CBE Graduate Student Handbook 2023-2024

Table of Contents

1. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

2. Degree Requirements and Procedures

1.1 Masters of Engineering (M.Engr.)

1.1.1 Degree Requirements

1.1.2 Creative Component or Coursework Only Options

1.1.3 M.Engr. Program of Study Committee (POSC) and POSC Form

1.2 Masters of Science (M.S.)

1.2.1 Degree Requirements

1.2.2 Research Project and Major Professor Selection

1.2.3 M.S. Program of Study Committee (POSC) and POSC Form

1.3 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

1.3.1 Degree Requirements

1.3.2 Research Project and Major Professor Selection

1.3.3 Research Progress Exam (Qualifier)

1.3.4 Ph.D. Program of Study Committee (POSC) and POSC Form

1.3.5 Preliminary Oral Examination

1.4 Degree Completion and Final Oral Examinations

1.4.1 Application for Graduation

1.4.2 Coursework Only Final Check

1.4.3 Final Oral Examination

1.4.4 Thesis, Dissertation, and Special Reports

1.4.5 Graduate Student Approval Form

1.5 Graduate Minor in Chemical Engineering

3. Departmental Policies and Procedures

2.1 Additional Coursework for Students without a Chemical Engineering B.S.

2.2 Transfer Credits

2.3 Orientation and New Graduate Student Checklist

2.4 Appointments and Stipends

2.5 Safety Training and Requirements

2.6 Registration Policies and Procedures

2.6.1 Semester Registration

2.6.2 Teaching Practicum and Curricula Teaching Requirement

2.7 Satisfactory Progress and Performance in Coursework and Research

2.7.1 Satisfactory Degree Progress

2.7.2 Satisfactory Coursework Progress and Performance

2.7.3 Satisfactory Research Progress and Performance

2.8 Absences from Campus and Travel Procedures

2.8.1 Absences from Campus

2.8.2 Travel Procedures

2.8.3 Professional Advancement Grants (PAGs)

2.8.4 CBE Travel Grant

2.9 Facilities

2.9.1 Office /Building Hours

2.9.2 Office Assignments

2.9.3 Office Supplies

2.9.4 Printing

2.9.5 Mail

2.9.6 Sweeney Graduate Student Lounge

2.9.7 Room Reservation Requests

2.9.8 Checkout Procedures

4. Professional Development Opportunities on Campus

3.1 Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Organization

3.2 Ch E 601: Seminar

3.3 CBE Perfect Pitch Competition

3.4 Outstanding Research and Teaching Awards

3.4.1 Outstanding Research Excellence Award

3.4.2 Outstanding Teaching Excellence Award

3.5 Graduate Student Professional Development Resources

3.6 External Employment (Internship) Guidelines

5. Purchasing Policies and Procedures

4.1 CyBuy

4.2 Purchasing Credit Card (P-card)

4.3 Purchase Order Requisitions

6. Departmental Directory

Appendices

Appendix A: Procedures for Earning a Master’s Degree (M. Engr. or M.S.)

Appendix B: Procedures for Earning a Ph.D. Degree

Appendix C: Research Rubric

Appendix D: New Graduate Student Checklist

Appendix E: CBE Graduate Student Checkout Form

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

Land Acknowledgement

Iowa State University is located on the ancestral lands and territory of the Baxoje (bah-kho-

dzhe), or Ioway Nation. The United States obtained the land from the Meskwaki and Sauk

nations in the Treaty of 1842. We wish to recognize our obligations to this land and to the

people who took care of it, as well as to the 17,000 Native people who live in Iowa today.

CBE Statement on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

In thought and action, in policy and practice, and in all aspects of our academic enterprise, we

strongly value individuality and uniqueness. We are committed to continuous improvement of

diversity, inclusion, access and academic success. We aim to foster a community where

everyone is empowered to be and is accepted as their full, authentic selves, regardless of race,

color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity,

genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.

Learn more

about diversity and inclusion in the Iowa State University College of Engineering.

Iowa State Principles of Community can be found here

Graduate Students are supported under the Violence-Free University Policy

1. Degree Requirements and Procedures

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) offers three graduate degrees in

Chemical Engineering (Ch E): Master of Engineering (M.Engr.), Masters of Science (M.S.) and

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The department also offers a graduate minor in Chemical

Engineering.

After completing a graduate level degree in chemical engineering in CBE, students will be able

to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in the area of study.

• Form testable hypotheses and articulate research objectives that, when met, will lead to

significant contributions to the field of study.

• Conduct quantitative research via appropriate acquisition, analysis, and reporting of

data.

• Interpret research results appropriately, integrating them into the existing knowledge in

the discipline.

• Clearly and accurately communicate research findings orally and in writing.

• Conduct independent scholarship in ways that consistently demonstrate ethical practice

and professionalism.

Below is an outline of the requirements and processes to obtain a graduate level degree from

CBE. Flowcharts for completing these degrees can be found in Appendix A and B.

1.1 Master of Engineering Degree (M.Engr.)

1.1.1. Degree Requirements

Coursework requirements for the M.Engr. degree are 30 credits of graduate or non-major

graduate credit coursework. A minimum of 18 credits must be Ch E graduate level coursework

and must include at least two courses chosen from Ch E 545, 554, 583, and 587. All students

component (Ch E 599). Application of any Ch E 599 credits toward the degree requirements

necessitates forming a Program of Study Committee (POSC).

1.1.2. Creative Component or Coursework Only Options

Students pursuing the M.Engr. degree have the option to complete the degree as a coursework

only degree or to complete a creative component as a part of the degree. A creative component

is an independent component of work supervised by a faculty member. Students completing a

creative component as a part of their M.Engr. degree should discuss their options for a creative

component with the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE).

1.1.3. M.Engr. Program of Study Committee (POSC) and POSC Form

Each M.Engr. student, in collaboration with their major professor, shall identify the faculty

members to serve on an advisory committee, also called the Program of Study Committee

(POSC). This committee guides and evaluates the student during the period of graduate study.

Normally the student will ask individual faculty members to serve on the committee after

consultation with the major professor.

For M.Engr. students completing a creative component, the faculty member supervising the

Ch E 599 credits serves as the major professor. If a student is completing the coursework only

option for the M.Engr. degree, the DOGE for the department will serve as the student’s adviser

and approves the POSC form.

For M.Engr. students completing a creative component, the POSC will consist of the major

professor and two additional faculty members. At least one of the additional faculty members

must be from the CBE department. If completing a graduate minor, one of the faculty members

must be from the minor’s department. Once the student has confirmed their committee, the

student can go on AccessPlus to complete and route the POSC form. No POSC meeting is

required for M. Engr. students.

M.Engr. students are required to submit the POSC form within four months of beginning the

program and must be approved by the final day of the semester prior to taking the Final Oral

Examination or the semester prior to graduation (for coursework only students).

1.2 Master of Science Degree (M.S.)

1.2.1 Degree Requirements

Coursework requirements for the M.S. degree are 30 credits of graduate or non-major graduate

credit coursework. A minimum of 15 credits of this must be non-research coursework, including

12 credits of graduate level Ch E courses. This Ch E coursework must include at least two

courses chosen from Ch E 545, 554, 583, and 587. All students register for Ch E 601 Seminar

each spring and fall semester. In addition to the Ch E courses, a minimum of three credits of

coursework must be taken outside of the department, not including GR ST 565.

1.2.2 Research Project and Major Professor Selection

Students pursuing the M.S. degree are assigned a major professor through the admissions

process based on their expressed research interests outlined in their admissions application.

The major professor will oversee their research work during their time in the program.

1.2.3 M.S. Program of Study Committee (POSC) and POSC Form

Each M.S. student, in collaboration with their major professor, shall identify the faculty members

to serve on an advisory committee, also called the Program of Study Committee (POSC). This

committee guides and evaluates the student during the period of graduate study. Normally the

student will ask individual faculty members to serve on the committee after consultation with the

major professor.

For M.S. students, the POSC will consist of the major professor and at least two additional

faculty members. At least one of the additional faculty members must be from the CBE

department. If completing a graduate minor, one of the faculty members must be from the

minor’s department. The committee must include at least one member from a different field of

emphasis to ensure diversity of perspectives. Once the student has confirmed their committee,

the student can go on AccessPlus to complete and route the POSC form. No POSC meeting is

required for M.S. students.

M.S. students are required to submit the POSC form within four months of beginning the

program and the form must be approved by the final day of the semester prior to taking the

Final Oral Examination.

1.3 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

1.3.1 Degree Requirements

Coursework requirements for the Ph.D. degree are 72 graduate credits of graduate or non-

major graduate credit coursework. A minimum of 26 credits of this coursework must be non-

research coursework, including 16 credits of Ch E coursework. This Ch E coursework must

include Ch E 545, 554, 583, and 587, Ch E 698A, and two terms of Ch E 698B. All students

non-major coursework must include GR ST 565 and elective courses. At least three credits of

non-research coursework need to be 600-level course(s) graded on an A-F scale. These

elective courses will be determined together by the student and the Program of Study

Committee (POSC), depending upon the research area of the student, and can be within Ch E

or outside. The Graduate College requires that the topics of independent study credits (Ch E

590/692) applied to the degree be identified on the POSC form and approved by the POSC.

Generally, independent study credits in the doctoral studies are indicated only for work done

clearly outside the scope of the thesis project, under the direction of a member of the faculty

that is not the student’s major professor.

Many students will take more coursework than the minimum listed above to improve identified

deficiencies or to achieve special needs that relate to their research. The student’s POSC will

determine these courses.

1.3.2 Research Project and Major Professor Selection

Students needing to be assigned a research project will listen to oral presentations by faculty

with openings that are available to choose from during the department’s orientation. The student

should discuss projects of interest with the appropriate professors. Before the deadline, usually

a month into the semester, the student will submit a list of preferred projects and major

professors to the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE).

Within the limitations of faculty time and funding, students will be assigned a project and

research professor on their preferred list. The major professor assigned will be the chair of the

student’s POSC.

1.3.3 PhD Qualifying Exam

During a student’s first year in the program, they are conditionally on track to complete the

Ph.D. program. Full admission of students to the Ph.D. program by the department faculty is

based on achievement in graduate core courses (B+ or greater in all four of the core classes,

Ch E 545, 554, 583, and 587) and development of skills needed to complete a doctorate

degree. The potential to succeed as a PhD student is evaluated in the PhD Qualifying Exam

(Qualifier). The Qualifier is completed a year after entering the program and consists of a written

and oral portion (detailed below). If extenuating circumstances require change of timeline for

this exam, students must consult with their major professor and present a plan to the DOGE in

advance of the exam. The exam evaluates a student’s ability to 1) explain context of their

proposed work and ability to contribute to their field of study, 2) integrate fundamental concepts

from chemical engineering and their discipline, 3) design experiments, generate data, and

critically analyze their results, and 4) create a plan for their future research efforts.

The report and presentation should:

• Reflect importance of the research problem in context with existing work reported in

literature

• Connect fundamental principles (from chemical engineering and other relevant science

and engineering fields) to the proposed research objectives

• Be understandable by a general CBE audience

• Make it clear what the student has accomplished versus what was collaborative

• Propose a plan of work for the next three years based on their completed research so

far, supported by prior art and fundamental knowledge.

Written Report

Students will submit a written report (maximum length 2500 words) detailing a clear motivation

for their research and the work completed to date. The report should include the following

sections: abstract, introduction (background and statement of purpose of the research project),

methods, results (no more than six figures and tables), discussion (a future plan should be

included), and references (references do not count toward the word limit). Students will submit

their report to a committee of at least three faculty members from the department, including the

student’s major professor(s) and two other faculty members chosen by the DOGE. The report

MUST be prepared without any input from the major professor and should be formatted as

follows:

• Single-spaced, single column per page, and 1-inch margins on all sides

• Times New Roman 11 pt. font.

• Figures and tables placed inline with the main text, numbered in the same order in

which they are referenced, and accompanied with a descriptive caption (figure captions

and tables do not count toward the word limit).

The written report must be submitted to the committee at least seven business days in

advance of the oral presentation.

Oral Presentation

When the date is agreed upon by the Qualifier committee, students should schedule a room for

the duration of 90 minutes for the examination (Graduate Coordinator or front office staff can

assist). Students should prepare for a 30-minute uninterrupted research presentation followed

by a question-answer session. During the seminar, students should demonstrate a good

understanding of their research problem and the overall impact of their research and report

specific accomplishments in their research to date. A research rubric describing the

expectations for the oral and written components is located in Appendix C.

Coursework Performance

Students who do not earn a B+ or better in a core course must complete work to address each

unsatisfactory course performance. This will be customized for each student based on their

needs. Example educational activities are developing new course content, retaking a graduate

or undergraduate course, or serving as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate course. The

education plan will be proposed by the graduate program committee, after consultation with the

respective core course instructor(s) to determine what route(s) would best address the

respective gap(s) in knowledge, and voted on at a faculty meeting.

Evaluation and Feedback

Once a student has completed the oral presentation, the members of the committee will share

the results of the exam with the faculty, usually at the next faculty meeting. The faculty will vote

on the student’s continued status in the program based on the results of the Qualifier,

recommendations from the student’s major professor and the Qualifier committee about the

student’s research progress and potential to succeed, and the student’s coursework

performance. The major professor(s) will summarize the committee’s feedback and send to the

DOGE which will be incorporated into a department letter which will deliver the outcome of the

examination to the student

Based on faculty vote, a student’s Qualifier may have one of the following outcomes:

• The student is admitted directly to the Ph.D. program.

• The student is conditionally approved to continue in the Ph.D. program, with the

requirement of demonstrating satisfactory PhD-level performance and completing an

M.S. thesis and defense.

• The student is directed to pursue a terminal M.S. degree (no option of reapplying).

1.3.4 Ph.D. Program of Study Committee (POSC) and POSC Form

Each Ph.D. student, in collaboration with their major professor, shall identify the faculty

members to serve on an advisory committee, also called the Program of Study Committee

(POSC). This committee guides and evaluates the student during the period of graduate study.

Normally the student will ask individual faculty members to serve on the committee after

consultation with the major professor.

For Ph.D. students, the POSC will consist of at least five members of the graduate faculty. At

least two members of the POSC, not including the major professor(s), must be from the CBE

department. If completing a graduate minor, one of the faculty members must be from the

minor’s department. The committee must include at least one member from a different field of

emphasis to ensure diversity of perspectives. After the selected faculty members have agreed

to serve on the committee, the student can set up a meeting with their committee members to

develop a program of study (coursework that the student will need to complete as part of their

graduate program). Once the student has met with their committee and the committee has

agreed on the coursework, the student can go on AccessPlus to complete and route the POSC

form. The POSC form serves the dual purpose of: (1) identifying faculty members who will serve

on the student’s committee, and (2) selecting all the coursework that will count toward the

degree.

Ph.D. students are required to submit their POSC form within six months of completing their

Qualifier, and the form must be approved by the final day of the semester prior to taking the

Preliminary Oral Examination. If a M.S. degree is completed en route to the Ph.D., the student

must submit their Ph.D. POSC by the end of the semester following completion of their M.S.

degree.

1.3.5 Preliminary Oral Examination

A student becomes a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy degree after successfully

completing a preliminary examination. The Preliminary Exam is intended to assess whether or

not the student has:

• met doctoral-level standards for general knowledge in chemical and biological

engineering, in supporting subject areas, and in the student’s area of expertise.

• developed the capabilities or facilities needed to complete their research project.

• can demonstrate the ability to use such knowledge and to orally communicate it to

others.

Students admitted prior to the fall 2020 term are required to take the Preliminary Exam two

years after their Research Progress Exam. Considerable research progress is expected at this

important milestone. Many students will have published at this point or will have manuscripts

nearly ready for peer review.

Students admitted during the fall 2020 term and later are required to take the Preliminary Exam

no later than six academic terms after successfully completing their Research Progress Exam or

their Master’s degree (an academic year consists of Spring, Summer, and Fall terms). Failure to

meet this expectation constitutes grounds for probationary status. Considerable research

progress is expected at this important milestone. Many students will have published at this point

or will have manuscripts nearly ready for peer review.

