M.S. Concentrators Guide sph.bu.edu/epi

Transcription

1 M.S. Concentrators Guide sph.bu.edu/epi

2 Boston University School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology 715 Albany Street, Talbot 3 East Boston, Massachusetts T F Department Contacts: Dr. C. Robert Horsburgh Jr. (617) rhorsbu@bu.edu Department Chairman Dr. Ann Aschengrau (617) aaschen@bu.edu Department Associate Chair Marcia Davis (617) davism@bu.edu Department Manager TBA (617) Curriculum Coordinator M.S. Oversight Committee Members: Dr. Ann Aschengrau, Chair (617) aaschen@bu.edu Dr. C. Robert Horsburgh (617) rhorsbu@bu.edu Dr. David Felson (617) dfelson@bu.edu Dr. Jane Liebschutz (617) jliebs@bu.edu Dr. Marianne Prout (617) mnprout@bu.edu Dr. Theodore Colton (617) tcolton@bu.edu Boston University Policy Statement Boston University and the Boston University School of Public Health reserve the right to change the policies, curricula, or any other matter in this handbook without prior notice. Students will be notified of major changes as soon as practicable after they are decided.

3 BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Department of Epidemiology 715 Albany Street, T3E Boston, MA T F sph.bu.edu/epi Dear M.S. Student: I am delighted to welcome you to Boston University School of Public Health as a Master of Science degree student. Let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the Department of Epidemiology. The M.S. program in Epidemiology is designed to provide students with a grounding in epidemiology and biostatistics, emphasizing the application of these disciplines in public health research. An extensive array of courses is offered in epidemiologic principles and methods, and is complemented with courses on the statistical evaluation of data collected in health research in the Biostatistics Department. In addition, courses are offered to provide specialized training in a number of focused substantive areas, such as infectious diseases, cancer and cardiovascular disease, AIDS, genetic, environmental, and drug epidemiology. Our entire faculty is actively involved in teaching at both the introductory and advanced level and work together with the students to create a community environment for learning. Our faculty also actively participates in research, collaborating not only with researchers in the School of Public Health but also with a large number of investigators within the Boston University Medical Center and at other institutions. These collaborations bring broad experience to the classroom in a wide range of epidemiologic applications. Some particular areas of interest among faculty members are reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology, the impact of environmental contaminants upon health, genetic epidemiology, AIDS research, public health epidemiology, cancer epidemiology, and cardiovascular disease epidemiology (including active involvement in the world-famous Framingham Heart Study). In addition, two groups that specialize in drug epidemiology are intimately linked to the department: the Slone Epidemiology Center and the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program. These activities along with alliances with other institutions provide a large array of research opportunities. The Department houses two degree programs in addition to the M.S. - the MPH and Ph.D. Some students who obtain their M.S. go on to the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program provides advanced professional training in epidemiology to prepare individuals for leadership in epidemiologic research and methodology. Thus, the department brings together a wide range of students with varied interests. I encourage you to contact Ann Aschengrau, the M.S. Program Director at or the Curriculum Coordinator at to gather further information about our program as you plan your academic career here. We can put you in contact with other faculty members in the department if you have further questions about interests and opportunities that will be available to you as a student in Epidemiology here at the School of Public Health. You can also find more information at our website: sph.bu.edu/epi. Sincerely, C. Robert Horsburgh, Jr., MD, MUS Department Chair

4 Table of Contents Quick Reference Guide... 1 Important Dates... 2 MS Graduation Calendar... 3 Section 1 Introduction to the Master of Science in Epidemiology... 4 APPENDICES Appendix A: Student Progress Course Planning Document Graduation Requirements for Students Entering MS Program in Appendix B: Thesis Forms Thesis Abstract Submission Form Section 2 Course Requirements... 7 Section 3 Thesis... 8 Section 4 Student Policies Compliance Requirements Academic Honesty Grading Standards, Probation, Dismissal Registration Requirements Program Time Limit Course Waivers and Transfer Credit Training as Researchers Thesis Abstract, Defense, and Submission The Official MS Student Record International Students Section 5 Student Resources and Professional Development Writing Assistance Program Disability Services Student Health and Behavioral Medicine Communications Events Professional Development Section 6 Faculty... 21

