GRADUATE PROGRAM IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES STUDENT HANDBOOK. Georgia Campus Edition

Transcription

1 GRADUATE PROGRAM IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES STUDENT HANDBOOK Georgia Campus Edition Version VC

2 Table of Contents Introduction to this Handbook 1 Professional Responsibilities of PCOM Graduate Students... 1 Accreditation... 1 Program Overview and Academic Policies 2 Registration for Courses... 2 Tuition, Fees and Refund... 3 Financial Aid and Student Academic Progress (SAP)... 3 Examinations... 4 Grading System... 4 Grade Point Average (GPA)... 5 Grade Reporting... 5 Academic Standing... 5 Incomplete Work... 6 Repeated Courses... 6 Transfer of Credit and Advanced Standing... 6 Auditing Courses... 6 Course Drop or Course Withdrawal... 6 Leave of Absence or Withdrawl from the Program... 7 Letters of Recommendation to Other Programs... 7 Foundation Year 8 Competencies... 8 Curriculum 8 Completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences 9 Competencies... 9 Concentrations... 9 Declaration of Candidadcy for Degree Completion... 9 Completion of Degree While in Professional School Time Limitation Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Non-Thesis Concentration 11 Competencies i

3 Curriculum Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Biomedical Research Concentration 13 Competencies Curriculum Occupational Health and Safety Selection of Research Project and Proposal Thesis Committee Thesis Committee Meetings Oral Defense, Written Thesis, and Conferral of Degree Participation in Commencement Ceremony Letter of Certification Grading and Academic Standing of Thesis and Non-Thesis Concentrations 16 Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Concentration in Organizational Leadership.17 Competencies Curriculum Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Concentration in Forensic Biology 18 Competencies Curriculum Biomedical Science Graduate Program Contact...19 ii

4 Introduction to this Handbook This handbook is a program-specific addendum to the General Student Handbook for students in the Biomedical Sciences program of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Please take the time to review the information included in this Handbook and use it as a resource, as it is designed to anticipate questions or concerns that you might have. Policies set forth in this handbook and General Student Handbook take precedence over policies in any other publication. The College reserves the right to change policies as needed; new policies will then supersede old policies and will be made available to students on the PCOM Nucleus web portal. PCOM reserves the right to modify the requirements for admission and graduation, to change the program of study, to amend any regulation affecting the student body, to increase tuition and fees, and to dismiss from the College any student at any time, if it is deemed by the College to be in the best interest of the College or the student to do so. Nothing in this handbook may be considered as setting forth terms of a contract between a student or prospective student and PCOM. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Office of Student Affairs. Professional Responsibilities of PCOM Graduate Students It should be remembered that, from the very first day, a student is a member of the PCOM community and the student's life must be an example of excellent professional conduct. It is essential that all graduate and professional students develop good professional habits promptly. Among these are the habit of thinking of a professional career in terms of duty, discipline, service and sacrifice; and the habit of unimpeachable conduct. As a PCOM student, it is important to be aware of the fact that your college is judged by your conduct, knowledge, integrity, appearance, and ability to communicate. Attendance at PCOM is a privilege granted to the student in consideration of performance of specified assignments and the maintenance of established standards of scholarship and personal and professional conduct, and meeting all financial obligations to the college. The college reserves the right, and the student concedes the right to the college by the act of matriculation, to require withdrawal of the student at any time the college deems necessary to safeguard its standards of scholarship, conduct and orderly operation. Accreditation Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. 1

