Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

BIOLOGYMASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGYPROGRAM DIRECTORJeanettte Jones256-372-4924jeanette.jones@aamu.eduGraduate FacultyProfessorsJeanette JonesAssociate ProfessorsFlorence OkaforSampson HopkinsonAssistant ProfessorsZulfiqar AhmadJacob SavageToure ThompsonConwin VanterpoolPROGRAM MISSIONThe Master of Science program in Biology offersstudents opportunity for advanced learning in theirchosen area of Biology. Our purpose is to trainstudents broadly in modern biological principles sothat they acquire the strong foundation needed tobecome highly skilled and intellectually independentscientists. The program is committed to excellence ineducation, research and service.ADMISSION REQUIREMENTSAn applicant who has received a baccalaureatedegree from an accredited college or university mayapply for admission to the Biology Graduate Programin accordance with the admission criteria of theUniversity. Additional requirements for this programinclude:1. Clear evidence of scholastic competence to meetthe requirements for an advanced degree.2. A minimum GPA of 2.50 (based on a 4.00system) in the major area.3. One year of chemistry, including one term oforganic chemistry and or biochemistry.Applicants who do not meet these requirements mayapply for conditional or provisional admission.Policy Statement1. The degree is a cooperative degree awarded byAAMU or UA Huntsville.2. Initial registration may be at either institution.3. As a requirement for a degree, each graduateteaching assistant must conduct one or morelaboratory or lecture sections, as decided byhis/her graduate advisory committee, in an arearelated to his/her field of concentration.4. An advisory committee for an individualenrolled at one of the two schools shall have atleast one representative from the other school.5. Students will be admitted in accordance withadmission criteria of the respective institutions.a) Except for the purpose of taking courses,conducting research and other strictlyacademic matters, students will not beencouraged to transfer back and forthbetween schools (see 'b" below).b) Students will need to declare the school ofintent (from which they wish to receive adegree) by the end of nine semester hourstaken or by the end of their first academicterm.c) Thereafter, a student may not transferbetween schools and must remain in thesame area of emphasis.d) Equipment and facilities at the tworespective departments shall be available toall graduate students in the program withoutregard to the institution at which thestudents are enrolled.ABOUT THE PROGRAMStudents may choose a thesis (Plan I), or non-thesisoption (Plan II), or Master of Education in SecondaryEducation (Plan III). Students interested in Plan IIIare however required to consult with their majoradvisor for more details about the plan.Master of Science (Thesis Option), Plan IAll Master of Science degree candidates mustsatisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 semesterhours of course work and submit an acceptable thesis,which shows creative thinking and independent34