At least three weeks before the date of the preliminary examination, the student must submit a

Request for Preliminary Examination to the Graduate Office through the online form at

https://secure.grad-college.iastate.edu/exam/

A written research report, prepared by the student, should be given to the POSC two weeks in

advance of the examination. Consultation with the major professor is permissible and

encouraged. The report should be organized into chapters that present the significance of the

problem and the objectives of the research, a review of the present state of knowledge in the

area, a description of the research plan, results to date, and plans for completing the project.

Research results to date will typically span multiple chapters, with each chapter comprising a

peer-reviewed journal article or a manuscript to be submitted as such. The document should

provide citations in a manner appropriate for the field. Figures, tables and other data must be

properly attributed to collaborators or external sources. The format should follow that used for

the final dissertation unless otherwise directed by the POSC. Formatting guidelines for ISU

theses are summarized at https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/current/thesis/checklist/

. It is

particularly important that chapters in manuscripts that may be published or that are in any

stage of publication follow the "Journal Paper Format" guidelines for attribution of co-authors.

Immediately prior to the preliminary examination, the student will present to the department and

the POSC a public seminar describing the research results to date and future work.

After a Preliminary Examination is complete, the student and POSC will need to electronically

sign the Report of Preliminary Oral Examination to verify the outcome of the Preliminary Exam.

The form is provided to the major professor when the exam is scheduled.

1.4 Degree Completion and Final Oral Examinations

1.4.1 Application for Graduation

By the deadline posted for the semester of graduation, students should submit an application for

graduation through AccessPlus. Students can access this graduation application by logging in to

their AccessPlus account and selecting Graduation from the left side menu under the Student

tab.

1.4.2 Coursework Only Final Check

M.Engr. students completing a coursework only program must submit a Coursework Only Final

Check by the deadline indicated for their graduation term. The form is available online at

https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/student/forms/coursework-only/

1.4.3 Final Oral Examination

As a part of the final examination procedure, candidates for the M.S. or Ph.D. degree are

required to give a public seminar to present and defend their research dissertation. The final

examination for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees consists of a one-hour general presentation in a

public seminar, followed by an examination by the candidate’s POSC. Ph.D. students must have

a minimum of six months between their preliminary oral and final oral examinations.

M.Engr. students completing a creative component must also complete a final oral exam. The

final examination for M.Engr. students should comprise a seminar of at least 20 minutes.

Students must submit an online Request for Final Oral Examination form to the Graduate

College Office at least three weeks before the examination at

https://secure.grad-

college.iastate.edu/exam/. The Graduate College must approve any changes in the

membership of the POSC or coursework on the POSC form before the final examination occurs.

Students must submit their thesis, dissertation, or special report to their POSC at least two

weeks before the examination. A committee member who does not receive the dissertation or

thesis at least two weeks before the final oral examination may cancel the examination, in

accordance with Graduate College policy.

After a Final Oral Examination is complete, the student and POSC will need to electronically

sign the Report of Final Oral Examination to verify the outcome of the Final Exam. The form is

provided to the major professor when the exam is scheduled.

1.4.4 Thesis, Dissertation, and Special Reports

Before graduation, students must prepare a thesis or dissertation (or a special report in the

case of M.Engr. students completing a creative component). Formatting guidelines for ISU

theses are summarized at https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/current/thesis/checklist/

. The

student and major professor must determine whether or not the results are to be published and

what the student’s responsibilities are in the publication process. It is normally expected that the

student will at least complete the draft of a research paper prior to departure.

A student’s thesis, dissertation, or special report must be uploaded to a repository by the

required Graduate College deadline. Students completing the Ph.D. and M.S. degree must

submit their thesis or dissertation to ProQuest (http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/home). M.Engr.

students completing a creative component must submit their special report to the ISU Library

(

https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/ir_submit.cgi?context=creativecomponents).

1.4.5 Graduate Student Approval Form

After completing the Final Oral Exam and the exit survey, students must complete a Graduate

Student Approval Form. Individuals from various offices electronically sign this form to indicate

that the student has completed the degree requirements and has met all other obligations to be

eligible for the degree. The form is online.

1.5 Graduate Minor in Chemical Engineering

Graduate students in other departments who do not have Ch E backgrounds can obtain a minor

in Ch E by completing 12 credits of 300-, 400- or 500-level Ch E courses. At least 9 of these

credits must be in core Chemical Engineering courses, and not elective courses. A CBE faculty

member must serve on the student's POS committee to help guide the selection of courses for

the minor.

2. Departmental Policies and Procedures

2.1 Additional Coursework for Students without a Chemical Engineering B.S.

Degree

Even though the majority of graduate students in the program are chemical engineers, the

department does admit highly qualified students from non-Ch E backgrounds. To prepare these

students for graduate coursework in chemical engineering, the Department has developed Ch E

412X – Core Concepts for Chemical Engineers. This course is typically completed the

summer prior to a student’s first fall term and must be successfully completed by students

without an undergraduate chemical engineering degree before attempting any graduate Ch E

coursework. Ch E 412X cannot be applied to the POSC Form.

Students who do not successfully complete Ch E 412X will need to take up to 5 undergraduate

level courses in Ch E and Math to enhance their preparation for taking graduate level Ch E

coursework. Credit earned in these courses is not applied to the POSC Form. For any courses

not equivalently covered during their undergraduate preparation, students will need to earn a

"B" or better in undergraduate courses as per the table below:

Course

Title

Prerequisite

ISU Course

Ch E 545

Analytical and

Numerical Methods

1 semester undergraduate differential

equations course

Math 267

Ch E 554

Integrated Transport

Phenomena

2 semesters undergraduate transport

phenomena (fluids, heat, mass transfer)

Ch E

356, 357, 381

Ch E 583

Advanced

Thermodynamics

1 semester thermodynamics course Ch E 381

Ch E 587

Advanced Chemical

Reactor Design

1 semester reactor design course Ch E 382

At the beginning of their program, students will need to identify the courses they will be required

to take on the Non-Ch E Student Graduate Preparatory Coursework Worksheet. Students

will need to submit this worksheet to the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE). This

worksheet should include transcripts documenting courses that fulfill the prerequisite

requirements, if taken from an institution other than Iowa State University.

2.2 Transfer Credits

If students wish to transfer graduate-level course credits from previous institutions, they must

complete the CBE Graduate Transfer Credit Worksheet

and submit to the DOGE for approval.

In general, the following policies apply:

• Eligible courses include lecture or lab courses that are eligible for graduate credit at the

other institution.

• Research credits, seminar credits, or research ethics credits are not eligible for transfer.

• The 600-level course requirement may not be satisfied with transfer credits.

• The course must have been taught by a member of that institution’s graduate faculty.

• The course must not have been applied to an undergraduate degree that you earned

while at that institution. This must be clear on the transcript or attested to by a letter from

the other institution.

• A grade of “B+” or better is required.

• The POS committee must approve the inclusion of all transferred electives on the POS

form. This means that although your elective credits may transfer, it is up to your POS

committee to determine if they can be used to satisfy your degree requirements.

2.3 Orientation and New Graduate Student Checklist

All new graduate students in CBE must attend the department’s orientation session and

complete the steps and training listed on the New Graduate Student Checklist (see Appendix

D). All new graduate students will be assigned a temporary office in Sweeney Hall. Upon arrival,

students will need to schedule a check-in time with the Graduate Student Coordinator. At this

time, students will complete the appropriate forms to request keys for their assigned office,

entrance to Sweeney Hall, and the graduate student lounge. International students must also

attend the International Graduate Student Check-in and Orientation.

2.4 Appointments and Stipends

For students on graduate assistantship, the terms of appointment are described in the student’s

initial offer letter of admissions. Each graduate student will be prompted to sign an Electronic

Appointment Form in Workday for each academic semester of appointment unless otherwise

specified. The graduate student's major professor(s) will advise them of the duties of the

appointment and the accountability procedures. All appointments are reviewed annually and the

student will be advised of the nature of the next year's appointment prior to the end of the

academic year.

2.5 Safety Training and Requirements

Laboratory safety training for new graduate students is held each fall and presented by the

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Department. This is mandatory training required under

state and federal law for all new employees and for any employees who have not received prior

Iowa State University training. This training is required for compliance with the OSHA

Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450 "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in

Laboratories"). If you receive a salary, wages, or a stipend for working in laboratories in CBE,

you must attend this training. This includes faculty, staff, hourly wage employees, research

assistants, teaching assistants, and postdoctoral students.