5 Program Overview and Academic Policies The PCOM Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences provides an opportunity for students with baccalaureate degrees to begin their graduate study of the biomedical sciences as preparation for science careers or as additional post-baccalaureate preparation for professional study. The program represents a broad content base in the basic biomedical sciences with a strong emphasis on human medicine and clinical applications. Students pursue a full time, one-year foundational curriculum followed by a Non-Thesis or Thesis research concentration year leading to an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences. The curriculum of foundation courses provides a unique interdisciplinary background in biomedical sciences that may be applied in business, management or teaching careers, or as preparation for professional school. The degree completion concentrations build upon the foundation and culminate either in original, closely-mentored research or in non-thesis course work in biomedical sciences, organizational leadership in bioscience, or forensic biology. The first (foundation) year of the program emphasizes biomedical concepts. The courses are not designed to substitute for undergraduate premedical requirements. All course work is at the graduate level and all instruction is by the medical faculty of PCOM. It is therefore expected that matriculated students will have completed or will complete on their own all undergraduate requirements for health professional careers which they wish to pursue. It should be noted that many criteria, in addition to academic credentials, play a role in the admissions process to medical and other professional schools. While the Biomedical Sciences Program does provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate academic capability beyond the baccalaureate, it does not assure admission to or guarantee an interview with any professional school, including the osteopathic medicine or other academic/clinical training programs at PCOM. Similarly, it should not be assumed that course work completed in the Biomedical Sciences Program is transferable to professional programs. It is the student s responsibility to understand and complete the undergraduate pre-requisites pertaining to the professional or graduate degree program to which the student anticipates application. Registration for Courses Prior to the first term of the academic year, all first-year students will be registered by the Office of the Registrar. Confirmation of registration will be issued by . Registration for all subsequent terms must be completed by the student through PCOM s online registration system. General instructions on how to register are available in the Registrar s channel in Nucleus. Each student will be notified of registration start and end dates as well as any other instructions as needed. Students are responsible for keeping their official PCOM account active and for reviewing it frequently, as all notifications from the Registrar s office are transmitted electronically. Students must register each term to allow for processing of financial aid and loan deferments. Failure to register in the time frame provided will result in a late registration fee being assessed. Students who register for courses but are unable to attend are responsible for filing the appropriate paperwork (see enrollment policies in the General Student Handbook). Students entering a degree completion concentration for the Master of 2

6 Science degree must maintain continuous registration unless approved for an alternative schedule by the Program Director. Tuition, Fees and Refund All billing is done electronically by the Bursar s office with notifications sent to the student s PCOM account. Hard copy bills are not produced. Tuition, fees and refund policies can be found in the General Student Handbook and on the PCOM web site under Administration/Bursar s Office. Any questions regarding tuition, fees, and refund policies should be directed to the Bursar. Students who have outstanding balances will not be permitted to register for classes for the subsequent term and may be placed on a Financial Leave of Absence by the Bursar s office. See the General Student Handbook for further information. Financial Aid and Student Academic Progress (SAP) The United States Department of Education requires every postsecondary institution receiving Title IV federal funds to have an academic progress policy that is used to determine eligibility for and continued receipt of federal funds. Although this policy must apply to all students whether or not they are receiving financial aid, the receipt of financial aid is a privilege that creates both rights and obligations for the student. SAP Process A review of SAP will be conducted at the end of every spring term regardless of when a student enrolls. Failure to meet any component of SAP at the end of the spring term will result in cancellation of all federal financial aid as well as institutional funds. Students failing academic progress requirements will receive notification of their unsatisfactory progress and instructions regarding the process to have financial aid continued. Official notification will be issued at the end of spring term. A requirement for reinstatement of financial aid is for an Academic Action Plan to be developed with the student s Academic Program advisor or Student Progress Evaluation Committee. Official notification will be issued at the end of spring term. A student who has been approved for financial aid continuation will be under a financial aid probation status. A master s level student is limited to two academic plans. If a student changes degree programs, their SAP status will speak to the new program only. Students who are dismissed or withdrawn from the school are not deemed to be making SAP and are not eligible to receive financial aid. SAP Criteria GPA Requirements. Graduate students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of Coursework Completion Percentage. Students must complete the appropriate percent of all courses attempted to maintain a good academic standing. The completion percentage is calculated by dividing total hours earned by total hours attempted. 3

