Click on the following link to submit a request to the GOC: Online GOC Request Form
An authoritative compilation of up-to-date graduate student requirements can be found in the Graduate Student Procedures handbook (commonly known as “The Green Book“). A few common topics are also discussed below.
All graduate students are required to take a minimum 10 credits with at least 3 credits addressing subject matter outside the chosen area of specialization. Students may be exempt from taking one or more of these courses if they have taken and passed with a satisfactory grade (A or B) a similar graduate course or courses at a comparable institution.
Ph.D. students must take an oral examination, administered by the thesis committee, between two and six months after the last cumulative exam is passed (except that no student can take an exam before starting the fourth semester). The examination involves presentation and defense of the student’s research project.
For more information about the preliminary exams, please visit here.
Defense Scheduling Process
More information about the forms and process can be found here: https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/forms/
Important Notes…
Q: How do I change my committee?
If you would like to change your committee, you must submit a request to the GOC. As faculty time and committee load must be balanced, students (and their advisors) are not allowed to choose substitutions. However, the GOC does do its best to balance research interests with committee assignments, and students are encouraged to provide names and reasoning for the substitutions.
One exception: PhD committees have changed from requiring four chemistry faculty (including your advisor) to three chemistry faculty (including your advisor). If you have a large committee, you may drop one chemistry faculty member of your choosing without GOC permission. Note that individuals with two co-advisors must have at least three additional chemistry faculty members on the committee. Questions? Contact the GOC!
Q: Who is my Reader?
As per the 2019 Green Book, your reader is the in-area member of the Chemistry department – i.e. the Chair of your oral exam (not your advisor). If your reader is unavailable in the semester when you are submitting your independent proposal due to sabbatical or other event, please first email the original reader to see if they can still evaluate your proposal. If they cannot do that, then the out-of-area Chemistry department committee member will act as your reader. Please let the GOC know of this change via the webform (e.g. “FYI: Reader changed to out-of-area committee member”), but you do not need GOC approval or confirmation for this change.
Q: What does an Independent Proposal look like?
Several program plans have additional information in the Appendix to the Green Book (e.g. Analytical, Organic). For most programs, we recommend students reach out to their reader (before beginning to write) in order to discuss length, format and scope. At the Reader’s discretion, students may be allowed to submit postdoctoral fellowship proposals or other non-standard formats under some Program Plans. Note that Readers often request revisions to a proposal before giving final approval, so students should allow time for the review and revision process prior to any graduation deadlines.
Q: When do I need to complete my independent research proposal in order to graduate?
While we recommend working on your proposal earlier in your graduate career, a grade needs to be submitted and the GS 25B needs to be signed by the department head and processed by grad school a couple days before the end of the semester.
As readers typically require two weeks to read a proposal and then request edits and revisions, we highly recommend students to contact their readers about timelines well before graduation deadlines (i.e. submit a proposal to your reader at least 6 weeks before the end of the semester).
Q: I have questions about my graduate program / forms / progress. Who do I talk to?
For urgent requests that cannot wait until the next scheduled GOC Office Hours, please contact the relevant GOC member responsible for your general area of study. For the 2022-2023 academic year, that is Garret Miyake – Materials + Organic, Justin Sambur – Analytical, Seonah Kim – Physical + Chem Bio, and Rick Finke – Inorganic. For personalized program plans, please contact the GOC member responsible for the most closely related program.
Q: What if I have graduate courses from another university that I would like to transfer?
Students who have taken graduate courses at another institution that are comparable to courses taught at CSU, and received a grade of B or better, may submit a petition to the GOC requesting credit for the course(s) specified. Petitions must be made before the start of the second semester in residence. The request must be submitted on-line at https://apply.chem.colostate.edu/gradrequest. The following information will be required: (1) the name and course number of the CSU course and (2) a syllabus that includes the name, course number, instructor, department, and university of the previously completed course. If the syllabus does not include this information or is otherwise incomplete, a written explanatory supplement may be included. If CSU does not teach a course covering the same material, no credit can be given. Further information may be requested if needed. GOC approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What if I would like to request an exception to one of the requirements?