5 Quick Reference Guide Please see the SPH Bulletin (bu.edu/bulletins/sph) and the SPH Student Handbook (sph.bu.edu/studenthandbook) for all resources available to SPH students. Subject Course Materials Career Services: resume reviews; networking; job fairs; career workshops Financial Assistance Housing: seeking a roommate Library Resources: paper and online books and journals; reserve materials; computer labs; research guides Parking and Transportation: student T passes Registration Information: Graduation Applications Concentration Change Form Course Rotation Guide Academic Policies Transcripts Student Health Behavioral Medicine Student Services: Student organizations Academic accommodations Orientation Commencement Student events Office & Contact Info Online: Course information, assignments, and syllabi are often posted on a course webpage at blackboard.bu.edu. A BU address and Kerberos password are required to access these websites. Course Readers and textbooks are available for purchase through Barnes & Noble bookstore located at 660 Beacon Street, Kenmore Square, Boston University Charles River Campus. Office of Career Services: sph.bu.edu/careers Talbot 2 East Maria McCarthy, mamcc@bu.edu, Lisa Toby, ltoby@bu.edu, Office of Student Financial Services: bumc.bu.edu/osfs osfs-sph@bumc.bu.edu ; ; or SPH Admissions, Financing Your Education: sph.bu.edu/admissions/financingyoureducation Office of Housing Resources: bumc.bu.edu/ohr Alumni Medical Library: med-lib.bu.edu L Building, 12 th Floor Boston University Library Network: bu.edu/library Office of Parking and Transportation Services: Albany Street Registrar s Office: sph.bu.edu/registrar Talbot 2 Center Chris Paal, cpaal@bu.edu, or Katie Poirier, ktp@bu.edu Degree students register online at bu.edu/studentlink Unofficial transcripts available at bu.edu/studentlink; Official transcripts available at bu.edu/reg Student Health Services: bu.edu/shs or bu.edu/mentalhealth 881 Commonwealth Avenue Office of Student Services: sph.bu.edu/studentinsider or sph.bu.edu/students Talbot 2 East Brendan Hoey, brendan2@bu.edu, Andrea Tingue, atingue@bu.edu or Mary Murphy-Phillips, mcmurph@bu.edu

6 IMPORTANT DATES THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), like other schools & programs on the Medical Campus, maintains its own academic calendar distinct from the Charles River Campus. It is important that students always refer to the BUSPH registration packets, academic calendar, and websites for SPH-specific information. That said, SPH endeavors to align its schedule with the Charles River Campus schedule while still allowing for 15 class meetings for our four-credit courses. BUSPH Key Dates: Fall Semester 2011 Last day to add classes online Monday, September 5 Labor Day Holiday, Classes Suspended Monday, September 5 Instruction begins Tuesday, September 6 Last Day to ADD Standard Classes, assuming student Before the second class meeting day has instructor signature on paper add/drop form Last Day to DROP Standard Classes without a W grade Tuesday, October 11 Last Day to Change from Credit to Audit Status in Tuesday, October 11 standard courses Columbus Day Holiday, Classes Suspended Monday, October 10 Substitute Monday Schedule of Classes Tuesday, October 11 Graduation Applications available for January graduation Friday, October 28 Classes Held at Boston University, including SPH Friday, November 11 Last Day to DROP Standard Classes with a W grade Friday, November 11 Fall Recess Begins Wednesday, November 23 Instruction Resumes Monday, November 28 Graduation Applications due for Fall 2011 TBA Last Day to Officially Withdraw or take a Leave of Tuesday, November 29 Absence from Boston University for Fall 2011 Last Class or Final Exams begin Friday, December 16 Last Class or Final Exams end Thursday, December 22 Fall 2011 Withdrawal* and Tuition Refund Schedule ( Prior to first day of class 100% refund of tuition and fees (prior to Tuesday, September 6) September 6 September 19 80% refund of tuition only September 20 September 26 60% refund of tuition only September 27 October 3 40% refund of tuition only October 4 October 11 20% refund of tuition only As of October 12 0% refund *A withdrawal means dropping ALL classes at the University. Students must complete a withdrawal form (forms are available in the SPH Registrar s Office). 2

7 Spring Semester 2012 Registration Begins for Degree Candidates Wednesday, November 2 Martin Luther King Holiday, no classes Monday, January 16 Instruction Begins at BUSPH Tuesday, January 17 Instruction Begins at CRC Tuesday, January 17 Official Fall 2011 Graduation Date Wednesday, January 25 Payment Deadline for New Students TBA; mid-january Deadline to Waive Student Health Insurance for New Wednesday, February 1 Students President s Day Holiday, no classes Monday, February 20 Substitute Monday Schedule of Classes Tuesday, February 21 Last day to drop a standard class without a W grade Tuesday, February 21 (most SPH classes are non-standard) Registration Begins for Summer 2012 TBA; Early March Spring Break March 10 - March 18 Last day to drop a standard class with a W grade Friday, March 30 (most SPH classes are non-standard) Registration Begins for Fall 2012 TBA; Early April Patriot s Day Holiday, no classes Monday, April 16 Substitute Monday Schedule of Classes Wednesday, April 18 Official Spring 2011 Graduation Date Sunday, May 20 For the Spring 2012 Withdrawal and Tuition Refund Schedule, check Master of Science Graduation Calendar September 25, 2011 Graduation January 25, 2012 Graduation May 15, 2012 Graduation Graduation Application and Thesis At least 30 days At least 30 days At least 30 days Abstract* (submitted to the BUSPH prior to Thesis prior to Thesis prior to Thesis Registrar and MS Program Director) Defense. Defense. Defense. Last Date to hold Thesis Defense August 19, 2011 November 25, 2011 April 13,2012 Deadline for Submission of Approved and Signed Thesis** (2 copies due to Mugar Memorial Library) September 9, 2011 December 16, 2011 April 30, 2012 School of Public Health Policy on Religious and Government Holidays The School, in scheduling classes on religious or government holidays, intends that students observing these holidays be given ample opportunity to make up work. Faculty members who wish to observe such holidays will arrange for another faculty member to meet with their classes or for canceled classes to be rescheduled. Emergency Cancellation Information In the event of an emergency or class cancellation, notices will be posted to the BUSPH Student Insider ( and the BUSPH web site ( messages will also be sent to faculty, staff and students in the event of closings. A message will also be posted to the BUSPH main telephone number: PLEASE NOTE: Do not rely on information about the Charles River Campus or Boston University. The Boston University Medical Campus has different closing policies from the Charles River Campus. Obtain information specific to SPH from the above resources. Instructors are required to reschedule cancelled classes. Students will be notified by the instructor of make-up dates for any cancelled classes. 3