7 It is also important to understand how specific grades and/or course types count toward the completion ratio. The following grades count as attempted but not completed courses: Incomplete, No Grade Reported, Withdraw, Failure, Unsatisfactory. All students at PCOM are required to maintain a 67% completion of coursework. Maximum Timeframe to Complete Program. For financial aid eligibility, students will be given 150% of the time it would take a student to complete the program as detailed in the school s course catalog. Any term in which a student is enrolled counts towards their 150% regardless of whether or not the student receives federal financial aid. Examinations All examinations are administered at the time designated by the Course Director, during regular course hours. Excused absences from exams will be granted only in cases involving emergencies or serious illness, and the student must notify the Course Director and Office of Student Affairs before the exam for an excuse to be considered. The excuse must be approved by the Office of Student Affairs before a missed examination may be taken. Failure to do so will result in failure of the exam. Make-up exams (when appropriate) may be a different test or different format than the original exam. Grading System Course directors determine the means by which the final grade will be computed, which may include exam scores, written assignments, laboratory exercises, practical examinations, class participation and other means of evaluation. For thesis research, a term grade is reported by each member of the thesis committee, including the thesis advisor. Final course grades are assigned by the following scheme: Grade Quality Points A 4.00 Superior level of competency A B B 3.00 Satisfactory level of competency B C C 2.00 Marginal level of competency F 0.00 Unsatisfactory level of competency S Satisfactory in research concentration U Unsatisfactory in research concentration I Incomplete W Withdrawal before the midpoint of a course WP Withdrawal after the midpoint of a course while passing WF Withdrawal after the midpoint of a course while failing or unauthorized withdrawal AU Audited 4

8 Grade Point Average (GPA) The grade point average (GPA) is calculated as the sum of the products of quality points and credits for all courses taken divided by total credits attempted, excluding courses with grades for which quality points are not assigned. Only courses taken at PCOM are included in this calculation. Grade Reporting Final course grades will be posted by the Registrar within two (2) weeks after the end of the term. Students may view grades on-line as instructed by the Registrar. Final course grades not issued by the Registrar, such as those posted on Blackboard, are considered unofficial and their use should be avoided. Grades become final and permanent six (6) weeks after the end of the term, after which time no grade changes will be honored except in case of error by the College. Academic Standing The academic achievement of all students in the program is reviewed periodically by the program s Student Progress Evaluation Committee (SPEC), which presents its findings and recommendations to the Student Academic Progress and Policy Committee and the Student Professional Conduct Committee. To inform its deliberations, the SPEC will consider all measures of students ability to demonstrate competency, including performance in courses taken in current and prior terms, as well as course withdrawals and leaves taken. The SPEC will propose changes in standing in accordance with the following: Good Standing. The student has demonstrated professional behavior and has earned a passing or satisfactory grade in all courses attempted with a cumulative GPA of This standing is required for continuation in a degree completion concentration with unconditional candidacy status and for conferral of the Master of Science degree. Academic Warning. A written warning may be issued to a student who has failed to meet, or is at risk of failing to meet, criteria for good academic standing. If those criteria could plausibly be met after remediation (see Repeated Courses in this handbook), the student may be permitted to continue study under terms of an Academic Action Plan. Academic Probation. A failure (grade of F, or U in thesis research) or withdrawal while failing (WF) will result in the student being placed on academic probation. Continued study is subject to terms of an Academic Action Plan that can restore good standing. Academic Dismissal. A student who has accumulated two or more grades of F and/or WF, or two grades of U in thesis research, is liable for dismissal from the program. Disciplinary Action. The SPEC will also review violations of the College Disciplinary Policy and Ethics Code and/or the Academic Integrity Policy. Minor infringements may result in a letter of warning, and in cases of egregious or repeated infractions, the SPEC may recommend disciplinary dismissal from the program. Other Academic Standing, Academic Appeal, Conduct, and Disciplinary policies and procedure are provided in the General Student Handbook. 5

9 Incomplete Work If an extenuating personal circumstance would prevent a student from completing the required coursework within the term, the Course Director may issue a grade of Incomplete (I). The student must request the Incomplete in writing from the Course Director or the Office of Student Affairs prior to the end of the course. If the request is approved, a written agreement is made regarding the work required and due dates. The Incomplete must be reconciled within six (6) weeks following the end of the term, or it will revert to a Failure. Repeated Courses With the approval of the Vice President for Graduate Programs and Planning, a student may be granted the privilege of repeating a failed course and/or up to two foundation courses in which an original passing grade below B was earned. If a course is repeated in its entirety, the newly earned grade will replace the previous grade in GPA calculations; however, the previous grade will remain on the transcript. Repeated courses must be taken within this program. In extraordinary circumstances, an equivalent course may be taken outside of the program and the credit transferred; to be afforded this option, the student must request and receive all necessary approvals in writing before matriculating in the course, and all other rules governing Transfer of Credit also apply (see below). Transfer of Credit and Advanced Standing Students may be able to obtain credit for comparable academic work completed at other accredited institutions of higher education. Up to six (6) credits may be transferred; all credits must have been earned with a grade of B (3.00) or better. Credits and/or grades applied towards a degree in another curriculum generally cannot transfer to this program. All decisions regarding transfer of credit and advanced standing are made on a case by case basis by the appropriate Course Directors, Program Director, and the Vice President for Graduate Programs and Planning. Auditing Courses Students may audit a course with the permission of Course Director and the Program Director, who will confer to make clear the expectations for engagement with the course material, particularly where the student will participate in graded group work. An audited course does not provide any course credit or factor into the GPA. Course Drop or Course Withdrawal In the Biomedical Sciences program, a course may be dropped within the first week of the term. After the first week and up to one week prior to the final graded assessment or term end (whichever is sooner), a student may request to withdraw from a course. To request a drop or withdrawal from a course, students must consult with the Program Director and execute the appropriate forms as required by the Registrar. Any dropped/withdrawn courses required by the curriculum must be completed in a later term, which may delay completion of the degree. 6

