Requirements for The Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Science
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biomedical Science is offered in the five basic science departments. Application may be made to the School of Graduate Studies or to one of the five basic science departments. In addition, a track for a M.S. degree in Human Clinical Anatomy in the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy is designed to train students to teach human anatomy to medical students and allied health students.
Financial support - Master of Science Degree students do not receive stipend support for their program studies. During the time the M.S. students are enrolled as full-time students (see residence requirements below), they are not eligible for full-time employment, but are eligible for part-time employment at LSUHSC-S or elsewhere. If employed within the LSU System, work performed under employment may not be part of the research work for the M.S. degree. Tuition and fees for LSUHSC-S are the responsibility of the student.
Residence - One academic year, two semesters, or four summer terms represents the minimum requirement. Two years’ residence represents a more realistic average.
Semester Hours - The minimum requirement is 30 semester hours of graduate work, not over six hours of which is allowed for research and composition of a thesis, and not more than two credit hours of seminars. Departmental requirements may exceed these minimal requirements.
Transfer of Credit - Candidates for the Master of Science degree may receive up to five hours of transfer credit from another accredited institution at the discretion of the Department involved. No transfer credit is permitted for coursework receiving a grade below B and transfer of the credit does not reduce the residency requirement. All coursework taken in the Ph.D. program at LSUHSC-S may be transferred into the M.S. program.
Candidacy - A student becomes a candidate for the degree when he/she has completed 12 semester hours of work with a B average and has received Departmental approval.
Thesis - A written research thesis, oral defense of the thesis and approval by the research committee complete the requirements for the M.S. degree.
Requirements for The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the highest degree offered by universities. It is conferred only for work of distinction in which the student displays original scholarship. The degree is offered in each of the five basic science departments.
Financial support - All Ph.D. students in good academic standing are eligible for stipend support and tuition waiver.
Residence - Three years (9 semesters) of residence are required, although in most programs more time is needed.
Course Requirements - Specific course requirements are dependent upon individual Departmental policy. However, in general, a minimum of 32 credit hours is required and at least 20 of those hours must be taken in courses that require a letter grade for evaluation.
Transfer of Credit - Candidates for the Ph.D. degree may receive up to fifteen hours of transfer credit at the discretion of the Department involved, providing they have completed courses which are comparable to School of Graduate Studies’ courses in another graduate level institution, and satisfy the subject matter requirements. No transfer credit is permitted for course work receiving a grade below B and transfer of the credit does not reduce the residency requirement.
Qualifying Process - Each Department will be responsible for the qualifying process and will develop appropriate policies that will be on file in the Dean’s Office. These qualifying processes are described in detail in the Departmental policies.
Preliminary Examination -The applicant becomes eligible for the Preliminary Examination at a time chosen by the Department but not less than one academic year (three consecutive semesters) before graduation.
Candidacy - Successful completion of the qualifying exam and the preliminary exam as well as good academic standing advance the student to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
Dissertation - A written research dissertation, oral defense of the dissertation and final approval by the research committee are required to complete the Ph.D. degree |