduate Registration portion of this catalog
or the quarterly Schedule of Classes which outlines procedures for payment
of registration fees.
Note to Fellowship, Scholarship, or Traineeship Holders:
The first billing statement will be sent to the major department, group,
or school about one month prior to the start of each quarter. Fees and
tuition awarded to pay registration fees will be credited to the graduate
students account and appear on the statement as a payment or credit.
Each award recipient should carefully check the amounts listed on the
statement against the graduate award letter and contact the Office of
Graduate Studies immediately at (858) 534-6464 if there is a discrepancy.
Graduate students with partial fee and/or tuition awards will be required
to pay the balance by the fee deadline to complete their registration.
Fellowship, scholarship, or traineeship holders must enroll in and maintain
full-time enrollment status (at least twelve units per quarter).
Note to Students on Academic Titles:
Students appointed 25 percent time or more as graduate student researchers
on the tuition and fee remission program will have the amount of their
required tuition/fees credited to their account prior to the beginning
of the quarter. This payment will also appear on the students university
billing statement.
Students appointed 25 percent time or more as teaching assistants, associates,
and readers or, tutors guaranteed by the hiring department to work at
least 110 hours (25 percent) for the quarter will have partial fee remission
(including remission of the health insurance fee) credited to their university
account prior to the beginning of the quarter. Students who are readers
and/or tutors who are not guaranteed 25 percent time at the beginning
of the quarter, but subsequently work 110 hours or more, are issued refunds
for partial fee remission at the end of the quarter.
Teaching assistants appointed 25 percent time or more are eligible to
apply for the TA Fee Deferment program. Under this program, the balance
of resident fees (but not tuition) is deducted from the second and third
check each quarter.
During the fall quarter only, teaching assistants and graduate student
researchers appointed 25 percent time or more may be eligible to apply
for the TA/RA Loan program.
For additional information, contact your graduate department or the
Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Full-time graduate study and support requires enrollment in a minimum
of twelve units each quarter.
Continuous Registration
All graduate students are required to be registered each quarter until
all degree requirements have been completed, including filing of the thesis
or dissertation and the final examination, or to be on an approved leave
of absence.
A student who fails to register or to file an approved leave of absence
form by the registrars deadline date (no later than the end of the
second week each quarter) will be assumed to be withdrawn from UCSD and
will be dropped from the official register of graduate students. In addition,
all outstanding Incomplete grades, and NRs assigned by the registrar,
will lapse to Fs or Us unless cleared by the end of the current
quarter. A student who is on leave of absence or who has withdrawn from
the university is not entitled to withdraw books from the library or to
use other university facilities or faculty time. A student who is withdrawn
must petition for readmission to resume study at a later date, pay the
nonrefundable readmission fee, and be considered for readmission with
all others requesting admission to that quarter.
Ph.D. degree candidacy will lapse for graduate students who fail to
register and are not granted a formal leave of absence. To be reinstated
to candidacy, a graduate student must be readmitted, enroll and register,
be readvanced to candidacy, and pay the candidacy fee.
Late Registration/Deadline and Penalty Fees
Students will be assessed late fees if not enrolled and registered by
the registrars published deadlines outlined in this catalog and
the quarterly Schedule of Classes. Please refer to the Graduate
Admission Information and Enrollment Deadlines portion of this catalog
or to the quarterly Schedule of Classes for additional information.
A student who has not completed registration (enrolled and paid fees)
by the deadline for change of program must petition for permission
to register late and will pay late fees totalling $100, regardless
of the source of fees payment.
A student whose registration in classes is cancelled for non-payment
of fees and seeks reinstatement will be assessed both the late enrollment
($50) and late registration fees ($50), currently totaling $100, regardless
of the source of fees payment.
Students are advised to consult the quarterly Schedule of Classes for
current deadline dates.
Changes in Course Selection
Add/Drop Cards reflecting changes in class enrollment must be filed
with the Office of the Registrar in order for the student to receive credit
for added courses and be relieved of responsibility for dropped courses.
Add/Drop Cards must be completed in full and include correct course
information and course codes as listed in the current Schedule of Classes.
After enrolling in courses, a graduate student may add courses, change
sections of a given course, or change grading options up to the end of
the second week of instruction without fee by completing an Add/Drop Card
available at the Office of the Registrar. Students may also use WebReg.
Students in some programs must obtain approval of their graduate adviser
or department. See Schedule of Classes, Changes of Programs.
Any requests to the dean of Graduate Studies for exception to this policy
require written explanation and instructor verification of attendance/course
work completion to date.
A graduate student may drop a class up to the end of the ninth week
of classes by filing an Add/Drop Card with the registrar, after
first notifying the instructor, and obtaining the approval of the graduate
adviser or department and the dean of Graduate Studies. If the course
is dropped before the end of the fourth week of classes, no course entry
will appear on the students transcript. Courses dropped after the
end of the fourth week of instruction and before the end of the ninth
week of instruction will remain on the transcript as permanent entries
showing course number and title, and the registrar will assign a final
grade of W, signifying Withdrawal.
Students may not drop courses after the end of the ninth week of instruction
and will receive the earned grade or an Incomplete, if applicable. When
a grade in a course has been assigned in accordance with the Academic
Senate policy on Integrity of Scholarship, a student may not subsequently
change that grade by dropping the course or withdrawing from the university.
Enrollment Limits
A full-time graduate student in a regular quarter is expected to
enroll in twelve units of upper-division or graduate course work with
the exception that in the Graduate School of International Relations and
Pacific Studies the normal course load is sixteen units. A student who
wishes to take units in excess of these limits must obtain the approval
of the graduate adviser or department chair.