10 Tuition for a dropped/withdrawn course is refunded on a prorated scale specified in the Tuition Refund Policy in the PCOM Catalog. Upon approval by the Program Director and processing by the Registrar, a course drop/withdrawal is reported to the Office of Financial Aid and may affect the student's loan eligibility for that term and/or require return of previously disbursed loan funds. Dropped courses do not appear on the student s academic transcript and do not affect the GPA. Approved withdrawals appear on the transcript based on the time of request to withdraw: W (withdrawn) if the request was made before the midpoint of the course, WP or WF (withdrawn while passing, withdrawn while failing) after the course midpoint depending on the student s performance up to that date. Withdrawals do not factor into the GPA, however, academic standing may be affected, particularly in the case of a WF (see Academic Standing in this handbook). Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from the Program A student who is contemplating a leave of absence or complete withdrawal from the program must discuss their intentions with the Program Director and/or the Chief Student Affairs Officer. Students receiving Financial Aid should consult with the Financial Aid Office to discuss the financial implications of this action. If a student takes a leave of absence while failing a course, the program s SPEC will review the case and may make recommendations to the Student Academic Progress and Policy Committee regarding the student s eligibility to return on probation. More complete information, procedures, and implications pertaining to Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from Program can be found in the General Student Handbook. Letters of Recommendation to Professional Programs Any biomedical sciences graduate student who wishes to have a committee recommendation letter may make such a request. Letters will be offered in January of each year. Separate forms are available for foundations year students and for concentration year candidates. These forms and instructions are posted on the Nucleus site after classes begin in August. The student will complete the first page of the form and submit to the Program Director. It is the student s responsibility to contact faculty to contribute to the committee letter of recommendation. The Program Director reserves the right to ask the student for further information if they deem necessary and to decide whether or not to write a committee recommendation. A student may also at any time ask any faculty member for an individual letter of recommendation, which will be completely separate from a committee letter. 7

11 Foundation Year Students usually complete the foundation courses in one academic year. Upon satisfactory completion of the foundation courses, a certificate of graduate study is awarded. In the foundation year, didactic classes and laboratories are scheduled from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday unless specifically noted. Course scheduling is announced at the beginning of each academic term. Students with satisfactory academic performance in the foundation courses may choose a concentration for the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. The concentrations are described later. Competencies Upon completion of the foundation year of the Biomedical Sciences program, the student should be able to: Demonstrate an advanced understanding of important fundamental concepts of the biomedical sciences (i.e., structure and function of cells and organ systems, infection and immune response, biomedical effects of pharmacologic agents, etc.). Communicate scientific information in written and oral forms. Demonstrate proficiency in clinical problem solving. Apply information skills to access, synthesize and interpret medical literature. Utilize technology to acquire information and solve problems in health sciences. Curriculum Upon completion of the foundation year, the student will have acquired an advanced understanding of the important concepts in the following biomedical science disciplines: TERM 1 (FALL) BIOM 550G Research Survey Seminar... 1 BIOM 549G Scientific Communications... 2 BIOM 553G Basic Concepts in Biomedical Modeling... 2 BIOM 558G Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology... 5 Total Credits 10 TERM 2 (WINTER) BIOM 559G Biostatistics... 1 BIOM 551G Human Anatomy... 5 BIOM 557G Micro Anatomy and Embryology... 4 Total Credits 10 TERM 3 (SPRING) BIOM 554G Neurosciences... 4 BIOM 556G Human Physiology Total Credits 9 Total credits required for completion of foundation year 29 Complete course descriptions are provided in the PCOM Catalog. 8

