Academic Programs Catalog

Students seeking a doctoral degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, cell and molecular biology, genetics and genome sciences, microbiology and molecular genetics, pharmacology and toxicology, or physiology should apply through the BioMolecular Science Gateway - First Year for admission to any of these Ph.D. programs. Students should select the Ph.D. program in which they have the greatest interest. During the first two semesters of enrollment, students  will have the opportunity to choose and complete at least four courses in appropriate disciplinary subjects. In the spring semester of the first year, they will have the opportunity to continue with the Ph.D. program initially selected or  change to one of the other five programs which aligns most closely with their educational goals. For additional information about the individual Ph.D. programs, refer to the statements on the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Physiology in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog, statements on the programs in Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog, and statement on the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the College of  Osteopathic Medicine section of this catalog.

The Master of Arts for Teachers degree is designed to provide an enriching educational experience for teachers who are interested in a program of graduate study with less specialization in a science area than is common in most master's degree programs. The degree is for teachers who wish to take graduate work in a subject–matter area but who do not anticipate continuation of graduate study beyond the master's level. However, the student who holds the Master of Arts for Teachers degree may, upon the satisfactory completion of additional work as recommended by the appropriate academic unit, become eligible for admission to a doctoral program.

The degree may be earned with a major in chemistry or geological sciences.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

An applicant for admission to the Master of Arts for Teachers program must be a senior in or a graduate of an institution having substantially the same requirements for the bachelor's degree as Michigan State University, and possess, or be a candidate for, a teacher's certificate. Admission is recommended by the director of the program in which admission is sought, with approval of the Dean of the College of Natural Science.

Requirements for the Master of Arts for Teachers Degree

An appropriate course of study is planned with the candidate by an advisor from the academic unit in the College of Natural Science to which the candidate has been admitted. The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 30, in addition to any credits which must be taken to complete requirements for provisional teacher certification. A comprehensive written or oral examination may be required. A thesis is usually not required, but should one be required, a maximum of 10 semester credits may be allotted for it. The student must complete the requirements for provisional teacher certification before the degree may be granted.

Academic Standards

The minimum standard is a 3.00 grade–point average. Standards may be set higher than the minimum by the academic unit responsible for the degree program. The accumulation of grades below 3.0 in more than three courses of 3 or more credits each, or deferreds in more than three courses of 3 or more credits each at any given time, or a combination of the above in excess of four courses may remove the student from candidacy for the degree. A student who fails to meet the academic standards for any program may, on recommendation of the director, be required by the dean to withdraw at the end of the semester.

Residence

The minimum residence requirement is 8 credits on campus. Some programs may require more.

Time Limit

The time limit for the completion of the Master of Arts for Teachers degree is six years from the beginning of the first semester in which credit was earned toward the degree.

The Master of Science is the conventional degree for all majors in the College of Natural Science. The Master of Arts may be conferred upon student request and College approval in the Department of Statistics and Probability.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to provisional status may be used to indicate incomplete records, incomplete interpretation of available records, a grade–point average below 3.00 but with other evidence of good capacity, or minor deficiencies in subject matter.

Students may be transferred from one classification to another at any time by the dean, normally upon the recommendation of the department.

The college as a whole does not require an entrance examination. However, most departments expect students to provide Graduate Record Examination General Test scores.

Requirements for the Master of Science or Master of Arts Degree

For Plan A, a maximum of 15 credits of master's thesis research may be permitted.

Academic Standards

The minimum standard is a 3.00 grade–point average. Standards may be set higher than the minimum by the academic unit responsible for the degree program. The accumulation of grades below 3.0 in more than three courses of 3 or more credits each, or deferreds in more than three courses of 3 or more credits each at any given time, or a combination of the above in excess of four courses automatically removes the student from candidacy for the degree. A student who fails to meet the academic standards for any program may, on recommendation of the director, be required by the dean to withdraw at the end of any semester.

Residence

The minimum residence requirement is 8 credits on campus. A program may require more.

Time Limit

The time limit for completion of the master's degree is six years from the beginning of the first semester in which credit was earned toward the degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded for an original contribution to scientific knowledge and high attainment of scholarship in the mathematical or natural sciences.  This degree, with its emphasis on research in the frontiers of science, is the traditional terminal degree in the College of Natural Science.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission may be granted to a student who has a record of high scholastic attainment and demonstrated research potential acceptable to the department or program and to the college. A master's degree in an appropriate subject–matter field may be required, but the completion of a master's degree is not a guarantee of admission. Most programs require the applicant to submit Graduate Record Examination General Test scores; many also require the Graduate Record Examination Subject Test in the area of specialization.

Admission to provisional status may be used to indicate incomplete records, incomplete interpretation of available records, grade–point average below 3.00 but with additional evidence of good capacity, or minor deficiencies in subject matter.

Students may be transferred from one classification to another at any time by the dean, normally upon the recommendation of the department.

Academic Standards

The minimum standard is a 3.00 grade–point average. Standards may be set higher than the minimum by the academic unit responsible for the degree program. The accumulation of grades below 3.0 in more than three courses of 3 or more credits each, or deferreds in more than three courses of 3 or more credits each at any given time, or a combination of the above in excess of four courses automatically removes the student from candidacy for the degree.

A student who fails to meet the academic standards for any program may, on recommendation of the director, be required by the dean to withdraw at the end of any semester.

Residence

In some programs a student may be permitted to enter the doctoral program without taking a master's degree. In such cases 30 semester credits of approved work are considered the equivalent of the master's degree, and the minimum residence requirement for the combined program is three semesters, involving at least 4 credits of graduate work each semester.

The Master of Science Degree in Mathematics Education prepares researchers and leaders to address critical issues in mathematics education by developing analytical perspectives on current issues in mathematics education.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The program admits students with a variety of backgrounds. Some students will have equally strong backgrounds in education and mathematics. Others may have more extensive prior preparation in one of these two disciplines.

Admissions decisions will be made by an Admissions Committee composed of members of the Mathematics Education Faculty Group. 

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Mathematics Education

The student must complete 30 credits for the degree. The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis). The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and must include:

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics Education is designed for persons who show promise of becoming leaders in local, state, national, and international mathematics education communities. The program prepares researchers and leaders to address critical issues in mathematics education by developing analytical perspectives for research, engaging in reflective teaching, and deepening mathematical knowledge.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The program admits students with a variety of backgrounds.  Some students will have equally strong backgrounds in education and mathematics. Others may have more extensive prior preparation in one of these two disciplines. 

Admissions decisions will be made by an Admissions Committee composed of members of the Mathematics Education Faculty Group.  A student who shows promise for success at doctoral study but who needs additional background to be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program will be provided with specific conditions to be met before admission.  Upon successful completion of these requirements, the student may reapply.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Mathematics Education

The student must complete the requirements listed below. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s guidance committee and must include: