First-Year Students
All PhD students admitted to the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program who remain in good academic standing receive financial support including a fellowship ($29,130 for the 2020-2021 academic year, $29,714 for the 2021-2022 academic year), tuition waiver through the Tuition Benefit Program, and health insurance throughout their graduate training.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Please contact the Bioscience Office if you have questions about changes about the current response to the COVID-19 Guidance from the University and Graduate School.
Calendar and Schedules
Fall 2020 Classes
The majority of Fall 2020 lecture and didactic courses will be online through Canvas with a combination of recorded and streamed lectures and IVC small group discussions through Zoom and other digital technology.
1st Half | Monday, August 24 to Tuesday, October 13 |
Labor Day | Monday, September 7 |
Fall Break | Canceled |
2nd Half | Wednesday, October 14 to Thursday, December 3 |
Thanksgiving Break | Thursday, November 26 to Friday November 27 |
Final Exam Week | Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 11 |
Spring 2021 Classes
1st Half | Tuesday, January 19 to Tuesday, March 9 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 18 |
Presidents' Day | Monday, February 15 |
2nd Half | Wednesday, March 10 to Tuesday, April 27 |
Spring Break | Canceled |
Final Exam Week (Capstone Exams) | April 29 - May 5 |
Curriculum Page | Updated Academic Calendar 2020-21
Fall 2020 Lab Rotations
Fall 2020 Rotation Guidelines - Developed by the MB & BC Programs to promote quality rotation experiences for students and mentors at the University of Utah under Orange Alert Level conditions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lab rotations will be hybrid with limited in person interactions.
First Rotation | Monday, August 31 to Tuesday, October 13 |
Rotation Verification Form Due: | Friday, October 23 |
Rotation Report Due: | Friday, October 23 |
Second Rotation | Wednesday, October 14 to Wednesday, November 25 |
Rotation Verification Form Due: | Friday, December 11 |
Rotation Report Due: | Friday, December 11 |
Spring 2021 Lab Rotation
Third Rotation | Tuesday, January 19 to Friday, March 12 |
Rotation Verification Form Due: | Friday, March 19 |
Rotation Report Due: | Friday, March 19 |
Lab Commitments can begin | Monday, March 15 |
Student join Thesis lab & Department | May |
2020-21 Lab Rotation Schedule | Succeeding in Lab Rotations | Rotation Verification Form
Health Insurance Information
2020-21 Providers are listed below.
Check out the Graduate Website for additional details: https://gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/insurance-information/
FOR SPECIFIC BENEFITS INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE PROVIDERS:
Health |
U of U Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan Provider United Healthcare https://studenthealth.utah.edu/ Coverage is from 8/16/20 - 8/15/21
Covid-19 and Health Coverage Access to Medical Care, Coverage Members who feel like they may have been exposed to COVID-19 are being advised to immediately call their provider (The Student Health Center respectfully asks that before traveling to the clinic for symptoms such as high fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact them first at 801-581-6431). To find a network provider, visit www.uhcsr.com/MyAccount or their UHCSR mobile app. https://www.uhcsr.com/news-main UHCSR has waived the customary referral requirement for COVID-19 tests and/or treatment. Please call providers before visiting – not all healthcare providers are currently able to test for COVID-19, and in cases where they do have the capability, it is important to follow their protocol for visiting any healthcare facility. Please consider using virtual visit options first (see below). Additional Support We are encouraging students to take advantage of the Virtual Visit* capability, available through the HealthiestYou mobile app, or for more information through your www.uhcsr.com/MyAccount. UHCSR insureds have access at no charge, Uninsured students can also access this service for a $40 fee. HealthiestYou FAQ Emotional-Support Help Line with Student Health Insurance Optum is opening its Emotional-Support Help Line, providing access to specially trained mental health specialists to support people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress following the recent developments around COVID-19. Optum’s toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. |
Dental |
U of U Student Dental Insurance Plan Provider EMI Health https://emihealth.com/groupplans/refid/uvoluntary Coverage is from 8/16/20 - 8/15/21 Please Note: The .pdf is last year's health benefit plan. Your plan will be similar but not exactly as listed. |
Vision |
U of U Student Vision Insurance Plan Provider EMI Health https://emihealth.com/groupplans/refid/uvoluntary Coverage is from 8/16/20 - 8/15/21 Please Note: The .pdf is last year's health benefit plan. Your plan will be similar but not exactly as listed. |
Resources and other Offices at the University of Utah
- Tuition Benefit Program
- International Student & Scholar Services
- U of U Tax Services
- Transcript & Verification Division Office
- UCard
- Commuter Services
- The Graduate School
- Office of the Registrar
- Center for Disability & Access
- Admissions Office
- Income Accounting
- University Counseling Center
- Student Health Center
- Student Housing & Residential
- Money Management Center
- Stipend Information
- UMail
- International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Clearance
- The Learning Center
Tuition Benefit Program
Graduate students in the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program receive a tuition waiver from the Tuition Benefit Program. Students are required to remain eligible for this tuition waiver including full-time, matriculated status in good standing and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Please see the link for additional information.
The Tuition Benefit Program periodically sends emails to students with links that need to be followed to approve the tuition waiver.
International Student & Scholar Services Office
Our International Student & Scholar Services office will assist international students with work permit letters to be provided to the Social Security Administration Office. They will also continue to assist with Visa status, Leave of Absence, summer and vacations semesters, etc.
