M.S. and Ph.D. Handbook | Pharmacology | Michigan Medicine

The goal of our graduate program is to train the next generation of pharmacologists for careers in academia, government, biotech, the pharmaceutical industry, as well as emerging novel careers in which their knowledge provides value. To do this we provide a rigorous and supportive learning environment and individual mentorship from our faculty comprised of the very best academic pharmacologists.

Where To Go For Information

Graduate Student Handbook
This handbook outlines the requirements for the Ph.D., M.S., and the Ph.D. segment of the M.S.T.P. degree programs in Pharmacology. This includes requirements for coursework, laboratory rotations, preliminary examinations, and completion of the degree, together with advice on the selection of a thesis advisor and dissertation committee. There is also general information on matters necessary for your life as a graduate student. Please be familiar with requirements of the Department and the Rackham Graduate School. Graduate School rules/regulations can be found in their entirety on the Rackham Graduate School website at http://www.rackham.umich.edu/policies/academic_policies/.

Graduate Program Committee
Departmental requirements for all graduate degrees are administered by the Graduate Program Committee, a committee of seven faculty members and one student representative. This Committee has been delegated the authority by the faculty and the Chair to interpret rules and requirements and, when the circumstances warrant, to grant exceptions upon formal appeal. The Committee is also a resource for any questions or concerns regarding progress to the Ph.D. and can assist with conflict resolution. First year students in the M.S. & Ph.D. programs are required to meet regularly with their respective program director. Advising regarding coursework selection will be provided at orientation, but you may contact your program director at any time during your studies for guidance on any matter. Ph.D. students must meet with Dr. Jutkiewicz on a yearly basis. After your first year of Ph.D. training, your Research Mentor (Dissertation Committee Chair) will serve as your primary resource for academic advising and mentorship for your thesis project. In addition, the Graduate Coordinator is also an excellent resource.

Emily Jutkiewicz, Chair/Ph.D. Program Director; 4-8612
Chris Canman, M.S. Program Co-Director; 4-7178
Liz Peckham,M.S. Program Co-Director; 3-6835
Jorge Iniguez-Llhui, Member; 5-6565
David Jones, Member, MSTP Representative; 6-8639
Yoichi Osawa, Member; 6-5797
Greg Tall, Member; 7-9824
Paul Jenkins, Member
Anthony Garcia, Graduate Student Representative
Behirda Karaj, Graduate Student Representative
Sondra Auerbach, Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator; 4-5969

Graduate Student Representative
The Pharmacology Graduate Student Representative (GSR) serves as a leader within the department, representing the voice of students and advocating for their concerns. Students nominate themselves at the beginning of the academic year and department staff send out a survey ‘who would you feel most comfortable with representing the students on the GPC’. All students who have become candidates are eligible. In August, the new GSRA will begin their one-year term. In addition to planning the monthly graduate student meetings, the GSR will also attend all meetings of the Pharmacology Graduate Program committee which meets monthly. Discussions of the GPC may include, but are not limited to, topics like departmental and class requirements, preliminary exams, applications for direct admission to the PhD program, and student policies/expectations. GSR should provide student opinion/voice on issues, but have non-voting privileges. Also, the GSR is expected to keep information discussions confidential. Our current GSRs are Anthony Garcia ([email protected]) and Behirda Karaj ([email protected]).

Graduate Trainee Leads – PostDoc and PhD
PhD trainee and PostDoc fellows nominate a 'lead’ each academic year. Often the PhD trainee lead collaborates with the Post Doc lead.
The role of the trainee/postdoc lead:

Work with the student affairs program manager to establish monthly meeting dates/times/food. Typically the meeting calendar follows the faculty meeting calendar.
Organize and lead the monthly meetings
Take responsibility for delivering food to meeting location and instructor others on cleanup duties

Student Mentors
The department values our students and wants to provide opportunities for students to succeed in our rigorous academic program. Third-year doctoral students who have passed their preliminary exams are eligible to be mentors to the incoming students. We often like to match mentors based upon non-academic markers, such as geographics (undergraduate program or high school location?), hobbies (disc golf or musical instrument?) or other fun facts.

Faculty Areas of Assistance
These faculty have specific areas that they assist our students. Graduate trainees are encouraged to seek advice and assistance from any of the departmental faculty. Contact information can be found on our website.

Academic Planning and Issues: Emily Jutkiewicz, Grad Program Chair
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Jorge Iniguez-Lluhi, Dept. DEI Committee Co-Chairs & Faculty Ally for Diversity
Conflict and Resolution: Carole Parent & Jorge Iniguez-Lluhi, Departmental Ombudsperson
General Student Issues: Lori Isom, Department Chair

Administrative Complex
The Offices of the Chair, Executive Assistant to the Chair, Chief Departmental Administrator, IT & Financial Specialists are located in 2301 MSRB III. Our Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator is located in 1301 MSRB III. Our HR Specialist and Research Administrator work virtually and can be contacted via email or phone.

Departmental Email Groups
All incoming Ph.D. students, including PIBS students who choose to join Pharmacology labs after their rotations, will be added to the Pharmacology PhD student email group, [email protected], to receive relevant announcements and other pertinent information. All incoming M.S. students will be added to the Pharmacology Master’s student email group, [email protected].

Departmental Scholarly Activities

Student Meetings & Groups

Departmental Staff

Graduate Instructional Faculty

PhD

This section provides information on the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The requirements stated here include those set by the Department and those set by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Students are urged to consult the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies (http://www.rackham.umich.edu/current-students/policies/academic-policies).

