Essential Information

DegreeWorks Planner for Graduate Students

General DegreeWorks Guide 

Graduate Study Plan (GSP) Advice for Faculty Advisors:

1. To load a template to a student’s record, the student’s advisor should access DegreeWorks. In the Plans tab, select New Plan, Select Template, and choose MS Biological Graduate Study Plan. 

2. Once it has been entered into DegreeWorks, advisor must leave a note of approval. Then, they must email the Department Director, inform them that the GSP has been entered for <student and ID#>, and ask them to approve. They will go into DW and approve the GSP. The approver is

   • To: the Department Chair (Khrys Duddleston, BIOL)

3. Once the Department Director approves, email the CAS Senior Associate Dean, inform them that the GSP has been entered for <student and ID#>, and ask them to approve. They will go into DW and approve the GSP. The approver is

   • To: the Senior Associate Dean (Timothy Smith)

   • CC: the Academic Coordinator: (John Mun – email only – not an approver)

The Department of Biological Sciences operates a number of listservs that allow us to communicate important information to our students and faculty. These include the Biology-General, Biology-Grad-Students, and Biology-Seminars.  Please sign up for those that apply to you.

Graduate Assistant Health Insurance - United Healthcare Health Insurance Coverage

Graduate students employed as Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Service Assistants, or have Fellowships (GA's) are eligible for health insurance paid for by the college in which the student is employed or the funding agency.  Insurance is a mandatory benefit and provided on a semester by semester basis (WWAMI enrollment excluded).  Enrollment is not automatic. Graduate students must provide the Graduate School with a copy of their signed contract letter and submit the online enrollment form to finalize their enrollment process.

This information is also posted on the Teaching Assistantships page. For enrollment deadlines, please visit Dates & Deadlines.

Office of Research Integrity & Compliance - The IACUC committee must approve all use of vertebrate animals at UAA. Online and hands-on training can be coordinated through the IACUC committee

Responsible Conduct of Research Training (RCR) -  The University of Alaska Anchorage promotes Responsible Conduct of Research enforcing high standards of ethics and accountability in planning, implementation, behavior, and information dissemination. UAA provides several CITI Courses in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), which include a comprehensive basic course in RCR for all UAA faculty, staff, research administrators, and students involved in any aspect of research.