FAQ

What is the iPOS and how can I access it?

• • The iPOS, or Interactive Plan of Study, is a tool that helps you navigate your program requirements and track your progress through your program. 

  • You can access it from your My ASU page: 

    • navigate to the My Programs box > select the dropdown next to your program name > select the iPOS dropdown > then the hyperlink will take you into the iPOS system.

When do I need to submit my iPOS and how often should I update it?

• • You ought to submit your initial Plan of Study in iPOS for approval by the end of your semester. 

  • You can - and should - edit your iPOS. Your planned coursework may change, or it may end up differing from what you actually enroll in. For these reasons, we ask that you check and update your iPOS at least once every semester. Regular updates help your advisors better advise you.

Why do the courses I had planned now have a red exclamation point next to them saying there is a course error?

• • You may then deviate from your plan of study, or the iPOS is recognizing your registration. 

  • To correct the issue, please:

    •  navigate to the “Course Admin” page > select the row with the specific course > click the “Remove” button in the pop-up.

    •  Next, select the red “Add Electives” bar at the top of the section > select “Add from Transcript” > and select the correct course you are enrolled in that you’d like to add. You’ll finish by submitting your changes for approval.

What is a petition in the Course Admin page versus the petition tab?

• • In Course Admin, a petition populates after you select "submit" if something on your plan of study is breaking a Graduate College rule or degree requirements. For example, if you try to add more than 6 credits of 400-level coursework to your graduate iPOS, a petition will automatically populate letting you know there is a policy in place, and that your request requires extra approval. Contact your advisor if you are seeing a petition. 

  • Please do not submit such a petition on the “Petitions” tab, especially if you know that you will require special approval for a course substitution or some other circumstance. 

  • The Petitions Tab is almost exclusively for Leave of Absence requests. It is not for petitioning a provisional admission, deferral, graduation application, etc.

I have added all of the required courses for my program to my iPOS, and I meet the required credit hours for my degree. However, when I try to submit my iPOS for approval, I receive an error saying that I am unable to submit. How do I submit?

• • The iPOS breaks down degree requirements into sections (i.e., core, electives, research, other, culminating experience, etc.). Not only do you need to add enough coursework to meet the total required hours for the degree (30 for MS), but you also need to add the correct number of credit hours per section. For instance, if your program requires 8 core credit hours, you need to make sure you add the correct courses equaling at least 8 credit hours in that section. If you are on the Course Admin page, the category will be listed on the left with the minimum required credit hours in parentheses.

  • NOTE: The iPOS does not need to have every single course that you are taking included on it. It needs to include the courses and credit hours required to fulfill degree requirements.

I've enrolled in more than the 6 thesis credit hour specification. Can I add these credits to my iPOS?

• • No, if you try to exceed the culminating experience credit hour specification, a petition will populate for you to request an exemption with the Grad College. This is rarely, if ever, approved. To avoid issues altogether, it is highly recommended that you do not enroll in more than the credit hour requirements for the culminating experience. 

  • If you have already completed too many thesis or dissertation credits, you may be able to exclude those courses from your iPOS. Otherwise, contact the SOLS Graduate Office at solsonline.grad@asu.edu to understand your options.

I have not yet finalized my full committee, and need to discuss this with my major advisor ("chair"). Can I still submit my iPOS for approval?

• • You need to have your Chair/Co-Chairs added to the “Faculty Committee” tab if not your full committee. This means that you will not be able to add your Chair and one other member, for example, while you wait to finalize your remaining two members. In a situation like this, you should submit with just the Chair, then add the rest of your committee later once that is finalized.

When I try to search for one of the faculty members that has agreed to serve on my committee in the "Faculty Committee" tab of the iPOS, I receive a message that says "No eligible ASU faculty match your search criteria." What does this mean and how can I add this individual?

• • Most likely, the individual you are trying to search has either not served on any ASU student committee before, or he/she was given one-time approval only for another student committee. This means that we will need to go through a request and approval process to have the individual added. In order to do so, we will need a CV and date of birth or ASU ID Number for the individual that would like to be added, then the addition will go through approvals.

I am able to search and find my committee member, but I am unable to add him/her to my committee because they do not have the appropriate role approved to serve in this capacity. What do I do?

• • Any faculty member that you attempt to add to your committee must have the appropriate role specifically for the Biology MS program in place in order for your committee to be approved by SOLS and the Grad College. If you are an Biology MS student adding a faculty member from the College of Health Solutions, for instance, as a member on your committee, that individual needs to have approval to serve as Chair, Co-Chair, or member (depending on the specific role you are giving that individual) for Biology MS. If the approval is not already in place, we will need a CV and date of birth or ASU ID from the member you would like to add, and this will go through the approval process with the Program Director(s), the SOLS Graduate Associate Director, and the Graduate College.