All requests should be submitted on-line at https://apply.chem.colostate.edu/gradrequest. Emergencies should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Program Coordinator, Kathy Lucas, or one of the GOC members immediately.
Q: What if I want to take a course outside the department as an out-of-area course?
Students may also request to substitute an out-of-department course (e.g. physics, biochemistry, etc.) for one of their out-of-area courses. The request must be submitted on-line at https://gradmin.chem.colostate.edu. The following information will be required: (1) the name and course number of the CSU course, (2) a syllabus, and (3) an explanation of why the course is appropriate as an out-of-area course.
Q: How many credits do I need to take?
For all graduate students (Graduate School Requirements for the Ph.D. updated 08/15/2019)
For example, for the organic program:
Note that non-dissertation-related courses (e.g. an athletic course, or a literature course) may be taken in consultation with the advisor, but will not count as ‘out of area courses’ for the Chemistry PhD.
Q: I want to travel for personal reasons. Is there any extra paperwork I need to fill out?
No, the university does not have required paperwork or quarantine periods for personal travel. However, you should coordinate with your supervisor and make sure that all of your regular duties are covered while you are away. One exception is for bereavement leave, in which case there is a separate process.
Q: There was a death in my family. How do I take bereavement leave?
If a graduate student is currently a paid university employee (GRA, GTA), then students receive 40 hours of bereavement leave. Students are requested to email Kathy Lucas with a formal request (including hours requested). The student should then coordinate with their research advisor and (if applicable) GTA supervisor. Students are responsible for ensuring that work is covered (e.g. finding someone to cover GTA duties), although contacting the GTA supervisor for assistance is a reasonable first step in that process. Additionally, please see the FAQ for getting personal travel approved during the pandemic.
Q: Where can I find my pay stubs?
Your pay stubs which include your gross monthly salary, taxes, and deductions (pre- and post- tax) can be found online. Go to https://aar.is.colostate.edu and click on Human Resources Portal under the Application Systems on the right hand side of the webpage. You will be directed to sign in with your eID and password. Once you’re in the system click on the folder titled, “CSU Employee Self-Service”. Then click on “Pay Advices” from the drop down list that appears. Your last pay period will appear but you can view past pay periods from the “Choose a Payslip” dropdown menu.
Q: What can I do if I am concerned about a student, either one I am teaching or a fellow grad student?
We request you “Tell Someone” either through the online portal or by calling (970) 491-1350: Tell Someone
Notice and Respond is another great resource: Notice and Respond
All graduate students are required to take a minimum 10 credits with at least 3 credits addressing subject matter outside the chosen area of specialization. Students may be exempt from taking one or more of these courses if they have taken and passed with a satisfactory grade (A or B) a similar graduate course or courses at a comparable institution.
Ph.D. students must take an oral examination, administered by the thesis committee, between two and six months after the last cumulative exam is passed (except that no student can take an exam before starting the fourth semester). The examination involves presentation and defense of the student’s research project.
For more information about the preliminary exams, please visit here.
Defense Scheduling Process
More information about the forms and process can be found here: https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/forms/
Important Notes…
REMINDER: IRP must be completed prior to scheduling your dissertation defense.
Q: How do I change my committee?
If you would like to change your committee, you must submit a request to the GOC. As faculty time and committee load must be balanced, students (and their advisors) are not allowed to choose substitutions. However, the GOC does do its best to balance research interests with committee assignments, and students are encouraged to provide names and reasoning for the substitutions.
Note that individuals with two co-advisors must have at least three additional chemistry faculty members on the committee. Questions? Contact the GOC!
Q: Who is my Reader?
