POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR GEOLOGY GRADUATE

AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

OCTOBER 2005

Policy and Guidelines for Geology Graduate and Undergraduate Students at Baylor University

The following information is intended to make your educational experiences at Baylor University more rewarding and hassle-free. Please read this information carefully: 1) for questions concerning undergraduate policies, see Dr. Rena Bonem (Rena_Bonem@baylor.edu), Undergraduate Program Director and Advisor, 2) for questions concerning graduate policies, see Dr. Stacy Atchley (Stacy_Atchley@baylor.edu), Graduate Program Director, 3) for specific questions about your thesis or dissertation project, see your thesis/dissertation advisor, 4) and for general questions, see the Geology staff (Paulette_Penney@baylor.edu, Jamie_Ruth@baylor.edu) or the Geology Department Chair (Steven_Driese@baylor.edu). Please refer to the University Catalogs and the Baylor University Handbook (all located on the Baylor Web Site) for a more complete list of rules and policies; these are for clarification.

CONTENTS I. Financial Aid

II. Graduate Student Policies III. Proposal Rules IV. Thesis Requirements for B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Students V. Specific Requirements for Ph.D. Candidates VI. Use of Equipment and Facilities VII. Enforcement

VIII. Appendix A. Previous Course Work Summary for Graduates

B. Ph.D. Advisement C. Guidelines for Printing Ph.D. Dissertations D. Ph.D. Paper Approval Form

E. Rules for Vehicle Use F. Authorization for Use of Departmental Vehicles G. Check List for Vehicle Maintenance

Financial Aid

I. Financial Aid 1. Students receiving hourly wages (including Graduate Teaching Assistants) must submit a

record of hours worked on the Baylor University “Web for Employees” Time Sheet in order to get paid.

2. Graduate financial assistance is normally limited to two (2) academic years for M.S. students and up to four (4) academic years for Ph.D. students holding an M.S. degree, based on the student making satisfactory progress towards the degree and indicators that associated teaching responsibilities are being fulfilled as well (see sections IX and X). Students bypassing the M.S. and going directly from the B.S. to the Ph.D. program may receive up to five (5) years of support (based on the student making satisfactory progress towards the degree (see sections IV and V). Tuition funding for thesis hours is limited to six hours for M.S. and 12 hours for dissertators.

3. Students seeking financial support from the Department for presenting papers at professional meetings are required to petition the Faculty for approval of support. Forms are available in the Departmental Office and on the Geology Web Site (http://www.baylor.edu/Geology/).

4. Students applying for financial support for theses or dissertations MUST apply to outside sources first. Deadlines for support requests are Sept. 15th and March 15th. Forms are available for petitioning the Department on the Geology Web Site (http://www.baylor.edu/Geology/), and are also in the Departmental Office (same form for both items 3 and 4).

5. Forms are also available (in the Departmental Office) to petition for funding for summer field courses. Funding is work-based (students are required to work at an hourly rate established by the Department), but are not required to apply for outside funding.

Graduate Student Policies

II. Graduate Student Policies 1. Graduate Students entering the M.S. or Ph.D. Programs may be required by their Advisory

Committees to make up some deficiencies of core B.S. degree courses during their graduate program. These are not covered by graduate tuition remission. Each graduate student is appointed an Advisory Committee, based on his or her area of interest, for purposes of initial course planning and registration, by the Graduate Program Director (GPD), in consultation with the Department Chair.

2. Incoming graduate students will fill out a concise record of geology courses already completed, attach this to a transcript, and place it in their file. (See Appendix for Graduate Student Course Evaluation Form) This record of courses taken will be used by the Advisory Committee to determine deficiencies and curriculum needs for the individual student. On Advisement Day, all students will meet with their committee to determine course work for at least the first two semesters and to prepare a projected program for completion of the degree. After the first meeting with the Advisement Committee, advisement for subsequent semesters will not necessitate the full committee's attendance UNLESS there is a deviation from the previous plan. The faculty will select a day for advisement during pre-registration. Students who miss the pre-registration advisement day must then wait until the scheduled University Advisement Day, at the beginning of the semester. The graduate course evaluation form requires committee approval and must be signed by the student and the thesis adviser OR committee chairman. A copy should be filed in the departmental files.