Topics include: OSHA Laboratory Standard, Laboratory Safety Manual, Material Safety Data

Sheets, Prior Approval Procedures, Laboratory Hazards, Chemical Hygiene, Personal

Protection, Housekeeping, Containers and Labeling, Hazardous Waste Disposal and Electrical

Safety. Depending on what your research is, additional training may be required later. Willful

failure to comply with safety requirements is grounds for dismissal.

Additional safety training may be communicated and assigned to you as deemed appropriate by

the CBE Safety Committee.

2.6 Registration Requirements

2.6.1 Semester Registration

For full-time enrollment, students are required to register for 9-12 credits of coursework during

the fall and spring terms. This registration must include Ch E 601: Seminar, a R credit course.

During the summer term, students should register for 1 credit of Ch E 699 or 599, unless

otherwise instructed by their major professor.

2.6.2 Teaching Practicum and Curricula Teaching Requirement

All Ph.D. seeking graduate students are required to participate in the teaching mission of the

University by registering for a two-part teaching experience. The first component, Ch E 698A:

Teaching Practicum is a weekly discussion group covering the topics of class and laboratory

instruction, grading, and teaching philosophy.

The second component is Ch E 698B—Curricular Teaching Experience (CTE), in which the

student participates in the instruction of Ch E course(s) under the mentorship of a CBE faculty

member. Typical activities that the students will participate in as part of the CTE include:

• Actively participating in classroom lectures and/or laboratory instruction (including delivering

a few faculty-supervised lectures)

• Helping instructor design homework and/or exam problems

• Participating in the formulation of projects (if any)

• Holding problem-solving recitation sessions with students

• Grading homework, quizzes, and/or lab reports

At the end of the CTE, the students will submit a short report to the graduate committee that

summarizes their CTE activities, with input from the faculty instructor. All CBE doctoral students

must complete at least two semesters of CTE. An additional term of CTE may be prescribed as

an outcome of unsatisfactory core course performance as described in section 1.3.3. The

scheduling of CTE terms will be determined in collaboration with the major professor and the

associate department chair.

2.7 Satisfactory Progress and Performance in Coursework and Research

Students receiving financial support in the form of teaching or research assistantships or industrial

fellowships are expected to make satisfactory progress towards their degree. In addition to

completing coursework on a satisfactory timetable, students must also have satisfactory

performance in their coursework and research.

2.7.1 Satisfactory Degree Progress

Although special considerations may apply in individual cases, students are expected to make

acceptable progress following the timetables outlined below:

Timetable for students with a B.S. in Ch E (or successfully complete Ch E 412X) and are

admitted directly to the Ph.D. program:

Event Time since entry

PhD Qualifying Exam 1 year

Program of Study Meeting no later than 1.5 years

Preliminary Exam 3 years

Final Oral Exam 4 - 5 years

Timetable for students with a non-Ch E B.S. (and do not successfully complete Ch E 412X) and

are admitted directly to the Ph.D. program:

Event Time since entry

Completion of undergraduate 1 year

Ch E coursework

PhD Qualifying Exam 2 years

Program of Study Meeting no later than 2.5 years

Preliminary Exam 4 years

Final Oral Exam 5 - 6 years

Students who first obtain a M.S. degree at Iowa State prior to beginning the Ph.D. program:

Event Time since entry

PhD Qualifying Exam Within one semester following M.S. degree

Ph.D. Program of Study Meeting Within one semester following M.S. degree

Preliminary Exam Within 2 years of M.S. degree

Final Exam 2 - 2.5 years of M.S. degree

2.7.2 Satisfactory Coursework Progress and Performance

Graduate students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to be in good academic

standing. Students whose GPAs fall below 3.0 will be on probation the following semester. New

students whose GPAs fall below a 3.0 will be given a warning the following semester and placed

on probation the semester after if their GPA is still below a 3.0. Furthermore, if a student

flagrantly neglects coursework or assistantship duties, thereby violating terms of the

assistantship contract, the department can suspend a student’s assistantship for the following

semester.

Students not showing satisfactory progress and failing to bring their GPA above 3.0 at the end of

the semester that they are on probation will be terminated and they may be dropped from the

departmental graduate program. The student’s major professor may petition the departmental

committee to allow the student to continue working towards a degree. In this case, the student will

no longer receive an assistantship unless the major professor decides to provide full or partial

funding.

2.7.3 Satisfactory Research Progress and Performance

CBE department practice is oriented to ensure graduate student success. We invite feedback as

to how we can continue to improve in this regard (email cbegradc[email protected]

However, the path to success can have periods of unsatisfactory progress; this section outlines

the process for identifying and resolving such periods. The following policy is applied to both

CBE students and the students from other programs with CBE listed as the home department.

The purpose of having a clearly written policy is motivated by the lack of consistent signal paths

in the past in the situation that a student continuously makes unsatisfactory progress. It also

describes an official procedure for a student on a probationary period to return to the

satisfactory status so students can make sufficient efforts to achieve this goal.

1. At the end of the Fall semester, the major professor must perform an official annual review

with each student and the “Graduate Student Annual Performance Review” form will be

documented in the student’s academic folder. Faculty can initiate additional review during an

academic year to document unsatisfactory progress. Students have the right to request

mediation with the chair and the DOGE at any time.

2. At the end of each semester (Spring, Summer, and Fall), each professor needs to submit

students’ grades for 599/699. In majority of the cases, a student who has made satisfactory

progress will get a grade of “A”, “B”, or “satisfactory”. The major professor can assign “C” or

“unsatisfactory” to the student who did not make satisfactory progress in research. If an

unsatisfactory grade is to be assigned, the major professor must document a face-to-face

meeting with the student using the “Graduate Student Annual Performance review” form. The

form must summarize the deficiencies leading to unsatisfactory status.

3. When ‘unsatisfactory progress’ is documented, the following term becomes a probationary

term. The student needs to perform a written self-assessment within one week of the signature

date on the “Graduate Student Annual Performance Review.” The major professor needs to

inform the department chair and the DOGE about the student’s probationary term immediately

after assigning a non-satisfactory grade to 599/699. A meeting involving the major professor,

the student, and the chair/DOGE will be arranged to clarify the expectation for the student to

return to satisfactory status, which will be included in the documentation.

4. Returning to satisfactory status is required for taking further steps in pursuit of the degree.

The Graduate Student Coordinator will verify the status and inform both the professor and the

student before allowing the student to take POS meeting, prelim, and the final defense.

5. Students will continue to be paid during the probationary semester. No later than two weeks

prior to the end of the probationary term, the major professor must submit a memo to the DOGE

and Chair requesting to return the student to satisfactory status, extend the probationary period,

terminate funding (tuition and/or stipend support), or initiate degree termination for the next

semester. If the memo does not request a return to satisfactory status, a meeting will be

scheduled involving the major professor, the student, and the Chair/DOGE.

Cases of academic or research misconduct would likely be addressed through the judicial

system. These and other types of misconduct are detailed in Chapter 9 of the Graduate College

Handbook, https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/handbook/, and are in a different category than

Unsatisfactory Progress; but cases of unsatisfactory grades are addressed there also.

Termination of graduate study is addressed in this same section under “Dismissal” where the

procedure and student safeguards are addressed.

2.8 Absences from Campus and Travel Procedures

2.8.1 Absences from Campus

A student's major professor must approve absences (other than university holidays) in advance.

Graduate students completing a CTE must inform the professor they are working with any

absence. In order to approve an absence, students must complete the

Personal Travel

Notification form. This form will need to be signed by the graduate student traveling, their major

professor, and their supervising instructor (if completing CTE). The form should be emailed to

the Graduate Student Coordinator at least two weeks prior to travel.

2.8.2 Travel Procedures

For students planning to attend a conference, some (if not all) of the following information will

apply to you, so please read carefully.

Procedures for attending a conference are:

1. Check with your major professor regarding the conference you wish to attend. Obtain their

approval before proceeding with the next step.

2. Complete a CBE Out-of-State Travel Authorization form

, providing the account number to be

used to order your airline ticket. After you sign the form, have your major professor sign and

turn in the completed Out-of-State Travel Authorization form to the Event and Business

Coordinator in 2114 Sweeney Hall.

