Sources of Information

Program web site: www.consbio.umn.edu

Other students in the program:

The students have a group email. It is very appropriate to send out a general message regarding program issues such as, “has anyone taken X course?” Once a response is received, students are asked to continue the discussion privately. Please use the CB newsletter for personal issues (e.g. selling furniture, caring for pets, seeking roommates) to avoid overloading the system with material that will have limited interest.

TheGraduate School:

The Grad School provides information on anything having to do with the “nuts and bolts” of the degree. They provide forms for filing the program, thesis title, written and oral examinations, etc. Most of these forms are on their website (www.grad.umn.edu) . Be sure to read a copy of the UMN Graduate Bulletin about degree requirements that apply to you ( catalogs.umn.edu/grad/index.html). A very helpful one-page document available from the Grad School outlines the general process and procedures for obtaining a degree.

Funding:

Recipients of Graduate School Fellowships or another fellowship administered through the Grad School , should check in with the Grad School fellowship office in Johnston Hall to make sure all paperwork is in order and to learn about the expectations associated with the fellowship. MacArthur Scholars need to keep in close contact with the MacArthur program office and Nancy Rothman, FWCB, who handles tuition and health insurance.

Students with a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA) need to determine which department their paycheck is coming from and become acquainted with the payroll staff in that department. Typically the department of the student's advisor will be responsible their payroll.

The advisor

The advisor is a student's primary contact at UMN. Because of the multidisciplinary aspect of the CB program, about 25% of CB students have 2 advisors. Advisors vary tremendously in their style. Some maintain very close control and contact while others will let students make all decisions. Students should always interact with their advisor regarding course choices and plans for each semester. It is up to the student to keep their advisor informed. On rare occasions students discover that they are not well matched with their advisor for various reasons. It is very important to work well with an advisor. If a student has a problem doing so, or otherwise needs assistance, please see the DGS to help resolve the issue.

Conservation Biology Program Office:

The Program Office is in 187 McNeal Hall. The office phone is 612-624-7751, office fax is 612-625-5299 and the program email is consbio@umn.edu. The program website is at www.consbio.umn.edu

Director of Graduate Study (DGS):

The DGS will help solve problems with the grad program and interactions with the Graduate School , advisors, committees, etc. but students should attempt to solve problems through their advisor and the CB Program Assistant first.