12 Competencies Completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Upon completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, the student should be able to: Demonstrate development of specialized competencies in a focused area of biomedical sciences that indicate an advanced knowledge base and the ability to apply skills acquired in the foundations year. Demonstrate competency in the following skills: o Effective use of computer technology in the biomedical sciences. o Written and oral communication demonstrated in bioscience topics. o Efficient search and analysis of appropriate biomedical sciences literature. o Effective application of the Scientific Method, data analysis and empirical inquiry Concentrations Students who have successfully completed the foundation curriculum may select one the following concentrations at the Georgia Campus, described further in later sections, leading to the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Non-Thesis Biomedical Research Organizational Leadership in the Biosciences Forensic Biology (Students who choose this concentration will complete it on the Philadelphia Campus. Students can commute monthly to Philadelphia to accomplish this.) The degree conferred is a Master of Sciences in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in one of the above areas. Declaration of Candidacy for Degree Completion Students may declare their choice of degree completion concentration after the first term in the foundations year of the program. Declaration and acceptance to a concentration begins by obtaining a form, Declaration of Program Concentration, Master of Science, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, from the Office of the Registrar. The form will also be available online on Nucleus and/or Blackboard. After the completed form is submitted to the Registrar, the student will be interviewed by the appropriate Program Director (if the student s GPA is 3.0) or above or the Vice President for Graduate Programs and Planning (if the student s GPA is less than 3.0). The respective Program Director will forward a signed declaration form to the Registrar, indicating the decision to accept or reject. Students whose GPA is below 3.0 must be approved for conditional admission to a degree completion. The student will be notified of any conditions of the candidacy and instructed on how to register for credits in the appropriate degree completion concentration. The Registrar s office will confirm completion of the process to both student and Program Director. 9

13 Completion of Degree While in Professional School Students who have successfully completed the foundation year may complete a master s concentration concurrently with other professional programs. However, they must fulfill all relevant requirements detailed in this manual. Such students are not relieved from any course credit requirements, responsibilities, policies, time limitations, tuition, fees etc. on the basis of their participation in other programs. For students simultaneously pursuing other degrees, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in the foundation year is required to be accepted as candidates for the degree of Master of Science. Professional students who have not completed the foundation year may discuss opportunities with the Vice President of Graduate Programs and Planning. Time Limitation All requirements for a master s degree must be met within five (5) years from admission to the foundation year of the program. 10

14 Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Non-Thesis Concentration Upon successful completion of the foundation and Non-Thesis curricula, the student will receive a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Non-Thesis. Competencies Upon completion of the non-thesis concentration coursework, the student should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of specific coursework topical information and research methodology. Demonstrate competency in the following skills: o Development of research design. o Approaches to quantitation of results. o Written and oral presentation of research. Apply their knowledge and skills toward: o Entry into/progression through a variety of industrial fields. o Entry into/progression through careers in teaching multiple academic levels. o Continuation in a variety of advanced graduate and professional studies. Curriculum This concentration s upper-level curriculum involves a didactic course in research methodology, seminars, and the conduct of original research supervised by members of the PCOM basic science faculty. A typical schedule is shown below. TERM 1 (FALL) BIOM 618G Epidemiology... 2 Choose one of the following: Group 1 OR 2* Group 1 BIOM 610G Medical Immunology... 2 BIOM 611G Medical Microbiology... 3 BIOM 619G Medical Microbiology Practicum... 1 Group 2 BIOM 612G Historical Development of Current Themes in Biomedical Science Research... 2 BIOM 613G Molecular Genetics... 3 And one of the following courses: ** BIOM 607G Independent Study/Scientific Composition... 1 BIOM 650G Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences Research and Methods... 1 Total credits for the term will depend on which Group option is chosen. Group 1 Total credits... 9 Group 2 Total credits

