Graduate Programs Guide
Advising Information
Annual Review
Evaluation Procedures
Safety Training
Grievance Procedures
Transfer Credit
Annual Review
The progress of Ph.D. students is reviewed early in the program of study and on a regular annual basis thereafter. Each year near the beginning of Semester II, the Graduate Committee of the Division of Engineering meets and reviews the academic progress of each of the Division's graduate students. Prior to this Annual Review, the group graduate representatives will solicit input from individual advisors on the status of each continuing student. The result of the Graduate Committee's review will be communicated to each student in writing. The individual research groups may supplement the Annual Review with their own internal procedures (progress seminars, reports, etc.) and students should consult the graduate representative in their group for details. For students with poor performance in coursework or research, the advisor or group graduate representative can at any time request a decision from the graduate committee on whether the student will be allowed to continue. The graduate committee will make a recommendation based on the students transcripts and advisor's report on research progress, if any.
Evaluation Procedures
Each year during the first weeks of Semester II, the Graduate Committee of the Division of Engineering will meet and review the academic progress of each of the Division's graduate students. Particular attention will be paid to Sc.M. candidates for May graduation and to students at all levels experiencing academic difficulties. Prior to the Annual Review, the group graduate representatives will solicit input from individual advisors on the status of each continuing student. The result of the Graduate Committee's review will be communicated to each student in writing. For students with poor performance in coursework, teaching assignments, or research, the advisor or group graduate representative can request a decision from the graduate committee on whether the student will be allowed to continue. The graduate committee will reach a decision based on the students transcripts and advisor's report on research progress, if any. For students who have completed the Preliminary Examination, dismissal will require evidence of chronic poor performance as an R.A., or a prolonged period of insufficient progress toward the thesis. Poor R.A. performance or lack of progress toward the thesis should be documented by a memo written by the advisor and given to the student and Graduate Committee as soon as the situation arises. If the student continues to make poor progress for one semester, a decision on continuation may then be requested from the Graduate Committee. The individual research groups may supplement the Annual Review with their own internal procedures (progress seminars, reports, etc.) and students should consult the graduate representative in their group for details.
Safety Training
Any engineering graduate student who works or plans to work in an engineering laboratory must attend an Office of Risk Management Safety Training Seminar. The Engineering Safety Officer informs all graduate students of the dates and times that these (three hour) seminars are held. Failure to attend one of these seminars can negate a TA or a RA appointment.
Depending upon the nature of the particular research that they become involved with, they might need to attend other safety training (e.g., hazardous waste, laser safety, biosafety, radiation safety, etc.).
Grievance Procedures
The graduate student grievance policies and procedures of the Division of Engineering conform to the general Graduate Student Grievance Procedures of Brown University as outlined in the Faculty Rules and Regulations, a copy of which is available in the Office of Student Affairs. The first step, however, is to inform immediately either the Dean of Engineering or the Director of Graduate Programs of any potential graduate student problem that cannot be resolved without external intervention.
Transfer Credit
Students may be able to obtain transfer credit for courses taken away from Brown. The maximum number of tuition units that may be transferred for the Ph.D. degree is eight, and the maximum residence equivalence that can be granted is one year. The maximum number of courses that may be transferred for the Sc.M. degree is one except in the five-year integrated Sc.B./Sc.M. program, where two courses can be transferred provided they are Brown courses that are not used to fulfill the Sc.B. requirements. Students entering from abroad with advanced degrees should establish Sc.M. equivalency by the end of their first year in residence. Forms for this purpose are available from the Registrar's Office.