8 M A S T E R O F S C I E N C E I N E P I D E M I O L O G Y / Section 1 Introduction to the Master of Science in Epidemiology OVERVIEW The results of epidemiologic investigations have attracted much public attention. Epidemi- ologic studies weree the basis of the 1964 Surgeon General's report linking smoking and disease, determinedd the distribution and methods of transmission of AIDS, and established the relationship between high levels of cholesterol and heart disease. Epidemiologists from Boston University determined that drinking a glass off red wine each day may decrease the risk of heart disease. In recent years, the field has expanded tremendous sly in size, scope, and influence. Epi- focusing on preventing disease and promoting health. During this period, important changes have also occurred in the theory and methods of epidemiologic research, including the development of new views on disease causation and new study designs. These demiology is now being used to investigate a wide range of important public health topics, changes, along with the availability of high-powere ed computer hardware and software, have enabled epidemiologists to explore new public health questions. The Department of Epidemiology is dedicated to: Teaching the principles and methods of epidemiologic study design and analysis; Furthering knowledge of the distribution of and risk factors for disease in human populations through research; and Providing epidemiologic informationn that will advance public health and foster healthy communities. M.S. students acquire depth though the completion of required and elective courses and the preparation and defense of a thesis. Required courses enable students to gain knowledge and skills that are central to epidemiology research. Elective courses give studentss in-depth knowledge and skills in a specificc area of study. Students apply the content from their coursework in their thesis. Thesis Elective Courses Required Courses 4

9 MASTER OF SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS The School of Public Health requires students pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology to: Complete 32 graduate-level credits as described in Section 3. Complete at least 24 credits within the Boston University School of Public Health Complete a thesis that is the equivalent of one publishable paper. Successfully defend the thesis and receive final approval from the thesis committee and outside reader Earn a BUSPH grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Complete the M.S. degree within five years. COMPETENCIES The M.S. in Epidemiology is intended for qualified students, especially physicians and other health professionals, who seek advanced graduate study to prepare for research careers in epidemiology and clinical epidemiology. Upon completing the requirements for the M.S. in epidemiology students will be able to: Develop a scientific hypothesis utilizing existing literature, and design an epidemiologic study to assess the validity of the hypothesis Develop competence in a chosen substantive area of epidemiology for which competence requires a proficient understanding of risk factors for the disease(s), the impact of the disease(s) on populations, and an awareness of methodological issues specific to the substantive area Analyze a complex epidemiologic data set using at least one computer-aided tool, such as Excel or SAS Communicate the results of research both orally and in writing, with the written presentation meeting the current standards of publication in refereed journals Critically evaluate in writing a published epidemiologic investigation, with respect to: o the choice of study population and design, o o o measurement of the exposure, disease, and covariates, the data description and analytic method, and the investigator s interpretation of the study s finding COMMUNICATIONS All official communications from BUSPH will be sent to your BU so please be sure to activate a BU account as soon as possible after you accept admission to the program. You may elect to have this forwarded to an alternative account if you wish. You should regularly check and clean out your BU so that the mailbox has sufficient space to accept messages. 5

10 ADVISING Boston University offers its students an enormous array of intellectual opportunities and resources on both the Medical and Charles River Campuses. In addition to the required academic requirements, it is up to you to make choices that best enhance your career preparation. In order to assist you with these decisions, you will be assigned a faculty advisor upon accepting the School's offer of admission. Your advisor is available to discuss coursework, potential research topics, career paths, and other issues relevant to the student s success; however, the student bears all responsibility for meeting administrative and academic requirements and deadlines. Your advisor can help you make the most of your investment. If you have questions, concerns, or comments about the overall academic curriculum and policies of the concentration or the advising process, please contact with Dr. Ann Aschengrau, the M.S. Program Director at