PhD: Rackham & Department Requirements

PhD: Chronology - from PIBS through Graduation

PhD: Course Requirements/Registration

PhD: Other Registration Information

PhD: General Course Requirement Information

PhD: Research Requirements

Research Rotations & Choice of Research Advisor Policy for Students Entering Through PIBS. (Please note: students who are admitted directly to the Pharmacology Ph.D. are required to obtain prior, written, financial commitment from a faculty research mentor)

The choice of a Research Mentor generally occurs by the close of the second term of enrollment, following research rotations. The formal steps preceding the choice include:

All first-year graduate students entering through PIBS are required to take two terms of the research rotation course, one in the fall and one in the winter (PIBS 600) to gain practical lab experience. Students will complete 2 eight-week rotations per semester. PIBS offers students the choice to start July 1 or September 1, and so the first rotation may be conducted in the summer semester before formal classes begin. The rotations have two purposes:1) to allow the student to choose a research mentor/laboratory for their thesis research 2) to expose the student to multiple methods of research inquiry, areas of research investigation, and technologies. Ph.D. students entering through PIBS who start in the Fall term must complete a minimum of three rotations, with a maximum of five rotations. Students who start in July will complete four or five rotations. The earliest date students can match to a lab is March 1. Detailed descriptions of pharmacology faculty and their research are available at: https://www.umms.med.umich.edu/faculty-search/search
Prior to the start of classes, the Graduate Program Chair and Graduate Coordinator will meet with incoming PIBS students who indicate a primary program choice of Pharmacology to present an overview of the graduate program and the research projects of Pharmacology faculty who are accepting new students. Students should then follow up by scheduling individually appointments with faculty of interest. They may also contact faculty prior to arriving on campus to arrange their first rotations.
Once students identify a faculty rotation mentor, they must complete the required the rotation worksheet through the PIBS program. All rotation worksheets must be approved and signed by the Pharmacology GPC Chair or the Graduate Coordinator. Students must complete rotation paperwork for each of the 2 eight-week rotations each term. At the end of each rotation, the research mentor will complete a rotation evaluation that is then reviewed in person with the student. Based on the rotation evaluations for the two half-term rotations, the PIBS Director will assign an overall grade for the student for PIBS 600 for the term.
Until a Research Mentor is officially selected, the student should discuss any questions or problems with the Graduate Program Committee Chair and/or Graduate Coordinator. After the Research Mentor is chosen, questions regarding course work, career objectives and goals, or any other concerns may be first directed to that faculty member. However, the members of the Graduate Program Committee and the Graduate Coordinator are always available for consultation.
Near the end of the Winter term, near the end of rotations, the student should meet with their intended Research Mentor to mutually confirm that they will be joining that lab.
After choosing a Research Mentor, students must meet with the Graduate Program Committee Chair and/or Graduate Coordinator to discuss formally joining the Pharmacology graduate program, fulfilling program requirements, and funding. A Pharmacology Financial Guarantee Form must be completed by the student and Research Mentor and approved by the Departmental Chair. Students wishing to join the Pharmacology program with a Research Mentor who does not have an appointment in the Pharmacology Department must obtain explicit approval from the Graduate Program Committee Chair and select a Dissertation Co-Chair/Co-Mentor with an appointment in Pharmacology. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the co-mentors and the student must be submitted and approved by the Department Chair.
Once confirmed with the program, the Pharmacology Graduate Coordinator will notify the Academic & HR Coordinator in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Finally, students must complete Rackham’s online Change of Status Application (a step-by-step document is on PIBS 600 Canvas course website). Look for the blue button in the middle of the webpage that says “Begin the Change of Status Application.” After the form has been submitted, please notify the Pharmacology Graduate Coordinator so they may follow-up with Rackham and approve the change.

Co-Mentorship

Our graduate students have a wide range of research choices available to them, including working on a Pharmacology Ph.D. in a different department, with a research advisor who is not a member of the Pharmacology department. Students who select an advisor outside of the department must have a co-mentor who is a Pharmacology faculty member. A co-mentor serves in two main roles: (1) acting as an official liaison for the student to the Pharmacology department and (2) ensuring that the student’s dissertation has a pharmacology component that is sufficient for granting a Ph.D. in Pharmacology. The co-mentor also serves as the student’s contact to the department for any academic issues that would be more appropriately dealt with by Pharmacology, rather than a faculty member in another department.

Students should select the co-mentor as soon as they have decided on a research lab with an advisor in a department other than Pharmacology. The student must obtain explicit approval from the Graduate Program Committee Chair and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the advisor, co-mentor and the student must be submitted and approved by the Graduate Program Committee Chair.

In addition to the student’s annual committee meeting, they must meet with their co-mentor on a monthly basis until the completion of their degree. The advisor, co-mentor and student should also work together to complete the annual Individual Development Plan and select a dissertation committee. The student will register in the co-mentor’s section of either Pre-Candidacy Research (PHRMACOL 990) or Dissertation Research (PHRMACOL 995) each term. The co-mentor is responsible for consulting with the advisor and entering a grade each semester for the student.

PhD: Individual Development Plans (IDP)

PhD: Electronic Portfolio

PhD: Preliminary Exam - Step 1

PhD: Preliminary Exam Step 2 - Preparation and Written Proposal

PhD: Preliminary Exam Step 3 - Oral Defense

PhD: Preliminary Exam Step 4 - Assessment

PhD: Advancement to Candidacy

PhD: Forming a Dissertation Committee & Committee Meetings

A Dissertation Committee should be assembled by each graduate student in consultation with his/her Research Mentor by September 30 of their third year following their preliminary exam. Students should submit the Departmental Dissertation Committee form to the Graduate Coordinator so it can be recorded with the Graduate School. Students must have a dissertation committee in place, with the dissertation committee form properly submitted to the Department to remain in good standing in the program. Note however, that students may, at any time, switch or add committee members. The Research Mentor serves as Chair and shares with the Committee the responsibilities of guiding the student toward the doctoral degree. For detailed guidelines on forming your dissertation committee see: (http://www.rackham.umich.edu/current-students/dissertation/committees/guidelines-dissertation-committee-service).

Assembling a Dissertation Committee

The process of assembling a dissertation committee is accomplished through conversations between the student and their Research Mentor.

After consultation with their Research Mentor, students should contact potential dissertation committee members via email or in person asking if they would be willing to serve on their dissertation committee. In so doing, they should:
- Introduce themselves and the research of their lab (1-2 sentences)
- Include 2-3 sentences describing their general project
- Ask if are willing to serve on their dissertation committee

Committee Composition: Dissertation committees must have at least four members, three of whom are members of the Graduate Faculty (tenure or tenure-track instructional faculty holding an unmodified (not visiting, adjunct) appointment at the University of Michigan) and two of whom are from the doctoral candidate’s home program. Furthermore, each committee: Must have a sole chair (mentor) or two co-chairs; must have a cognate member who is familiar with the standards for doctoral research and holds at least a 0.50 appointment in a Rackham doctoral program, other than the student’s home department/program. The committee may include a University faculty member who is not Graduate Faculty, a University staff member, or a qualified individual outside the University to provide expertise in the candidate’s discipline. In any of these cases, special membership must be approved by the Graduate School, by submitting a short justification and the CV of the potential member.