As per the Graduate Student Procedures handbook, your reader is the in-area member of the Chemistry department – i.e. the Chair of your oral exam (not your advisor). If your reader is unavailable in the semester when you are submitting your independent proposal due to sabbatical or other event, please first email the original reader to see if they can still evaluate your proposal. If they cannot do that, then the out-of-area Chemistry department committee member will act as your reader. Please let the GOC know of this change via the webform (e.g. “FYI: Reader changed to out-of-area committee member”), but you do not need GOC approval or confirmation for this change.
Q: What does an Independent Proposal look like?
Several program plans have additional information in the Appendix to the Graduate Student Procedures handbook (e.g. Analytical, Organic). For most programs, we recommend students reach out to their reader (before beginning to write) in order to discuss length, format and scope. At the Reader’s discretion, students may be allowed to submit postdoctoral fellowship proposals or other non-standard formats under some Program Plans. Note that Readers often request revisions to a proposal before giving final approval, so students should allow time for the review and revision process prior to any graduation deadlines.
Q: When do I need to complete my independent research proposal in order to graduate?
At least one semester prior to graduation, students must register for CHEM 702. The Independent Research Proposal must be submitted, reviewed by the reader on the committee, and have a grade posted prior to scheduling the dissertation defense.
Q: I have questions about my graduate program / forms / progress. Who do I talk to?
For urgent requests that cannot wait until the next scheduled GOC Office Hours, please contact the relevant GOC member responsible for your general area of study. For the 2023-2024 academic year, that is Justin Sambur – Analytical, Materials, Organic; Seonah Kim – Physical + Chem Bio; and Rick Finke – Inorganic. For personalized program plans, please contact the GOC member responsible for the most closely related program.
Questions regarding Grad School and departmental forms, please contact Kathy Lucas.
Q: What if I have graduate courses from another university that I would like to transfer?
Students who have taken graduate courses at another institution that are comparable to courses taught at CSU, and received a grade of B or better, may submit a petition to the GOC requesting credit for the course(s) specified. Petitions must be made before the start of the second semester in residence. The request must be submitted on-line at https://gradmin.chem.colostate.edu. The following information will be required: (1) the name and course number of the CSU course and (2) a syllabus that includes the name, course number, instructor, department, and university of the previously completed course. If the syllabus does not include this information or is otherwise incomplete, a written explanatory supplement may be included. If CSU does not teach a course covering the same material, no credit can be given. Further information may be requested if needed. GOC approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What if I would like to request an exception to one of the requirements?
All requests should be submitted on-line (GOC Request form) at https://www.chem.colostate.edu/graduate-students/graduate-program/. Emergencies should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Program Coordinator, Kathy Lucas, or one of the GOC members immediately..
Q: What if I want to take a course outside the department as an out-of-area course?
Students may also request to substitute an out-of-department course (e.g. physics, biochemistry, etc.) for one of their out-of-area courses. The request must be submitted on-line (GOC Request form) at https://www.chem.colostate.edu/graduate-students/graduate-program/. The following information will be required: (1) the name and course number of the CSU course, (2) a syllabus, and (3) an explanation of why the course is appropriate as an out-of-area course.
Q: How many credits do I need to take?
At least 72 credits with the majority at the 500-level and above (Note: for the MS degree, 30 credits total which includes 12 coursework credits required).
Q: I want to travel for personal reasons. Is there any extra paperwork I need to fill out?
No, the university does not have required paperwork or quarantine periods for personal travel. However, you should coordinate with your supervisor and make sure that all of your regular duties are covered while you are away. One exception is for bereavement leave, in which case there is a separate process.
Q: There was a death in my family. How do I take bereavement leave?
If a graduate student is currently a paid university employee (GRA, GTA), then students receive 40 hours of bereavement leave. Students are requested to email Kathy Lucas with a formal request (including hours requested). The student should then coordinate with their research advisor and (if applicable) GTA supervisor. Students are responsible for ensuring that work is covered (e.g. finding someone to cover GTA duties), although contacting the GTA supervisor for assistance is a reasonable first step in that process. Additionally, please see the FAQ for getting personal travel approved during the pandemic.
