Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences
Program Committee members:
Kathleen H. Moore, Professor of Chemistry, Chair
Bradley J. Roth, Professor of Physics
Douglas L. Wendell, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Xiangqun Zeng, Professor of Chemistry
Coordinator:
Xiangqun Zeng
231 Science and Engineering Building
(248) 370-2881
zeng@oakland.edu
Program description
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences with a specialization in health and environmental chemistry which is centered in the Department of Chemistry. The program requires a strong academic background in the natural sciences. Graduates will complete a unified program of formal coursework, as well as independent dissertation research, and will possess the theoretical background and practical skills necessary for successful contribution to the solution of environmental and health-related chemical problems. Scientists who graduate with this specialization will be capable of applying state-of-the-art methods to the determination, quantification and management of a wide variety of naturally occurring and synthetic chemical substances and the related chemical processes. No other doctoral program in Michigan focuses on these particular areas of chemistry, yet the contributions of highly trained doctoral-level scientists are essential to the resolution of major problems facing the nation in these areas.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Students are admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical fall semester only. Applicants are admitted fall semester only. Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
- July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
International applicants: International applications are reviewed for fall admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission.
Special Graduate classification: Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following University and Program application documents by the published application deadlines:
University graduate application requirements
- Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- Applicants must have earned bachelor’s degree in a natural science, mathematics or other discipline relevant to health and environmental chemistry.
- Proficiency at the undergraduate level in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and two additional areas (inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, cell biology or physiology). Students who are not proficient may need to take additional coursework. Applicants with undergraduate prerequisite course deficiencies in these areas must complete the preparatory course work before being eligible for admission to the graduate program.
- Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Applicants may be required to take the general or subject Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and arrange for their official GRE scores to be submitted to Oakland University. The institution code for Oakland University is 1497.
- In addition to the two Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms, listed under the University graduate application requirements above, applicants must submit a third Recommendation for Graduate Admission form.
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program Committee
The program committee, appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, consists of one faculty member from each of the three biomedical sciences specialization areas* as well as the coordinator of graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, who serves as chair of the program committee. The program committee advises the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on admission of students, selection of student committees, proposals for changes in degree requirements and approval of doctoral dissertations.
* Biological Communication, Health and Environmental Chemistry, and Medical Physics
Biomedical Sciences doctoral program specialization committees
Three specialization committees, appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on recommendations from the chairs of the chemistry, physics, and biology departments, are responsible for preliminary screening of applications for admission, preliminary approval of dissertation committees, approval of course selections by each student, certification of fulfillment of proficiency requirements by each student, administration and grading of preliminary examinations for each student, and proposal of any modifications in degree requirements for students in that specialization. Each specialization committee appoints specific faculty members to advise each incoming student selecting that specialization until the student’s dissertation committee is established.
Transfer credits
Accepted applicants who have previously earned a master’s degree from Oakland University or another regionally accredited university may request to apply up to 32 credits toward their doctoral degree. This petition must be approved by the Specialization in Biological Communication Committee and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. Any credits transferred from an institution other than Oakland University must be graduate level credits with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course, and be approved by the Specialization in Biological Communication Committee and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Proficiency of entering students
Each student entering the program must demonstrate proficiency in specific areas of coursework. Upon entering the program the student must consult with the appropriate specialization adviser who will plan a program of coursework to eliminate any deficiencies in the student’s preparation.
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