Once all members of the dissertation committee have agreed to serve, an email should be sent to all members acknowledging and thanking them for their willingness to serve as well as other detailed information, as needed.

Students should complete the Departmental Dissertation Committee form and submit it to the Graduate Coordinator by Sept 30th of their third year. The Departmental Dissertation Committee form requires signatures from all faculty serving on the committee. The Graduate Coordinator will then submit the proposed committee to Rackham, who will email the Graduate Program Committee, the dissertation committee Chair/Research Mentor and Student for approval prior to finalizing the committee.

Functions of the Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee consults with the student and the Research Mentor as appropriate with respect to the student’s professional development, course work, seminar participation, and experience in examinations and research performance.
The committee will meet yearly beginning in the third year to discuss the student’s research and academic progress, submission of manuscripts, presentation at scientific meetings, future scientific and career goals, and progress toward writing a thesis satisfying the requirements of scientific merit. If the student is not making satisfactory progress, the committee is encouraged to meet on a more frequent basis. Finally, the committee will meet for acceptance of the written dissertation as certified on the form supplied by the Graduate School following the Oral Thesis Defense.

Students are encouraged to work with their committee members outside of the formal meetings when relevant.

Prior to each meeting, the dissertation committee should receive:

The student’s academic transcript
A Research Progress Report written by the student.

The student’s electronic portfolio should ultimately contain:

Annual Committee Meeting reports
Assessment forms including the annual mentor/mentee competency checklist
Individual Development Plan (updated yearly)
Specialized documentation of competencies including teaching evaluations, teaching philosophy statement, publications, and other scholarly works.
Documentation of participation in Graduate Certificate Programs, professional organizations, or Diversity & Inclusion
Transcripts
Curriculum Vitae
Review of the written dissertation
Final signed approval of the dissertation and the degree

Dissertation Committee Meeting
Starting in their 3rd year students are required to meet with their thesis committee each year, no later than May 31st. A student who has not completed their yearly Dissertation Committee Meeting by May 31 will not be considered in good standing in the program.

The function of the committee is to guide and support students throughout their research and writing. Committee meetings are more important when things are not working than when they are. Regular committee meetings can serve to reduce the time to degree.

Students should plan to have a dissertation committee meeting at least once a year (or more often).

Students should invite dissertation committee members from outside of the department to attend their PHARMACOL 646 seminar soon after the course schedule is released/finalized. Dissertation committee members are not required to go.
Students should email their dissertation committee 2-3 months in advance of their desired window for the dissertation committee meeting in order to find an available time for everyone. Plan for two hours only. After the committee has responded, an email should be sent to all members confirming the date and time.
The Graduate Coordinator must be informed of the planned date/time of the student’s yearly dissertation committee meeting. They can also assist in scheduling a room for the meeting.
Every dissertation committee member should be sent an email reminder about the student’s dissertation committee meeting (including the date, time, building/room) one week in advance. This email message should include a project summary/outline (see below) for the committee to review, as well as attachments of manuscripts in review or in press. Please copy the Graduate Coordinator on this email.

Before EACH dissertation committee meeting, students should:

Prepare project summary/outline, approximately 1 page in length.
- Provide a very brief background.
- State the project goal and hypothesis.
- Describe results to date, experiments that are on-going, and future experiments.
- Potential outline of 2-4 data chapters of the dissertation.
Print a copy of the Annual Dissertation Committee Meeting Report Form to bring to the dissertation committee meeting for all committee members need to at the end of the meeting.

At EACH dissertation committee meeting, the student should:

Leave the room at the start of the meeting so the chair/mentor can talk briefly with the committee.
Present slides, provide brief background on project, as well project goals & hypothesis(es) and show relevant data (describe methods/procedures/etc.)
Outline their progress, including:
- Describing potential data chapters
- What experiments are complete?
- What are you doing now/what experiments are in progress?
- What are the future experiments?
- Timeline for future activities
- Struggles or things that are not working (if relevant): trouble-shoot with your committee, consider the go-no go decision points: when a goal/experiment/method is not achievable and consider alternative options/experiments/goals.
Students are encouraged to include information about long-term career goals and career development opportunities in which they are participating, including conferences they have attended/will attend, other coursework they plan to take, certificates, etc.
The student may be asked to leave after the committee meeting so that the dissertation committee can discuss briefly.
The Dissertation Chair will leave the meeting briefly at the end of the meeting so the student can discuss any mentoring concerns with the other members of the committee.
Have all members sign the Dissertation Committee Meeting Report Form

After EACH dissertation committee meeting, the student should:

Return the signed Dissertation Committee Form to the Graduate Coordinator by email. The GPC Chair will reach out to students to schedule a meeting to discuss the meeting- progress, successes, troubles, etc.
Update their IDP including the Mentor/Mentee Checklists in collaboration with their mentor and send it electronically to the Graduate Coordinator by May 31st each year.

PhD: Dissertation Pharmacology Requirements

PhD: Dissertation

PhD: Degree Deadlines

PhD: Dissertation & Graduation Resources

Student Seminars

This Pharmacology Student Seminar course, PHRMACOL 646, provides students with the confidence and ability to present their work clearly and succinctly to an audience and is considered the most important course offered in the department. Consequently, it is a required course throughout the student’s entire time in the graduate program. All students, including first-year PIBS students who are Pharmacology primaries, are required to attend Pharmacology 646 and register for the 1 credit course 'PHRMACOL 646' each term; a grade of “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” will be given. If a student is unable to attend for valid reasons (i.e. sickness, attending a national meeting, etc.) they can contact the course director for an excused absence. Greater than two unexcused absences will result in the student's receipt of a U (unsatisfactory) grade. For more information about Coursework, Grading, and Academic Standing, refer to the Rackham Graduate School policies. The student seminar is scheduled weekly on Fridays at 12 pm. Each year prior to the start of the academic term, one of the PHRMACOL 646 course directors with all students who will be presenting in the coming year. Students are also provided with a list of seminars before the start of each academic year.

Beginning in their second-year students must present a yearly seminar. Students directly admitted to the Ph.D. program will present in their first year in the program, having previously completed one year of research in their lab as an MS student. Students must present on a yearly basis to remain in good standing. Students may opt out of this presentation in the year in which they present their thesis defense. However, in order to opt out, a scheduled defense date must be in place by the time the 646 schedule is prepared for the current year.