3. All Ph.D. students must take Geology 5V90 (511X) 1-hour Seminar on Grant-Proposal-Writing (see section V).

4. All graduate students must take Geology 5050 for a minimum of 4 semesters (six semesters for Ph.D. students) while they are in residence. Graduate students are required to enroll in Geology 5050 while they are on graduate teaching assistant (GTA) support. This course will provide a forum for: (a) outside speakers, (b) presentation of student research, (c) discussion of current geologic and geophysical literature, and (d) guidance in thesis preparation. A different professor will coordinate the sessions each semester. Regular attendance is required. The course will run for approximately 15 weeks and will be completed at least one week before final exams.

5. Up to 6 hours of special problems (5V90) can normally be credited toward the 30 hour requirement for the M.S. degree.

6. The M.S. degree requires that at least 12 hours of the required 24 hours of course work be 5000-level courses (excluding thesis, 5V99).

7. Graduate students on GTA or GRA support are assigned office space by the Administrative Assistant, in consultation with the Geology Chair.

Thesis Proposal Guidelines

III. Thesis Proposal Guidelines

1. Special problem courses (Geography/Geology 4V90 and 5V90), Internships in Geography (Geog 3395) and Field Geography Courses (Geog 4350) must be approved by the Department. The student must propose during the semester that they will be taking the special problem course using the Proposal Form on the Geology Web Site (http://www.baylor.edu/Geology/). The Geology Chair’s signature is required along with that of the advising Faculty. Thesis and dissertation proposals do not have to be presented before the entire Faculty (enacted 1/2005)

2. Permission to register for courses requiring Geology Department approval or instructor approval must be obtained before attempting registration. Permission may be obtained through designated Faculty or Geology office staff.

3. Geology Senior Thesis or Internship Proposals and Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Proposals will be made on the form located on the Geology Web Site and must be proposed before a thesis committee. (See section V for special requirements for Ph.D. students). The Thesis or Dissertation Committee is responsible for the approval of the study topic and proposal, and to assure completion of quality research projects. All theses must be proposed and approved at least one semester before the student can graduate and students must have both the adviser, second and outside reader signatures on the proposal form before the thesis proposal can be approved. Internships and mentorships require only one adviser’s approval and signature, but all forms require the Geology Chair’s signature. The approved thesis proposal represents a “contract” between the student and his/her committee.

Thesis Requirements for B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Students

IV. Thesis Requirement for B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Students 1. Specific Ph.D. dissertation requirements are described in section V. Changes in advisors (all

degrees), second readers (B.S., M.S.) or outside readers (Ph.D.) must be approved by the Graduate Program Director (GPD), or the Geology Chair, in consultation with the Faculty. If the GPD or Chair are not available to approve the change, such a change cannot be made even to facilitate an oral presentation or graduation. Second readers should be involved in the early stages of the thesis study. (For example: the entire thesis committee should meet initially; then again in February for a May graduation). Students are instructed to arrange, clear, and confirm the date of the thesis/dissertation defense and oral exam with all members of the examining committee.

2. No oral defenses will be scheduled during the week of final exams. The Thesis or Dissertation Committee will decide on an appropriate date for the defense. Students that wish to defend in the summer are advised to plan with their Committee well in advance of the start of the summer semester, because summer defenses cannot always be accommodated and Faculty members are often out of town. Summer oral defenses should therefore be avoided if at all possible.

3. Notice of oral defenses of graduate theses or dissertations must be approved by the Graduate School at least 10 working days prior to the defense. The defense will not be approved if the student has incompletes in any courses other than thesis. The graduate forms are located on their web site. However, the Notice of Oral Exam Flyer is located on the Geology Web Site and must be posted a week in advance on the Departmental Bulletin Board. It is the student's responsibility to clear time and date with faculty, and to post notice of the oral exam.

