Program Revision Guidelines
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
OUTLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS TO REVISE PROGRAMS
Use this outline to prepare proposals to revise existing programs, including undergraduate majors and minors and graduate degree
programs and certificates. Proposals for revising programs should be submitted in narrative form, using the following outline.
Guidelines are on the following page.
PROGRAM NAME AND SUBJECT CODE:
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY (MCBI)
REVISED PROGRAM NAME AND SUBJECT CODE (IF APPLICABLE):
DEGREE:
M .S.
DEPARTMENT(S)/SCHOOL(S):
CONTACT PERSON:
COLLEGE(S):
BIOLOGY
MARIANNE LAPORTE
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM WINTER
YEAR
ARTS & SCIENCES
CONTACT PHONE:
7-4242
CONTACT EMAIL:
MLAPORTE@EMICH.EDU
2013
I. Rationale
1.
We are making changes to admission requirements to more closely align our admission requirements with typical
undergraduate programs in biology:
a.
We have removed the statement that one year of general biology replaced the 20 hours of biology required for our
general biology program. We used to attract professionals (e.g. engineers) wishing to retrain for expansion of the
molecular biology workforce needed by Pfizer. The vast majority of our students now arrive with a biology
background so we are bringing the admission requirements for this program in line with our other programs.
b.
We have made cell biology an explicit alternative to the physiology requirement since many students now take cell
biology instead of physiology.
c.
We do not require a biochemistry lab of our undergraduates nor do most biology programs so we have dropped that
requirement. We have also made it clear that students can take biochemistry lecture as part of their program of study
at EMU. We advise our undergraduates who intend to pursue graduate education to take a full year of organic
chemistry, which means that they may not take biochemistry. Some students may be deterred from applying to our
program if they are not aware that they can take biochemistry as part of their program.
d.
We have changed our physics requirement to one semester, as long as it includes electricity and light. Some
universities have intensive one-semester physics courses that include all topics. If students come to us without having
taken physics, they will need to take two semesters of physics at EMU because electricity and light are covered in the
second semester here.
e.
We have enumerated all admission requirements in this program instead of referring students to the General Biology
program for additional requirements. The electronic catalog makes it awkward to refer to another program "above"
for additional information so we plan to present the full admissions requirements in all programs.
2.
The one change we are making to the program itself is to change Immunobiology from a required class to a restricted
elective to allow more flexibility in program concentrations (e.g. plant cell/molecular biology).
II. Description of Current Program with III. Proposed Revisions Indicated In Red
This program prepares students to pursue research and teaching careers in molecular and cellular biology. In addition to the
general requirements stated for admission to the master of science in biology program stated above, this concentration requires the
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following for admission:
1.
One year of general biology or equivalent (replaces twenty hours in biology);
2.
A course in genetics and a course in physiology; and
3.
A course in biochemistry with laboratory.
Admission Requirements
1.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
2.
At least 20 hours in biology, with a course in genetics;
3.
A course in physiology or cell biology;
4.
One year of general chemistry;
5.
At least one semester of organic chemistry;
6.
A course in biochemistry;
7.
One semester of physics, including electricity and light;
8.
One semester of calculus or statistics;
9.
An academic record of B (3.0) or better during the junior and senior years;
Submission to the Office of Graduate Admissions of a completed departmental admission form, two letters of
recommendation and a personal statement;
Submission to the Office of Graduate Admissions scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test
(subject test not required); and
Meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School.
If a statistics course was not previously taken, BIO509 Statistics for Biologists must be taken as part of the program of study. If a
biochemistry course was not previously taken, CHEM451G Biochemistry I must be taken the first fall semester of the program as
part of the program of study. A course in physical chemistry and a course in microbiology are highly recommended.
Conditional Admission
Students deficient in a requirement for admission to any of the programs may be granted conditional admission,
subject to removal of the deficiency, while beginning graduate study. Hours earned in making up deficiencies are in
addition to those normally required for the degree.
Degree Requirements
At least 30 hours of approved graduate-level work is required, including a minimum of 24 hours within the
Department of Biology. To ensure scheduling of appropriate research experiences, internships and specialized course
work, students must, by the end of their first semester, formulate a specific program of study in consultation with their
faculty guidance committee. After approval, this program is kept on file by the graduate coordinator and may not be
changed without written approval of the guidance committee.
In addition to the common requirements, students must opt for one of two alternative degree plans: thesis or non-thesis.