Third- and fourth-year students are encouraged to present a description of their own research. Second-year students should present a critical review of 1-2 reports in the current scientific literature, or if their own research is sufficiently advanced, they may present their own research. A second-year seminar presenting critical reviews of published research should deal with a recent significant advance in pharmacology or an advance in physiology, chemistry, cell biology, etc., that provides techniques or concepts that are important for understanding drug action. The presentation should be a critical evaluation of the work, not simply a summary. Discussion and criticism of the research by the audience is encouraged; the speaker should be prepared to answer questions about the work. Presentations of purely clinical literature are discouraged (although exceptions can be made) because of the empirical nature of most clinical work and the specialized expertise required for its proper evaluation. In keeping with the tradition of the university being open to all forms of inquiry, students should not present data on compounds whose structures cannot be revealed because of patent or other considerations.

For the benefit of both presenter and audience, the following protocol should be observed:

Students are expected to review the seminar with their faculty member 2-4 weeks prior to their seminar.
The student should present the seminar to a 646-class instructor (Dr. Jenkins) at least 2 weeks prior to formal presentation. This will allow time for the necessary restructuring, changing order of slides or handout material, etc. Note: Pharmacology has standing practice times reserved during the fall and winter 646 seminar season. Please check with the Student Affairs Program Manager to see what they are.
One week prior to the seminar, the student provides the Student Affairs Program Manager the title of their talk. A seminar announcement will be created and distributed electronically.
The seminar faculty mentors will meet with each student immediately after the presentation to discuss strengths and weaknesses of the seminar. Written feedback will be provided to the student, the student’s mentor and thesis committee, and filed in the student’s electronic portfolio.

PhD: Teaching Requirement

PhD: “Good Standing” Policy

PhD: Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy

Medical Science Training Program (MSTP)

MSTP students enter the Pharmacology Program after their M2 year and are considered to be at the same level as PIBS students entering the second year.

Pharmacology MSTP Course Requirements

Master's Program

Master’s Program: Degree Requirements & Courses

Master's Program: Research Requirements

The Research Project provides the student with an intense, in-depth research experience. Under specified circumstances, students who are engaged in scientific research outside the University and whose supervisor has an active collaboration with a faculty member within the Department of Pharmacology may be permitted to conduct the research component of the MS degree off-campus. For those MS students whose primary focus is not laboratory research, an in-depth review of the research literature may substitute.

Thesis

As part of the requirements for completion of the MS degree in Pharmacology, all students are required to write a short thesis (approximately 25-35 pages total in length) on their research project. The thesis can be based on either a research project conducted in the laboratory or an in-depth literature survey.

Each thesis must contain the sections indicated below and, in the order, listed. The thesis should be paginated with the Title page numbered as 1. Font size should be 12-point. Spacing of either 1.5 or 2 can be used with 0.75” margins. Arial or Helvetica fonts are recommended.

Instructions for preparation of a thesis involving a laboratory project:

Overall goal: The student’s thesis must have a clearly defined hypothesis, a logical experimental approach and justified conclusions.

Title page: The title must be clear and concise and abbreviations should be avoided, if at all possible. The title page must list the student’s name and laboratory of origin.
Table of Contents: All major sections of the thesis must be listed along with page numbers.
Acknowledgements: This section is optional.
Abbreviations: A list of all abbreviations used must be included. The list of abbreviations should be in alphabetical order.
Abstract: This must concisely state the hypothesis that is being tested, general experimental approach, results and conclusions. The Abstract section can be no longer than 250 words in length.
Introduction: This section must contain a clear statement regarding the aims of the study and summary of the relevant background that supports the rationale behind the study. It is suggested that the length of the Introduction section should be ~10% of the total length of the thesis.
Materials and Methods: The Materials and Methods section must contain a clear and concise description of the methods and techniques employed. Description of the methods must be of sufficient detail to allow for reproducibility of the experiments. Names of the commercial suppliers of chemicals and reagents used must be identified.
Experimental Results: In this section, the experimental results are usually presented without discussion of their significance. Results are typically presented as Tables or Figures with corresponding narrative. Whenever possible, the statistical significance of the results should be presented. It is important to note that positive results are not a prerequisite for successful completion of the MS thesis. Given the short time period available to students, negative results will be accepted provided that the starting hypothesis is tenable.
Discussion: Conclusions drawn from the study are presented in this section. Unnecessary repetition of the Results section should be avoided. Some indication of future directions of the research should be mentioned. Occasionally, it may be advantageous to combine the Results and Discussion sections.
Overall summary or conclusion: This section is optional. In some studies, one or two paragraphs summarizing the principal findings and conclusions derived from a study can be helpful.
References: References are cited in the text and in the list of references at the end of the text according to guidelines listed in the journal Molecular Pharmacology (https://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/ifora#References). References must be arranged alphabetically and not numbered. The names of all authors must be given in the references. It is usual to cite 25-40 references for a laboratory project.
Figure Legends: Figures are numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals and listed in order. Legends must provide sufficient detail for the reader to understand the Figure independent of the text.
Tables: Each Table must be placed on a separate page, each page numbered consecutively with the remainder of the thesis. Tables are numbered with Arabic numerals. A brief description is provided at the top of each Table. General statements about the Table are provided below the title.
Figures: Figures can be positioned at the end of the manuscript, or within the text, if preferred. All Figures must be accompanied by Figure legends.

