GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK
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Our mission is to train professionals who are prepared to conduct scientific research exploring the physiological, molecular, and behavioral aspects of nutrition and metabolic health, and our faculty are leaders in the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in these areas. Through interdisciplinary education and research, our program prepares students to advance scientific discovery and disseminate the latest findings to the public through professional publications, classroom education, and community outreach.
The broad program goals are the following:- Train research scientists and academic scholars in the fundamentals of translational bioscience, enabling them to translate research findings from bench to bedside.
- Prepare graduates with the skills necessary to assume leadership roles in the professional community.
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PhD prerequisite course requirements are described at https://health.utah.edu/nutrition-integrative-physiology/degrees/phd/prerequisites. Students who are admitted lacking one or more prerequisites must complete them before matriculation. Equivalent courses from accredited institutions are accepted.
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The Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology provides financial support to PhD students through Research Assistant (RA) Assistantships. This position provides a stipend and tuition coverage in exchange for research duties assigned by the department. RAs must meet their responsibilities satisfactorily, as outlined by their supervisor, mentor, or department chair, and in accordance with their program of study.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to receive tuition support. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will have their tuition support reversed at the end of the semester and will be responsible for paying the tuition and any applicable late fees. The tuition schedule published by the graduate school at the University of Utah is available at the following website: https://bursar.utah.edu/tuition-schedules/.
Students on a Research Assistantship (RA) and working on their PhD research are required to work 20 paid hours per week, in addition to their credit hours, to fulfill the program requirement. In summary, the RA work requirements combined with dissertation or independent study credits total approximately 40 hours per week. Students in the PhD program must apply for residency after enrolling and meet the criteria set by the graduate school.
Other financial aid is available on a limited basis from the University and outside organizations. All students are encouraged to apply for outside funding to support graduate studies. For additional information, please consult the University of Utah Graduate School website: http://gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/graduate-fellowship-opportunities/.
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All students are entitled to time off during the University's official holidays. However, students with Teaching and Research Assistantships must check with course instructors and research advisors before planning vacation time. Assistance with grading and/or laboratory procedures may be required during final exam week and possibly other holiday periods. Any vacation time outside the University holiday dates should be approved first by the mentor/chair of the supervisory committee. Please refer to the full academic calendar detailing official University holidays at: http://registrar.utah.edu/academic-calendars/. International students must consult with the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) Office regarding travel policies and signatures, and then obtain approval from the mentor/chair of the supervisory committee. If your travel involves specific academic activities, such as research or conferences, it's always best to consult the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to ensure that your travel aligns with program requirements and any departmental procedures. You may need to seek departmental approval for your absence or any related academic activities, even if it's not a formal "travel approval" from the DGs for visa purposes.
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All program graduates will demonstrate a mastery of key concepts in the following areas: research design, statistical analysis, scientific writing, macronutrient metabolism, and general metabolic physiology. Specific learning outcomes are:
- Demonstrate mastery of key concepts in physiology, nutrition, and metabolism as they relate to health and disease conditions.
- Critically evaluate, integrate, and apply scientific information from the literature and laboratory discoveries to their own research applications.
- Effectively communicate nutrition information using written reports, professional presentations, multimedia approaches, and technical research formats.
- Recognize the value of professional, academic, and scientific ethics.
- Exhibit advanced research skills, including hypothesis testing, experimental design, and technical laboratory skills that are congruent with the in-depth nature of their PhD dissertation research.
- Demonstrate ability to publish manuscripts in well-regarded professional journals.
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Student learning is assessed through instructor feedback on assignments, course grades, and evidence of satisfactory progress in dissertation research. All NUIP 6900, 6910, 6970, 6980, 7850, 7950, 7970, and 7980 courses are graded on a Credit/No Credit basis, and all other courses are graded with a letter grade in accordance with university policy.
Students must maintain a grade of B- or better in all major graduate coursework and at least a C- in non-major courses. To graduate from the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah, a GPA of 3.0 must be maintained, as specified by the graduate school. These GPA criteria apply to coursework; dissertation research credits do not count toward these GPA criteria. Students who do not achieve at least a B- in major department courses or a C- in non-major courses outside the department must repeat those courses and earn the minimum B- or C- to complete the requirements for their graduate degree. Students are allowed to repeat a course only 1 time. The only exception to this rule is when a student has a documented medical event or personal hardship that necessitates withdrawing from the course or taking a leave of absence for the term. An incomplete (I) may or may not be assigned, depending on the exact circumstances, and the student will be allowed to take the course a third time. Students who receive a C+ in a major course may either retake the course at the next opportunity or schedule an oral examination covering the entire course content with a panel consisting of the course instructor and selected tenure-track faculty members. Each panel member will ask questions, with the course instructor asking most of them. The examining committee will evaluate the student’s responses after the session and determine whether the student has demonstrated sufficient competency in the course subject matter. If the examining panel determines that the student understands the subject matter better than their course grade indicates and that their understanding is at least at the B- level or higher, the student will no longer be required to repeat the course. They will be allowed to graduate, provided they fulfill all other program requirements. The grade originally earned in the course will stand and cannot be changed; only the requirement to repeat the course will be waived. Students receiving a C or worse are not eligible to take an oral examination and must repeat the course.
