Science Park Student Guide
GSBS students training at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Science Park-Research Divison (SPRD) or Science Park-Veterinary Divison campuses have special needs, and this Guide is intended to supplement the information in the rest of the GSBS Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines for Students.
Housing
Students who would like to perform one or more rotations at SPRD have the option of living on campus. Housing arrangements can be made by contacting Dr. Ellen Richie (512-237-2403; erichie@mdanderson.org).
Orientation Week
Entering students must attend the opening day activities in Houston. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend the remaining Orientation events (primarily Program presentations and social functions) in Houston. However, sessions will be held at the Science Park campus that parallel the events for which attendance is required for Houston-based students. Ph.D. students will be paid by GSBS for the entire week if they attend (at minimum) the opening day events in Houston and mandatory sessions at Science Park. Transportation from Science Park will be provided.
Transportation and Parking
Most students who do not live on campus have their own car (carpooling is encouraged). Parking is free.
Registration
All registration is done online. Students will need the "call number" for GSBS Faculty members [GSBS Faculty Call Numbers - use Advanced Search Options to search by the instructor's last name]. Note that courses such as Tutorial Research Experience (GS000514) have separate call numbers for each faculty member. Courses listed with a "Y" in the column marked "APPV REQ" require instructor approval for registration. You should contact the instructor to get an "approval code" that you must enter in order to register.
If you are not a Texas resident, you must submit a completed Petition for Determination of Resident Tuition (available for download to the UT-Houston Registrar). This form verifies that you are supported by a Graduate Research Assistantship and, thus, qualify to pay the Texas resident tuition rate. This form must be signed by MDACC Trainee and Alumni Affairs, 713-792-2696.
Employee Sign-Up (Benefits Enrollment)
GSBS students who receive a Graduate Research Assistantship are considered 50% employees of the University and, therefore, qualify for UT employee health benefits. You must attend an employee sign-up session at which your insurance options will be explained. This meeting will be held during Orientation week on the SPRD campus.
Enrollment in Courses at SPRD
There are several GSBS courses as well as a journal club offered each semester at SPRD. Schedule a conference with Dr. Richie to discuss GSBS and UT course options for your first semester.
Enrollment in Courses at Area Universities
GSBS students may enroll in graduate courses at UT-Austin, Texas A&M University, University of Houston or Rice University and receive academic credit toward their degree through a Cooperative Program. Grades earned at these "host institutions" will appear on your transcript and will contribute to your GSBS grade point average ("P" grades are not used in the GPA calculation).
Enrollment at UT-Austin
Students must obtain a Cooperative Program concurrent enrollment form from Dr. Ellen Richie. You will need to get signatures from both the UT-Austin instructor teaching the course and from the Director of Student Services Division in the UT-Austin Dean's Office (located in the Main Building Tower Room 101). The completed form should be returned to Dr. Richie who will send a copy to GSBS in Houston. Students should register in GSBS for Special Project: Course (GS00 0610) with Dr. Ellen Richie listed as instructor. It is important to complete the bottom portion of the form which asks for a course title (up to 25 characters) so that GSBS transcript entries will be accurate. Upon completion of the course, grades are reported to Dr. Richie via the Cooperative Program report. Dr. Richie then submits grade reports to the UT-Houston Registrar.