Instructions for preparation of a thesis involving an in-depth literature survey:

Overall Goal. This type of thesis provides detailed coverage of a topic that is of current pharmacological interest, with effort made by the student to integrate conflicting data sets and to synthesize an overall conclusion. Title page: The title must be clear and concise and abbreviations should be avoided, if at all possible. The title page must also list the student’s name and laboratory of origin.
Table of Contents: All major sections of the thesis must be listed along with page numbers.
Acknowledgements: This section is optional.
Abbreviations: A list of all abbreviations used must be included.
Abstract: This section presents the overall topic that has been investigated, results and major conclusions. The Abstract section can be no longer than 250 words in length.
Introduction: This section must include a broad introduction to the topic under discussion, its relevance and pharmacological significance. It is suggested that the length of the Introduction section should be ~10% of the total length of the thesis.
Discussion: This section is the major part of the thesis and is composed of a distillation of the available published evidence supporting or refuting the concept under investigation. A selective rather than exhaustive coverage of the literature is required. The Discussion section must include coverage of the basic and cellular pharmacology of the topic under investigation as well as studies that focus on physiological consequences. Students must provide a critical evaluation of previous conclusions and when warranted, challenge accepted concepts. Conflicting points of view should be presented in an objective manner. It may be advantageous to divide the text in this section by means of sub-headings. It is strongly recommended that Figures and/or Tables be used to supplement this section.
Overall summary or conclusion: A summary (two or three paragraphs) detailing the principal findings and conclusions derived from the study must be included.
References: References are cited in the text and in the list of references at the end of the text according to guidelines listed in the journal Molecular Pharmacology (https://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/ifora#References). References must be arranged alphabetically and not numbered. The names of all authors must be given in the references. It is usual to cite 40-75 references for a literature survey.
Figure Legends: Figures are numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals and listed in order. Legends must provide sufficient detail for the reader to understand the Figure independent of the text.
Tables: Each Table must be placed on a separate page, each page numbered consecutively with the remainder of the thesis. Tables are numbered with Arabic numerals. A brief description is provided at the top of each Table. General statements about the Table are provided below the title.
Figures: Figures can be positioned at the end of the manuscript or within the text, if preferred. All Figures must be accompanied by Figure legends.

Each MS thesis will be read and evaluated by at least two faculty members, at least one of whom is a current member of the GPC. It is assumed that when the thesis is submitted that the student’s P.I. will have read and approved the submission. The thesis must be carefully written and grammatically correct. Theses that do not conform to these standards will be immediately returned to the student for revision prior to re-evaluation. Following review, most theses will require some revision, according to the reviewers’ comments. Unless they wish to rebut the reviewers’ comments, students should make every effort to incorporate reviewers’ suggestions for improvement into the revised text. Successful completion of the MS thesis and a satisfactory oral defense are required for fulfillment of the requirements for the MS degree. All thesis and course work submitted for the MS degree must comply with the Rackham Academic and Professional Integrity Policy guidelines as stated here: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/current-students/policies/academic-policies/section11. Theses may require revisions after review. Students are encouraged to incorporate reviewers’ comments or concerns (If warranted) into the text of their revised thesis.

Master's Program: Information on direct admission to U-M Pharmacology PhD program

All Students

Course Descriptions -Pharmacology/Graduate Level

Extended Educational Opportunities

Conflict Resolution Policy

Usually the best approach to resolving a problem is through informal discussion and negotiation when the problem first arises. Discussion and negotiation amongst the parties in a conflict may not only help to resolve the original conflict, but can lead to better communication and more positive working relationships in the future. Before approaching the individual, gather your thoughts and composure, and develop a plan for what you want to say. In your conversation with the individual, focus on the issue over which you have a conflict; you may want to bring specific examples that illustrate the issue. Try to think of ways to present the situation in a way that might help the person understand your perspective. Give the person the chance to explain their perspective about the situation. It may be helpful to think of the conflict as an opportunity for the two of you to develop a better understanding of each other and a better working relationship. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, it is a good idea to follow it up with a note (via email is fine) to the person, describing the situation (dates, events) that you discussed, as well as how things stand after your meeting. That way, if there is still a misunderstanding, the conversation can continue. Also, having documentation of your efforts to resolve the present situation or in the event that a similar future situation arises with that same person. Even when a student may not feel comfortable talking with the other party in the conflict, the process below should be used.

If you find that in spite of your best efforts, the conflict has not been satisfactorily resolved, you can lodge an informal complaint with the department. If your problem cannot be resolved at the departmental level or if you prefer discussing the matter with someone from outside the department, consider seeking help from the Office of the Ombuds, the Office of Student Conflict Resolution or the Rackham Resolution Office.

Informal Complaint

An informal complaint is handled primarily within the Pharmacology Department following the sequences listed below, depending on the situation. Every effort would be made to resolve the conflict internally through this informal procedure. Unless the complaint involves a conflict between you and your thesis advisor, you can talk the situation over with your thesis advisor if you feel comfortable. It will be helpful to hear your advisor’s perspective, and it’s good for them to know about the situation.

In lodging an informal complaint, you should:

Clearly explain to the contact person the nature of the complaint, including specific details of the events that transpired, and the dates of those events.
Provide a copy of any documentation of your efforts to resolve the situation with the other party, as well as any evidence relevant to your complaint.
Indicate what you suggest as a satisfactory resolution.

If you can’t comfortably discuss the situation with the first person in the sequence, contact the next person in the sequence. Depending on the nature of your complaint, it may be necessary to involve additional people. The sequence for involving others is listed below for each type of complaint. If a person in the listed sequence is the person with whom you have a conflict, your complaint will be addressed to an alternate person (listed in parentheses). Each person handling your complaint should notify you in writing. Specifically, each person handling your case should: 1) acknowledge receipt of your complaint, and 2) describe the actions taken. In the event that you are not satisfied by the resolution of your complaint, you may appeal to the next person in the sequence.

Please use the following sequences for conflicts with:

Your thesis advisor:

Other committee members.
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson or Pharmacology Graduate Program Chair (alternate: Pharmacology Graduate Committee faculty member).
Pharmacology Department Chair
Graduate Student Affairs Officer, Rackham Graduate School or OSCAR

A thesis committee member:

Thesis Advisor.
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson or Pharmacology Graduate Program Chair (alternate: Pharmacology Graduate Committee faculty member).
Pharmacology Department Chair
Graduate Student Affairs Officer, Rackham Graduate School or OSCAR

Another graduate student:

Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson or
Pharmacology Graduate Program Chair (alternate: Pharmacology Graduate Committee faculty member).
Pharmacology Department Chair
OSCR

Lab member:

Thesis Advisor
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Department Chair

Pharmacology Department staff:

Thesis Advisor.
Pharmacology Department Chair

Pharmacology faculty member:

Thesis Advisor
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson or
Pharmacology Department Chair
Graduate Student Affairs Officer, Rackham Graduate School or OSCR

Graduate Program Chair:

Thesis Advisor
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson or
Pharmacology Graduate Committee faculty member
Pharmacology Department Chair

Pharmacology Department Chair:

Thesis Advisor
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson or
Pharmacology Graduate Program Chair (alternate: Pharmacology Graduate Committee faculty member).
Graduate Student Affairs Officer, Rackham Graduate School

