Funding for IBIO PhD students is guaranteed for 5 years. Note that the 5-year guarantee only applies to the academic year (fall and spring semesters), not summers. This means that students in the guaranteed period are prioritized for teaching assistantships. Students that are past the guaranteed period are still eligible for TAs (and often get them), RAs, and fellowships. Different types of funding are available.
Research assistantship (RA): Paid by your adviser, usually from an external grant or startup funding. Pays a salary with taxes taken out; your tuition and health insurance are also covered. The expectation is that you spend your time working on research. Details will be agreed upon between you and your adviser. It is not typical for faculty to have enough funding to support an RA for a student's entire degree.
Teaching assistantship (TA): Paid by the department, pays salary with taxes taken out; your tuition and health insurance are also covered. Many students teach one class per semester.
Fellowship: Paid by the college or university (or an external agency). Paid as a stipend – does not have taxes taken out (*this means you'll need to set some money aside to pay them at tax time!). Fellowships do not have teaching/research expectations beyond your dissertation research.
Recruitment fellowships for new graduate students, including the College of Natural Science Recruiting Fellowship and the University Distinguished Fellowship (https://grad.msu.edu/universityfellowships), include waivers for tuition and health insurance.
Dissertation Continuation Fellowships, and Dissertation Completion Fellowships (https://grad.msu.edu/fellowships/dissertation), which advanced graduate students can apply for on a semester by semester basis, do not include waivers for tuition and health insurance.
Other fellowships offered by the MSU Graduate School can be found here: https://grad.msu.edu/msu-graduate-school-fellowships
External fellowships, such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, follow the rules of that agency. Payment is typically via stipend without taxes taken out.
IBIO has openings for graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) every fall, spring, and summer (in the summer, there are two sessions). To be considered for a GTA position, students must submit a Teaching Preferences sheet and their CV. Students who are in their five-year guaranteed funding period receive priority for teaching assignments.
A substantial number of our teaching slots are in ISB and Biosci.
The pay scale for teaching assistantships has three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
To be considered a Level 3 Assistant, the department requires a student to have passed comprehensive exams and 6 semesters of the previous teaching at MSU or equivalent experience in another graduate program.
See the GEU/MSU contract (http://geuatmsu.org/about/geu-contract/) for more about teaching assistanship levels.
See also the Graduate Assistantship Information from the Graduate School (https://grad.msu.edu/assistantships).
Timeline:
Fall semester courses:
March: The graduate secretary sends an email to the grad student list asking for teaching preferences and CVs.
Mid-April: Deadline for the graduate program director to make teaching assignments and send names to ISB and Biosci.
Late April: Graduate secretary sends out teaching assistantship offer letters to students.
Spring semester courses:
September: The graduate secretary sends an email to the grad student list asking for teaching preferences and CVs.
Mid-October: Deadline for the graduate program director to make teaching assignments and send names to ISB and Biosci.
Late October: Graduate secretary sends out teaching assistantship offer letters to students.
Summer semester courses:
February: The graduate secretary sends an email to the grad student list asking for teaching preferences and CVs.
Mid-March: Deadline for the graduate program director to make teaching assignments and send names to ISB and Biosci.
Late March: Graduate secretary sends out teaching assistantship offer letters to students.
How the assignment process works:
The graduate secretary (Lisa Craft) collects students’ teaching preferences and CVs, and sends them along with the course schedule to the graduate program director (Danielle Whittaker).
The graduate program director looks through all applicants’ teaching preferences and expertise, and uses this information to make the best matches. Every effort is made to fulfill requests, but this is not guaranteed.
Students should use the preference sheet to communicate any special needs or concerns to the graduate program director. For example, if a student would like to TA in both summer session 1 and summer session 2, the GPD will make two assignments if there are enough spots available. Otherwise, the GPD will only assign one summer course per student.
Once the assignments have been made, the graduate secretary sends the names of the students assigned to Biosci and ISB courses to the appropriate administrators. Then she sends out offer letters to students who have been assigned to IBIO courses. The business manager handles the appointment paperwork and budgeting.
Sometimes changes occur to the assignments, especially if students who asked for a TA position later obtain funding for an RA or a fellowship. In this case, any students who were on a waiting list for an assignment will be assigned to the new opening(s).
MSU has recently instituted a new student information system (SIS), which you can access at https://student.msu.edu/. You will use this system to sign up for classes, track RCR training, and track your progress to your degree.
Within https://student.msu.edu/, you can find your GradPlan. GradPlan helps master's and doctoral students create and store their degree plans and subsequent graduate program activities. It is where students form their guidance committee, create and update a course list, track RCR, and view and complete their annual research activity guide.
The IBIO Graduate Secretary (Lisa Craft) will access GradPlan to view/approve course lists and committee information, track/approve RCR, view activity guides, and upload students’ annual reviews.
There are a number of resources available online, including a self-paced training for both students and staff, as well as job aids and overview material, which can be found within the GradPlan section of https://sis.msu.edu/training/index.html.
We require that all Ph.D. candidates take a one-credit class (IBIO 801) called Issues in Professional Development in Integrative Biology, in which the subject of research integrity is treated in depth. The course, IBIO 801, will also inform students of MSU policy related to the use of humans and vertebrate animals for research.
All students must complete Responsible Conduct in Research training. The requirements are described in detail here, including links to online training modules: https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/about/research/responsible-conduct-of-research-policy/
All students must read the grad school’s Guidelines for Integrity in Research and Creative Activities: https://grad.msu.edu/sites/default/files/content/researchintegrity/guidelines.pdf
All TAs and RAs must complete the online training about the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy. To Access the training, log in to the ORA training website (https://ora.msu.edu/train/).