Thesis: This plan is most appropriate for students intending on a research career in biology. A candidate completes
an original investigation under the supervision of a guidance (thesis) committee. This research must be suitable for
publication, written in a form acceptable to the Graduate School and defended in an oral examination. The plan
requires a minimum of 30 credit hours including a minimum of six credit hours and a maximum of 10 credit hours in
research (thesis and independent study). A maximum of six hours may be earned in BIO 690/691/692 Thesis for thesis
research.
Non-thesis: This plan is most appropriate for students intending on a professional career that does not emphasize
research or for those interested in obtaining a broader understanding of biological theory. All students in this plan
must complete 34 credit hours of course work. All candidates are encouraged to include research or practical
experiences by enrolling for three hours in either Cooperative Education in Biology (BIO 595), Practicum (BIO
686/687/688) or Independent Study (BIO 697/698/699).
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Advising
Upon admission to the biology program, students will receive initial advising from the graduate coordinator, the
principal adviser in their selected concentration, or the departmental graduate committee. Students are responsible for
forming a permanent guidance committee and developing a program of study approved by that committee before
registering for their second semester. After the first semester, if no program of study is on file, the guidance committee
is not obligated to include any unapproved courses taken as part of the student’s final program. The guidance
committee for Thesis students will include at least three faculty members from the Department of Biology. The student
usually selects the chair of the committee, and the other two members are chosen by the chair in consultation with the
student. Additional members of the committee may be added from inside or outside the department by agreement
between the chair and the student.
The guidance committee for Non-thesis students will consist of the principal graduate adviser for the selected
concentration and the graduate coordinator. The graduate adviser, in consultation with the student, will prepare the
student’s program, which must be approved by the graduate coordinator. The student may select a third member of the
guidance committee from faculty within the Department of Biology.
Course Requirements:
The concentration in molecular/cellular biology requires a minimum of 30 credit hours for thesis students and 34 credit hours for
non-thesis students. As many as six hours may be taken outside of the Department of Biology as cognates. All courses in the
program of study must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.
Required Courses: 11-17 8-14 hours
•
BIO 501 - Proposal Development in Biology 1 hr
•
BIO 502 - Seminar in Biology 1 hr
•
BIO 526 - Immunobiology 3 hrs
•
BIO 540 - Cell Biology 3 hrs
•
BIO 542 - Molecular Genetics 3 hrs
Thesis students must select a minimum of six hours of research:
•
BIO 690 - Thesis 1 hr
•
BIO 691 - Thesis 2 hrs
•
BIO 692 - Thesis 3 hrs
•
BIO 697 - Independent Study 1 hr
•
BIO 698 - Independent Study 2 hrs
•
BIO 699 - Independent Study 3 hrs
Restricted Elective Courses: 13-23 16-26 hours
13 to 23 16 to 26 credit hours selected in consultation with the graduate adviser. At least five hours must include research
methodology courses.
Cognate Courses: 0-6 hours
Up to six credit hours selected in consultation with graduate adviser.
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Program Total: 30-34 hours
IV. Impact
We do anticipate much of an impact on other programs. Many students who lack the biochemistry laboratory will be
advised to take it at EMU. Enrollment in CHEM451G may increase slightly as a result of attracting more students who did
not take biochemistry as an undergraduate to our program. We do not believe that the physics change is likely to affect
many students but will help a few students who end up in an awkward position.
V. Budget
The proposed changes will not have any budget impacts, except in their potential to increase enrollment.
VI. Action of the Department/College
1. Department/School:
Vote of faculty:
For
14
Against 0
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
I support this proposal. The proposed revision can X
cannot
Department(s)/School(s) without additional College or University resources.
Department Head/School Director Signature
Abstentions
1
be implemented within the affected
Date
2. College/Graduate School:
A. College
I support this proposal. The proposed program can
College without additional University resources.
cannot
College Dean Signature
be implemented within the affected
Date
B. Graduate School (Graduate Program Revisions ONLY)
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
VII. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Date
VIII. Appendices
A. Market Analysis/Needs Assessment
B. Mandates
C. Request for New/Revised Course Forms
D. Letters of Support from Impacted Departments
E. Cost Analysis (Complete only if the revision cannot be implemented without additional University resources. Fill in
Estimated Resources for the sponsoring department(s). Attach separate estimates for other affected departments.)
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Estimated Resources:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Faculty / Staff
$_________
$_________
$_________
SS&M
$_________
$_________
$_________
Equipment
$_________
$_________
$_________
Total
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$_________
$_________
$_________