11 Section 2 Course Requirements COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ELECTIVES All M.S. in Epidemiology students are required to complete 32 graduate-level credits, 24 of which must be taken at the Boston University School of Public Health. Students must complete all of the following required courses with a grade of B or above: Required Courses Cr. Semesters BS703 Biostatistics 4 BS723 Introduction to Statistical Computing 4 Fall, Spring, Summer II Fall, Spring, Summer I EP713 Epidemiologic Methods 4 Fall, Spring EP813 Intermediate Epidemiology 4 Spring Students must also complete at least two of the following elective courses and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0: Elective Courses Cr Semesters EP721 Survey Methods in Public Health 4 Fall EP762 Clinical Epidemiology 4 Fall EP854 Advanced Epidemiology 4 Fall BS722 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials 4 Spring, Summer BS851 Applied Statistics in Clinical Trials 4 Alt Spring (odd yrs) & Summer (even yrs) BS852 Statistical Methods for Epidemiology 4 Spring PM811 Health Services Research Methods 4 Spring To complete the 32 required credits, students may take additional courses from the elective courses above, other Epidemiology or Biostatistics courses, PM833, PM837, or SB822. Researchoriented courses in other BUSPH departments may be approved by the MS Program Director. Please note: Directed Research (EP712) cannot be used towards the required 32 credits. 7

12 Section 3 Thesis Students in the M.S. program complete a thesis that pulls together coursework as a culminating experience and applies the principles and methods learned in the coursework to a real-life public health problem. For example, recent thesis topics have included: reasons for inadequate follow-up for abnormal PAP smears, influence on homelessness on recurrent substance abuse, the impact of child protection teams on the evaluation of child abuse, and measuring the quality of depression care. Students conduct their thesis research in wide variety of settings, including academic medical centers, neighborhood health centers, local and state health departments, and the Veterans Health Administration. Possible thesis topics should be discussed with Dr. Aschengrau before submitting a thesis proposal. Students generally develop their thesis proposal and nominate their thesis committee while they are completing their coursework. The thesis committee often includes an epidemiologist, a biostatistician, and a clinician with expertise in the research topic. The thesis research must involve the processing and analysis of data. Students are encouraged but are not required to conduct original data collection. The thesis proposal and thesis committee must be approved by the M.S. Degree Committee. The thesis proposal (usually pages long) describes the nature of the thesis research, including an introduction and background, a clear statement of the research goals and hypotheses, a detailed description of the study design and study population, sample size and power calculations, key analyses to be performed, and the study strengths and limitations. The analysis section should include the definitions of the exposure, outcome, and confounding variables, and a description of both the crude and adjusted analyses, and it should distinguish between the epidemiological measures of association (e.g., relative risk) and statistical measures of stability (e.g., 95% confidence interval). The proposal should conclude with a description of your role in the thesis research. The minimum role is formulating and conducting the analysis, and writing up the results. The completed thesis constitutes the equivalent of one research paper meeting the current standards of publication in referenced journals. The completed thesis must be approved by the thesis committee and an outside reader who is considered an expert in the field of research. Once final approval is obtained, the student gives a 1/2 to 3/4 hour oral presentation on the thesis research to the thesis committee, outside reader, members of the department, and any other interested parties. The purpose of the oral presentation is to demonstrate the student s ability (1) to describe clearly the thesis research question, methods, and results, (2) to demonstrate his understanding of epidemiological and biostatistical principles and methods, and (3) to place his or her research into the larger public health perspective. The presentation is typically followed by a question and answer period. The final thesis document must be prepared according to the Mugar Memorial Library guidelines for theses and dissertations (medlib.bu.edu/webcollections/td.cfm). The deadline for the final thesis submission depends on the particular graduation date (e.g., September, January, or May). Please contact the Registrar s Office a few months before you are planning to graduate to find out the exact date. Students who are working on their 8

13 thesis following the completion of their courses must register each subsequent regular semester as continuing students and pay the continuing student fee, until they hold the thesis defense. Graduation Application and Thesis Abstract* (submitted to the BUSPH Registrar and Program Director) Last Date to hold Thesis Defense Deadline for Submission of Approved and Signed Thesis** (2 copies due to Mugar Memorial Library) Master of Science Thesis Defense Calendar September 25, 2011 Graduation At least 30 days prior to Thesis Defense. January 25, 2012 Graduation At least 30 days prior to Thesis Defense. May 15, 2012 Graduation At least 30 days prior to Thesis Defense. August 20, 2011 November 26, 2011 April 15, 2012 September 10, 2011 December 17, 2011 May 2, 2012 * An approved Thesis Abstract must be accompanied by a completed and signed Thesis Abstract Submission Form. ** Prior to submitting unbound copies of the thesis to the Mugar Memorial Library, the MS candidate must submit a completed and signed Thesis Transmittal Approval form to the BUSPH Registrar. 9

