Financial Support for Ph.D. and M.S. Students
Research Assistantships
Most Ph.D. students entering the graduate program in the Department
of BBMB receive a “1/2-time research assistantship” that provides financial
support. For the 2007-2008 academic year, the stipend is $22,500
per year, paid over 12 months. The obligation taken on by the
student in return for this support is 20 hours per week of work (at
least) towards the research objectives of their host laboratory and
towards the student’s Ph.D. dissertation project. This obligation is
in excess of any formal course work or research course credits (BBMB
699).
Students admitted for the fall semester, who are required to participate
in the research rotation program before selecting a host laboratory,
will be guaranteed a continuing stipend for five years as long as satisfactory
process is being made. The details of the guaranteed time of support
may vary for students admitted directly into a specific laboratory without
participation in the rotation program. The details of the level of support
and the duration of the stipend will be specified in a letter from the
Department Chair that formally offers admission to the program.
M.S. students also typically receive 1/2-time research assistantships,
although the level of the stipend is reduced from that of Ph.D. students.
The minimum level for M.S. students is $15,400 per year.
Teaching Assistantships
During the periods that students are serving as teaching assistants
they will receive the same level of financial support as when they are
on a research assistantships. Teaching assistants are obliged to spend
20 hours per week in their teaching duties for a 1/2-time appointment.
Tuition and
Fees
All tuition charges are waived for Ph.D. students holding 1/2-time research-
or teaching assistantships in the Department of BBMB, provided that
they remain students in good standing. If for any reason a
student is enrolled but is not receiving a research assistantship, then
he or she would be charged tuition at either the in-state or out-of-state
rate, whichever is appropriate.
Mandatory fees of approximately $310 per year for student activities,
student computational support, and student health services are the responsibility
of the student.
Tuition may be waived for M.S. students holding 1/2-time research- or
teaching assistantships in the Department of BBMB, although this is
not guaranteed for all students.
Health
Insurance
A graduate student on a research- or teaching assistantship
receives single student coverage free of charge in a Group Health Insurance
plan. This plan covers hospitalization, accident expenses, and surgery
and maternity benefits for one individual. Students have the option
of paying premiums for coverage for his or her immediate family, i.e.,
spouse and children.
Those on a graduate assistantship also receive single coverage free
of charge in a prescription drug benefit program that reduces the cost
of generic and brand name drugs purchased at the Student Health Center
Pharmacy. The spouse and children of a student on assistantship may
also be enrolled in the Prescription Drug Benefit Program as long as
they are also enrolled in the Group Health Insurance plan. Dental insurance
for graduate students, and their spouses and families, is available
through Delta Dental Plan of Iowa and may be purchased for an additional
premium. Various payment plans are available for medical, dental, and
prescription drug benefit insurance.