4. Thesis presentations in oral defense examinations will be limited to 15 minutes (except for Ph.D. candidates – see section V). The thesis defense is a formal, oral presentation of the thesis results before the Geology Department faculty and students, after which the candidate will answer questions from the general audience about the research presented, and about other matters deemed appropriate by members of the faculty. The Thesis Committee will then examine the candidate further in closed proceedings after the public presentation. When there are no more questions, the candidate will be excused and the examining faculty members will evaluate the defense in closed session. The candidate will have successfully defended the thesis if a simple majority of the faculty members who were present for the defense vote to pass the candidate. Receipt of the degree is contingent upon successful completion of the written thesis and a successful thesis defense. If a student does not successfully defend the thesis, the Geology Department faculty may provide the student with an opportunity for another defense within a specified time limit.

5. No B.S. thesis grade can be turned in until the required two paper copies are printed on 25% bond paper (one for the Geology Department and one for the Texas collection), and are approved by the 1st and 2nd reader. Students are responsible for determining whether additional paper copies are required for themselves or their committee members. The Baylor library may require a digital copy of the thesis document. A public oral presentation is required, and must be given following posted notice (1 week in advance). Three (3) faculty members, including the thesis committee, must be present at the defense.

6. The B.S. programs (Geology, Geophysics) have several options for enhancing writing and critical thinking skills. They include: 1) an independent research project (senior thesis), 2) an internship, or 3) an apprenticeship research project. All three of the preceding options

require a proposal, an oral defense and result in a bound senior thesis. Detailed descriptions of these options are available in the Geology office. The Senior Colloquium Course (Geology 43C0) is available as an alternative to the senior thesis, and will include written and oral presentations and the exit exam. (Enacted 1/2005). All senior-level B.S. and B.A. majors must take the Geology Department exit exam in their respective major, and will be notified in advance of administration of this exam by the Geology Department.

7. The Graduate School no longer accepts paper copies of theses and dissertations and students are instructed to submit their documents according to graduate School specifications in digital format. The Geology Department, however, still requires submission of two bound paper copies (one for its collection and one for the Texas collection), along with a document in digital format. Students are responsible for determining whether additional paper copies are required for themselves or their committee members. Only the single defendable copy needs to be brought to graduate defenses along with signature pages for all copies. Graduate payments are made at the Graduate School and their rules are followed for the required thesis format.

8. Thesis writing requirements adopted by the Geology Department include: a. Style and form are to follow "Suggestions to Authors" by U.S.G.S., copies of which are available in the Geology office. No other style is acceptable. Graduate theses also have additional requirements placed upon them by the Graduate School. Ph.D. dissertations composed of three papers must be in a consistent single format, even if the intent is to submit each to a different journal (see section V). It is the candidate's responsibility to meet these requirements as well as those established by the Department. Guidelines are available on Baylor’s Website and in the Graduate School.

Specific Requirements for Ph.D. Candidates

V. Specific Requirements for Ph.D. Candidates 1. Advisory and Dissertation Committees: Prior to enrollment at Baylor University, the

Graduate Program Director (GPD), in consultation with the Department Chair, will appoint an Advisory Committee. The entire Faculty will provide input on selection of an Advisory Committee for the incoming student. The Advisory Committee will consist of three members from the Department of Geology that are selected from areas of specialization complimentary to the dissertation research project(s) that the student intends to work on. At the beginning of the first semester of enrollment, the Advisory Committee will meet with the student to develop a preliminary coursework curriculum and research plan, and review with the student the departmental requirements and their recommended timetable for completion. Note that both the coursework curriculum and research plan are subject to modification pending results from the dissertation proposal review (see item 3 below). Once the student has established a basic concept for a Ph.D. project (normally in the first semester at Baylor University) the student will ask a member of the Geology Department faculty to serve as the primary dissertation advisor. Then the student and the faculty member who has agreed to serve as dissertation advisor will select a Dissertation Committee that will guide the student through the remainder of their tenure in the Ph.D. program. The Dissertation Committee must consist of no fewer than four (4) members, of which one must be from the faculty of Baylor University external to the Department of Geology. In each year following the dissertation proposal defense, the Dissertation Committee will evaluate Ph.D. student progress. The Dissertation Committee will review and evaluate all aspects of the dissertation.