Students are expected to adhere to the University of Utah policies on academic honesty, including, but not limited to, refraining from cheating, plagiarizing, misrepresenting one's work, and/or engaging in inappropriate collaboration. This includes using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools without citation, documentation, or authorization. Students are expected to adhere to the prescribed professional and ethical standards of the profession or discipline for which they are preparing. Any student who engages in academic dishonesty or violates the professional and ethical standards of their profession or discipline may be subject to academic sanctions under the University of Utah’s Student Code: https://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-410.php
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Tracks of Emphasis
Students follow either the Nutrition and Integrative Physiology track or the Molecular Metabolism track (only for Biosciences PhD students), which contains distinct course requirements. All tracks are research-based programs where students are expected to complete a PhD dissertation that is published and contributes to the body of knowledge in their field of study. The PhD program is designed for completion in 3-5 years. Department policy states there is a 7-year time limit on completing the PhD program. In the event of family or personal illness, hardship, or other emergencies, exceptions to this time limit may be granted, but must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee, NUIP Director of Graduate Studies, and Dean of the Graduate School. The student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours to earn the degree, with 22 minimum credit hours from NUIP 7970 Dissertation research. Students should NOT EXCEED 11 credits per semester. Students may modify Program of Study courses with approval from the supervisory committee.
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All PhD students will be required to spend one semester as a TA to gain direct teaching experience with graduate or undergraduate students. Mentoring for the PhD TA will come from either the lead instructor for the course the TA will support or the student's PhD mentor. Duties will be determined through consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies, the student’s interests, the student’s mentor's advice, and the Department's needs. TA responsibilities will be approximately 7-10 hours per week for one semester. PhD students are eligible to enroll in their TA semester after completing their 2nd year of study, passing their Preliminary exam, and having their PhD research proposal approved by their committee.
Possible TA duties include the following:
- Independently teach a section of an undergraduate course under the mentorship of the course lead instructor (for example, NUIP 1020 or NUIP 4440).
- Assist a faculty member in teaching an undergraduate or graduate course; the TA will have some lecture responsibilities.
- Independently run discussion or study sections in support of the department's undergraduate or graduate courses in coordination with the course lead instructor.
- Mentor an undergraduate, a new graduate student, or a new postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory for a semester.
At the end of the TA semester, students will prepare a short summary report addressing the following points and submit it to the PhD mentor and the Director of Graduate Studies:
- Describe your TA’s duties.
- Identify seminars or teaching training attended during the semester.
- Provide examples of learning experiences you had while teaching/mentoring.
- How did the TA experience change your perception of teaching and mentoring?
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Students should follow the suggested timeline to ensure that they meet all graduate school requirements and can graduate in a reasonable amount of time. Students who begin during “off semesters”, such as Spring or Summer, should adjust the dates accordingly.
Year 1: Fall and Spring Semesters:
- Coursework as outlined in the NUIP Graduate Handbook and electives selected in coordination with mentor and Director of Graduate Studies.
Year 2: Fall Semester:
- Continue coursework as outlined in NUIP Graduate Handbook and electives selected in coordination with mentor and Director of Graduate Studies.
- Make your supervisory committee selections in coordination with input from your mentor, complete the Supervisory Committee (SVC) form, and submit it to nutrition@health.utah.edu. The student must acquire a curriculum vitae (CV) for each external faculty member (not employed by the University of Utah) and submit the SVC form for approval. Hold the first committee meeting. Going forward, there should be 1-2 committee meetings per calendar year.
- Fill out the Program of Study (POS) form and turn it into nutrition@health.utah.edu.
Year 2: Spring Semester:
- Continue coursework as outlined in the NUIP Graduate Handbook and electives selected in coordination with mentor and/or supervisory committee.
Year 2: Summer Semester:
- Develop a dissertation proposal in coordination with the mentor and committee.
- Prepare for the preliminary exam.
Year 3: Fall Semester:
- Present dissertation proposal to full supervisory committee. Must be done by October 1.
- Students who enter the PhD program in the Spring semester must complete the preliminary exam by March 1.
- It is recommended to submit a dissertation proposal to an internal or external agency for funding.
- Any repeat of the exam must take place by the end of the Fall Semester.
- Students who enter the PhD program in the Spring semester must complete any repeat of the preliminary exam by the end of the Spring semester.
- Attendance at the NUIP 7850 – Graduate Seminar class is required; however, registration for the course is not necessary after Year 2.
Years 3 - 5:
- Focus on Dissertation research.
- The Teaching Assistant (TA) semester may be completed any time after Year 2.
- Participate in NUIP 7850 – Graduate Seminar as part of their NUIP 7970 Dissertation credits and training. Attendance at the Grad Seminar class is required; however, registration for the course is not necessary after Year 2.
- Completion in Year 4 or 5 is dependent upon satisfactory progress on the research project and submission of manuscripts for publication.
Doctoral students must be enrolled full-time (9 credits) until they have completed all coursework and met the residency requirement (two consecutive semesters of nine hours or more). Graduate students who have completed all coursework and passed the comprehensive exam may enroll in 3 thesis credits to satisfy full-time enrollment requirements. The following course numbers are considered full-time status: 7970-7989.
- The same rules apply to international students. Please refer to: https://isss.utah.edu/f-1-visa/f-1-students/maintaining-status/full-time-enrollment/index.php.
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The course sequence for both the Nutrition & Integrative Physiology PhD and Molecular Metabolism PhD for students in the BioScience Program emphasis is described at https://health.utah.edu/nutrition-integrative-physiology/degrees/phd/curriculum. All NUIP 7850, 7950, 7970, and 7980 courses are graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. If needed, contact the NUIP office to create a section for NUIP 7950, 7970, or 7980 under your mentor.
