MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL
November 5, 1999
PRESENT: Dr. Taylor, Dr. Prasad, Dr. Watson, Dr. Chitwood, Dr. Bush, Dr.
Williamson, Dr. Labuda for Dr. Buskes, Dr. J. Cole, Dr. D. Cole, and Dr. Eftink.
ABSENT: Dr. Eagles, Dr. Cook, Mr. McCants, and Dean Meador.
1. The minutes of October 15, 1999 were approved.
2. On a motion by Taylor, seconded by Bush, the following new text for item B in
the Request for Approval of New Graduate Course form was approved:
B. For a course proposed at the 500 level (which allows undergraduates to enroll for
undergraduate credit): For graduate level credit, the breadth and depth of the
learning experience must be greater than for undergraduate credit. Graduate study
must be at a level of complexity and specialization that extends the knowledge
and intellectual maturity of the student. It must require graduate students to
analyze, explore, question, reconsider, and synthesize old and new knowledge and
skills. Therefore, the syllabus must clearly explain the different expectations for
graduate and undergraduate students concerning course content, assignments,
individual projects, grading policy, and any other relevant requirements.
3. On a motion by Williamson, seconded by Taylor, the Council approved the
following revised admission criteria statement for inclusion in the Graduate
Catalog:
GRADUATE ADMISSION CRITERIA
The Graduate School at The University of Mississippi recognizes the necessity of
multiple criteria in admission decisions. These criteria include scores on standardized
tests (i.e., the GRE general exam, GMAT, or PRAXIS) and undergraduate and/or
graduate grade point average and course completion record, and may include research
and practical experiences, evidence of skill (e.g., a writing sample), letters of
recommendation, and scores on an English proficiency exam (i.e., the TOEFL), in the
case of applicants whose native language is not English.
An official standardized test score report, an official TOEFL score report (if applicable),
and an official transcript(s) are required before an application for degree-seeking status
will be reviewed. When multiple GRE score reports exist, the most recent scores are
considered applicable and individual sub-scores (in verbal, quantitative, and analytical
reasoning) are not selected from among tests taken on different days. An undergraduate
gpa is calculated over the last 60 hours. Letters of recommendation and material such as
writing samples are optional requirements of academic departments.
In order to be recommended for admission in Full-Standing by an academic department,
an applicant must be competitive with respect to the pool of recent applicants in the
above multiple criteria. It is usually expected that a successful applicant will have an
undergraduate gpa of 3.0 and will have standardized test scores that are competitive for
the discipline. The University recognizes no minimum cut-off scores for these criteria,
nor does the University guarantee Full-Standing admission to individuals who have
competitive scores on one or more of this objective criteria, since other criteria are also
considered. Admissions decisions may also take into consideration the availability of
resources within a department.
In addition, in order to assure full consideration for admission, applications should be
received according to the following schedule, although some programs may establish an
earlier deadline and some departments consider applications at any time. General
Graduate School target deadlines: April 1 for Fall and Summer enrollment; October 1 for
Spring enrollment.
Applicants whose admission credentials, as judged by the academic departments and the
Graduate School, are less than those expected for Full-Standing status may be admitted
with conditions. For example, if an applicant has a GPA between 2.7-3.0, or GRE subscores that are marginally competitive, he or she may be admitted as conditional.
Applicants whose credentials are significantly deficient in required undergraduate course
work within the discipline may be admitted as Qualifying.
Conditional students are required to obtain a 3.0 gpa during their first 9 hours of graduate
course work (i.e., during their first semester for full-time students) in order to be
advanced to Full-Standing. Students who fail to advance to Full-Standing after their first
9 hours of enrollment will be changed to Non-Degree II status.
If a student is admitted in the Qualifying status, he or she must receive from the pertinent
department a list of undergraduate courses (up to 15 hours work) to be taken to remove
the deficiency.
4. On a motion by Prasad, seconded by Williamson the following new courses in the
School of Engineering were approved:
M E 538. EXPERIMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMETRIC
COMPOSITES. Methods for the experimental characterization of polymeric Composites.
Topics include testing standards, test methods, and data analysis precedes. (3).
M E 540. FAILURE ANALYSIS. Tools, techniques, and theories of failure analysis.
Topics include failure analysis tools, mechanical aspects of failure analysis,
macrofactographic features, and the role of failure in design. (3).
M E 555. HEATING VENTILATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING (HVAC). The
theory and design of HVAC systems for buildings with emphasis of fundamental
principles, regulations, and design. (3).
5. On a motion by Watson, seconded by Bush, the following new courses in the
Department of Biology were approved, subject to the department submitting a
more detailed syllabus.
BISC 526. SURVEY OF THE AMPHIBIA. An introduction to the taxonomy,
morphology, and evolution of salamanders, frogs, and caecilians. This course may not be
counted for credit if BISC 640 is counted. (3).
BISC 527. SURVEY OF THE REPTILIA. An introduction to the taxonomy,
morphology, and evolution of crocodilians, snakes, lizards, amphisbaenians, and turtles.
May not be counted for credit if BISC 641 is counted. (3).
Dr. Eftink announced that The University of Mississippi's Graduate Student Council was
selected as the Graduate/Professional Organization of the year for its outstanding service
at the local and national level by The National Associaton of Graduate-Professional
Students organization.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM
Maurice R. Eftink, Chair
Robert C. Khayat, Chancellor
Recommendations of the Council are unofficial until approved by the Chancellor.