BMOL PhD Student Handbook Orientation

New Student Orientation

All new students are required to attend orientation, which occurs the week prior to the beginning of classes.  An information packet detailing the schedule of events will be e-mailed to new students. This orientation provides an opportunity to meet with the graduate Program Director, Program Coordinator, and staff, and to attend an academic advising session to become familiar with program procedures and facilities. During this orientation, students on assistantships will complete all necessary paperwork for their stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance.   Students must bring proof of citizenship (e.g., driver’s license and social security card, or valid passport). Students will also pick up keys and proxy cards, and complete TA training, laboratory safety, and human resource compliance training during this time.

For students on teaching assistantships, there is a mandatory teaching assistant (TA) orientation and training session.  This typically occurs during the week prior to the first day of fall semester.  This training helps to acquaint students with TA responsibilities and expectations, and provides guidance on how to fulfill specific duties.

The Biomolecular Sciences Ph.D. Program administration will provide information pertaining to TA assignments (course name and instructor) via an information packet e-mailed to students.  After receiving teaching assignments (in departments of biological sciences, chemistry/biochemistry, or physics), TAs are requested to contact the course instructor as soon as possible.

Student Email

Once accepted into the Biomolecular Science Program, we will use your @u.boisestate.edu email address to send messages and announcements regarding the graduate program and teaching assistantships. If you prefer to use an alternative email address (e.g., Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo,etc.), this is not recommended as emails may be blocked or become lost.  All email communications from the University are required to be sent to your u.boisestate.edu email address (Policy 2280).

Office Space

The program assigns office space based on needs and availability.  All students on will be assigned shared office space.  If you are assigned an office, you are responsible for maintaining its security and for conducting yourself in a manner that is respectful and courteous to the other occupants.  Firearms, alcohol, or illegal drugs or lewd conduct are not permitted in offices or elsewhere on campus.  Offices must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner.  Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in the loss of the office space. Computers will be provided to students assigned an office space.  These computers must be used for work purposes only and must remain in the designated office space. Giving up, or moving around of monitors, or other tech equipment provided by the program to another student is prohibited.  Annual audits are performed.

For students needing access to computing facilities, a computer lab with access to printing is provided in each academic unit. A username and password are required for printing – please see the department Administrative Assistants for details.

Each graduate student has a mail box in SCNC 106. Packages can be picked up in the main office of the Department of Biological Sciences. Assistance with preparing labels and mailing FedEx packages for research is available in your research lab’s home department.