3. There are two options for obtaining flights:

a. Designated department travel coordinators (Elaine Smuck and Michelle Stotts) have P-

cards with designated travel indicator status that must be used to reserve flights through

ISU designated vendors. Individuals may search flight options by going to

https://www.concursolutions.com/

and establishing a personal profile. All airline options

are available for comparison. Once selected, the preferred flight may be sent to the

department travel coordinators.

b. Travelers still have the option to search, book, and pay for their own travel and then be

reimbursed after the travel. Travelers should also be aware that when purchasing tickets

with a personal credit card the traveler assumes all risk. If the trip is canceled, ISU will

not reimburse the traveler for the ticket of a trip that was not taken, as the credit for the

unused ticket goes back to the traveler's credit card. By contrast, trips arranged through

our contracted travel agency and subsequently canceled can have credits applied to the

future trips of any ISU traveler, which ensures the value of the ticket will not be lost.

http://www.controller.iastate.edu/travelinformation/internettravelsites.htm

4. Remember to book your other travel needs such as hotel, rental car, shuttle, etc.

5. After travel has occurred, submit a Travel Reimbursement Form

and associated receipts to

the Event & Business Coordinator in 2114 Sweeney Hall. For a list of allowable travel

expenses see

http://www.controller.iastate.edu/travelinformation/allowableexpenses.htm.

2.8.3 Professional Advancement Grants (PAGs)

Professional Advancement Grant (PAG) policies and procedures can be found at

https://www.gpss.iastate.edu/pag

. PAGs are provided to current graduate students by lowering

barriers to attending professional meetings and conferences by helping to defray costs.

Interested graduate students must complete the online form to request funding from the

Graduate and Professional Student Senate to help support trip expenses. Any graduate student,

who is currently enrolled as a full-time student and is not classified under “continuous

registration” may apply for a Travel PAG. Each student is eligible to receive one Travel PAG per

fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). All graduate students are eligible for up to $200 per fiscal

year from the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS).

Requests for Travel PAGS can sometimes exceed available funds, so students should apply as

early as possible, preferably 8-10 weeks prior to departure. The application must be received in

the Graduate College no later than two weeks prior to departure. If you have any questions,

please ask or view the PAG website at https://www.gpss.iastate.edu/pag

PAG funds must be expended by one month after the last day of the conference. Not taking

action within one month constitutes forfeiture of funds and the funds will revert back to use for

new travel grant awardees. If a student is funded to attend a conference and does not attend,

the student must notify the GPSS PAG Chair in writing to cancel their PAG by emailing

[email protected]

. This must be done no later than 2 weeks after the conference.

2.8.4 CBE Travel Grant

The Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering offers travel grants to help defray

expenses for professional meetings and conferences for Chemical & Biological Engineering

students. Amount of support is limited to one award per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). To apply for

the grant, complete the form at

https://www.cbe.iastate.edu/files/2020/02/CBE-Travel-

Grants_02032020.pdf and forward the form to the Event & Business Coordinator in 2114

Sweeney Hall.

2.9 Facilities

2.9.1 Office and Building Hours

The CBE main office, 2114 Sweeney Hall, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number is

515-294-7642. The fax number is 515-294-2689. Administrative offices on campus are also open

during these hours. Summer and break business hours change to 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sweeney Hall Building hours are:

Monday – Friday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

The northwest door of Sweeney Hall is equipped with a card reader to allow access to Sweeney

Hall outside of the above listed hours.

Biorenewables Research Laboratory hours during the fall and spring semesters are:

Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Biorenewables Research Laboratory hours during the summer and semester breaks are:

Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Advanced Teaching and Research Building hours are:

Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

All buildings are closed during University Holidays.

2.9.2 Office Assignments

Office and laboratory spaces are available for each graduate student. Students are assigned an

office space by the department chair and the operations manager. Key request forms can be

obtained from the main office, in 2114 Sweeney Hall. The supervisor will need to complete and

sign the form. The form will need to be returned to the main office for the key to be ordered. The

following day a key issue form can be taken to the General Services Building where keys are

issued with an I.D. Graduate students needing to switch keys with another graduate student must

stop in 2114 Sweeney Hall and request that a Transfer of Keys be entered online. Lost or stolen

keys will be replaced for a $30 fee each, in addition to any fees associated with rekeying.

Each graduate student is responsible for maintaining a neat and safe environment in the assigned

office and laboratory. Safety inspections occur frequently.

2.9.3 Office Supplies

Graduate students are responsible for their own office supplies. There are often old file folders

available for student use from the main office if needed (see the Event & Business Coordinator

in 2114 Sweeney).

2.9.4 Printing

Printers have been replaced with color copiers and are available in 0108, 1123, and 1150

Sweeney. Copiers can be used for printing, copying and for scanning to email using your NetID or

University ID card. Simply scan your ID card at the location indicated on the copier, or enter your

NetID and password, to access copier features. Please make sure to LOGOUT when done. There

are more detailed instructions HERE. Standard Papercut charges per page printed or copied

apply. Printers are also available in the Library and this link provides information on how to print

from different types of devices. A printer in 2123 Sweeney Hall is also available for student use.

The copy machine in 2112 Sweeney Hall may be used for research-related material and material

approved by your major professor.

2.9.5 Mail

Graduate students have mailboxes in 2112 Sweeney. Students should check their mailbox

regularly for department announcements. Campus mail can be mailed from that room also.

Personal mail or packages should not be delivered to or sent from the department office.

2.9.6 Sweeney Graduate Student Lounge

The graduate student lounge is in 1021 Sweeney. It is equipped with a microwave, refrigerator,

coffeemaker, table, and chairs. This room is available to graduate students for eating meals and

for interaction among students. CEGSO announcements and other related information will be

posted in this lounge. Each graduate student will be provided with a key to the graduate student

lounge. Graduate students are responsible for disposing of their own expired items in the

refrigerator and for cleaning up messes in the lounge.

There are also undergraduate/graduate student collaboration rooms available in Sweeney 2123

and 3149 Sweeney.

2.9.7 Room Reservation Requests

Room requests for the conference rooms in Sweeney Hall (rooms 2041, 2126, 3041, and 3149)

can be made by contacting the Event & Business Coordinator in the main office (2114 Sweeney).

Requests to reserve any classroom space in Sweeney Hall or in the Biorenewables Research

Complex must be made through Iowa State’s Room Scheduling

process.

2.9.8 Checkout Procedures

Each graduate student must arrange a checkout procedure with their research group when

leaving the department. Students employed by other centers, institutes, or laboratories within the

university must also comply with their outlined checkout procedures.

The departmental checkout procedure is outlined on the CBE Graduate Student Checkout Form

(see Appendix E). The exit survey for all graduating CBE students must be completed prior to the

Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) signing the Graduate Student Approval form. All items on

the checkout form must be completed prior to students receiving their thesis/dissertation copies.

3. Professional Development Opportunities on Campus

The Department and University provide a variety of opportunities for graduate students to

develop their academic, research, and professional skills. In addition to considering the

opportunities and resources listed below, students are also encouraged to discuss with their

major professor(s) opportunities for professional development on and off campus.

3.1 Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Organization

The Ch E Graduate Student Organization (CEGSO) was founded to promote interaction among

the graduate students of the department. The organization not only works to achieve a pleasant

work environment, but also strives to promote awareness of more global concerns. CEGSO

sponsors social events and lectures that address topics outside the field of Ch E and encourage

open discussion.

Past CEGSO events have included activities such as picnics, potluck dinners, canoeing, and

sports teams. CEGSO members show prospective graduate students around the campus and

city during visits. Members also help incoming graduate students with problems such as getting

to Ames from the airport and where to live. CEGSO membership is currently limited to Ch E

graduate students, although members are encouraged to bring guests to the functions. CEGSO

officer elections occur at the beginning of fall semesters.

The CEGSO web page includes student and group profiles, honors/awards, and updates

current happenings in the department concerning graduate students

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654456971504721/

2023-2024 CEGSO Cabinet

President ....................................................................................... Abigail Koep

Vice President .............................................................................. Yee Jher Chan

Treasurer ............................................................................ Sepehr Hejazi

Secretary ...................................................................................... Jeniffer Perea-Lopez

Professional Development Chair………………………………Mahmudul Hasan Khan

Social Chair………………………………………………………Carly Dolgos

Faculty Adviser ................................................................... Dr. Thomas Mansell

3.2 Ch E 601: Seminar

Ch E 601: Seminar, offered every fall and spring semester, is a required course for all graduate

students in the department. Seminar is a once a week, 50 minute course during which guest

presenters from academia and industry lecture about their expertise and research in the Ch E

field. Ch E 601 provides an opportunity for students to hear about current research and

practices in the Ch E field and to network with colleagues and experts in Ch E. CEGSO also

hosts a meet and greet with the guest presenters that enables students to ask questions on a

broader range of topics (e.g., career planning advice, journal editorial duties/suggestions)..