The Graduate School:

Thesis Advisor
Pharmacology Student Affairs Program Manager/Graduate Coordinator
Pharmacology Graduate Program Chair (alternate: Pharmacology Graduate Pharmacology Department Chair

On Campus Conflict Resolutions Resources

Office of the Ombuds is a place where student questions, complaints and concerns about the functioning of the University can be discussed confidentially in a safe environment. 6015 Fleming, Phone: (734) 763-3545 https://ombuds.umich.edu
Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR): Promotes justice by facilitating conflict resolution for the Michigan community and creating a just and safe campus climate. 100 Student Activities Building, Phone: (734) 936-6308. https://oscr.umich.edu/
Rackham Graduate School’s Designated Resolution Officer (RO): Advises faculty, staff and students on matters related to student emergencies, crisis situations, disputes, and student conduct violations. The RO also provides information about Graduate School and University policies and procedures, makes referrals, and provides resources when appropriate. https://rackham.umich.edu/academic-policies/section9/

Pharmacology Faculty Ombudsperson

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

Discrimination and Harassment

Leave, Absences (for life events, education and/or professional development opportunities) and Vacations

Financial Information (for Ph.D./MSTP students)

Financial Support

The Pharmacology Department is committed to providing all graduate students full financial support for their graduate program tenure. This support frees the student to concentrate on research and full-time study. Students must be making satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree to be eligible for support.

Fellowship Funding & Support Beyond the First Year

First-year students entering through the PIBS program will be funded through a fellowship that will provide full coverage of stipend, tuition & fees, tuition and health care during their first 10 months. For first-years starting in July, the last month they will receive a stipend from their PIBS fellowship is April, for those who start in September, their last month is June. For students entering through PIBS following their choice of a thesis advisor and for student entering through direct admission, support will be provided by some mix of the following funding mechanisms: 1) a Research Assistantship (GSRA) supported by an individual grant of their thesis advisor; 2) a Teaching Assistantship (GSI); or 3) a fellowship. Generally, after the first year, unless a student is on fellowship (see below for more details, they will be a GSRA. Typically, students in their third-year will be a GSI for one term. Students will be notified of their funding type on an annual basis and when any change in their funding type occurs (fellowship to GSRA and vice versa). Students can also talk with the Graduate Coordinator or HR Specialist they have questions about their funding.

Fellowships

Fellowship support may be in the form of a fellowship awarded directly to the student by a national agency or research foundation (e.g., NIH), by the Department, the University, or Rackham. Students on training grants and other types of scholarships, such as Rackham Merit Fellowships and NSF awards, are also paid from fellowships.

Tuition and fees are covered in full for students on fellowship.
Students on fellowship are eligible for University’s healthcare program for graduate students, GradCare as well as dental coverage Option 1, which is processed by the department.
Students on fellowship will not have income taxes withheld from their paychecks. Students will be responsible for paying these taxes when they file their annual Income Tax Return. To avoid additional fees, students should plan to pay estimated taxes during the year. Consult Rackham’s website (https://rackham.umich.edu/rackham- life/finances/) for more information on taxation and estimated tax payments.

Graduate Student Research Assistantships (GSRAs)

Students who are not on fellowships are generally paid as Graduate Student Research Assistants (GSRAs) or, if helping to teach a course, as Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs). The source of funding for all GSRA appointments is through their thesis advisor. GSRAs and GSIs are considered “employees” of the university and as such, will have taxes deducted from their paychecks, and they will receive a W-2 form. A student on GSRA performs personal research (including thesis or dissertation preparation) or who assists others in performing research that is relevant to his or her academic goals. In those cases where the student will be engaged in his/her dissertation research, full-time activity is expected; otherwise, conditions of the appointment are governed by the standard employment practices of the University.

Tuition and fees for a GSRA with a 25% (10 hours of expected work per week) or greater appointment fraction for four or more consecutive months will be fully covered and applied directly to the student's account.
Domestic students holding a GSRA appointment during the summer months, when students are typically not enrolled, will see FICA taxes withheld form their monthly pay. Once a student achieves candidacy they are eligible to file a FICA Exemptions Request with the Office of Finance, they must do so for each spring/summer term they are a GSRA. Students of fellowship during the spring/summer term and international students do not have FICA taxes withheld. http://finance.umich.edu/finops/payroll/tax/studentemployeesficaexemption

GradCare (Health) and Dental Insurance

All graduate students, regardless of their funding source/type, are entitled to GradCare health insurance and Dental option 1. If you plan to leave the State of Michigan for any length of time, please contact the Benefits Office (615-2000) or visit the benefits office website to inquire about off- site or emergency coverage.

Rackham Fellowships, Awards, Grants & Scholarships.Rackham provides a variety of faculty nominated, Department nominated, and student-initiated funding opportunities. Selection of departmental nominees is made by the Pharmacology Graduate Program Committee. These fellowships are typically awarded on the basis of scholastic record and the student’s research achievements. Follow the link at the following site for detailed guidelines for each competition, including eligibility requirements, nomination forms and selection criteria: https://rackham.umich.edu/funding/

Rackham Travel Grants. The Rackham Graduate School provides up to $800-$1,050 for travel to domestic (up to $1300 for international) professional conferences and meetings. You can only receive one travel grant per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Refer to Rackham’s website for detailed information and forms to apply for travel funds: https://rackham.umich.edu/funding/funding-types/rackham-conference-travel-grant/
Rackham Research Grants. The Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant is designed to support Rackham graduate students who need assistance to carry out research that advances their progress toward their degree. Applications are accepted at any time and reviewed individually on a rolling basis by faculty reviewers. https://rackham.umich.edu/funding/funding-types/rackham-graduate-student-research-grant/.
- Master’s students are eligible for an award up to $1,500
- Precandidates are eligible for an award up to $1,500
- Candidates are eligible for an award up to $3,000

Fellowships Awarded by the Pharmacology Department. The department has a number of endowed fellowships that are awarded on a yearly basis. Talk with the Graduate Coordinator about the award criteria and timeline for these fellowships.

Dr. Benedict and Diana Lucchesi Graduate Education Fellowship
Charles W. Edmunds Fellowship
Pharmacology Centennial Fellowship

Departmental Travel Awards.

