Student Life

The Department of Ecology & Evolution is currently housed in the following University Buildings: Zoology, Biological Sciences Learning Center, Culver Hall, Cummings Life Science Center, and Erman Biology. The Department office is located in Zoology 14. The Office of the Dean of Students of the Division of the Biological Sciences is located in the Biological Sciences Learning Center (924 E. 57th Street). Both the Offices of the University Registrar and Bursar are located on the first floor of the Administration Building.

Most departmental matters concerning graduate study are coordinated through the Administrative Assistant for Student Programs in Z14F. This office coordinates all admissions and recruitment, registration, student progress reports, fellowships, and most other graduate student concerns. In addition, information on courses, summer programs, teaching opportunities in local high schools, etc. is distributed through this office.

All Department students have office space (shared with other graduate students) in one of the Department's buildings. Incoming graduate students are assigned office space as soon as possible after arrival on campus, usually on the 3rd floor of Culver Hall.

Depending upon quarter of registration, Department students are usually allocated $300/year ($75 per quarter) in an expense account administered by the Department office. This account may be used for photocopying, postage, supplies, telephone accounts, etc. Unused expense account funds are not carried over into the next academic year. Overdrafts of these accounts must be paid by the student.

Computers for student use are located in Zoology and Cummings Life Science Center. The Department owns Macintosh DOS and UNIX computers, laser printers, and modem and Ethernet connections to the University computers. Information on the University computing services should be included in the packets mailed to each incoming student during the summer.

Almost all department communication is handled by Email. Set up your account (on Midway or Pondside) as quickly as possible after arrival, and give your email address to the E&E office right away.

Keys for student offices, computer rooms, etc. are available in the Department office from the Financial Administrator.. A refundable deposit of $5-$10 is required for each key. Any requests for keys to faculty laboratory space must be accompanied by a signed note from the faculty member.

Registration

The University of Chicago is organized on a quarter system, and most graduate students in the Division of Biological Sciences are registered for full-time study and/or research all four quarters (i.e., 12 months each year). Although specific procedures change from quarter to quarter and year to year, most graduate students will be expected to communicate with the Departmental Student Programs Administrator and the Divisional Office of the Dean of Students four times every year, whether they are taking classes or conducting field work away from campus.

Initial registration begins in the Department of Ecology & Evolution. Notices are sent to every student with instructions for completing the registration process. Most first and second year graduate students will be scheduled to meet with a faculty student advisory committee before registering for the next quarter. While every effort is made to remind students about times and dates for registration, it is the responsibility of each student to register on time, each quarter, each year.

Time schedules listing each quarter's courses are generally available in the Department Office about one week before registration. These timetables also contain information on all University deadlines for the quarter, schedules for tuition and fees, general academic regulations, etc. At each Autumn quarter registration, current Student Information Manuals will also be distributed. The manual contains an official University calendar and regulations, descriptions of available facilities and services, and other information, and should be kept for reference. All students are expected to be aware of guidelines and regulations contained in this manual.

Tuition and Fees

All incoming students should have received a contract detailing financial support from the Division of Biological Sciences. This contract, usually mailed in March or early April, indicates support for the upcoming academic year. Any tuition bills received that seem to contradict a student's understanding of their support agreement should be brought to the attention of the Department student programs administrator promptly.

Late Fees, payment deadlines, restrictions. It is each student's responsibility to pay close attention to the published schedules of late fees and restrictions found in the University's quarterly Time Schedules. Any unpaid fee (library fines, activity fees, etc.), can cause a student's account to be restricted by the Office of the Bursar. Once a student is restricted, all privileges are lost at the library, and the student account will start to accrue late fees. Late fees may only be removed by a formal petition from the Divisional Dean of Students office. Schedules for fee and registration deadlines, along with late fee penalties, are published in each quarterly time schedule.

Annual Progress Report

All students must submit an Annual Progress Report to the University on a form distributed to them through the Division and Department. These reports will generally be due in the spring of each year and are kept on file by the Office of the University Registrar. Failure to complete the progress report may result in loss of student financial support and loan eligibility. The Annual Progress Report also is used by the Department in evaluation of graduate students who have not yet successfully passed the general knowledge examination and defended their dissertation proposal.

Division of Biological Sciences Teaching Requirement

All graduate students in the Division of Biological Sciences must successfully complete a Divisional teaching requirement as part of their Ph.D. program. Guidelines and information on this program are issued by the Office of the Dean of Students, Division of Biological Sciences, every Autumn Quarter. Please consult Jill Fosse in the BSD Office of the Dean of Students (BSLC 104) for further information.