Participation and attendance at Ch E 601 is required, unless an exception is approved by the

DOGE.

3.3 CBE Perfect Pitch Competition

Each spring semester, as a part of the Seminar course, graduate students participate in the

Department’s Perfect Pitch Competition. This competition involves having students answering

the following questions about their research in a timed format:

• What is the need of your research?

• How does your approach uniquely solve the problem?

• What is the potential impact if your research is successful?

The competition provides the opportunity for students to hear about their peers’ research and to

practice articulating their own research problem and approach to an audience of both Ch E and

non-Ch E professionals. The format of the competition alternates every other year, with either

students who have completed their qualifier presenting in a 90-second time frame or students

who have completed their preliminary exam presenting in a 3-minute time frame. Cash prizes

are awarded to first, second, and third prize winners, as determined by a group of judges.

3.4 Outstanding Research and Teaching Awards

The Graduate College and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering sponsor two

awards to graduate students for outstanding achievement in research and teaching.

Nominations for these awards are accepted each semester.

3.4.1 Research Excellence Award

The Research Excellence Award is awarded to graduate students to recognize outstanding

research accomplishments, as documented in resulting theses and dissertations. Recipients are

also expected to be academically superior and able to not only do research, but also develop a

well-written product. The award is administered by the Graduate College.

Each Research Excellence Award recipient will receive a letter of commendation from the Iowa

State University president, a certificate of achievement from the dean of the Graduate College,

and an honor cord for commencement. Recipients will be recognized in the Iowa State

University Commencement Program and a notation of the award will be made on their

transcript.

3.4.2 Teaching Excellence Award

The Teaching Excellence Award is awarded to graduate students to recognize outstanding

achievement in teaching. The program is administered by the Graduate College.

Each Teaching Excellence Award recipient will receive a letter of commendation from the Iowa

State president, a certificate of achievement from the dean of the Graduate College, and an

honor cord for commencement. Recipients will be recognized in the Iowa State University

Commencement Program and a notation of the award will be made on their transcript.

3.5 Graduate Student Professional Development Resources

Although not an exhaustive list, the Graduate College provides the following opportunities and

resources for all graduate students on campus. All graduate students are encouraged to utilize

these resources, as needed.

Career Services https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/career/

Provides individual consultations, workshops, and presentations for graduate students and

postdoctoral scholars to support career exploration and searches. Graduate students are also

able to work with the College of Engineering’s Career Services office

(http://www.engineering.iastate.edu/ecs/).

Center for Communication Excellence https://cce.grad-college.iastate.edu/

Provides feedback on written and oral communications to graduate students and postdoctoral

scholars through programs in mentoring, peer review, thesis/dissertation consultations, and more.

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT)

https://www.celt.iastate.edu/graduate-

students-postdocs/

Provides resources for graduate students with current teaching responsibilities at the University.

CELT also provides opportunities for professional development for students interested in a future

career in teaching including the Graduate Student Teaching Certificate and the

Preparing Future

Faculty program.

Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) https://www.gpss.iastate.edu/

An elected group of graduate and professional students that serve as a liaison between students

and the University to promote ideas and programs that support graduate and professional student

welfare. The department has a GPSS representative. If you are interested in representing the

department on the GPSS, please reach out to the Graduate Student Coordinator.

3.6 External Employment Guidelines

There are many benefits to internships and other external employment opportunities during your

graduate studies, however they must be carefully planned such that they do not overly delay

your graduation or jeopardize the contract or grant from which your funding is derived. Involve

your major professor early and often prior to seeking out and committing to an external

opportunity such that its timing can be optimized. Last-minute requests are typically not

accommodated. Typically, it is best to arrange these experiences closer to graduation such that

your research is well underway, you have some writing to work on while away, and your

relationship to the external party has greater chances of evolving into employment upon

graduation. These experiences come in three different manners:

1. Full-time, off campus position where payment comes directly from external party to

student (most common). An example of this is a full-time internship at a company for the

summer. In this case ChE 697 (Research Internship) can be used to maintain student

status OR there can be a deferral of enrollment. Note: full deferral can have implications

on health insurance status; contact ISU Graduate College or Human Resources for

latest guidance and determine if employer coverage is sufficient. In both cases, the

student is not put on research assistantship. If ChE 697 is pursued, it is up to the

student to negotiate with the external company coverage of any tuition or fees incurred.

In most cases, the student is well compensated in this position and paying for a credit of

ChE 697 is nominal.

2. Full-time, off-campus position where payment is routed through ISU. An example of this

is the NSF INTERN program where you are working at a company on some defined

portion of your thesis. In this case register for full load of 699 credit and maintain 1/2 LOI

appointment. This allows tuition and stipend to be routed through the university.

Typically, the funding agency will automatically cover the tuition or it is offset from a

research grant. This category is considered off-campus sponsored research.

3. Part-time, off-campus position (payment directly to student) where the student still

wishes to pursue on-campus research concurrently. These types of split positions are

highly discouraged as it ultimately ends up short-changing either the employer or the

research efforts on campus. If pursued, plan carefully with your major professor to

define what level of part-time work will be possible. In most cases, this will result in a

smaller appointment (e.g., ¼ time status with partial tuition coverage). The work plan

and support level should be agreed upon between the student and major professor prior

to start of the external assignment. These part time opportunities should be finite

(typically one semester) and have some clear benefit to the education plan of the

student.

Non-educational, external employment opportunities (paid consulting, coaching, etc.) should be

minimized as they detract from focus necessary to excel in your graduate studies. There are no

ISU imposed limits on hours worked externally for graduate students, however such positions

should be discussed with your major professor prior to committing and are required to be

immediately disclosed in your employment COI form. Also, there may be restrictions based on

your funding source (e.g., Fellowships with limitations on external work hours). Students are

reminded that satisfactory academic and research progress must be maintained according to

the relevant timelines and procedures discussed elsewhere in this handbook.

4. Purchasing Policies and Procedures

Graduate students are able to purchase supplies needed for their research laboratories in

CyBuy, or by using an issued purchasing credit card (P-card) or purchase order requisition.

4.1 CyBuy

When purchasing supplies, students should first check the CyBuy website for item availability.

CyBuy was designed to allow for purchasing supplies from University contracted vendors as

well as Chemistry Stores and Central Stores. CyBuy can be accessed in Workday. Instructions

on how to purchase supplies through CyBuy can be found in the ISU Service Portal. The

appropriate Job Aid is titled “Workday Procurement Creating an Order from a CyBuy Supplier.”

4.2 Purchasing Credit Card (P-card)

A P-card is a VISA credit card available to faculty and staff for purchasing low-dollar (purchases

under $4,900) and tax free supplies. Students who are interested in obtaining a P-card for

purchasing should speak with their major professor. Cardholders are required to complete the

Iowa State University p-card application in Workday and attend an orientation session to obtain

a p-card. Cardholders may enroll in Procurement Card Orientation sessions through Workday

Learning (Purchasing Card (P-Card) Orientation). P-card applications may be submitted by the

applicant through the Create Request task in Workday (see

https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/card-services/procurement-card/how

• Navigate to the task by searching Create Request from the Workday Landing Page.

• Search ‘card’ in the Request Type box, press enter, and select Card Application –

Procurement Card (p-card).

Students assigned a P-card are responsible for their card until they leave the department. Only

the person who was issued the P-card should use the P-card to purchase supplies.

