Important Academic Policies & Procedures


Satisfactory Academic Progress
The BPH program expects that students will receive a grade of B or above in core and required classes to reflect their command of these topics. The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) states that the minimum standard for satisfactory work in the graduate school is a B average in each academic year. For more specific information about how to tally your GPA, please review the Grade and Examination portion of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Handbook.  For more information about academic progress and milestones, please refer to the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Handbook.

Academic Integrity and Research Ethics
The BPH program upholds the highest standards of academic and research integrity and standards and expects all students to abide by the Harvard Griffin GSAS Regulations and Standards of Conduct as outlined in the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Handbook.  It is also expected that students will participate in an orientation session at either the Harvard Chan School or Harvard Griffin GSAS to ensure a strong understanding of the guidelines regarding academic standards and behavior.  If students ever encounter a situation in which they feel confused or uncertain regarding academic assignments or analysis of research data, they should immediately seek advice from the course instructor, their advisor, the BPH Program, or a member of Harvard Griffin GSAS Academic Affairs.

Sexual & Gender-Based  Harassment Policy/Resources
The BPH program takes sexual and gender-based harassment and sexual assault very seriously; all students are responsible for following the Harvard Griffin GSAS Regulations and Standards of Conduct as outlined in the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Handbook.  It is expected that students will participate in an orientation session at either the Harvard Chan School or Harvard Griffin GSAS to ensure a strong understanding of the policy and resources.  The BPH program and Harvard Griffin GSAS are committed to helping anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, including sexual violence, to access the wide variety of resources available at Harvard and elsewhere.  Some resource are able to keep your information private, but they may have to share your information with those responsible for stopping or preventing sexual harassment on campus.  Before speaking with someone, make sure that you understand whether they can assure you confidentiality, or how they will keep your information private. The SHARE portal (http://share.harvard.edu/) and the FAS website (http://www.fas.harvard.edu/sexual-gender-based-harassment-policyresources) have information about the policy, your options, and resources.

Immigration and Travel Resources
Several websites are available to provide easy access to resources and information related to immigration and travel restrictions.
https://www.hio.harvard.edu/
https://gsas.harvard.edu/resource/global-support-services

Laptop Requirements for the Harvard Chan School
The effective use of mobile digital technology for analysis, synthesis, and communications are critical to public health research and practice.  The Harvard Chan School embraces the vision of learning that is appropriately enhanced by technology and educational opportunities that are “everywhere and anytime” on the future of education at Harvard.  Therefore, the School implemented a laptop requirement for all students that began in the 2016-2017 academic year.

Laptops allow students to utilize the School’s virtual computer laboratory powered by VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) technology.  The virtual laboratory gives students access to a wide variety of statistical software (e.g., SAS, Stata, R), datasets required for their studies, and personal network storage space.  The laboratory is available anywhere and anytime including active learning classrooms, student study spaces, and in student housing.

Most modern laptops are compatible with our virtual computer laboratory.  Specific requirements may be found on this website.