15 * Once a student chooses either Group 1 or Group 2 he/she must continue with that sequence in term 3. **Once a student choses either BIOM 607G or BIOM 650G he/she must continue with that sequence in the subsequent two terms. TERM 2 (WINTER) Choose two of the following five electives: BIOM 603G Concepts in Pharmacology and Toxicology... 4 BIOM 604G Nutritional Biochemistry... 4 BIOM 614G Developmental Neuroscience... 4 BIOM 615G Vascular Control Mechanisms... 4 BIOM 690G Research Methods Practicum in Biomedical Sciences... 4 And one of the following courses: BIOM 607G Independent Study/Scientific Composition... 1 BIOM 650G Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences Researches and Methods... 1 Total Credits 9 TERM 3 (SPRING) Group 1 BIOM 606G Analytical Reading-Molecular Mechanisms... 2 Group 2 BIOM 617G Stem Cell Biology... 3 And one of the following courses: BIOM 607G Independent Study/Scientific Composition... 4 BIOM 650G Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences Researches and Methods... 4 Group 1 Total credits for the term... 6 Group 2 Total credits for the term... 7 Total credits required for completion of Year Total credits for MS degree completion

16 Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Biomedical Research Concentration (Thesis) Upon successful completion of the foundation and Biomedical Research curricula, the student will receive a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Biomedical Research. Competencies Upon completion of a research thesis project, the student should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of research, including the scientific method, hypothesis generation, research design and methodology. Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to quantitation of results and written and oral presentation of the research and its significance in health related issues. Apply their knowledge and skills toward: o Entry into/progression through a variety of industrial fields. o Entry into/progression through careers in teaching multiple academic levels. o Continuation in a variety of advanced graduate and professional studies. Curriculum This concentration s upper-level curriculum involves a didactic course in research methodology, seminars, and the conduct of original research supervised by members of the PCOM basic science faculty. A typical schedule is shown below. BIOM 618G Epidemiology... 2 BIOM 619G *Medical Microbiology Methods Practicum... 1 BIOM 690G *Research Methods Practicum in Biomedical Sciences... 4 BIOM 691G-693G Biomedical Research/Elective Courses Total credits required for completion of Year Total credits for MS degree completion Students in this concentration are required to begin in the summer following completion of the foundation year unless approved otherwise by the program director. Approval for a delayed start is based on prior progress toward required research approvals, committee selection and development of the thesis proposal. The number of planned credit must equal or exceed 24 credit hours. Students may opt to complete the requirements of BIOM 619G and 690G as part of research credits in their home lab with the approval of their thesis mentor and the Associate Program Director. The thesis mentor is responsible for providing documentation for completion of competencies. It is expected that all research concentration enrollees are full-time graduate students unless another arrangement is approved by the program director. The research phase will normally be completed in one academic year of full-time day attendance. Students who have not completed all degree requirements at the end of the 24 research credits must register for research continuation; please see the Registrar for more details. 13

17 Students also qualify to take additional courses or obtain Certificate(s) of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) during their enrollment at cost and with prior written approval of the appropriate program directors. Occupational Health and Safety Depending on the nature of their research project, degree candidates in the research concentration may be required to provide documentation of a physical examination and vaccination records prior to undertaking the project. Candidates must be trained in applicable safety procedures including how to respond to an adverse event. Selection of Research Project and Proposal Before registering for research credit, each student shall indicate the selection of a research mentor or thesis advisor under whose direction the thesis research project will be performed. The advisor will be a member of the full-time biomedical sciences faculty at PCOM, or a similarly qualified person at another site as approved by the Research Concentration Program Director. Availability of research projects varies from year to year, thus PCOM cannot guarantee that all candidates can be accommodated by on-campus projects in any given year. Candidates are encouraged to find a suitable project early during the declaration process. Research is defined as an original systematic inquiry or investigation into a biomedical subject in order to discuss or revise facts and to obtain new information. Along with the advisor, the student will develop a written proposal for a research project. The proposal will be signed by the advisor and, if the advisor is PCOM faculty, the advisor s superior (e.g. the department chairperson). Within the first 30 days of the first term of research, the student shall submit the specific aims of the project to the Thesis Committee (see below) and the Research Concentration Program Director, who will review it with appropriate institutional officers and committees (i.e. IRB, IACUC, Biohazards, etc.) for regulatory compliance. Until the project has the required regulatory approvals, a student must not commence work on it nor accrue research. Thesis Committee Within the first term of research credit, a thesis committee will be selected by the student and thesis advisor and approved by the Research Concentration Program Director. The committee will serve as the examiners for all matters pertaining to the student s progress, e.g. term grades, the oral defense, the thesis document etc. The thesis committee shall comprise at least three members, one being the student s primary thesis advisor, and at least one being from outside the advisor s area of academic expertise. If the project is undertaken off-campus, then at least one member must be fulltime biomedical sciences faculty at PCOM. Members may be added to the committee if their expertise enhances the successful completion of the proposed research. Thesis Committee Meetings The thesis committee shall meet at least once per term and submit written reports to the 14

