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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
- GRADUATE
www.as.miami.edu
Degree Programs
Application for Admission
Applications are due December 1.
In applying for admission, applicants must select either the
Master's or the Ph.D. track.
Students with an appropriate B.S. degree may seek direct
entry to either the M.S. track or the Ph.D. track.
Applicants who were admitted on the Master's track, but wish
to change to a Ph.D. track without completing the Master’s
may apply for admission to the Ph.D. program before the end
of their second semester. Letters of support from three UM
Biology faculty, including a major advisor, should be added
to the applicant's file. The file must be current. Such applicants
will be judged by the same criteria that are applied to other
Ph.D. applicants.
Applicants to the Ph. D. track who were admitted on the Master’s
track and wish to complete the M.S. degree, should follow
the same procedures as all other applicants, but they must
include letters of support from three UM Biology faculty.
Such applicants will be judged by the same criteria that are
applied to other Ph.D. applicants.
Applicants must send the following to the Director of Graduate
Studies in Biology:
A. completed application form.
B. all undergraduate and graduate official transcripts
(photocopies are not accepted).
C. official scores from recent Graduate Record Examinations
(within five years), including the aptitude portion; the
Biology subject matter test also is recommended (photocopies
of scores are not accepted).
D. international applicants whose native language is not
English must additionally submit the TOEFL (Test of English
as a Foreign Language) and the TSE (Test of Spoken English)
official scores (photocopies of scores are not accepted).
E. letters of recommendation, from three science instructors/
supervisors that address: nature and duration of relationship
to applicant; motivation; ability to conceptualize and deal
quantitatively with biological problems, and research potential.
F. cover letter that identifies interests, suggests possible
research projects and states career goals.
G. copies of any research papers (e.g., publications, manuscripts,
senior reports, etc.).
H. written confirmation of a UM Biology faculty sponsor;
applicants MUST secure the sponsorship of a faculty member
as a condition for admission; the research interests of
the applicant and the faculty sponsor should be well-matched;
the sponsor will be the major advisor.
I. application fee of $65.
A limited number of applicants to the Ph.D. program may be
invited to interview at departmental expense.
Materials submitted in support of an application cannot
be released for other purposes or returned to the applicant.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: MASTER OF SCIENCE
All students are required to satisfy the general requirements
for the appropriate degree that are listed in the Graduate
Studies Bulletin, whether or not they are listed among the
Biology requirements.
This degree may be attained by either of the two following
routes.
M.S. with Thesis (a three year program)
1. Credits: a total of 30 credits are required:
• 24 course credits, including the four semester
departmental core courses for graduate students and at
least one graduate course in statistics. Students are
encouraged to take courses from more than one conceptual
area; they are encouraged to select courses and independent
studies that will prepare them for research, as listed
under the Ph.D. requirements. No more than 9 credits from
the independent study series (BIL 671-675) may be used
to fulfill the 24 course credits. At times these course
numbers are used by professors to teach a new course or
a special topics course, in which case the corresponding
credits can be counted as a non-independent study credit.
Course selection requires committee approval.
• 6 research credits (BIL 710); no more than 6
M.S. research credits are allowed.
• The minimum acceptable grade average in all coursework
towards the degree is a "B (3.0)" and no grade
may be below a "C."
2. Research Proposal: public presentation and successful
defense to the committee of a written research proposal.
The public presentation must be given during regular sessions
of the Fall or Spring semesters, not during summer sessions,
intersessions, reading days or finals weeks.
3. Admission to candidacy is made by recommendation of
the committee.
4. Thesis: A well-written and successfully defended thesis
of publishable quality; a defense is successful if all members
of the committee sign the grad school form and the signature
page of the dissertation.
5. Other requirements described under "The Master’s
Degree," including but not limited to:
• a total of at least 30 credits (course credits
plus research credits). The Graduate School and the Department
concur in requiring at least 24 course credits and exactly
6 research credits (BIL 710) for a thesis M.S.
• once a student has completed all required credits,
she/he must enroll in "Research in Residence"
(BIL 720) status until the degree is granted. This course
carries 0 credits, but is considered full-time enrollment.
Even though no credit is earned, a tuition charge equivalent
to 1 course credit normally applies to this course.
6. About the committee:
• A single committee will combine the responsibilities
of the supervisory and thesis committees.