Purchases should be tax exempt. When purchasing an item, tell the vendor that you are from

Iowa State University, and you will be making a Visa purchase. EMPHASIZE THAT THE

UNIVERSITY IS SALES TAX EXEMPT! If the supplier requests the University's sales tax-

exempt number, please provide the appropriate number: Sales Tax: 1-85000775M. If the

supplier requests a University sales tax exempt certificate, request a form at

https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/resources/salestax/tax-exempt-form

After obtaining a P-card and making a purchase, the cardholder is required to verify the

purchase in Workday. Once a purchase has been made, the purchaser will receive an email

from a Procurement and Expense Specialist. To verify the purchase, students should reply to

this email and include the following information in the email:

• Business purpose for the purchase (identify who, what, where, when, and why)

• Receipts (attached to the email)

• Appropriate Worktag for the purchase

• Appropriate Spend Category for the purchase

The Procurement and Expense Specialist will then work to verify the purchase based on the

information included above. All purchases should be verified by the 30 day deadline. If

purchases are not verified, the cost of the item purchased will be charged to the purchaser’s

UBill. Questions regarding the appropriate Worktag and Spend Category for purchases should

be directed to the major professor.

Cardholders are required to keep the original receipt for one year after the purchase date.

For more information on the Purchasing Card guidelines, please see

https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/Documents/pcard_ch_guide2020-

09%20with%20graphics.pdf

4.3 Purchase Order Requisitions

A purchase requisition is used to request equipment, supplies or services for purchases over

$4,900 or when a company will not accept a credit card as a form of payment. Graduate

students will need to obtain a quote from the company to upload into Workday. Students will

also need to provide a short justification as to why the purchase is being made and the worktag

that will be charged for the purchase. This request will then be routed for approval.

These are standard questions any department should ask when buying new equipment:

1. Will it fit through a standard door?

2. Does it require building service connection that is not readily available? (heat, air,

water, etc.)

3. Does it require special equipment to be moved?

4. Is the right power available?

5. Is it replacing in-kind equipment?

5. Departmental Directory

Faculty

Name

Title

Address

Phone

E-mail

Rizia Bardhan

Associate

Professor

5005 ATRB

4-5138

rbardhan@iastate.edu

Ratul Chowdhury

Assistant

Professor

5009 ATRB

4-2835

ratul@iastate.edu

Eric Cochran

Professor

3133 Sweeney

4-0625

ecochran@iastate.edu

Rodney Fox

Distinguished

Professor

3035 Sweeney

4-9104

rofox@iastate.edu

Kurt Hebert

Professor

3155 Sweeney

4-6763

krhebert@iastate.edu

Andrew Hillier

Professor

2114 Sweeney

4-3678

hillier@iastate.edu

Laura Jarboe

Professor

1140N BRL

4-2319

ljarboe@iastate.edu

Molly Kozminsky

Assistant

Professor

5003 ATRB

4-2759

mollykoz@iastate.edu

Monica Lamm

Associate

Professor

2157 Sweeney

4-6533

mhlamm@iastate.edu

Wenzhen Li

Professor

2140 BRL

4-4582

wzli@iastate.edu

Surya

Mallapragada

Distinguished

Professor

5023 ATRB

2810 Beardshear

4-7407

4-2857

suryakm@iastate.edu

Thomas Mansell

Associate

Professor

4136 BRL

4-7177

mansell@iastate.edu

Balaji

Narasimhan

Distinguished

Professor

5001 ATRB

4-8019

nbalaji@iastate.edu

Matthew

Panthani

Associate

Professor

2037 Sweeney

4-1736

panthani@iastate.edu

Tanya Prozorov

Adjunct Assistant

Professor

332 Wilhelm

4-3376

tprozoro@iastate.edu

Nigel Reuel

Associate

Professor

3162B Sweeney

4-4592

reuel@iastate.edu

Luke Roling

Assistant

Professor

3053 Sweeney

4-4959

roling@iastate.edu

Ian Schneider

Associate

Professor

2035 Sweeney

4-0450

ians@iastate.edu

Brent Shanks

Distinguished

Professor

1140L BRL

4-1895

bshanks@iastate.edu

Jacqueline

Shanks

Professor

3031 Sweeney

4-4828

jshank[email protected]du

Zengyi Shao

Associate

Professor

4140 BRL

4-1132

zyshao@iastate.edu

Jean-Philippe

Tessonnier

Professor

2138 BRL

4-4595

tesso@iastate.edu

Dennis Vigil

Professor &

Department Chair

2114 Sweeney

4-6438

vigil@iastate.edu

Jing Wang

Assistant

Professor

4138 BRL

4-5927

jwang1@iastate.edu

Qun Wang

Research Asst.

Professor

1014 Sweeney

4-4218

qunwang@iastate.edu

Yue Wu

Professor

2033 Sweeney

4-0702

yuewu@iastate.edu

Teaching Professors/Professors of Practice

Name

Title

Address

Phone

E-mail

Jennifer Heinen

Teaching

Professor

3033 Sweeney

4-1891

jmheinen@iastate.edu

John Kaiser

Professor of

Practice

2117 Sweeney

4-8575

jkaiser@iastate.edu

Stephanie

Loveland

Teaching

Professor

3055 Sweeney

4-3024

prairie@iastate.edu

Samuel Rothstein

Lecturer

3051

4-7195

smr@iastate.edu

Courtesy Appointments

Name

Title

Address

Phone

E-mail

Robbyn Anand

Associate

Professor

2101C Hach Hall

4-8944

rkanand@iastate.edu

Xianglan Bai

Associate

Professor

2070 Black Engr

4-6886

[email protected]

Robert Brown

Distinguished

Professor

1140E BRL

4-7934

rcbrown@iastate.edu

Chris Cornelius

Professor

2240 Hoover

4-1937

cjcornel@iastate.edu

Ted Heindel

University

Professor

2018 Black Engr

4-0057

theindel@iastate.edu

Duane Johnson

Professor

311 TASF

4-9649

ddj@iastate.edu

Michael Olson

Professor

3025 Black Engr

4-0073

mgolsen@iastate.edu

Alberto

Passalacqua

Associate

Professor

302 Lab of

Mechanics

4-5047

albertop@iastate.edu

Staff

Name

Title

Address

Phone

E-mail

Ryan Arndorfer

Laboratory

Supervisor

2052 Sweeney

4-1660

rja@iastate.edu

Sarah Beckman

Laboratory

Supervisor

2054 Sweeney

4-4134

sezb@iastate.edu

Matthew Brown

Student Services

Specialist

2162 Sweeney

4-9124

mrb@iastate.edu

Dee Hehr

Academic Advisor

2162B Sweeney

4-2127

drhehr@iastate.edu

Gabe Jensen

Data Analytics

Specialist

2119 Sweeney

4-1478

grjensen@iastate.edu

Allison Wortman

Academic Advisor

2162C Sweeney

4-3960

Colin Richey

Systems Analyst

1144 Sweeney

4-4919

crichey@iastate.edu

Elaine Smuck

Event and

Business

Coordinator

2114 Sweeney

4-7642

esmuck@iastate.edu

Michelle Stotts

Operations

Manager

2114 Sweeney

4-9297

mls[email protected]u

Jessie Vosseller

BME Academic

Advisor

2162D Sweeney

4-3725

jessiev@iastate.edu

David Welshhons

Graduate Student

Coordinator

2114 Sweeney

4-7870

emeek[email protected]du

Appendix A

Procedures for Earning a Master’s Degree (M.Engr. or M.S.)