18 Research Concentration Program Director. The student is responsible for planning and executing all requirements for completion of the project, including scheduling the required thesis committee meetings. A quorum of at least two of the committee members is required for a committee meeting. The first meeting is typically to introduce the project to the committee and discuss progress to date. Meetings often address specific issues, such as overcoming unexpected problems, designing experiments to test new hypotheses as new data come to light, revising the written thesis, etc. The committee will lend its combined expertise to mapping out the direction and timeline of the project. Towards that end, the student or committee may schedule meetings as necessary beyond the required one per term. The format of the meeting is determined by the committee. Typically, the student will begin the meeting with a semi-formal presentation of the project s progress to date, followed by round table discussion. A committee member other than the main thesis advisor shall be designated as the moderator for each meeting. Oral Defense, Written Thesis, and Conferral of Degree As a culminating milestone in the research project, the oral defense of the thesis is a seminar-format presentation before the faculty and college community. The candidate shall deliver a viable first draft of the written thesis to the thesis committee, who may then request in writing for the Research Concentration Program Director to schedule the defense. Candidates may submit and defend their theses at any time during the calendar year in accordance with committee approval. A report of the thesis defense shall be sent to the Research Concentration Program Director. Discussion at the defense will often motivate further revision of the written thesis. The final, signed thesis document must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the oral defense; extensions may be requested in writing or by . Formatting requirements for the final thesis are published by the PCOM Library. Upon both successfully defending the thesis and submitting the final, signed thesis to the Research Concentration Program Director, the candidate will be recommended for degree conferral to the Registrar and the Vice President for Graduate Programs and Planning. The candidate is then placed before the Executive Faculty and the Board of Trustees for conferral of the degree, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. The degree conferral date will be the date of the Trustees meeting. Before the diploma or an academic transcript may be released by the Registrar, the graduate must satisfy all financial obligations to PCOM and complete any applicable exit interviews. Participation in Commencement Ceremony The annual commencement ceremony for all graduate programs in Philadelphia is held in the summer, typically in late July. To participate in the ceremony, candidates must have successfully defended their thesis by the published deadline and received written permission from their thesis committee. Candidates who participate in graduation before submitting the final thesis or completing other requirements will not receive their diploma at the ceremony. Students who may be eligible for graduation will receive instructions at their pcom.edu account in January of their graduation year and must complete Intent to Graduate 15

19 Form by the stated deadline. Other deadlines and eligibility requirements for participation in the ceremonies are determined by the Research Concentration Program Director and the Vice President for Graduate Programs and Planning and published each academic year. Letter of Certification In the time between fulfillment of all requirements for the degree and the actual conferral of the degree by the Trustees, documentation of fulfillment is sometimes required by prospective employers, professional programs etc. A letter of certification may be requested from the Office of the Registrar for this purpose. Requests should be made at least two weeks before the letter is needed. Grading and Academic Standing of Thesis and Non-Thesis Concentrations Letter grades (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and F) are given for all course work including thesis research credits. Course work grades are determined by the specific Course Director(s) based on criteria made available to students through the Course Syllabus at the beginning of the course. Course syllabi are given to the student either in hard copy and/or posted to Blackboard within the individual course site. Thesis research grades are determined by the student s thesis advisor and thesis committee based on criteria established in writing and given to the thesis student by the advisor and thesis committee at or before the beginning of each term. The criteria are described as specific performance outcomes and are discussed with the thesis student so that expectations are clearly understood. Given the sometimes unpredictable nature of research training and thesis projects, criteria may be reasonably modified as necessary by the advisor and committee (with the appropriate input of the thesis student) in order to help the thesis student meet deadlines or complete tasks. Criteria including any modifications are reviewed and approved by the Program Director to insure adequate student progress. Depending on the nature of their research project, degree candidates in the research concentration may be required to provide documentation of a physical examination and vaccination records prior to undertaking the project. Non-thesis independent study coursework (BIOM 607G and BIOM 650G) deadlines and general criteria are established by the Course Directors. Individual tasks are graded by the individual mentors and reviewers chosen by and assigned to each student. Any necessary modification(s) to deadlines or criteria (due to special circumstance) are determined by jointly by the specific Course Director(s) and mentor in consultation with the Program Director. Two consecutive grades of F (Failure) in course work or thesis research credits will make the student liable for dismissal from the program. 16