• The supervisory committee will be determined
by the student in consultation with his or her advisor.
The committee will consist of a minimum of three faculty,
one of whom must be from outside the department, and one
of whom must be a member of the graduate faculty. There
is no sub-disciplinary representation requirement.
• The thesis committee is formed officially when
the student is admitted to candidacy. It may comprise
the same individuals as the supervisory committee, or
it may be formed anew. The student in consultation with
the advisor suggests the membership of the committee to
the graduate school. The committee will consist of a minimum
of three faculty, one of whom must be from outside the
department, and one of whom must be a member of the graduate
faculty. There is no sub-disciplinary representation requirement.
• The thesis committee is nominated by the department,
but it must be approved and appointed by the Dean of the
Graduate School. There is a special form that must be
filed with the graduate school.
• Committee meetings are required at least once
a year (recommended at least once a semester); the student
is responsible for arranging meetings; the student should
consult with the committee about major changes in research
goals and about problems. Memos summarizing each meeting
should be in the student’s file.
7. About the time table:
• A written thesis proposal is
due no later than the middle of the second semester.
Please take note of this deadline. The scope of the M.S.
thesis should be in line with the time table.
• Admission to candidacy normally
occurs after completion of one year or 12 credits of graduate
work and successful defense of the thesis proposal.
• Analysis of data and a polished draft
of the thesis should be completed and in the
hands of the committee by the middle of the sixth
semester. Please take note of this deadline. The scope
of the M.S. thesis should be in line with the time table.
• Defense of the thesis and its submission
to the Graduate School must meet or precede the
deadline for graduation immediately following
the sixth semester unless an extension has been
approved by the Graduate Admissions and Advisement Committee
(GAAC) upon recommendation of the thesis committee. Notice
of the defense must be submitted on a special form to
the graduate school in advance of the defense and must
be posted publicly in the department.
• The oral defense of the thesis must be given
during regular sessions of the Fall or Spring semesters,
not during summer sessions, intersessions, reading days
or finals weeks.
• No student may receive the degree in
the same semester in which she/he is admitted to candidacy.
• The indicated dates form firm deadlines.
A student's committee, however, may submit a written petition
to GAAC for an extension of time detailing reasons for
the request. An extension will be granted only
under extraordinary circumstances and will be effective
upon written approval by GAAC.
• Proposals to change the schedule for any reason
should be preceded by a study of the graduate
bulletin sections on leaves of absence,
full time student status and recency of credit
and explicitly address how the proposed change of schedule
relates to these matters. The memo requesting the change
also should address the proposed financial support.
M.S. without Thesis (a two year
program)
1. Credits:
• A total of 36 course credits are required by
the Biology Department, including the four semester departmental
core courses for graduate students and at least one graduate
course in statistics. Students are encouraged to take
courses from more than one conceptual area, listed under
the Ph.D. requirements. No more than 9 credits from the
independent study series (BIL 671-675) may be used to
fulfill the 36 course credits. At times these course numbers
are used by professors to teach a new course or a special
topics course, in which case the corresponding credits
can be counted as a non-independent study credit. Course
selection requires committee approval
• The minimum acceptable grade average in all coursework
towards the degree is a "B (3.0)" and no grade
may be below a "C."
2. Admission to candidacy is made by recommendation of
the committee.
3. Passing a written comprehensive exam given by the committee.
4. About the committee
• A single committee will combine the responsibilities
of the initial supervisory and the comprehensive examination
committees. The committee will be determined by the student
in consultation with her/his advisor. The committee will
consist of a minimum of three faculty, one of whom must
be from outside the department, and one of whom must be
a member of the graduate faculty. There is no sub-disciplinary
representation requirement.
• The examination committee is formed officially
when the student is admitted to candidacy. It may comprise
the same individuals as the supervisory committee, or
it may be formed anew. The student in consultation with
the advisor suggest the membership of the committee to
the graduate school. The committee will consist of a minimum
of three faculty including the student’s advisor,
one of whom must be from outside the department, and one
of whom must be a member of the graduate faculty. There
is no sub-disciplinary representation requirement.
• The examination committee is nominated by the
department, but it must be approved and appointed by the
Dean of the Graduate School. There is a special form that
must be filed with the graduate school.