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The requirements for obtaining a PhD are to:
- Organize a dissertation committee and program of study
- Pass NUIP 7980 Faculty Consultation: Doctoral for Core Competencies
- Pass the Preliminary Exam, consisting of a written proposal and presentation
- Prepare a written dissertation
- Present and defend the dissertation in a public forum in the presence of the student’s committee.
Doctoral students must have a total of 5 committee members. A majority (3 out of 5) of the committee members must be tenure-track and from NUIP (primary or adjunct faculty). Up to 2 members may be from outside of NUIP. External faculty not from NUIP and employed at a different university may be eligible for committee service upon approval from the Graduate School Dean. Fill out the Supervisory Committee (SVC) form on the NUIP website and submit it. A curriculum vitae (CV) must be obtained by the student for each external (not employed by the University of Utah) faculty member, along with a justification letter, and emailed to nutrition@health.utah.edu with the SVC form for approval. Committees should meet with the student at least 1-2 times each calendar year. After the Supervisory Committee is formed and the Program of Study is agreed upon, students should complete the online Program of Study form (POS) and submit it.
The goal of this course is to prepare the student for their Preliminary exam.
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All PhD students must register for Doctoral Research and Core Competencies during the 2nd year of their PhD program. This will be taught under the NUIP 7980 Faculty Consultation: Doctoral.
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Up to 7 learning objectives should be identified for this course, defined by the student’s mentor and committee.
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Learning objectives will reflect the core competencies of the lab and the general dissertation area of the student.
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Course should be 4 credit hours, offered as a Pass/ Fail (Credit / No Credit) format.
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Student and mentor determine course format by choosing between a one-semester, 4 credit hour course taken in Spring, or two consecutive, 2 credit hour courses taken in Fall and Spring.
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If it’s a two-semester sequence, then T grade must be assigned after semester 1.
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A written exam to evaluate mastery of the learning objectives will be used as the primary learning assessment in this course. This written exam must be completed by the end of the semester, during the Finals week. Under special circumstances approved by the committee, the exam may be offered no later than 2 weeks after finals week. A passing grade is required to advance to the proposal-based preliminary exam.
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Exam Schedule and Format:
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Each committee member will assign 3 questions for a total of 15 exam questions. These questions will be essay in nature and test the student’s knowledge of the learning objectives, and the application of knowledge.
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The student will take the exam on Canvas using Lockdown.
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The exam consists of two full-day sessions, each consisting of two 4-hour blocks with a 1-hour break in between. The exam schedule is as follows: On Day 1, students will complete a 4-hour morning session, take a 1-hour break, and then complete a 4-hour afternoon session. On Day 2, the structure remains the same, consisting of a 4-hour morning session, a 1-hour break, and a 4-hour afternoon session. Students are permitted to take a break day between Day 1 and Day 2, if they choose.
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Exam Scoring and Evaluation Guidelines:
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Scoring Scale: Each exam question should be scored on a scale from 1 to 5 (1: Fail; 2: Needs Improvement; 3: Satisfactory; 4: Exceeds Expectations; 5: Outstanding).
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Passing Criteria: A minimum total score of 45 out of 75 is required to pass the exam.
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Makeup Exam Policy: Students who do not pass must retake the exam within 6 weeks of the original exam date.
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Second Failure Consequence: Failure to pass the exam on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the PhD program, and the student’s classification will be changed to the MS track to facilitate graduation the following semester with a non-thesis MS degree.
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Grading and Review Process:
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Committee members are expected to complete the grading of their assigned sections within 10 days of the student completing the exam.
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After grading is finalized, the committee chair will review the results with the student.
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If the student passes, the mentor should update the course record for NUIP 7980 to indicate a grade of “Credit”.
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Pass the Preliminary Exam, consisting of a written proposal and a presentation
The goal of the preliminary, or comprehensive, exam is to determine whether the student is eligible for PhD-level work at the standard set by their committee. Upon passing NUIP 7980, the student is now eligible for their Preliminary Exam. The preliminary exam consists of two parts. i) A written research proposal in F31 format that contains the study aims developed in conjunction with the committee, along with an independent aim developed solely by the student. Note that IRB or IACUC approval is required of all research projects. ii) An oral presentation of the proposal where the student will be tested on proposal aims, core competencies, and any potential deficiencies that were noted in the written exam of NUIP 7980.
Preliminary Exam, Written proposal
Prepared in F31 proposal format and due to the committee at least two weeks prior to the oral exam date. Format is as follows:
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Specific Aims (1-page limit): State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s), including the impact that the results of the proposed research will have on the research field(s) involved. List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed (e.g., to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology).
- Research Strategy (6-page limit + 1-2 extra pages if needed to accommodate the independent aim):
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Significance: Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress that the proposed project addresses. Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in one or more broad fields. Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims are achieved.
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Approach: Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted as well as any resource sharing plans as appropriate. Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims. If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish feasibility and address the management of any high-risk aspects of the proposed work. Point out any procedures, situations, or materials that may be hazardous to personnel and the precautions to be exercised. If research on Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) is proposed, but an approved cell line from the NIH hESC Registry cannot be chosen, provide a strong justification for why an appropriate cell line cannot be chosen from the registry at this time.
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If you have multiple Specific Aims, you may address Significance and Approach either for each Specific Aim individually or for all of the Specific Aims collectively.
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If the student and supervisory committee wish to submit the dissertation proposal to NIH for funding consideration, please refer to the detailed instructions in this link to complete the mentoring plan, training facilities, and other aspects of the full fellowship proposal.
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About page limits, go to this link and scroll to “Fellowship applications.” Look at Specific Aims and Research Strategy. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/format-and-write/page-limits.htm
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Preliminary Exam, Oral presentation of research proposal
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Oral presentation must occur by October 1 during the Fall Semester and should be scheduled for 3 hours.