Bldg. 53, Rm 410, 801-581-8876
Visit the Social Security Office (Suite 500, 175 East 400 South, Salt Lake City):
- Please take the following forms to the Social Security Administration Office:
- Completed Social Security Application, Form S-5
- Offer Letter from your Employer
- Work Authorization Letter
- Original I-20
- Passport
U of U Tax Services
Park Building, Room 411
Scholarship/Fellowship Awardees will not receive a W2 or other tax forms. Stipends are reported as income and should be reported on taxes.
Foreign individuals receiving a scholarship/fellowship need to complete the online software GLACIER and/or meet with Tax Services/Payroll Accounting to determine their tax status.
- Documentation required:
- Take I-94
- I-20
- Passport
- S. Social Security Card
International students will need to wait until they receive a tax document (1042S form) from the Tax Services office for income, likely mailed out at the end of February.
Transcript & Verification Division Office
The Transcript & Verification Division Office can provide a variety of letters to verify student information. Frequently student loan deferments require verification of enrollment status.
UCard
After August 7th graduate students should go to the “U” Card Office and get student ID. Ask for a card with “Prox access” or a card reader for building security
- “U” Card Offices:
- Hospital (Rm AC 143C)
- Student Union (Rm 225)
*Please note: Student ID cards and their associated benefits (e.g. public transit) will not be activated until the first day of classes.
Commuter Services
311 South Fort Douglas Boulevard
801-581-6415
Visit the Commuter Services website for information regarding free shuttles, parking permits, and parking locations:
https://commuterservices.utah.edu/index.php
Campus Map: http://map.utah.edu
Free Campus Shuttle: https://commuterservices.utah.edu/campus-shuttle/
The Graduate School
Manages all resources and policies regarding graduate education at the Univerisity of Utah
801-581-7642
Requirements for Doctoral Degrees can be found here:
http://gradschool.utah.edu/graduate-catalog/degree-requirements/
- Dr. Araceli Frias, Assistant Dean for Diversity,
afrias@gradschool.utah.edu, 801-581-6233
Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar handles grades, enrollments, Change of Graduate Classification, Leave of Absence, etc.
801-581-5808
To register for classes, navigate to the University of Utah’s main webpage (www.utah.edu).
- Click on the “cis” icon in the bottom right corner of the page.
- If you are logging in for the first time your pin number is the month, day and year of your birth (e.g. 021668).
Admissions Office
The Office of Admissions handles matriculation of incoming students.
250S Student Services Building
Domestic: 801-581-8761
International: +1 801-581-8761
http://admissions.utah.edu/international/
International Admissions:
- International Admissions office will assist with I-20 and other documentation needed
for transition. Visit their website for additional information and instructions.
- International students will also need to provide International Admissions with marksheets and/or transcripts, and/or diploma
Income Accounting
Income Accounting has information about tuition bill information including record and registration holds.
801-581-7344
University Counseling Center
Provides developmental, preventive and therapeutic services and programs that promote the intellectual, emotional, cultural, and social development of University of Utah students.
801-581-6826
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Student Health Center
Student Health Services 555 Foothill Drive Level 1, Bldg. 685
801-581-6431
http://studenthealth.utah.edu/
All students must provide proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella).
Some international students will also be screened for TB (Tuberculosis).
Visit the Student Health Services to show proof of tests or to get vaccinated.
More information about the Proof of Immunity requiremens can be found here:
http://gradschool.utah.edu/graduate-catalog/proof-of-immunity/
Student Housing & Residential
Housing Options for Graduate Students
https://housingoptions.utah.edu/graduate-housing/
Other Housing Resources
- Off-Campus Housing Search
- KSL classifieds - housing and furniture
Money Management Center
Providing education, guidance, and counseling in all matters of personal finance including taxes.
801-585-7379
Stipend Information
Stipend checks are directly deposited into your U.S. bank account on the 1st of each month.
A voided bank check is needed to set up the direct-deposit set-up.
- If you want to open a UofU Credit Union bank account go to one of the following locations:
- School of Medicine (Bldg. 521), A level
- University Campus Store (Bldg. 67)
- Student Life Center (Bldg. 110)
International Students- Please note that stipends will not be disbursed until you have received your Social Security Card, have met with Tax Services, & have completed all required paperwork.
UMail
Students should get an “@utah.edu” e-mail account on the UofU web site through the CIS student portal. Visit “utah.edu” and follow the CIS link to complete this information.
*Please note: The Program Office as well as the University of Utah faculty and staff will be sending all official emails through your @utah.edu account.
International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Clearance
All graduate students are required to work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for one semester after the first year. Thus, the Bioscience PhD Program requires International Students to participate in the ITA Clearance workshop.
Students will receive more information from Diane Cotsonas (diane.cotsonas@utah.edu, 801-585-6659), the ITA Program Manager. Check University email regularly, including junk mail, to receive ITA Clearance communications.
The Learning Center
The Learning Center strives to empower University of Utah students to succeed in their college career and beyond
https://learningcenter.utah.edu/
Free writing tutoring available for all University of Utah students from the first college level paper through dissertation and publication. See the Writing Center website for more information.
Center for Disability & Access
The Disability Center approves and provides reasonable accomodations for students and strive to create an inclusive, safe and respectful environment.
Students who would like to start the process to request accommodations and become registered with CDA should call 801-581-5020 to set up an intake appointment.
Program Resources
Frequent Forms
- Citizenship Verification Form.pdf
- Direct Deposit Form.pdf
- Encryption.pdf
- Rotation Verification Form.pdf
Bioscience PhD Program Policies and Requirements
- Biological Chemistry Requirements
- Molecular Biology Requirements
- Academic Standards, Honor Code & Scientific Ethics