• Committee meetings are required at least once
a year (recommended at least once a semester); the student
is responsible for arranging meetings; the student should
keep the committee advised of major changes in the graduate
program plan; memos summarizing each meeting should be
in the student’s file.
5. Other requirements described under "The Master’s
Degree".
Note that although the Graduate School requires only 30 credits
for an M.S. degree, the Department requires 36 course credits
for a non-thesis M.S.
6. About the time table:
• Admission to candidacy normally
occurs after completion of one year or 12 credits of graduate
work.
• The comprehensive exam must
be passed by the end of the fourth semester.
• No student may receive the degree in
the same semester in which she/he is admitted to candidacy.
• The indicated dates form firm deadlines.
A student's committee, however, may submit a written petition
to GAAC for an extension of time detailing reasons for
the request. An extension will be granted only
under extraordinary circumstances and will be effective
upon written approval by GAAC.
• Proposals to change the schedule for any reason
should be preceded by a study of the graduate
bulletin sections on leaves of absence,
full time student status and recency
of credit and explicitly address how the proposed
change of schedule relates to these matters. The memo
requesting the change also should address the proposed
financial support.
Doctor of Philosophy
1. Credits: a total of 60 credits (including both course
and research credits) beyond the Bachelor’s degree
are required:
• At least 18 course credits that are not from
the independent study series, including the four semester
departmental core courses for graduate students and at
least one graduate course in statistics. The independent
study series is BIL 671-675. At times these course numbers
are used by professors to teach a new course or a special
topics course, however, in which case the corresponding
credits can be counted as a non-independent study credit.
Course selection requires committee approval.
• At least 12 research credits (BIL 730 and/or
BIL 740). Once the overall number of required credits
(see below) has been reached, there is no need to take
additional research credits.
• An additional 30 credits from any combination
of graduate courses (500 and 600 level regular courses
and independent study courses) and research credits (700
level) to bring the total number of credits beyond the
Bachelor’s Degree to 60 credits. (One example: 18
required course credits + 12 required research credits
+ 15 additional course credits + 15 additional
research credits = 60 total; another example would be
18 additional course credits and only
12 additional dissertation credits, etc.)
• Students who already have a Master’s Degree
in the same field may not need as many course credits
(consult Graduate School rules on transfer credits), but
at least 24 credits must be taken in residence at UM.
• The committee may decide that students with previous
graduate level courses may be exempt from some of the
course requirements.
• The minimum acceptable grade average in all coursework
towards the degree is a "B (3.0)" and no grade
may be below a "C."
• CONCEPTUAL AREAS: Students are
encouraged to take courses and independent studies from
at least 3 main conceptual areas and are urged to take
courses and independent studies that will prepare them
for research and for the comprehensive qualifying exam.
Students also are encouraged to participate in seminars
and study groups and to take special courses in other
departments of UM, at our Coalition for Excellence in
Tropical Biology partner institutions, from the Organization
for Tropical Studies, or other special interdisciplinary
courses. Such courses should be appropriate to their course
of study and research area as determined by their committee.
Conceptual areas offered in our department include:
EVOLUTION (graduate level evolution courses are in the
series 520’s and 620’s, also 519 is included);
ECOLOGY (graduate level ecology courses are in the series
530’s and 630’s), BEHAVIOR (graduate level
behavior courses are in the series 540’s and 640’s);
GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (graduate level genetics
courses include BMB 509, and BIL 530 in addition to the
series 550’s and 650’s); and
PHYSIOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY (graduate level physiology
courses are in the series 560’s and 660’s).
Special concentrations in our department and/or in collaboration
with other departments include: Tropical Biology, Mathematical
Ecology, Neuroscience, and Behavior.
2. Comprehensive qualifying exam should be passed by the
end of the third semester.
• A single committee (see number 9 below about
committee membership) will advise the student on both
comprehensive and research training. To fulfill the comprehensive
function , the committee will be responsible
for ensuring breadth, significant background and depth
in at least 3 conceptual areas (examples include but are
not limited to the areas listed above).
• To establish intellectual communication between
the committee members and students early on, the committee
will begin to work with the student in the first semester.
Faculty will suggest reading lists, courses and/or independent
study, as needed, to prepare the student with sufficient
background for the comprehensive examination which will
include 3 areas, one of which is the research area. The
committee and student will interactively define the scope
of comprehensive training and thus of the comprehensive
examination in these 3 areas.