2. Semester hour requirements: Semester hour requirements for the Ph.D. include 60 hours

beyond the B.S. degree, and 30 beyond the M.S. degree (including 12 dissertation hours in both cases). At least 12 semester hours must be earned from 5000-level courses. All remaining hours must be earned from 4000-level courses. GEO 511X (5V90, *Grant Writing seminar) is required of all Ph.D. students. 3000-level (or lower) course deficiencies that are required by the Advisory or Dissertation Committee to be completed do not count toward the semester hour requirements. A student can only sign up for dissertation hours, if approved for candidacy (see item 5 below); all course work must be completed.

*The primary product of the Grant Writing seminar will be a comprehensive “peer-review” style grant proposal that will also serve as a draft of the dissertation proposal. GEO 511X will be offered during the first semester of enrollment. 3. Dissertation proposal: Near the end of the second semester of year one, the student will

provide Dissertation Committee members with a written dissertation proposal (see * in item 2 above) no less than two weeks in advance of a meeting to review the proposal (Note that all faculty members within the Department of Geology may attend this meeting if they choose). This proposal may, at the discretion of the committee and the student, be developed into a formal grant proposal submitted to an external funding agency (e.g., National Science Foundation, Petroleum Research Fund, US Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, US Geological Survey). At the review, the student will provide a formal 30-40 minute presentation that summarizes the objectives, methodology, timetable, and budget that will result in the submittal of three manuscripts for peer-review

and publication in an approved journal. Following the presentation, the Dissertation Committee will provide guidance to enhance/improve the dissertation project(s), and will examine the student’s knowledge of the literature, analytical techniques and concepts, and nature of the geology relevant to the dissertation project(s). Results from the review and examination will be evaluated by the Dissertation Committee, and a pass, provisional pass, or fail decision rendered by the Dissertation Committee and recorded in writing. A “provisional pass” decision will require the student to satisfy a specified deficiency as directed by the Dissertation Committee. A “fail” decision may result in either termination of the student from the Ph.D. program, or the Committee may choose to provide the student with a second opportunity to propose and defend within a specified time limit. When a student passes the proposal defense and examination, the Dissertation Committee and student will establish goals for research and coursework completion for the upcoming year. These goals will be documented in writing, and placed in the student’s file in the departmental office.

4. Annual progress report and examination: Near the end of the spring semester in all years subsequent to the proposal defense, the student will meet with the Dissertation Committee and provide an oral presentation that summarizes progress made toward completion of the requirements over the previous year. The Dissertation Committee will evaluate the progress to date (as compared to the “goals” established during the dissertation proposal; see paragraph 2, item 3 above), and will examine the students knowledge of the literature, analytical techniques and concepts, and nature of the geology relevant to the dissertation project(s). Based upon both the progress toward completion of the degree requirements to date and examination results, a pass, provisional pass, or fail decision will be rendered by the Dissertation Committee. A “provisional pass” decision will require the student to satisfy a specified deficiency as directed by the Dissertation Committee. A “fail” decision may result in termination of the student from the Ph.D. program. Students who pass the annual review will confer with the Dissertation Committee to establish research goals for the student to achieve during the upcoming year. These goals will be documented in writing, and placed in the students file in the departmental office.

5. Admission to candidacy: Students are recognized as candidates for the doctoral degree

only after they have completed all course work requirements, have satisfied the requirements outlined for the dissertation proposal (item 3 above), and received approval by the Graduate School of their formal application for admission to candidacy. An application for admission to candidacy must be filed with the Graduate School upon successful completion of the above requirements, but should be filed no later than five months prior to the date on which the degree is to be conferred.