14 Section 4 Student Policies In addition to the selected academic policies listed below, all students must adhere to all Boston University School of Public Health academic policies, available at sph.bu.edu/registrar/policies; the University s Administrative Policies, available at bu.edu/lifebook; and the policies listed in the School of Public Health Student Handbook, available at sph.bu.edu/studenthandbook. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BOSTON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS All students, including non-degree students, must comply with the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Law, BU Alert telephone number, immunization (as applicable), and payment requirements in order to be in status with the university. You may check your compliance status at bu.edu/studentlink. The SPH Registrar s Office is blocked from entering registration for any student who is not in compliance with university requirements and cannot manually override this block and register students. If you need assistance with compliance information, please talk with a staff member in the SPH Registrar s Office. If you have any questions regarding the purpose of the compliance requirements, go to: bu.edu/reg/information/complianceinformation. Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Law The Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Law requires that all out-of-state students, including those who do not bring cars to Massachusetts, sign an acknowledgement that they have been informed of the law. The Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Law requires out-of-state students bringing vehicles into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to file a nonresident driver statement with the local police department in the city in which their university is located: It is unlawful for a resident student to fail to file a nonresident driver statement with the police department located in the same city or town as the school or college attended, in accordance with Section 3 of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Failure to file such statement is punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. Boston University, in turn, is required by the Commonwealth to keep a record and provide proof to the state that students have been apprised of the law. Eligible students must formally acknowledge they have been notified of the law by clicking on the acknowledge button at bu.edu/link/shortcut/massmotorlaw. Students who fail to do so will not be in compliance and will be unable to register for upcoming semesters. Instructions for complying with the law: 10

15 All out-state-students, including those who do not bring cars to Massachusetts, are required to read the statement on bu.edu/link/shortcut/massmotorlaw and click on I acknowledge. In addition, STUDENTS BRINGING VEHICLES into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to download and complete the Nonresident Driver Statement from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website at mass.gov/rmv/forms/20098.pdf. Mail form to: Office of the University Registrar 881 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA The Registrar s Office will mail a copy of the student s form to the Boston Police Department. The Registrar s Office will then mail a state-approved decal to the student s local address. This decal must be prominently displayed in the uppermost center portion of the windshield of the student s vehicle. BU Alert Telephone Number A BU alert number is the cell phone to which the University can send a text message in the event of an emergency on campus. If you do not have a cell phone, a voice message can be sent to the telephone number of your choice. Immunization Requirements In the spirit of public health, we ask all students to be sure their immunizations are up to date, although part time students will not be asked to verify their immunization status. International students must meet mandatory state immunization requirements at the time of registration. For more information about immunization requirements, go to the Student Health Services website, bu.edu/shs/required. Tuition Payment All students must pay their bill by published tuition payment deadlines. BOSTON UNIVERSITY INFORMATION REGARDING ACADEMIC HONESTY Academic honesty is essential for students to attain the competencies the University and School expect of graduates, and any action by a student that subverts these goals seriously undermines the integrity of the educational programs at the School. Students at the Boston University School of Public Health are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct is any intentional act or omission by a student which represents his or her academic achievements, or attempts to misrepresent these achievements. While not an exhaustive list, the following acts constitute academic misconduct: Cheating on examinations: The use or attempted use of any unauthorized books, notes or other materials in order to enhance the student s performance in the examination, copying or attempting to copy from another student s examination, permitting another student to copy from an examination or otherwise assisting another student during an examination, or any other violation of the examination s stated or commonly understood ground rules. Plagiarism: Any representation of the work of another as his or her own constitutes plagiarism. This includes copying or substantially restating the work of another 11

16 person without the use of quotation marks or other indication that the words of another have been copied, the use of any written or oral work from which the student has obtained ideas or data without acknowledging that person s contribution. Submitting the same work in more than one course without the consent of all the instructors. Misrepresentation or falsification of data. Allowing another student to represent your work as his or her own. Violating the rules of an examination or assignment. Charges of academic misconduct will be brought to the attention of the Associate Dean for Education, who will review all such cases and decide upon the appropriate action. A student who is found guilty of academic misconduct may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the School. The full academic misconduct policy is available at: bu.edu/bulletins/sph/item09.html GRADING STANDARDS, PROBATION, AND DISMISSAL Grading Standards All SPH degree candidates must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester to be in good academic standing and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA at SPH to graduate. Students in the Master of Science in Epidemiology program must earn a B or better in BS703, BS723, EP713, and EP813 to be eligible to graduate. Improving a Grade in a Course with a Minimum Grade Requirement Faculty teaching a course with a minimum grade requirement may, at their discretion, give students who fail to attain the minimum grade at least one opportunity to improve their final course grade by revising a component of the grade as determined by the instructor. The revised course grade cannot be higher than the minimum required grade. The course instructor's grade change policy must be explicitly stated in the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester. If a faculty member designates a mechanism to improve a grade in a course with a minimum grade requirement, a student must express his or her intention to improve the course grade within two weeks after the course grade is entered, and must submit the specified work before the start of the next academic semester. Exceptions to the two week notification policy are granted only in extraordinary circumstances and can be approved only by the Associate Dean for Education. Repeating a Class Due to Failure to Attain the Minimum Grade Requirement Students who do not meet a minimum grade requirement must register for the course, or its curricular equivalent, for a second time in the next semester the course is offered. Students may earn a grade higher than the minimum grade in a repeated course they are eligible to be graded with the whole range of grades, as described on the SPH Grading Policy at sph.bu.edu/registrar/policies. In all cases, a student must repeat the course in which he or she did not attain the minimum grade no later than one year from the initial registration, unless they are given specific written permission of the Associate Dean for Education to exceed this timeframe. 12