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The student should prepare a presentation that would normally take 40 minutes to present without interruption. This presentation should summarize and defend the proposal. The reason for the 40-minute target length is that the student should be prepared for numerous interruptions for questions, which will extend the actual time required for delivery of the presentation.
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The exam is a private examination session between the committee members and the student. No other department faculty, staff, or students may attend.
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Any re-do or repeat of the entire exam must be completed by the end of the Fall Semester.
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Prelim exam is graded as follows.
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Pass: The student receives a full pass if the committee feels that they have performed well on all aspects of the exam and are qualified to begin writing their proposal.
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Conditional pass: If a student performs well overall but exhibits a significant deficiency in one area, the committee may require a redo of that particular area.
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Fail: the committee concludes the student was severely deficient in one or more aspects of the exam. The student may repeat the exam, in its entirety, if recommended by the committee, by the end of the semester. If the student fails the second exam, the committee will recommend termination. This recommendation must be approved by the Department Chair, Associate Chair, and Director of Graduate Studies. Any student appeals to termination must follow the standard grievance procedures outlined in the NUIP Graduate Handbook.
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The Doctoral dissertation will consist of first author publications based on the dissertation research completed by the student. Review articles and co-author publications (where the student is not a joint first author) do not count toward this requirement. The final decision regarding the number of publications rests with the student’s Chair and Supervisory Committee. While there is technically no upper limit to the number of publications, Committees should be cognizant of reasonable timelines and expectations as they mentor students through this process and recognize that the PhD should be completed in a 4-6 year time frame. Dissertation articles should surround a singular research theme. Each article in the doctoral dissertation is written up as an empirical article in a format that would be suitable for submission to an appropriate journal in the field of study. The final dissertation should be composed of publications in print, those under review, and manuscripts in final preparation. In general, each manuscript should contain an abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and references. Additional information, such as supplemental figures, methodological details, supplemental tables, or statistical details, can be provided as support documents.
Final dissertation format
Students should prepare a general introduction that lays the background and general aims for the studies they completed, then include the individual manuscripts as chapters, followed by a conclusion section that cohesively ties the individual chapters in a thematic conclusion. Students should consult with the Thesis Editor to make certain that the formatting of the final document complies with university regulations. See the graduate school website on theses and dissertations for more information. The template for the dissertation format can be found here.
The final examination for doctoral candidates is the oral defense of their written dissertation. Students must have approval from the supervisory committee prior to scheduling a defense date. The dissertation defense is a public presentation and should be advertised to the Department and College at large. The dissertation oral defense is a seminar format consisting of a 45-50 minute presentation period followed by questions from the audience. Following the question period from the audience, the committee will hold a private question session to further examine the student’s dissertation. The supervisory committee grades the exam on a pass/fail basis. Following successful completion of the dissertation defense, the chair of the supervisory committee signs the Report of the Comprehensive Examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
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It is strongly encouraged that all students discuss these points with their mentors early in the first semester of study, so that there are clear expectations of responsibilities and issues can be addressed during their time at the University of Utah.
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Time Commitment
Students should be aware of the work expectations as outlined in the graduate handbook.
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Compensation
What is the length and duration of the stipend offered?
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Preferred Modes and Style of Communication
How do the student and mentor prefer to communicate (e.g., email, phone, text), and with what frequency? What are the preferred forms of address, and what degree of formality in language is preferred? Who will the student be interacting with or reporting to on a day-to-day basis?
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Meetings
How often will the student and mentor meet, and who is responsible for setting the agenda? What are the expectations of the student with respect to attendance at research meetings, colloquia, and other events? Are there specific lab or research group meetings to attend?
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Performance Evaluation and Outcome Assessment
What is expected of the student in terms of specific work products or outcomes? How will the student’s development as a professional be evaluated? How will this evaluation be communicated to the student, and with what frequency?
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Mentor Conflict of Interest
Is there a financial conflict of interest, as determined by the University of Utah Conflict of Interest Office and Committee, for any projects that the mentor assigns the student to work on? If so, the mentor should disclose the conflict of interest to the student prior to the start of the project. Visit https://coi.utah.edu for more information about the university's policies on conflict of interest.
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Certifications/Training
Are any certifications required before the student can participate in the research? What is the plan for securing any required certifications? These might include training in lab safety, responsible conduct of research, human subjects protections, HIPAA certification, etc.
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Mentorship
Will the mentor be readily available to guide and assist the student with writing proposal, grant applications, manuscripts, training opportunities, etc.?
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Rules and Procedures
Where can the student learn about the rules and procedures associated with the research? What should the student do in case of an emergency associated with the research? What is considered an emergency in the context of the research? What should the student do if they make a mistake?
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Authorship
For publications (manuscripts and meeting abstracts), how will authorship for the work be determined? Are there any restrictions on the release of information that should guide the student’s communication about the research (e.g., in the case of patents or other sensitive information)?
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Continuous Registration
All students must maintain continuous registration
- Doctoral students must be enrolled full-time (9 credits) until they have completed all coursework and passed the comprehensive exam. Graduate students who have completed all coursework and have met the residency requirements of two consecutive semesters of nine hours or more, and are in the dissertation phase of their program, may enroll in 3 thesis credits to satisfy full-time enrollment requirements. The course must be either In-Person or Hybrid to meet in-person credit requirements. The following course numbers are considered full-time status: 6970-6989 or 7970-7989.