View a Culminating Event Info Session for more details about the Applied Project and how it compares to Capstone.

Is there any paperwork or permissions needed when we get to that point in our education?

• Yes - you need to have an updated iPOS with the appropriate anticipated graduation term to get an override from the Grad Office to enroll

• For an applied project, you need to submit a proposal the semester before. Once approved by the program leadership, you will get an override to enroll. You will also change your iPOS to reflect the new degree requirement/culminating event.

Is an Applied project more research focused?

• It can be, but it depends on the faculty mentor and their expertise.

Is there flexibility in selecting your capstone topic?

• Yes, though it needs to be based in scientific evidence and in life sciences.

Is it doable to do 18 units (including capstone)? If so, what's the best way to do so?

• This is discouraged. It is a very rigorous course that we anticipate students dedicating at least 18 hours per week. We recommend students connect with their advisor to discuss finishing your electives in the summer after completing capstone in the Spring. We want students to have the majority of their elective hours completed by the time they take their capstone.

Why isa grant proposal required for the capstone?

• The a research proposal provides a measure for evaluating if you are meeting program outcomes such as being able to synthesize scientific information.

What is the literature review about?

• Write about existing research and find gaps in the information that would lead you to asking your question.

• BIO 597 starts with reviewing literature and writing the paper. This is due a little more than halfway through the semester

Is it possible to do research for the topic before the class actually starts? As in, would a soft approval to do general research be okay? 

• Sure, you can start thinking of topics but instructors can’t give approval ahead of time on the topic until you’re in the course

Can I get a syllabus for BIO 597? 

• Yes - please contact the program coordinator to get the current version. 

How many credits should I enroll in each semester?

• • The answer to this question depends on multiple factors. 

  • To meet basic continuous enrollment requirements at ASU, graduate students must enroll in at least 1 graduate level credit each fall and spring semester; in their admit term (first semester); term they are defending a thesis, if applicable; and their graduation term. Failure to do so will result in discontinuation from their program.

  • You must factor your funding situation into your enrollment choice as well. Financial aid often changes if you are enrolled full-time or less than full-time, so please review the full-time enrollment section on the Enrollment Information & Academic Records page of this site.

  • When in doubt, or if you are debating a change to your enrollment, always consult the SOLS Graduate Office to make sure you are not making a change that will impact your financial situation.

What are the differences between Session A, Session B, and Session C in a semester?

• • Session A is the first 8 weeks in a semester, Session B is the second 8 weeks in a semester, and C is the full 16 week semester.

  • As such, there are three sets of important dates to be aware in an academic year. View the Academic Calendar at registrar.asu.edu/academic-calendar

The class I'm taking a pass/fail class. What difference does that make?

• • When you pass the class with a "Y" grade, then you can count it towards the credit hours required for your degree. It will not impact your GPA.

  • It might not count towards the credit hours you need for certain financial aid and benefits. Check with the Financial Aid and Scholarship office to learn more.

Why do I have Z grades on my transcript for research, or thesis credit hours?

• • These courses are set up so that students automatically get a "Z" grade at the end of each semester, meaning their work is "In Progress". These grades are automatically changed to "Y" grades, meaning "Pass" by the SOLS Graduate Office when you successfully defend your thesis. No action is needed from you to ensure these grades are changed appropriately.

How and when do I request a TA-like position?

• • Online MS students are eligible for Academic Associates positions. Each semester, the SOLS Graduate Office sends an email with a Google form for students to fill out to request their specific position. 

  • The Google form is typically sent out in February for summer positions, June for fall positions, and October for spring positions. Please be aware and plan to complete the survey so our office can ensure you are appropriately hired.”

I am an AA and I didn't receive my first paycheck. Is there a problem?

• • Please note that you must have direct deposit set up through your My ASU page in order to have your paychecks deposited directly into your bank account. You have a "student" and "staff" view in your My ASU. The direct deposit must be set up on the "staff" side. Check to make sure that is set up appropriately by logging into your My ASU, locating the "My Employment" box, then select the "Direct Deposit" hyperlink under the "Payroll" tab. If that is set up correctly and you indeed did not receive your pay, please contact our office immediately at sols.grad@asu.edu so we can look into the issue. If your direct deposit is not set up yet, then your paycheck would have been sent to whatever mailing address you have on file. Make sure to check that and ensure that is correct as well.