Attendance and presentations at national conferences such as the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (www.aspet.org) and the Society for Neuroscience (www.sfn.org) are strongly encouraged. Grants to attend such conferences are available from the department (see the Graduate Coordinator) and Rackham (see below) as well as the societies themselves. The Graduate Coordinator will solicit nominations in March and August of each year for the Thomas Baum Travel Awards. For students on PSTP, contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information about the annual travel grant reimbursement you are eligible for.

Stipend Payment Schedules

Stipends for students on GSI or GSRA appointments are paid in four equal installments per term. Checks are available on the last working day of each. They are mailed to your current address in Wolverine Access (http://wolverineaccess.umich.edu) or directly deposited into your bank account, which can also be set up in Wolverine Access. Full information is available on your appointment confirmation.

Fellowship and training grant payments are also typically paid monthly, though the payment dates are usually closer to the middle of the month. Please see the Graduate Coordinator and/or HR Specialist if you have questions or problems with payments.

Once you declare the Department of Pharmacology as your department, we will cover registration and mandatory fees for the fall and winter terms. If you wish to use the campus recreation facilities, you will need to buy your own user pass during the months you are not officially enrolled as a student (May-August). Some mentors will pay for the summer recreation facilities user pass, if asked.

Any questions related to stipend payments, student bills, insurance supplements, etc., should be directed to the Graduate Coordinator and/or HR Specialist. If you receive a student bill indicating a balance owed, notify them as soon as possible; do not wait until the following month or semester. By that time a financial hold will have been placed on your account and you will be unable to register. A $30.00 late charge may be assessed and a negative service indicator established if payment is received after the due date or if payment is received in less than the amount due. A negative service indicator will prevent you from registering, and/or from receiving an official transcript, diploma, and financial aid.

Supplementary Income

Appointment to a half-time assistantship or to an equivalent fellowship is intended to provide sufficient financial support to enable a student to devote full time to his/her graduate program. Consequently, a condition of the appointment is that no outside employment be undertaken other than tutoring. In conditions of unusual financial hardship, such as may result from extra dependents or special circumstances, the student should discuss other options with their Research Mentor and the Chair of the Graduate Committee.

Tutoring

Tutoring not only offers the graduate student a chance to obtain a small supplementary income, but also offers a chance to better his/her teaching methods and to review the basics of a particular course. At the beginning of the semester, a questionnaire will be sent out to determine each graduate student’s willingness to tutor and his/her preference for specific courses. The principal restriction on tutoring is that Graduate Student Instructors must not tutor students enrolled in the course in which they are teaching.

Loans

Loan funds administered through the Office of Financial Aid (http://www.finaid.umich.edu) are available to meet the needs of any educational expense for students while enrolled in the University. The extent of this financial need must be clearly established by providing a complete statement of the applicant’s financial resources and expenses for the academic year.

Loans are NOT available for any non-educational expense which is normally financed by a commercial lending institution, nor are they available for the repayment of previously incurred indebtedness. The graduate college also has Rackham Graduate Student Emergency Fund (http://www.rackham.umich.edu/prospective-students/funding/student-application/graduate-student-emergency-funds) that is intended to help meet the financial needs of Rackham graduate students who encounter an emergency situation or one-time, unusual, or unforeseen expenses during their degree program.

Income Tax Liability

Current practice is subject to review by the IRS and may change at any time. Graduate Student Instructor and Graduate Student Research Assistantship stipends are considered salary for services performed and, as such, are subject to withholding and income tax. Under the income tax law of 1986, stipends for fellowships and other forms of student aid are subject to income tax and must be reported quarterly. It is the student’s responsibility to report fellowship/award aid to the IRS. If you have questions regarding your taxability status you should call the IRS at 800-424-1040, or visit the University’s Office of Finance http://finance.umich.edu/finops/payroll/tax.

Resources at U-M

In addition to your Advisor, the Graduate Coordinator, the Graduate Committee (including the Chair), and the Rackham Graduate School staff, there are many resources on campus to help you succeed as a graduate student at the University of Michigan.

Mentoring Resources

How to Get the Mentoring You Want http://www.rackham.umich.edu/downloads/publications/mentoring.pdf A general guide for graduate students about the importance of the student-mentor relationship.
- Mentoring Others Results in Excellence (MORE) http://www.rackham.umich.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/mentoring A senior faculty committee providing information and resources on mentoring to students and faculty.

Selected Campus Academic Resources

Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) http://www.crlt.umich.edu/ CRLT offers programs and services designed to support graduate students in all stages of their teaching careers from training for their first teaching experience through preparation for the academic job market.
- Preparing Future Faculty Conference
- U-M Graduate Teacher Certificate
- Seminars for Graduate Student Instructors
Sweetland Center for Writing http://www.lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/ The Sweetland Center for Writing supplements formal writing instruction by providing free programs that help students understand assignments, develop ideas, support arguments and claims, cite sources, and revise at the paragraph and sentence level.
- Writing workshops
- Writing references and resources
- Peer tutoring
- Dissertation Writing Institute
English Language Institute (ELI) http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli The English Language Institute offers opportunities for students to participate in courses and workshops aimed at improving their language and communication skills.
- English for Academic Purposes Courses
- Workshops
- Writing Clinics
- English Learning Links
Center for Statistical Consultation and Research (CSCAR) http://cscar.research.umich.edu CSCAR emphasizes an integrated, comprehensive statistical consulting service, covering all aspects of a quantitative research project ranging from the initial study design through to the presentation of the final research conclusions.
- Workshops and seminars
- In-house Mental Health and Wellness Counselor
  
  Kate Hagadone, PhD, LP: [email protected]
- Student Support
Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) https://ogps.med.umich.edu OGPS is an information hub for the outstanding and diverse young scholars of Michigan Medicine, and a resource for their trainees, faculty, and staff. They aim to provide a foundation and a community for trainees to explore the next step of their career in the biomedical sciences. Their team develops programs and pathways for students and postdocs to grow intellectually, personally, and professionally on their scientific journey.
- Career & Professional Development (workshops and career advising)
- Software help
- Software access
- Spatial Analysis/GIS
Scholar Space http://www.lib.umich.edu/scholarspace Scholar Space teaches individuals how to use technology in coursework, teaching, or research.
- One-on-one technology consultations
- Workshops
- Digitalization of documents
University of Michigan Library http://www.lib.umich.edu/ MLibrary supports, enhances, and collaborates in the instructional, research, and service activities of the faculty, students, and staff, and contributes to the common good by collecting, organizing, preserving, communicating, and sharing the record of human knowledge.
- Deep Blue Dissertation, article, publication repository
- Borrowing and circulation
- Course reserves
- Instruction and workshops