- International students must follow the ISSS office credit requirement to be considered full-time: https://isss.utah.edu/f-1-visa-program/maintaining-status/full-time-enrollment/index.php.
- Students must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester
- Registration during the Summer semester is required for all graduate students. A minimum of 1 credit hour of NUIP 7970 (1-12 credit hours possible for PhD students), or NUIP 7950 Independent Study (1-12 credits possible for all graduate students).
- Students in RA positions are required to take at least 3 credits during the Summer to maintain FICA tax exemption.
- For students with Student Health Insurance, they must take at least 3 credits in the semester they apply for insurance, then maintain graduate school continuous registration requirements for the next two semesters. For example, apply for health insurance during the Fall term while taking at least 3 credits, then maintain graduate school continuous registration requirements for the Spring and Summer terms.
- Students who do not maintain continuous registration will be required to reapply to the University
- Please note that students who have completed all classes and are defending their dissertation in the Summer must sign up for at least one credit hour of dissertation for PhD students.
Continuing Registration using Course NUIP 7990
A doctoral student may register for Continuing Registration (course number NUIP 7990) if the candidate is only writing or revising their dissertation, but is not using faculty time or University facilities, except for the library. Course number 7990 is limited to a maximum of four semesters with no exceptions. After reaching the limit of four semesters, students must enroll for 7970 (number of credits to be determined by the department) during the semester of their defense. Continuing Registration (course number 7990) cannot be used for verification of half- or full-time enrollment in order to qualify for deferment of student loan repayments or to receive student loan funds. The department class number for 7990 changes each semester and is available to students only through the department’s graduate advisor. There is a limit of four semesters for the use of 7990.
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The University allows students to transfer a total of 6 graduate credits from another University. Transfer credits must meet the following:
- A grade of “B” or higher must have been earned in the transferred course(s)
- Credits must have been earned at an accredited college or university, as determined by the University
- The transferred credits must have been earned in the equivalent of a 5000-level course or higher at the University of Utah
- The student’s supervisory committee must approve of all the transferred courses
Eligible Course Numbers
- All courses counted toward graduate degrees at the University must be at the 6000-level or higher
- Courses taken below the 6000-level may be taken and may be required if deficiencies must be met
- 5000-level courses may be applied toward the degree upon supervisory committee approval
- Courses below the 5000-level may not be applied toward graduation
- Courses below the 5000-level will not be paid by the tuition benefit program
Credits for Dissertation Research
- Must register for a minimum of 22 credit hours of NUIP 7970 Dissertation Research
- There is no maximum number of NUIP 7970 that may be applied toward graduation
- When NUIP 7970 is taken alone, without any other courses, the tuition for these courses is charged at the in-state rate
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- All doctoral students must have two back-to-back semesters of 9 credit hours of registration to demonstrate residency in Utah
- Any graduate student who has completed 40 credit hours at the University should apply for residency in the State of Utah (most applicable to doctoral students)
- Applications for residency must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office and supported by evidence of living in Utah, such as
- Utah driver’s license, utility bills with Utah address, Utah car registration, Utah bank account, etc.
Time Limit
- The time limit for completing the PhD is seven consecutive calendar years from the date of matriculation into the program. Note that the Tuition benefit does not follow the same time limit as for completion of a PhD In general, there are 10 semesters of Tuition benefit for PhD students with a Bachelor’s degree. Please see the following site and scroll down to “Restrictions” to view the details on the Tuition Benefit program restrictions.
https://gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/tuition-benefit-program-guidelines/
Graduation Registration and Forms
The semester prior to a student’s anticipated graduation, he or she must submit a Candidacy form. These are due at the beginning of November (Spring graduation), March (Summer), and June (Fall). IRB approval, exemption, or IACUC approval must be included with this form. All graduate students are required to complete the Graduate School forms that demonstrate progress through the academic program. These forms vary by degree, so make sure the PhD forms are obtained.
Please note the following information:
- Forms require signatures from the supervisory committee
- Forms sometimes require the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies
- Forms must be submitted to the Graduate School on a specific timeline in order to ensure graduation by a certain date
- Students can contact the registrar for questions: registrar@utah.edu
- Information and forms regarding graduation can be found at: http://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/graduategraduation.php
Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC)
All graduate students are members of the Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC) and are encouraged to participate. The GSAC provides input and advice to the faculty on several levels. This committee:
- Evaluate faculty for tenure and/or promotion consideration
- Part of the planning committee for the NUIP Spring Banquet (held at the end of the Spring semester)
- May assist with graduate student orientation (at the beginning of the Fall semester)
- Assists with social functions of the graduate program
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Attendance / Injury / Illness / Medical Leave Policy/ Leave of Absence
The University expects regular attendance at all class sessions. Students are responsible for satisfying the entire range of academic objectives and requirements as defined by their instructors. The university and department calendar allows students a healthy number of vacation or holiday days during the course of the year. Absences are only permitted for illness, injury, or in the event of a death within the student’s immediate family. If an illness or injury occurs for more than two consecutive days, the instructor/supervisor has the right to request a physician’s excuse. Students who have a TA or RA position are required to be present for the full semester, including the grading period, or until all their responsibilities have been satisfactorily discharged as determined by their supervisor. If there is a medical event that requires the student to take a leave of absence, this should be coordinated between the student, mentor, and Director of Graduate Studies. If a leave of absence is taken, the student would be required to forgo any TA or RA duties that were previously scheduled for upcoming semesters while the student plans on being away. However, every effort would be made to reinstate the student in their previous duties upon their return.