20 Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Concentration in Organizational Leadership This concentration focuses on the application of leadership and organizational skills in the bioscience fields. Upon successful completion of the foundations and Organizational Leadership curricula, the student will receive a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Organizational Leadership in the Biosciences. In order to participate in the Organization Leadership Track, the student should have a 3.0 GPA, interview with the Assistant Director of ODL, and complete the Declaration Form including the essay regarding how the concentration will be of value to the student in their planned professional career. If the student has less than a 3.0 GPA, an additional level of approval by the Dean and Vice President of Graduate Programs is required. Competencies At the completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, the student should be able to: Acquire and apply skills and techniques of organizational leadership, psychological theory, program evaluation and performance-based outcomes measures in bioscience leadership. Apply the theoretical aspects of group, organizational and systemic thought in the real world. Curriculum Instruction is conducted in the evening. Twenty-one credits of course work beyond the foundation biomedical sciences courses is required, as follows: ODL 501G Foundations and Systems of Organizational Development.. 3 ODL 512G Small and Large Systems: Diagnosis and Change... 3 ODL 504G Personal and Professional Development... 3 ODL 519G Strategic Change: Planning for Organizational Success... 3 ODL 510G Capstone: Action Research Project... 3 And one of the following courses: ODL 505G* Team Dynamics... ODL 517G* Communication Skills for Leaders... Total Credits for this course... 3 Choose one of the following courses: ODL 516G* Developing Systems Literacy: Organization Workshop... ODL 522G* Leader as Meeting Designer and Facilitator... ODL 506G* Social Factors and Cultural Diversity... Total Credits for this course... 3 Total credits beyond foundation year for degree completion 21 Additional details are available in the Organizational Development and Leadership Handbook and the PCOM Catalog. 17

21 Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Concentration in Forensic Biology This concentration focuses on forensic biology, culminating with a capstone experience which may include forensic fieldwork. Students must travel to the Philadelphia Campus to enroll in this concentration. Upon successful completion of the foundation and Forensic Biology curricula, the student will receive a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Forensic Biology. Competencies At the completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, with a concentration in Forensic Biology, the student should be able to: Demonstrate a core foundation in theory and principles of forensic science. Apply basic skills of forensic pathology. Interpret research in forensics and design studies. Show proficiency in death-scene investigation. Curriculum Instruction is conducted in a non-traditional format in intensive sessions on selected weekends, with extensive use of on-line instruction. Weekend sessions are held once each month for the entire academic term. Twenty-four credits of course work beyond the foundation biomedical sciences courses is required, as follows: TERM 1 (FALL) FMED 500 Pathology for Forensic Medicine... 4 Total Credits 4 TERM 2 (WINTER) FMED 501 Principles of Forensic Medicine I... 6 Total Credits 6 TERM 3 (SPRING) FMED 502 Principles of Forensic Medicine II... 6 Total Credits 6 TERM 4 (SUMMER) FMED 508 Capstone Integrated Experience... 8 Total Credits 8 Total credits beyond foundation year for degree completion 24 Forensic Biology Concentration courses start in the Fall. Additional details are available in the Forensic Biology Handbook and the PCOM Catalog. 18

22 Biomedical Science Graduate Program Contacts Associate Director Biomedical Science Graduate Program: Brian M. Matayoshi, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience Physiology Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Georgia Campus (678) Organizational Leadership Concentration: Dr. Jeffery Branch, Associate Program Director, Organizational Leadership (215) Director, Forensic Biology Concentration Gregory McDonald, D.O. (215) Vice President for Graduate Programs and Planning Robert G. Cuzzolino, Ed.D. (215) Please consult the General Student Handbook for a full listing of college offices and personnel. 19