17 Students who do not repeat the course within one year and do not seek permission to do so may be subject to academic dismissal. The option to improve a grade is not available in courses that do not have a minimum grade requirement. Students may not repeat such a course or its curricular equivalent. Conditions and Consequences of Repeating a Course Grades for every course in which a student registers, including repeated courses, will appear on the student s transcript. The credits from courses in which the student fails to achieve the minimum grade are not counted toward the credit requirement for graduation, although the grade is factored into the overall grade point average. A student may not use institutional aid or SPH scholarship or merit funds to pay for courses they are retaking in order to meet the minimum grade requirement. They may use federal financial aid, such as loans. Students repeating courses are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Student Financial Services to verify their financial aid prior to the start of the semester. Failure to Meet the Minimum Required Grade in a Repeated Class A student will be subject to dismissal from Boston University if he or she does not achieve the minimum grade in a repeated course or its curricular equivalent. The student may petition the Associate Dean for Education to repeat the course or its curricular equivalent an additional time. If the petition is rejected, the student will be dismissed from SPH. If the petition is granted and the student again does not achieve the minimum grade, the student will be dismissed with no option to appeal. Failure to Meet the Minimum Required Grade in Multiple Courses No student will be permitted to repeat more than two courses that have a minimum grade requirement during their tenure at SPH. A student who fails to achieve a minimum grade in three courses that have a minimum grade requirement will be subject to dismissal from SPH. A student who wishes to appeal his or her dismissal may do so by petitioning the Associate Dean for Education in writing. The student should provide evidence of any extenuating circumstances to the Associate Dean, whose decision will be final. Academic Probation A student will be placed on academic probation if his/her overall GPA falls below 3.0 and will remain on academic probation until he or she achieves a 3.0 or higher GPA. A student also may be placed on probation if he or she has failed to make adequate progress in the program over a length of time. This will occur if a student: does not complete the course work within 4 years of entry into the program; has not submitted a thesis proposal within one year of completing his or her course work; or has not shown adequate progress on his/her thesis. In addition, the M.S. committee may assess a student s progress at any time, and may place the student on probation if, in its opinion, it is determined that the student has not made adequate progress toward meeting graduation requirements. When a student is placed on probation, the M.S. program director will send the student a letter specifying the reason(s) for probation, detailing what is required to be removed from probation, and the deadline by which the requirement(s) must be met. After the student has fulfilled the relevant requirement(s), he/she must write a letter to the M.S. program director that describes these steps. The M.S. program director will respond in writing with a determination of whether the student has met the requirements and is removed from probationary status, has not met the requirements and will remain on probation or refer the matter to the M.S. committee for further action. 13

18 Dismissal A student who is on probation for not making adequate progress will be dismissed from the M.S. program if he/she does not demonstrate substantial progress during the specified probationary period, or does not meet the requirement(s) of probation by the deadline specified by the M.S. committee. Dismissal may also occur as a result of committing an act of academic dishonesty, as defined in the School's policy on Academic Dishonesty. All decisions regarding probation and dismissal will be made by the M.S. committee. The decision of the M.S. committee is final. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS All Master of Science students at Boston University School of Public Health, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, must register each fall and spring semester during their M.S. program until they officially graduate. Continuing Study International students holding F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status and who are in residence at Boston University must meet the requirements of their visa, in particular full-time enrollment. Full- time enrollment is achieved by registration for 12 or more credits of academic coursework, or by registration in Continuing Study with additional full-time certification ( Certified Full-time ) coding by the SPH Registrar. International students must check in at the Boston University International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) when they first arrive at Boston University and then complete Semester Verification in each subsequent semester to ensure that they remain in lawful status. Students who are not fulltime by virtue of academic course load (12 credits or more) or who are not certified full time by enrolling in continuing study will be considered in violation of their immigration status. Students who violate their status are subject to the penalties prescribed in relevant immigration laws. Students who are permanent residents or United States citizens must meet the requirements of their program and must register for either coursework or Continuing Study each fall and spring semester. Leaves of Absence A student may request a leave of absence of up to two semesters by writing a letter to the M.S. Program Director and the BUSPH Registrar. Longer leaves of absence may be approved under compelling circumstances. International students must have approval of ISSO to take a leave of absence and must work with ISSO when they are ready to return to their studies. Students on leave of absence are not entitled to be advised officially by their faculty advisors during a leave of absence, nor do they have library privileges. It has been possible for students on leave to maintain their ACS accounts. 14