Parental Leave policy
The following is the College of Health policy in place to govern requested leave by students for parental responsibilities. The purpose of this policy is to provide Department Chairs and Directors of Graduate Studies with guidelines regarding support for graduate students, paid Teaching Assistants, and paid Research Assistants when they are requesting parental leave for family responsibilities. The College has a collective commitment to fostering a family-friendly environment for its students with policies that support families. This policy applies to all pregnant and parenting persons, regardless of sex/gender, gender identity, or gender expression, as long as the caregiver is providing the majority of the care for the child, and applies to the birth or adoption of a child. This policy seeks to support graduate students if they choose to expand their families and continue participation in their education.
During Pregnancy/Immediately Following Childbirth
The College follows all federal, state, and University anti-discrimination laws and policies. Therefore, it explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy status. The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO; https://oeo.utah.edu/) oversees the University’s adherence to Title IX. The OEO is responsible for granting accommodations for pregnancy and parenting based on medical needs in accordance with federal law. Students who need accommodations during pregnancy or as a result of the childbirth process should contact the OEO directly. The role of the faculty is not to determine appropriate accommodations, but rather to refer students to the OEO.
This link describes pregnancy accommodations.
The following is a link to the form requesting accommodations.
Caregiving after Childbirth or Adoption
Graduate students seeking time off from classes for caregiving and bonding with a new child can request a leave of absence through the Graduate School. There are options for both paid (up to 8 weeks) and unpaid leave. Students may take up to one year (unpaid) of leave from classes. A leave of absence request does not need to be completed for Summer terms. The link to the procedures and form for requesting a leave of absence is: https://registrar.utah.edu/_resources/documents/pdf/graduate-leave-absence.pdf.
If a student wishes to take leave starting in the middle of a regular semester (Fall or Spring), grades of Incomplete (“I”) may be possible if the student has completed 80% of the work (per University policy). If the student has not completed 80% of the work, they will need to withdraw from classes, complete the request form, and obtain the necessary signatures. The student needs to bear in mind the potential ramifications of withdrawing in terms of financial aid, health insurance, etc. If a student has health insurance during the semester in which eligibility requirements were met, the policy would be in effect until it expires. After that point, the student has the option to enroll in the Continuation Plan. The Enrollment form is located at www.uhcrs.com/utah.
Leave of Absence
A student on a leave of absence is not eligible for University assistantship or fellowship funding during the leave. However, if a student is receiving a University assistantship or fellowship, a leave of absence shall not jeopardize their position, provided that the original funding mechanism is still viable at the time of their return. The leave of absence form is here.
Additional arrangements can be negotiated between the Department Chair and the student. Such arrangements might include, but are not limited to, reduced work schedules, extended deadlines, or extended eligibility clocks. Departments may also compensate a student on an assistantship while releasing them from work responsibilities for up to one semester (recognizing that the student must maintain full-time enrollment during this time in order to be eligible for the assistantship).
If a student is receiving an assistantship funded by a grant, a leave of absence may result in termination of that position, depending on the specifics of the internal or external grant that is funding the student. Students who are funded by grants external to the University of Utah must follow the rules of the granting agency with respect to absences from academic and research work. Similarly, students who are funded by Fellowships must follow the sponsoring organization’s guidelines.
The student requesting such arrangements must first submit a written request to their Department Chair. Discussions between the Department Chair and the student must occur and must result in a document with the following components:
- Attestation by the student that they will be providing the majority of the care for the child during regular working hours;
- Conditions and arrangements to be met and made;
- Dates covered by the agreement; and
- Signatures of both parties.
If a student is dissatisfied with the arrangements or cannot reach an agreement with the Department Chair, they may appeal to the Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs within the College. If the student feels that they have been discriminated against, the student may contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action: http://oeo.utah.edu.
Academic Retention and Remediation Procedures
Once admitted to the program on matriculation status, candidates for the PhD degree must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all graduate coursework. Students with a GPA below 3.0 are no longer eligible for tuition waiver benefits. In the event that a student drops below the required GPA, the Program Director will inform the student in writing that he or she has been placed on academic probation and is expected to meet GPA requirements within the next academic semester or 9 graduate credit hours. Copies of this letter will be placed in the students’ academic file and sent to the Department Chairperson and the student’s major advisor. In the event the GPA problem is not rectified within the next academic semester or 9 graduate credit hours, the case will be referred to the Director’s Committee. The Committee will review the case and recommend action. During the review process, the student and major advisor will be allowed to present their case. The Department Chairperson will inform the student in writing of the final decision.
General graduate school policies and regulations
All graduate students should read carefully the regulations set forth in the Bulletin of the University of Utah (http://gradschool.utah.edu/graduate-catalog/). Students have the responsibility to understand and follow these regulations and to meet all required dates and deadlines.
Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination
The Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology follows the equal opportunity and nondiscrimination practices in the selection and management of students. This policy is outlined in the General Policy Statement contained in the Regulations Manual of the University of Utah 5-106.
- The University of Utah is an "Equal Opportunity Employer," and is fully committed to the principle of nondiscrimination in all employment-related practices and decisions, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, supervision, promotion, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other practices and decisions affecting university employment status, rights, and privileges.
- University executive, administrative, academic, and supervisory officers exercising Employee management responsibilities are required to take vigorous and appropriate action to ensure that all employment-related practices and decisions are made without discrimination, harassment, or prejudicial treatment because of race/ ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability or protected veteran's status.
Access and Confidentiality of Student Records
Access to one's own official records and files is guaranteed to every student. Students’ academic records are maintained in the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology. The privacy and confidentiality of student records shall be presumed as outlined in policy 6-400 in the Regulations Manual of the University of Utah (see also the FERPA Regulations located at the end of this document).