Selected Sources of Campus Support

The Career Center is committed to preparing U-M students and alumni to be active, life-long learners in developing and implementing their career decisions. http://www.careercenter.umich.edu/
Center for the Education of Women (CEW+) offers support services to students, faculty, staff and community members. http://www.cew.umich.edu/about
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)** offers a variety of confidential services to help students resolve personal difficulties. Services include brief counseling for individuals, couples and groups. https://caps.umich.edu
Department of Recreational Sports is the place for fun and fitness on campus. Rec Sports offers both informal activities and structured programs: Club Sports, Challenge Program, Drop-in Program, Intramural Sports and/or Outdoor Adventures. https://recsports.umich.edu/
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources https://diversity.umich.edu/resources/
Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) The DPS website contains information about police services as well as other units such as parking enforcement, Communications Center and Criminal Investigations. http://police.umich.edu/
Emergency Preparedness and Alert System UM Emergency Alert is an urgent, mass notification system that keeps students, faculty and staff informed about major active emergencies on campus. This system will be activated without undue delay by the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS). Sign up for voice and text emergency alerts at https://dpss.umich.edu/content/emergency-preparedness/emergency-alerts/.
International Center provides a variety of services to assist international students, scholars, faculty and staff. https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/
Psychological Clinic provides psychological care for students. Services include consultation, short-term and long-term therapy for individual adults and couples. http://www.psychclinic.org/
Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides information on crime prevention strategies, the law enforcement authority of the University police, and policies and statistics about crime on campus.http://www.dpss.umich.edu/
Mental Health and Wellness Resourceshttps://uhs.umich.edu/stressresources & https://caps.umich.edu/article/um-mental-health-resources
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) provides educational and supportive services for the University of Michigan community related to sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. https://sapac.umich.edu/
Spectrum Center provides a comprehensive range of education, information and advocacy services working to create and maintain an open, safe and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, and staff, their families and friends, and the campus community at large. https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) provides services to students with visual impairments, learning disabilities, mobility impairments, hearing impairments, chronic health problems and psychological disabilities, so they may enjoy a complete range of academic and non academic opportunities. https://ssd.umich.edu/
Student Legal Services (SLS) is a unit of The Division of Student Affairs, is a full service law office available to currently enrolled students at the University of Michigan. Student Legal Services is staffed by attorneys who are licensed to practice in the State of Michigan as well as the United States District Court and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. https://studentlegalservices.umich.edu
University Health Service (UHS) is a health care facility, located on central campus that offers many outpatient services in one building for U-M students, faculty, and staff. Many of UHS services provided to registered students are covered by the Health Service fee. https://uhs.umich.edu/

Conflict Resolution

Office of the Ombuds is a place where student questions, complaints and concerns about the functioning of the University can be discussed confidentially in a safe environment.6015 Fleming, Phone: (734) 763-3545 https://ombuds.umich.edu
Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) Promotes justice by facilitating conflict resolution for the Michigan community and creating a just and safe campus climate. 100 Student Activities Building, Phone: (734) 936-6308. https://oscr.umich.edu/
Rackham Graduate School’s Designated Resolution Officer (RO) Advises faculty, staff and students on matters related to student emergencies, crisis situations, disputes, and student conduct violations. The RO also provides information about Graduate School and University policies and procedures, makes referrals, and provides resources when appropriate. https://rackham.umich.edu/academic-policies/section9/

Resources of International Students

International Center University resource for international students, postdocs and faculty. Providing information on Immigration & Visas, Taxes and Social Security, Health Insurances and Forms. https://internationalcenter.umich.edu
International Student Associations There a number of international student associations at the Michigan, here is a list https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/students/international-student-ass...
UM International Student Loan Program https://finaid.umich.edu/international-students/
Sweetland Writing Center Courses, workshops and assistance for multilingual writers https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/international-student-resources
English Language Institute courses, clinic and studios.
Rackham International Resources website https://rackham.umich.edu/rackham- life/international-students/
UM Career Center International Student Resources including information on writing support, conversation and listening skills, Co-curricular engagement, US and Global Job/Internship Preparation and Search as well as graduate and professional school applications. https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/international-student-resources

Resources for Students with Children

Students with Children Website University resources for students with children. http://www.studentswithchildren.umich.edu
Child Care Subsidy Program Students who have young, dependent children in childcare maybe eligible for this program, which provides funds to assist students with the cost of child care.
https://finaid.umich.edu/child-care-subsidy/
UM Housing for students with children. The University’s Northwood housing is apartment style living with an active and kid-friendly social scene. They also have playground areas, basketball and volleyball courts, and softball fields. Many students with children and families live in the Northwood community. www.Housing.umich.edu
Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy. This policy assists graduate students immediately following the birth or adoption of a young child. The purpose of this policy is to make it possible for a student to maintain registered full-time student status, along with all the benefits of such a status, while facilitating participate in courses, research and teaching.
https://rackham.umich.edu/navigating-your-degree/parental-accommodation-policy/
University Childcare Resources. On-campus childcare, emergency childcare and many more resources.
https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/work-life/child-care-resources
Rackham Graduate Student Professional Travel with Children Grant. The grant is intended to support Rackham graduate student parents who incur expenses while traveling with small children (under the age of 6) while attending conferences, workshops, meetings or other academic events as a part of their scholarly research or in pursuit of professional career readiness both within and outside of academia. https://rackham.umich.edu/funding/funding-types/graduate-student-professional-travel-with-children-grant/
Lactation Rooms on Campus This list, provided by the Work/Life Resource Center, indicates the location of lactation rooms on campus. https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/work-life/lactation-resources
University Center for the Child and Family (UCCF) This University of Michigan facility offers a comprehensive range of mental health services for children and families in the community. https://mari.umich.edu/uccf
University Center for the Development of Language and Literacy (UCLL) The University Center for the Development of Language and Literacy provides language and literary services to adults and children. Their variety of programs helps families and individuals cope with the challenges of special education, learning disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, ADD, and more. https://mari.umich.edu/ucll
Benefits Enrollment for Birth or Adoption https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/benefits-enrollment/changing-your-benefits/life-events/birth-or-adoption