19 PROGRAM TIME LIMIT The Boston University School of Public Health requires all M.S. students to complete their degree requirements within 5 years of matriculation. Most students, including part-time students, should be able to finish in less time. Any extensions of the overall time limit must be requested in writing to the M.S. Program Director with documentation of the extraordinary circumstances creating the delay and a date by which the requirements will be met. The request must be reviewed and approved by the M.S. program committee. A student who does not meet the time limits established by the program may be dismissed from the program without a degree. COURSE WAIVERS AND TRANSFER CREDIT Some M.S. students enter their degree program having completed previous coursework that might help them meet degree requirements. Students with prior graduate-level course experience may be eligible to transfer a maximum of 8 graduate level credits toward their degree. The course must be degree-related and cannot have been used for another degree program. Students may also have the opportunity to explore coursework at other approved universities, including courses through the Boston Academic Consortium. Students must seek pre-approval before registering for courses for which they seek transfer credit. The course waiver and transfer credit policy is available at sph.bu.edu/registrar/policies. THESIS ABSTRACT, DEFENSE, AND SUBMISSION Thesis Abstract All Master of Science students must submit a thesis abstract of no more than 350 words to the BUSPH Registrar and the M.S. Program Director when they apply to graduate. This abstract must be accompanied by the Thesis Abstract Submission Form, which must be signed by the student s first reader/committee chair to signify the committee s approval of the abstract. Both application and abstract must be received no later than 30 days prior to the thesis defense date. (See form included in the Appendices.) Thesis Defense Dates included in the Master of Science Graduation Calendar represent the absolute deadlines (in each semester) for holding a thesis defense. (Please see the Master of Science Graduation Calendar in the front of this guidebook.) When scheduling their thesis defense, students should allow sufficient time for making any final revisions recommended by their M.S. thesis committee prior to the absolute deadline for submitting the approved thesis to the Mugar Memorial Library. The M.S. candidate and all thesis committee members must participate in the thesis defense on the selected defense date. Both the M.S. candidate and the thesis committee chair must be available on the selected defense date to appear in person at the defense, which must be held on the BU Medical Campus. Other committee members should appear in person for the defense; however, if they cannot, they may make arrangements to participate remotely. Students must notify the M.S. Program Director of the thesis defense date no later than 30 days prior to the defense. Within one week after the thesis defense, the thesis committee chair must send written notification of the outcome of the defense to the M.S. Program Director. The M.S. Program Director then notifies the Registrar. 15

20 Submission of Master of Science Thesis Conferment of the Master of Science degree is contingent upon receipt of the thesis final draft by the deadlines established by the Master of Science Graduation Calendar. Students must present the BUSPH Registrar with the Thesis Approval form, signed by the student s first reader/committee chair, when the Registrar completes the thesis and graduation paperwork. Failure to do so by the established deadline will require that the student submit a new graduation application and will defer the student s graduation to the following semester. (See the form included in the Appendices.) Please note that, to be accepted by the Mugar Memorial Library, all M.S. theses must be formatted according to the guidelines described in the Research Guide for Writers of Theses and Dissertations, which is available at bu.edu/library/guides/theses/ Students with questions about formatting or the thesis submission process should contact Brendan McDermott, Thesis and Dissertation Librarian at the Mugar Memorial Library, at brendan@bu.edu. THE OFFICIAL M.S. STUDENT RECORD The Official M.S. Student Record is an extremely important set of documents that demonstrates the progress of the student through the master of science program. All students will be responsible for understanding the contents of their own file and familiarizing themselves with the rules outlined below. The Official M.S. Student Record is available for inspection by the student and members of the M.S. program committee. Initially, the file contains the student's name, the date of entry into the program, and the name of the assigned academic advisor. With a few exceptions, described below, it is the student's responsibility to make additions to the Official M.S. Student Record and guarantee that the M.S. Program Director has received the appropriate information. Additions may be made in person or by mail, fax, or . Student Responsibilities Students must submit the following information and materials to their Official M.S. Student Record: notification of change of academic advisor, including the name of the new advisor and the date of the change; copies of transcripts and other required documentation showing completion of the credit requirements; a letter identifying the members of and date of formation of the M.S. thesis committee; a copy of all thesis progress reports; and a copy of an announcement of the thesis defense M.S. Program Director Responsibilities The M.S. Program Director maintains the following materials in all Official M.S. Student Records: M.S. program committee s written approval of the proposed thesis project; Thesis committee chair s written approval indicating the thesis committee's approval of the thesis; and Any correspondence pertaining to potential or actual disapproval of the thesis. 16