6. Dissertation requirement: The Geology Department requires that its dissertators conduct

doctoral-level scientific research that is new and original. The dissertation consists of three papers, each of which is submitted for peer review to a journal listed as an approved journal by the Geology Department, and for each of which the dissertator is first author. (Exceptions to the list of approved journals may be approved by the Dissertation Committee.) Typically, the three papers that comprise the dissertation are broadly related in subject area, but exceptions may be granted with approval of the dissertator’s Dissertation

Committee. If there are any variations from the dissertation requirements specified herein, those variations must be clearly described in a written contractual agreement between the dissertator and the corresponding Dissertation Committee, completed within one week after the dissertation proposal defense. Any such agreement must be reviewed and approved by the Graduate Program Director (GPD) or, if the GPD is a member of the Dissertation Committee, the Geology Department Chair, with a copy retained on file in the Geology Department Office. Later modifications to this contract, if justifiable, can only be made by written agreement between the parties to the original agreement. Disputes or differences that arise among the parties involved in the dissertation (e.g., the dissertator, the Dissertation committee, the GPD) will be brought to the Geology Department faculty for resolution. Each of the three dissertation manuscripts must be approved by all of the Dissertation Committee members before it is submitted to a journal for peer review. By approving a manuscript for submission to a journal for review, the Dissertation Committee certifies that the manuscript is satisfactory for inclusion in the dissertation. Upon receipt of a dissertation manuscript, each Dissertation Committee member must decide, within three weeks, whether he/she approves submission of the manuscript to the journal for peer review. It is the dissertator’s responsibility to ensure that all members of the Dissertation Committee actually receive the manuscript. The manuscript will be considered acceptable by any member of the Dissertation Committee who does not provide the dissertator with an evaluation of the manuscript within three weeks after that committee member is known to have received the manuscript. (Default approval is not granted during summer breaks, when members of the Dissertation Committee may be unavailable.) Before the dissertator is allowed to defend the dissertation, two of the three dissertation papers must be accepted for publication in an approved journal, and the third manuscript must have been submitted to an approved journal. After the dissertation has been successfully defended, the three approved papers will be combined into a satisfactory document in accordance with Graduate School specifications.

7. Dissertation defense: The dissertation defense is an approximately 45-minute, formal oral

presentation of the dissertation research results before the Dissertation Committee, other Geology Department faculty and Baylor students, after which the dissertator will answer questions from the general audience about the dissertation research presented, and about other matters deemed appropriate by members of the faculty. The faculty members in attendance will then examine the candidate further in closed proceedings after the public presentation. When there are no more questions, the dissertator will be excused and the examining faculty members will evaluate the dissertation defense in closed session. A dissertator will have successfully defended the dissertation if a simple majority of the faculty members who were present for the defense vote to pass the candidate. Completion of the publication requirements (item 5 above) and successfully passing the dissertation defense are both necessary to qualify to receive the Ph.D. degree. If a student does not successfully defend the dissertation, the Geology Department faculty may provide the student with an opportunity for another defense within a specified time limit.

Use of Equipment and Facilities

VI. Use of Equipment and Facilities

1. Most equipment requires staff permission and various kinds of equipment may have specific individual rules. Students must abide by these at all times.

2. Geology majors, staff and students who use geology equipment and facilities are required to attend a safety orientation. Those who do not attend will not be allowed to use equipment until they have been cleared by the departmental safety officer. All students must follow all safety and health regulations.

3. When working on Geology field trips and labs, teaching assistants and student workers should send the materials to Central Duplicating; forms for that purpose are located in the departmental office. Students participating in extended field trip (e.g., out-of-state or out-of-country) courses may be asked by the University to sign a legal waiver (Baylor University regulations).

4. Students are NOT permitted to use office supplies such as paper, correcting fluid, etc. The Faculty Copier is off limits for personal student use!