Graduate students holding half-time appointments as graduate student
researchers, teaching assistants, language assistants, readers, or other
employment titles, or who receive support from traineeships, fellowships,
or scholarships paid through the university or directly to the student,
must enroll and register for twelve units of upper-division and/or graduate
course work and research each quarter.
Teaching units (500 series) above the full-time program of twelve units
are not considered an overload.
Graduate students approved for half-time study are limited to a maximum
of six units of upper-division or graduate course work each quarter.
Changes of Name or Address
Students must file official change of name or address forms with the
Office of the Registrar. Students are advised to also notify their major
department, group, or school.
Leave of Absence/Extension
A student who discontinues graduate study with the intention of resuming
during a later quarter, with department approval, files a formal Leave
of Absence, Extension and/or Withdrawal form prior to leaving the campus.
Graduate students must have completed at least one quarter of academic
residence and be in good standing (GPA 3.0 minimum or equivalent and no
more than eight units of U or F) to be granted a leave. All graduate students
are limited to a maximum of three quarters of leave and/or withdrawal.
Prior to the end of the second week of instruction of the quarter in
which the leave is to begin, a student must complete a Leave of Absence
form and obtain required signatures as listed under the clearance section
of the form, and the approvals of the graduate adviser, chair of the (major)
department, group, or school, and dean of Graduate Studies. If a student
has registered, paid fees and enrolled for the quarter in which a leave
is being requested, the validation sticker will be removed from the Photo-Identification
Card; fee refund will be subject to the refund schedule published in
the quarterly Schedule of Classes (see section on Withdrawal).
A graduate student who enrolled in classes before requesting a Leave of
Absence must also request a withdrawal from course work for the quarter
of leave to avoid paying fees for that quarter. Graduate students may
request an extension of an approved leave prior to the expiration of the
leave, up to the maximum of three quarters in all degree programs. For
an extension of an approved leave, the student must complete a new leave
of absence form and obtain the signatures of the graduate adviser, chair
of (major) department, housing, and dean of graduate studies.
Parenting Leave
A graduate student who is bearing a child, who has primary responsibility
for the care of an infant immediately following birth, a child under the
age of five, or adoption of a child under age five, and is in good academic
standing will be granted, on request, a one-quarter extension of all unexpired
Ph.D. time limits. During the quarter in which childbirth or adoption
occurs, the graduate student may choose one of the following registration
options:
- continue registering as a full-time graduate student and retain eligibility
for support
- reduce to part-time status (less than twelve units) and be eligible
for up to 25 percent time employment on campus
- take a leave of absence
After the quarter in which childbirth or adoption occurs, a graduate
student who has primary responsibility for caring for a child up to the
age of five will be granted, on request, a leave of absence for the purpose
of caring for the child for a maximum of two quarters (or three quarters,
if a one-quarter extension has not been granted for the quarter in which
childbirth or adoption occurred).
The total amount of time for which graduate students may receive extensions
of time limits for parenting or childbearing may not exceed three quarters
in a graduate students career at UCSD. Approved leaves for childbearing
and parenting will not count in the three-quarter leave limit available
to all graduate students.
A student who has a long-term loan is considered to be out of school
while on a leave of absence and must set up an exit interview with
the Loan Records Office before leaving the campus. Since rules and
regulations pertaining to such loans are complex, it is to the students
advantage to determine loan requirements prior to seeking a leave of absence.
A student on leave of absence may not (1) be employed by UCSD, UCSD
Medical Center or UC Extension, or hold a fellowship, traineeship, or
similar appointment administered by the university, (2) use university
facilities, (3) complete a qualifying examination for advancement to candidacy,
or (4) place demands on faculty, including discussion of thesis or dissertation
work, either directly or by correspondence, during the period of leave.
A student may remain in student housing while on an approved leave of
absence providing he or she has been a full-time student (twelve units
or more) for three consecutive quarters immediately prior to the leave
of absence and is eligible for university housing.
Students must return all borrowed library material if requesting a leave
of absence or withdrawing.
Any student on an approved Leave of Absence must contact their major
department to be reinstated and cleared for enrollment and registration.
A new Statement of Legal Residence is required for all graduate students
returning from a leave of absence of two quarters or more.
Withdrawal
A student withdrawing from the university must obtain a Leave of Absence,
Extension and/or Withdrawal form and secure appropriate signatures. The
approved form must be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
and the validation sticker removed from the Photo-Identification Card.
Students who withdraw during the first thirty-five days of instruction
will receive refunds of fees in proportion to the number of elapsed calendar
days since the first day of instruction. The date of withdrawal used
in calculating the refund shall be the date on which the approved notice
of withdrawal is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
A registered student who stops attending classes and fails to file a
Leave of Absence, Extension, and/or Withdrawal form will receive a grade
of F or U in each course, thus jeopardizing eligibility for readmission.
Return of Title IV Federal Student Aid
Financial aid recipients may be required to return some or all of their
aid at the time of withdrawal. This requirement applies only to undergraduate
students who withdraw prior to completing 60 percent of the quarter. Questions
about financial aid repayment should be directed to Student Financial
Services Office.
Bar from Registration/Nonacademic
After suitable warning, a student may be barred from further registration
for a variety of nonacademic reasons, including failure to comply with
official notices, to settle financial obligations when due, to provide
final undergraduate transcripts, or other related matters.
Bar from Registration/Academic
Academic disqualification is determined by the dean of Graduate Studies
in consultation with the students department, and normally relates
to: unsatisfactory academic performance, e.g., failure to maintain a grade-point
average of 3.0 or better; failure to meet departmental criteria of performance;
failure to advance to candidacy or complete the degree within established
time limits; accumulation of more than eight units of F or U grades; or
failure to comply with conditions set at the time of admission to a graduate
degree program.
Graduate Studies
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