Click "Register," "Complete Registration," and then "Launch" to begin the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) Policy - Faculty, Staff Training. (If it indicates that you have already registered, use "In Progress Training", then "Launch."). You will want to reserve approximately 30 minutes to complete all assignments. If you need assistance, contact the Helpdesk at 517-884-4600 or train@ora.msu.edu.
Depending on your teaching assistantship assignment, you may also need to attend TA training.
If you work in a laboratory, it is the responsibility of the major professor to inform you about the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) (https://ehs.msu.edu/) regulations and policies related to laboratory safety and security including issues related to the handling of transgenic plants and pathogenic organisms, and to require all students to receive appropriate training prior to conducting laboratory research. EHS has numerous online training modules that must be completed by university personnel engaged in potentially hazardous work. Most EHS training needs to be updated once/per year. You will be asked by EHS to take annual online refresher courses if your work involves the use of radioisotopes or storage/disposal of hazardous chemicals.
Other training and permits may be required depending on your research:
Any work involving vertebrate animals, including field studies, requires approval by the MSU Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC). https://animalcare.msu.edu/iacuc/index.html
Any work involving Human Subjects, including answering written and oral surveys, requires approval by the MSU Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). https://hrpp.msu.edu/
Any work with recombinant DNA requires approval by the MSU University Biological Safety Committee.
Federal USDA (APHIS = Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) permits are required for shipping live animals between states. Apply via Michigan Department of Agriculture.
Importing animals (dead or alive) and many animal products into the U.S. requires a Federal Fish and Wildlife Service permit.
You must complete a travel request in the Department office (with Janet Hershberger, in particular) before you travel, regardless of whether or not you will be reimbursed. Each trip out of state requires a new travel request, but one "travel throughout Michigan” statement is good for all travel during the specified time period. You cannot be reimbursed for travel without first being authorized. Policy for travel in support of your research project is set by your Major Professor. When filling out a travel request and/or expense report consult with Integrative Biology office staff. Consult with your Major Professor regarding opportunities to present your research at regional, national, and international meetings.
Graduate Secretary Lisa Craft (Email: craftl@msu.edu, phone: 355-4642) is the person to contact if you need assistance with any forms, records, or permissions related to your degree and MSU online systems.
Graduate Program Director Danielle Whittaker (Email: djwhitta@msu.edu, phone 884-2561) can help you with your nominations for college and university fellowships; submitting requests to the Graduate School such as adding non-regular faculty to your committee or requesting an extension to your degree deadline; and with volunteering to serve on various departmental, college, and university committees. She is also the person to talk to if you have any questions or concerns about your advisor, your committee, or your progress in the program.
Business Manager Katie Steinman (Email: steinm50@msu.edu, phone: 432-2747) is responsible for grant and budget account administration and management of operations within the Integrative Biology office. She can answer virtually any question imaginable regarding policy within the Integrative Biology Department.
Secretary to the Chairperson Janet Hershberger (jroe@msu.edu, phone: 432-9817) is the person to see if you need to schedule an appointment with the department chair, or if you need travel authorizations and reimbursements for travel. She also handles communication for the department. Please notify her of news and achievements for the departmental website. She is always looking for good photos.
Department Accountant Julie Robinson (Email: chismjul@msu.edu, phone: 353-9865) will help you work out the details of how you use grant and discretionary funding for research. She also handles student payroll for the department.
The university has many resources – and remember, you’ve already paid for them! I encourage you to check these out:
MSU Employee Assistance Program: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counseling service provided at no cost to MSU faculty, staff, retirees, graduate student employees, and their families. https://eap.msu.edu/
Counseling & Psychiatric Services: “Our Mission: To connect students with the most appropriate and available care and services that optimize their health, wellbeing and success.” CAPS is focused on assisting undergraduate students, but provides many resources to help faculty members, teaching assistants, and mentors who encounter distressed students. https://caps.msu.edu/resources/index.html
MSU WorkLife Office: MSU supports all of its faculty and staff to connect and navigate multiple roles throughout workplace, career and life transitions. https://worklife.msu.edu/
Olin Health Center: https://olin.msu.edu/index.html
Recreational Sports and Fitness Services: https://recsports.msu.edu/
Other stress-management resources recommended by your Graduate Program Director:
Deep Work by Cal Newport: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692/
An interview with Cal Newport on the Ten Percent Happier podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-minimalism-cal-newport/id1087147821?i=1000468718411
Rest: Why you get more done when you work less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang https://www.amazon.com/Rest-More-Done-When-Work/dp/0465074871/
An interview with Alex Pang on the Hurry Slowly podcast: https://hurryslowly.co/012-alex-pang/
Burnout: the secret to unlocking the stress cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski https://www.amazon.com/Burnout-Secret-Unlocking-Stress-Cycle/dp/198481706X/
An interview with Emily & Amelia Nagoski on the Unlocking Us with Brene Brown podcast: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagoski-on-burnout-and-how-to-complete-the-stress-cycle/
Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
Ten Percent Happier meditation app: https://www.tenpercent.com/
The Graduate School has a number of organizations, funding opportunities, and outreach activities aimed at supporting students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. https://grad.msu.edu/diversity
The College of Natural Science offers training and professional development opportunities such as the NatSci Cultural Competency Training Workshop. https://natsci.msu.edu/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/ They also maintain a huge list of resources for self-education: https://natsci.msu.edu/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/education/self-education/
IBIO runs a department-wide DEI reading group. https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/dei/ibio-dei-reading-group/