• The comprehensive examination will be held in
the third semester. The committee will designate a chair
to administer the examination. The written part of the
exam will not be open book and it will be administered
on campus for a discrete period of time (up to 4 hours
within each of two consecutive days) by the examination
chair. All members of the committee will grade all the
questions. With committee approval, an alternative is
to present to the committee a first-authored, publishable,
full-length article manuscript concerning research conducted
since matriculation at UM. Before the end of the third
semester, the manuscript must be submitted to a journal
approved by the committee. After the committee has read
the written answers or manuscript, about one week later
there will be an oral exam for the purpose of further
exploring the student’s grasp of the subject matter.
• Each committee member will decide on a pass/fail
grade based on the total performance (written plus oral).
For the student to pass the examination, 3 of the 4 examiners
must vote a grade of pass. An oral and written summary
of the committee’s evaluation must be prepared by
the chair of the examination committee
and given to the student and to GAAC. If the student does
not pass the examination, there will be a chance to retake
it the following semester. In the case of failure a second
time, he/she will be terminated from the program.
3. Research proposal: public presentation of a research
proposal and defense of a written research proposal to the
complete research committee (see below)
should be completed by the middle of the fourth semester.
Students are encouraged to follow the format of a grant
proposal to a major funding agency. At the proposal defense,
the student will receive either a pass or a fail. A grade
of pass will be recorded if no more than one member of the
complete research committee (see below)
votes to fail the student. If the student fails the proposal
defense, she/he will be given a second chance
to defend no later than the sixth week of the fifth
semester. If the defense is failed a second time,
the student will be terminated from the program.
4. Admission to candidacy: (application is made on a form
available in the grad school and in the department). This
normally will occur at the end of the fourth semester. Requirements
are to pass the comprehensive examination and to successfully
defend a written research proposal.
5. Teaching: All students on the Ph.D. track in Biology
are required to serve satisfactorily at least one semester
as a teaching assistant in one of the courses offered as
part of the Department's training program.
6. Grants: Submission of a grant proposal to a major funding
agency (e.g., NSF, NIH, National Geographic, World Wildlife
Fund, etc.). All students are required to seek outside funding
for their research. This must be a research project proposal.
Application for an NSF pre-doctoral fellowship does not
meet this requirement, but application for an NSF dissertation
improvement grant does qualify.
7. Ph.D. Dissertation: A well-written and successfully
defended dissertation containing an original contribution
to the field and of quality appropriate for publication
in a scientific journal; a defense is successful if all
members of the committee sign the grad school form and the
signature page of the dissertation. A public dissertation
seminar also is presented at the time of the defense.
8. Other requirements described under "Doctor of Philosophy,"
including but not limited to:
• a total of at least 60 credits (course credits
plus research credits).
• once a student has completed all required credits,
she/he must enroll in "Research in Residence"
(BIL 750) status until the degree is granted. This course
carries 0 credits, but is considered full-time enrollment.
Even though no credit is earned, a tuition charge equivalent
to 1 course credit normally applies to this course.
9. A single committee will advise the student on both comprehensive
and research training. The committee will be responsible
for ensuring breadth, significant background and depth in
at least 3 conceptual areas (examples include but are not
limited to the areas listed above). The research function
of the committee is to advise the student on research, including
preparation, training, project choice, project design, implementation
and evaluation of the research. The committee will go through
several phases and its membership will be determined by
the advisor and student together, contingent upon approval
of GAAC and/or the Graduate School, as appropriate at each
phase:
• The initial committee will consist
of at least 4 faculty, 2 appointed to
ensure breadth of training (from two areas outside the
research area) and 2 from the research area. It will be
formed to help the student choose courses during the first
few weeks of the first semester. This committee will decide
whether students having a M.S. in biology (botany, zoology,
etc.) from another institution can substitute a graduate
level course taken elsewhere for a departmental course
requirement; it also will decide which additional courses
should be taken for both research and breadth. The choice
of areas briefly will outlined in a memo to GAAC.
• The initial committee of at least 4 faculty
will be responsible for preparing and administering the
comprehensive examination.