5. All individuals who operate Geology Department vehicles are required to obey all traffic laws. In the event of a citation for a traffic violation they are responsible for paying the fine and explaining to the faculty why the violation occurred. Geology Department insurance forms must be currently (within two years) on file in the office in order for a student to drive a Geology vehicle. If driving vans, students must be 21 years of age and have passed the online van test (Baylor University regulation). Specific requirements for use of Geology vehicles are included in the Appendix. Specific requirements for vehicle maintenance are included in the Appendix.

6. There will be no out-of-city use of Geology vehicles by students without the approval of the Department Chair. (See Appendix for Authorization Form).

7. The Carlile Annex will be locked at all times and students using the Annex must abide by Department and University regulations involving that facility.

8. Keys to the Annex may be obtained from the Geology office for the required deposit and are available to all students demonstrating a need for use of these facilities.

ENFORCEMENT Adherence to these guidelines will insure a pleasant and productive geological education for all students and staff. Failure to comply will result in loss of privileges, use of equipment, office space, keys, or financial assistance.

Appendix

GRADUATE STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION M.A. OR M.S. STUDENTS

For Initial Advisement by Graduate Committee

Student: _________________________________ Date Entered Baylor: __________________ Undergraduate Degree From: ______________________________ Date: __________________ Check the list below at the appropriate places to indicate what geology courses you have taken, and indicate the grade received. When time permits, attach a Xerox copy of your transcripts. Grade Course Grade Course Grade Course _____ Physical Geol. _____ Historical Geol. _____ Mineralogy _____ Inv. Paleo. _____ Structural _____ Petrology _____ Geomorphology _____ Sed. Petrol. _____ Petroleum _____ Regional Geol. _____ Regional Tect. _____ Clay Mineral _____ Hydrology _____ Hydrogeology _____ Field Methods _____ Geoph (G&M) _____ Geophy (Seis) _____ Geophy (Und. Grad.) _____ Stratigraphy _____ Field Strat _____ Micro Paleo _____ Photogeology _____ Geochemistry _____ Geomechanics _____ Biostrat _____ Adv. Petrology _____ Tectonophysics _____ Geologic Illus. _____ History of Geol. _____ Eng. Geology _____ Urban Geol. _____ Sum. Fld. Geol. _____ Physics I & II _____ Chem. I _____ Chem. II _____ Calc. I _____ Calc. II Others:_______________________________________ Please indicate below, a TENTATIVE list of courses you plan to take for the next two (2) years (4 semesters + summer). You are not bound by this listing at this time, but any change should be approved by your entire committee. Fall ______#Hrs. Spring ______#Hrs. GEO 5110- History of Geology GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Summer Course(s) ___________________________________________________________ Fall ______#Hrs. Spring ______#Hrs. GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Signed: Student Committee Chair Date

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE FOR Ph.D. PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY – BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Please indicate below, a TENTATIVE list of courses you plan to take for the next two (2) years (4 semesters + summer). You are not bound by this listing at this time, but any change should be approved by your entire committee. Fall ______#Hrs. Spring ______#Hrs. GEO 5V90- Seminar in Grant-Proposal-Writing (1 hr) GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session __________________________ _______________________ __ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Summer Course(s) ___________________________________________________________ Fall ______#Hrs. Spring ______#Hrs. GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session __________________________ _______________________ __ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Summer Course(s) ___________________________________________________________ Fall ______#Hrs. Spring ______#Hrs. GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session __________________________ _______________________ __ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Summer Course(s) ___________________________________________________________ Fall ______#Hrs. Spring ______#Hrs. GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session GEO 5050- Geol. Tech. Session __________________________ _______________________ __ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

Summer Course(s) ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Signed: Student Committee Chair Date

Guidelines for Printing Ph.D. Dissertations (9/30/05 revised)

The Department of Geology now requires three (3) papers for a Ph.D. degree as opposed to a traditional dissertation (see section V). These papers will be submitted to the Graduate School according to our agreed upon Geology/USGS and Graduate School requirements with the goals of consistency, practicality, and microfilm requirements. We have decided to handle several anticipated adjustments as follows:

The papers will be bound into a dissertation to be copied and bound identical to all dissertations at Baylor (two paper copies, as described in section IV, one for the Geology Department and one for the Texas collection).