Non-native English

speakers meet the

Graduate English

requirement

Choose or be

assigned a major

professor/advisor

Complete Program

of Study and

Committee (POSC)

Form on

AccessPlus

Complete all

required

coursework

Meet with POS

committee as

needed on

research/progress

plan

Complete research

and write thesis

(M.S.) or finish

creative

component

(MEngr optional)

File Application for

Graduation with

Graduate College

for intended

graduation term

Establish date,

time, and location

for final oral

examination with

POS committee

Submit Request for

Final Oral

Examination form

at least 3 weeks

before exam

Give thesis or

creative component

to committee

members at least 2

weeks prior to exam

Successfully pass

final oral

examination and

submit report form

to Graduate College

Complete Graduate

Student Approval

Form for

Graduation

Review thesis

checklist and

submit final thesis

on Proquest

Complete CBE

Checkout

Procedures

including Graduate

Survey

Attend

Commencement

Ceremonies

Appendix B

Procedures for Earning a Ph.D. Degree

Non-native English

speakers meet the

Graduate English

requirement

Complete research

project selection

and be assigned a

major professor/

advisor first fall

semester

Complete research

and write

dissertation

Meet with POS

committee

regarding

coursework and

research plan

Complete

coursework and

establish date,

time, and location

for preliminary

exam

Submit Request for

Final Oral

Examination form

at least 3 weeks

before exam

Give dissertation to

committee

members at least 2

weeks prior to exam

Successfully pass

final oral

examination and

submit report form

to Graduate College

Review thesis

checklist and

submit final

dissertation on

Proquest

Attend

Commencement

Ceremonies

File Application for

Graduation with

Graduate College

for intended

graduation term

Complete Graduate

Student Approval

Form for

Graduation

Establish date,

time, and location

for final oral

examination with

POS committee

Successfully pass

preliminary oral

examination and

submit report form

to Graduate College

Give prelim report

to committee

members at least 2

weeks prior to

exam

Submit Request for

Preliminary Oral

Examination form

at least 3 weeks

before exam

Complete Program

of Study and

Committee (POSC)

Form on

AccessPlus

Schedule and

complete Research

Progress

Report/Exam

(Qualifier) third

semester

Complete CBE

Checkout

Procedures

including Graduate

Survey

Appendix C

Qualifying Exam Rubric

[Reminders to be announced by the major professor at the beginning of the qualifier]:

The CBE Qualifying Exam consists of a 30-minute presentation followed by examination

by the committee. The student should be permitted to complete their presentation

uninterrupted except for clarifications.

Putting research into context _______/5

Are the state of the art, approach, and innovation well described? Is the foundation of the proposed research plan

clear (as shown through literature review, prior work by others in your research group, and existing theory or

knowledge within your field)? Are the risks of the research plan clear, and are there appropriate plans for mitigating

this risk? Is there a statement of purpose or clear description of impact?

Gathering and analyzing data _______/5

Is there demonstrated progress toward independence in the area of experimental, theoretical, or computational

research (e.g., mastery of a new technique; collection, appropriate analysis of experimental/computational data;

understanding of hazards and controls associated with project, etc.)? Are the data presented in a logical manner in

figures/tables that are appropriately scaled, labeled, and normalized? Are the next steps logical? Is the

scope/timeframe of the proposed research reasonable?

Connecting fundamentals to research _______/5

Are chemical engineering approaches to the problem well explained? Is it clear how thermodynamics, transport

phenomena, chemical kinetics, etc. are relevant to the problem? Is the work presented understandable to a general

chemical engineering audience?

Oral Communication _______/5

Is the presentation well organized and well structured? Is the timing for each of the sections appropriate? Is the

presenter confident, clear, and concise? Does the presenter answer questions well? Are responses well considered,

even when the answer is not totally clear?

Written Communication _______/5

Does the student’s written report contain all required sections? Is the report clear, and do the written conclusions

drawn follow logically from presented literature review/data? Is the report free from spelling and grammatical errors?

Overall comments (more room on back of page):

Initial Overall Evaluation (circle)

Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent

Appendix D

Welcome CBE Graduate Students!

Please use the following checklist to help prepare for your transition to Iowa State University as a

graduate student in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering. If you have any questions,

please contact chemengr@iastate.edu

Before Arriving in Ames:

To create your Net ID, go to the university’s ASW

webpage and click on the “Need to register for a Net-

ID?” link to register. Once you create a Net ID, you will be able to log in to your Outlook email account. If

you have previously been a student or BioMaP participant at ISU, you do not need to create a new Net

ID. Once you have created your Net ID, please email this to

chemengr@iastate.edu.

Send any final undergraduate or graduate transcripts to the ISU Office of Admissions

Guidelines on how to register for classes in AccessPlus can be found in this video

. As a graduate student,

you do not need to use a Registration Access Number (RAN) to use the registration system. You should

have taken graduate level Ch E courses previously, we will look to adjust your registration per the

outcome of the next checkbox item.

For any graduate level coursework you would like to have evaluated to transfer to ISU, complete

a ”Graduate Student Transfer Credit Worksheet”

The form can be found in the Graduate Student Forms column on CBE’s Forms

webpage. Send all

Graduate Student Transfer Credit Worksheets to chemengr@iastate.edu. Please note the instructions

and eligibility requirements at the top of the worksheet.

(International students only) Sign up for your ISSO Immigration Processing session and other

Orientation activities

To register for the ISSO Immigration Processing session and other orientation activities, please follow

the step by step instructions on ISSO’s website.

(International students only) Register for the English Placement Test (EPT) and Oral English

Certification Test (OECT)

Please see the EPT information page and the OECT information page

for information regarding test

content, registration, and potential exemptions. Note that registration for these tests may not open

until 2 weeks prior to the test date.

After Arriving in Ames:

(International students only) Attend required ISSO Immigration Processing session and take the

EPT and OECT

Check-in with David at 2114 Sweeney to complete a key request, record cell phone number, and

get your photo taken for the CBE Directory

Email chemengr@iastate.edu when you arrive in Ames to schedule a time to check-in.

Sign your Letter of Intent (LOI)

Prior to the beginning of the fall term, you will be prompted to electronically sign a LOI for your

graduate research assistantship position.

Complete online onboarding through Workday

Follow the steps indicated on your onboarding page in Workday including signing up for University

payroll, I-9 form, student and scholar health insurance, direct deposit, and other employee actions,

including fire safety and fire extinguisher training as well as the emergency response video..

Attend EH&S Laboratory Safety Orientation and complete online safety trainings

The instructor-le

d Laboratory Safety Orientation will be completed in-person in August the week prior to

courses. Registration for this training is on Workday Learning. Register as soon as possible, as seats may

fill quickly.

earning. Please complete the following trainings:

Laboratory Safety Orientation, Laboratory Safety: Chemical Storage, Laboratory Safety: Core Concepts,

Laboratory Safety: Compressed Gas Cylinders, Laboratory Safety: Fume Hoods, Laboratory Safety: Spill

Procedures, Personal Protective Equipment, Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher Training, and Worker

Right-to-Know OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Training. Please see “CBE Required Safety

Training for Lab Workers” to access these courses.

Get your IS

U ID card in 0530 Beardshear Hall

Attend required and optional orientation events

Enroll in health insurance

You will be prompted in Workday to choose your health insurance coverages as part of your onboarding

process. International Students are automatically enrolled in health insurance and have the option to

add dental coverage. Domestic Students are not automatically enrolled, but have the ability to sign up

during open enrollment each year (July 1 – September 30). After open enrollment, students will need to

experience a “qualifying event” and submit an enrollment form.

You have the ability to add dependents using the enrollment form. International Students also need to

provide their dependent’s I-94 travel documents.

Your insurance cards will be automatically sent to the address you have in AccessPlus/Workday after

you enroll. Your coverage begins with the date you choose in Workday.

Appendix E

CBE Graduate Student Checkout Form

 Return any University Library materials you have checked out

 If you are supported by Ames Lab (or have been in the past), checkout with their Human

Resources Office in 105 TASF

 Arrange a checkout procedure with your major professor and research group. All personal

items must be removed from your office space and your desk key should be placed in the

lock. If anything is left behind, it will be disposed.

 Ensure that your lab space is clean and all waste chemicals are appropriately disposed.

 Return your university keys (office and lab) to the Event and Business Coordinator in 2114

Sweeney or Facilities Planning and Management (108 General Services Building).

 If you have a departmental computer, contact the CBE Systems Support Specialist

([email protected]

) to return the computer.

 If you have a P-card, return your P-card to the Graduate Coordinator in 2114 Sweeney. Be

sure that all outstanding CyBuy or P-card paperwork is submitted.

 Review CyBox folders and Google Sheets to make others “owners” of files

 Send the department your thesis/dissertation for binding after it has been approved by the

Graduate College. Send a PDF copy of your thesis/dissertation to [email protected]

The department will cover the cost for binding two copies. Any additional copies you would

like can be printed through ISU printing at your cost.

 Complete the short, 6 question CBE Graduation Exit Questionnaire through Qualtrics to

share with the department your plans (a QR code is located on the following page):

https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5Umyc4Yn30q789

 Inform Engineering Career Services (ecs@iastate.edu) of your employment.

By signing this form, I verify that all of the above items have been completed by the graduating

student.

Major Professor: _____________________________________ Date: _________________

Graduating Student: __________________________________ Date: _________________

CBE Graduation Exit Questionnaire - QR Code