• The complete committee of at least 4
faculty including one from outside the department,
should be formed by the end of the third semester; all
four members should participate in the proposal evaluation
which will take place in the fourth semester. The committee
will consist of a minimum of four faculty, which includes
the committee chair, who must be a member of the Graduate
Faculty. Of the remaining members, it is also required
that two shall be from the Graduate Faculty.
• The dissertation committee (of four)
is formed officially when the student is admitted to candidacy.
It usually will comprise the same individuals as the complete
research committee, or it may be formed anew. The student
and advisor consult on the membership of the committee,
and the department nominates the committee to the graduate
school. The committee will consist of a minimum of four
faculty, which includes the committee chair who is the
advisor, who must be a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Of the remaining members, it also is required that two
shall be from the Graduate Faculty and one from outside
the department of concentration. The dissertation committee
is nominated by the department, but it must be approved
and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. There
is a special form that must be filed with the graduate
school.
• Committee meetings are required at least
once a year (recommended at least once a semester
in the early phases). The student is responsible for arranging
meetings; the student should consult with the committee
about any major changes in research goals and any problems;
memos summarizing each meeting should be in the student’s
file.
10. About the time table:
• The written comprehensive qualifying
examination must be passed by the end
of the third semester.
• A polished, written dissertation proposal
must be defended to the committee in the fourth
semester together with a public presentation
of the proposal. This must take place by mid-April
of the spring semester or mid-November of the fall semester.
• Admission to candidacy normally
occurs after the comprehensive qualifying exam
and proposal defense are passed upon the recommendation
of the committee and the approval of the Graduate School.
Application for admission to candidacy is made to the
graduate school on a special form.
• Analysis of data and a polished draft
of the dissertation should be completed and in
the hands of the dissertation committee no later
than the middle of the tenth semester.
• Defense of the dissertation and its submission
to the Graduate School must meet or precede the
deadline for graduation immediately following the
tenth semester unless an extension has been approved
by GAAC upon recommendation of the dissertation committee.
Notice of the defense and of the public seminar must be
submitted on a special form to the graduate school in
advance of the defense and must be posted publicly in
the department.
• The oral defense of the dissertation
must be given during regular sessions
of the Fall or Spring semesters, not during summer sessions,
intersessions, reading days or finals weeks.
• No student may receive the degree in
the same semester in which she/he is admitted to candidacy.
• The indicated dates form firm deadlines.
A student's committee, however, may submit a written petition
to GAAC for an extension of time detailing reasons for
the request. An extension will be granted only
under extraordinary circumstances and will be effective
upon written approval by GAAC.
• Proposals to change the schedule for any reason
should be preceded by a study of the graduate
bulletin sections on leaves of absence,
full time student status and recency
of credit and explicitly should address how the
proposed change of schedule relates to these matters.
The memo requesting the change also should address the
proposed financial support of the student
beyond the 10 semesters of normal departmental support.
11. Public presentations must be during regular semesters.
The public presentation associated with the defense of the
proposal and the public seminar associated with the defense
of the dissertation must be given during regular sessions
of Fall or Spring semesters, not during summer sessions,
inter-sessions, reading days, or finals weeks.
Implementation
All Graduate students will be reviewed each fall semester
by GAAC.
A. The advisor will review the student's progress to date.
B. The student will provide updates for a student progress
database every October.
C. The student will provide written evidence that the advisor
and committee have reviewed her/his progress and plans.
D. Each student will receive a letter summarizing the results
of the discussion concerning his/her progress.
E. All graduate students shall have the right to respond
to GAAC, and, if necessary, the graduate faculty in matters
pertaining to the review.
F. Possible outcomes of the review:
1. Student making satisfactory progress
2. Student not making satisfactory progress; recommendations
for improvement
3. Student not making satisfactory progress; his/her
tenure terminated.
Financial Support
A. The Department intends to support all doctoral students
in good standing for up to 10 semesters. Support beyond 10
semesters is contingent upon GAAC approval.
B. Students who do not provide annual updates for the student
progress database will not be eligible for continued funding.
Students who will be off-campus are still responsible for
making sure that GAAC receives the data.
C. Students holding full University fellowships, Maytag fellowships
or research assistantships will not normally be given teaching
assignments, nor will students be permitted to hold Maytag
fellowships and research assistantships simultaneously. Exceptions
require GAAC approval.
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