GRADUATE PROGRAMS HANDBOOK

Version: August 1998
Questions or Comments? Phone 235-1385
E-mail: umkc-sbs-doc@umkc.edu

Welcome to the on-line version of the Graduate Programs Handbook which is accessible to UMKC students and faculty with local access (i.e. any 'umkc.edu' server). The purpose of this Handbook is to summarize in one place the School of Biological Sciences' graduate programs, the requirements for graduate degrees, and various academic rules and regulations. It offers guidelines to practical procedures like on-line inquiry capability.
Note that academic regulations may change over time. If questions arise, please contact the Graduate Programs Office (phone (816) 235-1385) and help to keep this Handbook up to date. For additional information about rules and regulations, students are referred to the UMKC General Catalog.

• Introduction

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Study with Cell Biology and Biophysics as Primary Discipline
  • Course Requirements (CBB as Primary Discipline)
  • Academic Performance Standards
• Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Study with Molecular Biology and Biochemistry as Primary Discipline
  • Course Requirements (MBB as Primary Discipline)
  • Academic Performance Standards
• Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Study with CBB or MBB as Co-discipline
• M.S. Degree Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology
• M.A. Degree Program in Biology
• Academic Performance Standards for Master's Programs

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The School of Graduate Studies
• Libraries and Other Information Resources
• Student Files and Student Database
• Student Organizations
• Student Code of Conduct
• Information for International Students
• Interim Advisor
• Registering for Courses at UMKC
• Radiation Safety Requirements for Experiments Using Radioisotopes
• Fee Remissions
• Seminar Attendance
• Undergraduate Courses
• Taking Courses Outside the School of Biological Sciences
• Continuous Graduate-Enrollment Requirement
• Academic Loads

YEAR 1

• Course Work Planning
• Graduate Teaching Assignments
• Selection of a Ph.D. Research Advisor
• Selection of a M.S. (thesis-option) Research Advisor
• Annual Performance Review
• Full Admission into the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program

PLAN/PROGRAM OF STUDY

• Selection of a Supervisory Committee
• Selection of Research Topic
• Planning of Ph.D. Course Work
• Preparation of a Ph.D. Plan of Study
• Narrative of the Research Proposal
• Preparation of a M.S. Program of Study

YEAR 2

• Establishing Ph.D. Residency
• Planning Course Work for Year 2
• Annual Review of Progress

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

• Written Examination
• Oral Examination

RESEARCH (YEAR 3 and beyond)

• Required Course Work During Research Years
• Writing Dissertation/Thesis
• Actions Required when Conditions Change
• Stipend Support

GRADUATION

• Graduation Plan Work Sheet
• Steps to Graduation
• Commencement
• Termination of Employment

INTRODUCTION

The graduate programs at the School of Biological Sciences are administered in coordination with the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

• The doctoral faculty in the two administrative divisions of the School represent two Disciplines that are part of the UMKC-wide Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) and Cell Biology and Biophysics (CBB). Interdisciplinary Ph.D. students in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) must have MBB or CBB as a Coordinating Discipline (also called Primary Discipline) or as a Co-discipline.
• The School of Biological Sciences offers a Master's of Science (M.S.) in Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB).
• The School of Biological Sciences offers a Master's of Arts (M.A.) in Biology. Students may pursue a certificate in the Truman Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program concurrently.

The Handbook's Table of Contents is organized in the order of progress toward the degree. It lists the various steps along the way towards completion of the degree. The printed version of the Handbook, available from the Graduate Programs Office, Room 016 BSB, contains many of the forms that are required during progression towards the degree. In the current on-line version, these forms are not available. However, all forms can be obtained from the Graduate Programs Office, Room 016 BSB.

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the general and specific requirements, applicable to their degree. Students are also responsible for knowing the rules and regulations contained herein, as well as in the UMKC General Catalog. The Graduate Programs Office is available to answer questions and assist students. However, knowledge of the requirements, rules and regulations is ultimately the responsibility of the student.