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Students are encouraged to discuss alternatives to withdrawal from the program with the Director of Graduate Studies or Department Chair prior to making a final decision. Matriculated students requiring withdrawal from the program must complete a Recommendation for Change of Graduate Classification form located at http://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/graduateclassification.php. This form, along with a cover letter from the student, must be presented to the Program Director and Department Chairperson for approval.
The completed approved form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than one week before the first day of the term the change is to be effective. If not submitted on time, the change will not be effective until the next semester. Refund of tuition and fees follows the University of Utah’s Refund Policies located at http://fbs.admin.utah.edu/income/tuitioninfo/rp/.
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Students who feel they have been treated unfairly concerning any matter that involves the program, coursework, or research have the opportunity to appeal the matter. Students must first make attempts to settle the matter with the instructor of the course or mentor. If the grievance is not resolved, the following describes the channels through which the student should address the grievance.
Procedure: Grievance Concerning Course Work
If the grievance pertains to coursework, the student should first discuss the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the instructor, the student should take the matter up with the Department Chairperson. The matter should be resolved at this point. Students who do not agree with the decision of the Department Chairperson can appeal to a Grievance Committee for a ruling.
Procedure: Grievance Committee
A Grievance Committee will be convened, consisting of one student, the Director of Graduate Studies, two outside faculty members, and the Department Chairperson. No Grievance Committee member can be personally involved in the grievance procedure. The procedure for submitting a grievance to the Grievance Committee is as follows:
- The student must submit in writing to the Grievance Committee a letter indicating the nature of the grievance and the disciplinary measures taken.
- The letter will be circulated among the members of the Grievance Committee, and a formal meeting will be held within two weeks of the grievance filing. The student should be present at the onset of the meeting to present the grievance verbally.
- The Grievance Committee will meet privately to review the matter. A decision will be made at that time, and the student will be informed in writing of the decision of the Committee.
- Students who do not accept the decision of the Committee will have the opportunity to submit the grievance to the Dean of the College of Health in the presence of at least one member of the Grievance Committee. The Dean will hear the student's petition verbally. The Dean will notify the student in writing of the decision regarding the grievance.
- If the grievance is not resolved upon recommendation of the Dean, the student has the prerogative to pursue further action through the Student Behavior Committee of the University of Utah. Procedures are outlined in the Regulations Manual of the University of Utah 6-400.
Disciplinary Action / Termination
Procedures outlined in the University of Utah Regulations Manual 6-400 Section IV, also known as the student code, govern the disciplinary action and termination process so as to achieve the least adverse action upon the student. Procedures relating to disciplinary action against a student shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Grievance Committee. Termination from the program will be used sparingly and only for serious violations of misconduct.
Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to:
- Use of drugs or alcohol such that program work is hindered
- Conviction of a felony
- Unprofessional behavior toward any student, faculty, staff, patient, client, external collaborator, or family member
- Theft or falsifying research data
- Plagiarism
- Cheating on coursework and/or examinations
- Any other misconduct that the Committee feels warrants dismissal
Students have the right to appeal the decision of the Committee. The student can present the case before the Dean and one Grievance Committee representative. Confidentiality will be maintained in handling all types of misconduct and sanctions concerning the student.
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Safety and Wellness
Your safety is our top priority. In an emergency, dial 911 or seek a nearby emergency phone (throughout campus). Report any crimes or suspicious people to 801-585-COPS; this number will get you to a dispatch officer at the University of Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS; dps.utah.edu). If at any time, you would like to be escorted by a security officer to or from areas on campus, DPS will help — just give a call.
The University of Utah seeks to provide a safe and healthy experience for students, employees, and others who make use of campus facilities. In support for this goal, the University has established confidential resources and support services that assist students who may have been affected by harassment, abusive relationships, or sexual misconduct. A detailed listing of University Resources for campus safety can be found at https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/campus-safety-resources/.
Your well-being is key to your personal safety. If you are in crisis, call 801-587-3000; help is close.
The university has additional excellent resources to promote emotional and physical wellness, including the Counseling Center (https://counselingcenter.utah.edu), the Wellness Center (https://wellness.utah.edu/), Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy: https://advocate.wellness.utah.edu, and the Center for Student Access and Resources (https://studentresources.utah.edu/). We support student success and well-being through scholarships, personalized one-on-one support, community engagement and skill-building, and support navigating higher education systems.
Health Insurance
Students are strongly encouraged to enroll themselves and their families in a health insurance plan. The group health insurance plan offered by the University includes accident coverage, and enrollment information is received by mail. An enrollment card can be picked up at the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building. Please see the subsidized Health Insurance program for those students on 100% tuition benefit.
All students must have an established university email (UMail) account before the first week of school. To set up the account, visit https://it.utah.edu/help/resources/it_guides/new_student_guide.php. For assistance, students may also contact the Campus Help Desk at (801) 581-4000, option #1. The email address for each student is your uNID@utah.edu. Once the university email has been established, please create an email alias that follows a firstname.lastname@utah.edu format. This account and your department mailboxes (room HPER North 224) are the primary means of communicating with you during your graduate career. Communication by email enhances access to faculty members and the University's policy and procedures. Important notices to graduate students will be sent via email. Check email messages daily and department mailboxes often.
All students have access to UMail, a free university email account on the Microsoft 365 (M365) platform. UMail is one of the primary ways the university contacts students and shares official information.
