The UCSF Graduate Division encompasses all graduate academic degree programs and all graduate students in the four schools. The Dean of Graduate Studies, Patricia Calarco, has the responsibility for the administration of graduate degree programs and is the institutional official responsible for the administration of Division affairs in accordance with academic policies established by the Academic Senate and the Graduate Council. The office of the Dean of Graduate Studies also has administrative responsibility for the appointment of postdoctoral scholars, the academic review of graduate programs, and dispute resolution involving graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The Graduate Division Office is located at the Mission Bay Campus in the William J. Rutter Center, CC-310.
UCSF Graduate Division produces leaders in the biomedical sciences who advance worldwide health through:
The Graduate Division processes and maintains graduate student applications, ensures that University and Academic Senate policies are followed, and advises and provides information to prospective students regarding UCSF graduate programs and campus admission requirements.
Student petitions, requests for leaves of absence, applications for admission to qualifying examination and advancement to candidacy are reviewed and approved. Student academic progression is monitored; thesis and dissertations are reviewed and accepted for Library archiving; and, completion of degree requirements is certified.
University, extramural, and endowment fellowships are managed and awarded in collaboration with the Graduate Council Committee on Fellowships. Oversight of Graduate Research Assistants (GSRs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), and other student academic titles; Research Awards and Student Travel Funds are managed and awarded.
The Graduate Division develops and implements programs designed to enroll, retain, and graduate a diverse student body.
The Graduate Division administers policies and programs regarding postdoc appointments. Additional information is located on the Postdoctoral Scholars web page.
The Graduate Division coordinates an annual commencement, new student and postdoctoral scholar orientations, and also works with the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) and the Postdoctoral Scholar Association (PSA) in sponsoring a number of events. These include the Practice of Science Seminar, Biotech Industry Day, Career Fairs, and "Celebrate UCSF."
It is the policy of the Graduate Division, the Graduate Council, and the University of California* that it is inappropriate for a faculty member to inquire about students' marital status, parental status, or intent to have children. A faculty member may not use such information as a factor when deciding to act as a thesis advisor or research supervisor for a particular student. Nor may such information be used in decisions affecting student progress including, but not limited to, project selection, meeting participation, choice of research setting, advancement to candidacy, or award of degree. Faculty members and students who observe or personally encounter such discrimination are encouraged, when feasible, to undertake collegial efforts to address the situation. Assistance can be sought or reports can be made through: please check these numbers and headings Office of the Graduate Dean 476-2310 The Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Diversity 476-5752 Office of Sexual Harassment Prevention & Resolution 476-5186 Faculty and Staff Assistance 476-8279 Dean’s Office: School of Dentistry 476-1323 School of Medicine 476-2342 School of Nursing 476-4544 School of Pharmacy 476-1225 Graduate Students’ Association 476-2233 * The policy described above is based on an excerpt from the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS). The University is committed to a policy against legally impermissible, arbitrary, or unreasonable discriminatory practices. All groups operating under the authority of The Regents, including administration, faculty, student governments, University-owned residence halls, and programs sponsored by the University or any campus, are governed by this policy of nondiscrimination. The intent of the University's policy on nondiscrimination is to reflect fully the spirit of the law. In carrying out this Policy, the University also shall be sensitive to the existence of past and continuing societal discrimination. {PACAOS Part A.20.00.}
The Graduate Division is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the conduct of research in a manner that conforms to the highest ethical principles and that leads to scientific advances of the highest quality. Regulations concerning the ethical implications of both animal and human subjects research can be found through the Office of Research http://www.research.ucsf.edu/. The following link summarizes Graduate Division policy concerning ethical conduct in research: http://policies.ucsf.edu/100/10029.htm
The Graduate Council is a standing committee of the San Francisco Division of the Academic Senate. The Council has overall responsibility for graduate academic matters and postdoctoral scholar appointments and processes. Ten members of the faculty, selected to reflect the departments and groups that offer graduate degrees, are appointed by the Senate to serve on the Council. The Dean of Graduate Studies serves ex-officio. An officer chosen by the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and a representative of the Postdoctoral Scholar Association serve as non-voting representatives. The council meets regularly to discuss matters which affect graduate education and to set policy concerning academic and postdoctoral affairs. The Graduate Council sets policies and standards for admission to graduate status; establishes policies related to graduate degrees; approves changes in degree requirements; establishes procedural rules; and approves all graduate degree programs in accordance with the regulations of the Academic Senate. Its Sub-committee on Fellowships reviews faculty recommendations for University fellowships and makes recommendations to the Dean concerning awards.