There will be an overall abstract. There will be an overall introductory chapter describing the complete project. Each paper will constitute a chapter.

Each chapter will have an independent abstract, introduction, and conclusion or summary section (If applicable). Each chapter will have its own bibliography of references specific to that chapter and there will be an overall bibliography at the end of the complete dissertation also. All the figures in the dissertation will be numbered sequentially from beginning to end but figures will be numbered by each chapter as well, for example; 1.1, 1.2, to 1.n for chapter 1 followed by 2.1, 2.2 etc. for chapter 2.

Ph.D. Paper Approval Form (revised 9/30/05)

The Geology Department at Baylor University requires 3 papers for all Ph.D. degrees (see section V). Two of the papers must be accepted for publication, and the third submitted for publication, with the approval of the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee (see section V). All papers must be approved by the committee prior to their submittal to journals (see section V). The Department of Geology is not asking committee members to edit the papers, but simply to approve them for submittal to journals (i.e., they should be “worthy” of submittal). This is not a formal review because all committee members may not be in a specialty area in which they feel comfortable reviewing the scientific merits of these papers, and the papers will eventually be reviewed by journal editorial boards and specialists. Please evaluate carefully the paper attached or enclosed and the intended journal, then respond as quickly as practical but in any case within three weeks. If there are any reservations, please contact the Ph.D. candidate and other authors as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and effort. Article title: Journal: Please circle one: Approved Rejected Comments (if you recommend rejection, please give a brief explanation and contact the Ph.D. candidate as soon as possible): Name: ________________________________________________________________ Phone, fax, or email address: _______________________________________________

Geology Department Rules for Vehicle Use,

for ALL Geology Department Personnel

1. Vehicles are for Departmental business use only. They are not to be used for personal business.

2. Before using any Departmental vehicle, be sure that it has not already been signed out by someone else. Those who have been assigned the use of a vehicle for a specific period always have priority.

3. Check the oil each time a vehicle is filled with gas. If the level is below the "add" line, 10W40 oil is to be added. NEVER FILL THE TANK WITHOUT CHECKING THE OIL!

4. The vehicles are clearly marked with Baylor's name. Any misuse is instantly advertised and reflects negatively on the Department and school. They are always to be operated carefully, courteously, and in compliance with the law. They are not to exceed posted speed limits, nor will the Department be responsible for any traffic tickets, regardless of the cause.

5. No alcoholic beverages are ever allowed in any Geology Department vehicle FOR ANY REASON.

6. Vehicles are to be used when a faculty member is along. Students are allowed to use the vehicles (without a Faculty member along) under the following circumstances: They are doing work on an approved thesis topic and they need to transport equipment that either will not fit in, or be safely transported with the student's automobile. The determination of the above will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Department Chair. Examples would include (but are not limited to): pulling the boat and trailer, pulling the drill rig, transporting the 250 gallon water tank, transporting instrument shelters, or transporting core.

7. Students are allowed to use the vehicles for Departmental Office business/errands with permission from the Chair or Office Manager.

8. IN ALL CASES

a. Students cannot use the vehicles if needed by faculty. b. Students must get written permission for each use and fill out the

authorization form (copy is included in this booklet). c. The date and use of the vehicle by the student must be posted on the calendar in

the Department Office. d. Student is responsible for purchasing gas and checking oil used.

9. All seats are provided with seat belts. By Texas law, the driver and front-seat passenger must be belted in at all times. It is strongly recommended that all passengers also be belted.

10. Trash is to be removed from vehicles immediately on their return to campus, by those

who used the van. Everything not designated as van equipment is considered trash. This includes samples, rocks, personal belongings, Rolex watches, etc.