To log in:
- Go to www.umail.utah.edu
- Sign in with your uNID@umail.utah.edu email address and your uNID password
- You may be prompted to verify your identity with Duo 2FA
You can also set up UMail with a mobile or desktop email client. We recommend that you create an email alias with the format firstname.lastname@utah.edu.
Graduate students are encouraged to consult frequently with all members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and with other graduate students with respect to coursework, additional reading, and research. By doing so, expertise may be developed beyond that provided solely by formal course studies. This expertise is helpful in preparing for the dissertation seminar and may be of significant value in your future career.
The NUIP Graduate Student Lounge, previously known as the Nutrition Clinic, is in HPER West 108, and the Experimental Foods Laboratory is in HPER North 227. Many faculty investigators also have their own laboratories located in the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics or the Veterans Administration Hospital on Foothill Drive. Students should consult the appropriate Laboratory Director about the time, space, rules, and regulations of the laboratory.
TA and RA General Tuition Benefit Program Guidelines
Graduate School Tuition Benefits and relevant deadlines can be found here: https://gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/tuition-benefit-program-guidelines.
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FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Students have specific, protected rights regarding the release of such records, and FERPA requires that institutions adhere strictly to these guidelines.
FERPA provides students with the following rights regarding educational records:
- The right to access educational records kept by the school.
- The right to demand educational records be disclosed only with student consent.
- The right to amend educational records.
- The right to file complaints against the school for disclosing educational records in violation of FERPA.
Students have a right to know about the purpose, content, and location of information kept as a part of their educational records. They also have a right to expect that information in their academic records will be kept confidential unless they give permission to the school to disclose such information. Therefore, it is important to understand how educational records are defined under FERPA.
FERPA defines educational records as:
Records that directly relate to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency or institution, or by a party acting for the agency or institution. Such records may include:
- Written documents, including student advising folders.
- Computer media.
- Microfilm and microfiche.
- Video, audio tapes, or compact discs.
- Film.
- Photographs.
Any record containing personally identifiable information directly related to the student is an educational record under FERPA. This information can also include records kept by the school in the form of student files, student system databases saved in storage devices such as servers, or recordings or broadcasts, which may include student projects.
Records Not Considered as Educational Records
The following items are not considered educational records under FERPA:
- Private notes of individual staff or faculty not kept in student advising folders.
- Campus police records.
- Medical records.
- Statistical data compilations that contain no mention of personally identifiable information about any specific student.
Faculty notes, data compilation, and administrative records kept exclusively by the maker of the records that are not accessible or revealed to anyone else are not considered educational records and, therefore, fall outside the FERPA disclosure guidelines. However, these records may be protected under other state or federal laws, such as the doctor/patient privilege.
Types of Educational Records
The two types of educational records defined under FERPA have different disclosure protections. Therefore, it is important to know the type of educational record being considered for disclosure.
Directory Information
Certain information in a student’s educational record is defined as directory information under FERPA. Under a strict reading of FERPA, the school may disclose this type of information without the written consent of the student. However, a student may exercise the option to restrict the release of directory information by submitting a formal request to the school to limit disclosure. Directory information may include:
- Name.
- Address.
- Phone number and email address.
- Dates of attendance.
- Degree(s) awarded.
- Enrollment status.
- Major field of study.
Though FERPA does not specifically require it, institutions should always disclose to the student that such information is considered by the school to be directory information and, as such, may be disclosed to a third party upon request. Institutions should err on the side of caution and request, in writing, that the student allow the school to disclose directory information to third parties.
Non-directory Information
Non-directory information is any educational record that is not considered directory information. Non-directory information must not be released to anyone, including the student’s parents, without the student’s prior written consent. Further, faculty and staff may access non-directory information only if they have a legitimate academic need. Non-directory information may include:
- Social Security Numbers.
- University Identification Number.
- Race, ethnicity, and/or nationality.
- Gender.
- Transcripts and grade reports.
Transcripts are non-directory information and, therefore, are protected educational records under FERPA. Students have a right to privacy regarding transcripts held by the school where third parties seek transcript copies.
Prior Written Consent
In general, a student’s prior written consent is always required before institutions can legitimately disclose non-directory information. Prior written consent must include the following elements:
- Specify the records to be disclosed.
- State the purpose of the disclosure.
- Identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure will be made.
- The date.
- Signature of the student whose record is to be disclosed.
- Signature of the custodian of the educational record.
Prior written consent is not required when disclosure is made directly to the student or other school officials within the same institution, where there is a legitimate educational interest. A legitimate educational interest may include enrollment or transfer matters, financial aid issues, or information requested by regional accrediting organizations.
Institutions do not need prior written consent to disclose non-directory information where the health and safety of the student are at issue when complying with a judicial order or subpoena, or where, as a result of a crime of violence, a disciplinary hearing was conducted by the school, a final decision was recorded, and the alleged victim seeks disclosure. For institutions to be able to disseminate non-directory information in these instances, FERPA requires that institutions annually publish the policies and procedures that the institutions follow in order to meet FERPA guidelines.
FERPA has strict guidelines regarding disclosing the educational records of dependent students. Though FERPA allows such disclosure, the act mandates that the institution first publish clearly delineated policies and procedures for the disclosure of these records. The institution must publish these guidelines annually in a format that is easily accessible to interested parties. Both the dependent student and parents sign written disclosure agreements stating, at minimum, the following:
- The dependent student understands and allows parental access to these educational records.
- The dependent student and their parents have been given a copy of the institution’s policies and procedures for the disclosure of students' records.
Contact the Office of the Registrar at 801-581-5808 or visit the link below for additional information: https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/ferpa.php.