Q: Where can I find my pay stubs?
Your pay stubs which include your gross monthly salary, taxes, and deductions (pre- and post- tax) can be found online. Go to https://aar.is.colostate.edu and click on Human Resources Portal under the Application Systems on the right hand side of the webpage. You will be directed to sign in with your eID and password. Once you’re in the system click on the folder titled, “CSU Employee Self-Service”. Then click on “Pay Advices” from the drop down list that appears. Your last pay period will appear but you can view past pay periods from the “Choose a Payslip” dropdown menu.
Q: What can I do if I am concerned about a student, either one I am teaching or a fellow grad student?
We request you “Tell Someone” either through the online portal or by calling (970) 491-1350: Tell Someone
Notice and Respond is another great resource: Notice and Respond
An authoritative compilation of up-to-date graduate student requirements can be found in the Graduate Student Procedures handbook. A few common topics are also discussed below.
Kristin Berthold is the department’s HR liaison for FMLA, FAMLI, and other leave benefit questions. She is available to have a confidential conversation and help you navigate through the various options and resources provided at the University and department levels.
Please reach out if you have questions at 970-491-5392 or email kristin.berthold@colostate.edu.
Graduate Assistant eligibility is based on having at least 12 months of CSU service and working 1040 hours in the 12 months prior to the need for leave.
CSU provides job-protected leave to eligible GAs who are unable to work due to their own serious health condition or because of the need to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition. Family Medical Leave allows for up to 12 workweeks (480 hours for 100 percent full-time employment) of leave during a 12-month period based on certain qualifying events.
FML is unpaid leave; however, your available paid leave balance (e.g. sick, parental leave) will be used concurrent with FML. Likewise, FML also runs concurrent with other types of paid and unpaid leave (e.g. workers compensation and leave without pay).
CSU’s FAMLI Program is a new program, effective January 1, 2024. CSU’s FAMLI plan provides for a portion of an employee’s weekly salary for up to 12 weeks of leave per year to care for themselves or a family member. Those who experience pregnancy or childbirth complications may receive an additional four weeks. FAMLI income replacement benefits are primary to any other leave program, like parental leave and short term disability and runs concurrently with Family Medical Leave (FML) and any other leave program to mitigate duplication of income replacement benefits.
Please reach out to Kristin Berthold to start this process – the Graduate Student Procedures handbook also provides further department process details.
If utilizing FAMLI, employees and grad students will work with the CNS Human Resource Generalist, Andrea Keaten, to admin that leave. Andrea Keaten – 970-491-6582 or email andrea.keaten@colostate.edu.
CSU recognizes the challenges of balancing the demands of a graduate assistantship and parenting a new child. To provide new parents with additional time off to adjust to their new family situation, CSU FAMLI is inclusive of parental leave for employees who live and work in the State of Colorado. A separate parental leave application is not required.
Full program details can be found on the Office of Policy and Compliance website or the Human Resources Manual.
Kristin Berthold or Andrea Keaten are available to discuss eligibility, process, and paperwork requirements.
The State of Colorado implemented a new leave option (Health Families & Workplaces Act) for State employees, including GAs, effective January 1, 2021.
More information about assistantship benefits can be found here: https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/financial/assistantships/
Crisis resources are also available to all members of the community through Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255. Dial 988 anytime to access the National Suicide Prevention Line. For additional information: https://health.colostate.edu/crisis-care/
Note: The Nurse Helpline is not able to provide prescription refills or schedule appointments. These services are only available during normal business hours.
This quick guide provides phone numbers, links and emergency service resources available at CSU.
Subscribe to the Graduate School’s event calendar to easily find upcoming events and set automated reminders. In addition to these signature events, you will find a variety of professional development opportunities, CSU Writes offerings, and social events among our 250+ curated offerings for the graduate community.