11. When seats are removed from the vans for any reason, it is the responsibility of the

person who directed that removal to see that the seats are replaced immediately when the vans are returned to campus. Bolts for the rear seat are to be taped to the seat frame when the seat is removed, so that the seat may be again installed.

12. The vehicles are in such frequent use that it is important they be ready to operate every

morning. For this reason when each vehicle is returned, it is to be filled with gas and oil by those who used it. If there are mechanical problems requiring attention, no matter how minor, please write a brief description of the problem, and leave it with the Geology office staff.

13. When vehicles are used on summer field trips they are to be returned again ready for use

immediately. Cleaning, replacement of seats, and needed repairs are the responsibility of the faculty member using the vehicles. This insures that they will be ready to operate when the next person needs them.

14. When damage to any vehicle occurs, the person using the vehicle is to report this

immediately so that repairs can be planned. We must know how the damage occurred, what other vehicle or vehicles were involved and who was driving at the time, so that we can determine our liability. All such accidents involve liability, either in repair costs or in legal liability.

AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLE

Date of Proposed Use:

Time of Proposed Use: Destination:

Anticipated Mileage:

Student requesting use:

Purpose of Trip:

Reason for need of Departmental Vehicle:

Supervising Faculty Member Date Approved:

Denied:

Department Chair Date Vehicle:

Beginning Mileage:

Ending Mileage:

Gas (purchased, not charged)

Oil (purchased, not charged)

Department of Geology Check List for Vehicle Maintenance

As the student responsible for vehicle maintenance, you are to see that all vehicles are lubricated, fueled, in good repair, and constantly ready for operation. The following statements define your responsibilities: 1. All vehicles are to be fueled, oil checked, and properly equipped for normal service on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. This is supposed to be done by each prior user, but check anyway. If vehicles need service, see that they get it. 2. At 3000 mile intervals all vehicles are to be greased, the oil changed, the filter changed, and all fluid levels checked. While the vehicle is being serviced, visually check all hoses and belts, and report need for replacement to the faculty member responsible for the vehicles. 3. Wednesday is the day reserved for vehicle maintenance. If repairs are needed, an appointment with the shop is to be made in advance to bring the vehicle in early on Wednesday morning and to be picked up Wednesday afternoon. All needed repairs are to be first approved by the faculty member responsible for the vehicles. 4. Once a week, on a day agreed upon by both you and the faculty member responsible for the vehicles, you are to report on the condition of the vehicles, and to indicate needed repairs or anticipated maintenance. 5. Each Wednesday when vehicles are being serviced, all tires (including the spare) are to be checked, and inflated to the proper pressure. At that time, equipment is also to be checked. All vehicles are to be equipped with an operating jack, jack handle, and lug wrench. Other tools are the responsibility of the person operating the vehicle. 6. When checking tires, check for wear and report need for wheel alignment or tire replacement to the faculty member responsible for the vehicles. 7. You are to keep records of routine maintenance (lubrication, tires, etc.) and repairs, for each vehicle. Forms for this are provided. This is critical to our relations with the University. 8. Vehicles are to be cleaned inside and out about once a month. Establish a schedule for this early in the semester and stick to it. As in the case of maintenance, this should be scheduled for Wednesdays unless the vehicle is not signed out for one of the other days. 9. Vans are always to be equipped with all seats unless you are specifically instructed otherwise. Seats should be replaced by those who removed them, but if they are not, they still need to be replaced . . . . and you are responsible. 10. Each time you check vehicles, conduct a walk-around to check for damage. When damage is noted, report this immediately to the faculty member responsible for the vehicles, so that repairs can be planned. Find out how the damage occurred, and who was driving at the time, so that we

can determine our liability. All such accidents involve liability, either in repairs costs or in legal liability. 11. At the end of each semester turn in your completed maintenance schedules to the faculty member responsible for the vehicles. These are needed for administrative use in case of questions by the University.