21 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) The ISSO provides professional expertise on immigration and employment issues to students, faculty, and staff at Boston University. ISSO Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday: 12:00PM - 5:00PM* *The ISSO office is closed every Wednesday morning until 12:00PM. Contact Information: 888 Commonwealth Avenue, 2 nd Floor Boston, MA Phone: (617) Fax: (617) isso@bu.edu The School of Public Health s ISSO liaison is Elizabeth Mirarchi (mirarchi@bu.edu). Students who have any questions regarding their required registration or necessary documents for travel or study should contact the ISSO. If students wish to visit the office in person, they may take the BU BUS. 888 Commonwealth Avenue is located opposite the C6 Buick Street and Commonwealth Avenue stop on the BU Shuttle. Maintaining Visa Status To remain lawfully in the United States during their studies, international students must obey the laws regulating F-1 and J-1 visa status. These regulations include, but are not limited to, registering for a fulltime course of study (whether by taking 12 or more credits or via registering for Continuing Study during all fall and spring semesters), limiting travel outside the U.S. to no more than 5 months at a time, and maintaining a current and valid I- 20. For a complete discussion of these requirements, please visit the ISSO website at the following URLs: Students on an F-1 visa: bu.edu/isso/students/current/f1/status Students on a J-1 visa: bu.edu/isso/students/current/j1/status Completing the Thesis Regardless of when they participate in graduation ceremonies, international students officially complete their M.S. studies when they submit the final version of their thesis and when Boston University certifies that they have successfully completed all degree requirements. Please note that all students who will complete and submit their thesis during the summer must be registered as continuing students during the summer semester to maintain lawful F-1 status. Otherwise, students must register in every fall and spring semester. 17

22 Section 5 Student Resources & Professional Development WRITING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Peer writing assistance is available free of charge for M.S. candidates who wish to improve their public health writing. Writing assistance is provided for all courses that have a writing component and is designed for all levels of writers. Students can receive writing assistance by self-referral or instructor referral. Students bring 2 printed copies of the latest draft of the writing assignment and 2 printed copies of the assignment description to the appointment. Students may have up to two writing appointments per assignment and no more than 14 appointments per semester. Contact the Tutor Coordinator at sphtutor@bu.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment. Writing assistance is not provided for the M.S. theses. DISABILITY SERVICES Students requiring disability services or accommodations are encouraged to meet with Mary Murphy-Phillips, Director of Student and Educational Services, who is the BUSPH liaison to the Boston University Office of Disability Services. Mary may be reached at , in her office on Talbot 2 Center, or via at mcmurph@bu.edu. Students may also refer to the School of Public Health Student Handbook (sph.bu.edu/studenthandbook) and to the Office of Disability Services website bu.edu/disability for more information. STUDENT HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE BUSPH students have several options for health and medical care, as outlined in the School of Public Health Student Handbook (sph.bu.edu/studenthandbook). Students should always refer to their insurance brochure and policy for coverage options, benefits and any restrictions. IN AN EMERGENCY GO TO THE CLOSEST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. COMMUNICATIONS There are several ways to stay in touch with faculty and other students and to be informed about events and opportunities at BUSPH. The SPH website: sph.bu.edu/ Student Insider: BUSPH s online student newsletter: sph.bu.edu/studentinsider. You ll also receive s announcing information on the Student Insider. Please be sure to add sphstdnt@bu.edu to your safe senders list. The Student Handbook: sph.bu.edu/studenthandbook and also available in Student Services, Talbot 219 East BUSPH Bulletin: Available in Registrar s Office, Talbot 210 Center 18

23 EVENTS Each month, BUSPH hosts several events designed to get students involved in the community and socialize with your fellow students. These opportunities include: 5 pm Socials: Free food held in Chequer s in the L-building basement 3-4 times per semester. Student Meetings with the Dean: Open discussions and free food for students to discuss issues they find important with the Dean of BUSPH, Robert Meenan. Watch for other events on the Student Insider! PUBLIC HEALTH FORUM BUSPH Public Health Forum is a monthly presentation at which students, faculty, and colleagues gather to examine contemporary problems or issues in the public health world. Speakers include public health practitioners and policy experts from around the globe and faculty from schools of public health. The goal of the Forum is to promote awareness and dialogue about matters critical to the public s health. The Forum is generally held on a Wednesday, from 12 1 PM, monthly during the academic year, in room L-112. Topics for the Forum will be posted throughout the school and medical campus as well as on the SPH web. If you have any questions about the Public Health Forum, please contact Vanessa Edouard at vbe@bu.edu. Past topics include: Fraud in Medical Research; Strategies for Addressing Health Disparities in Boston; and Male Circumcision: Our Best Available HIV Vaccine. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Department Seminars M.S. students are strongly encouraged to attend the Department Seminars, and are expected to explore the other seminar/meeting series, identifying at least one series to attend as frequently as possible. Professional Associations In addition to skills that are gained through classes and professional development seminars, students benefit greatly from joining professional associations. These associations offer students opportunities to meet people working in public health, learn about job opportunities, understand trends in the field, and polish communication and presentation skills at annual meetings. Students are strongly encouraged to become active in any of the following organizations: American Public Health Association (APHA) - apha.org Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) asph.org Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) mphaweb.org Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to stay current on the activities of public health organizations and journals: Public Health Agency links: Boston Public Health Commission - bphc.org Massachusetts Department of Public Health mass.gov/dph 19