Nov 22, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences


 

Department of Biological Sciences
375 Dodge Hall  (map)
(248) 370-3550 • Fax (248) 370-4225
www.oakland.edu/biology

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Graduate Coordinator:
Douglas L. Wendell
316 Dodge Hall
(248) 370-4457
wendell@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The purpose of this program is to help prepare students for success in gaining admission to medical, dental, or veterinary school.

Admission terms and application deadlines

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.

  • November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
  • March 1, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
  • November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
  • March 1, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall and winter 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 and by September 1 for winter 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 should have earned a bachelor’s degree in biology or related subject (e.g., biochemistry, molecular biology, botany or zoology) from a regionally accredited institution or proof of a U.S. equivalent degree for foreign educated applicants.
  • Applicants with an earned bachelor’s degree is in another discipline must have completed 20 credits in biology, 8 credits in mathematics, 8 credits in physics and 15 credits in chemistry. Applicants with undergraduate prerequisite course deficiencies in these areas must complete the preparatory course work before being admitted to the program.
  • Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Biographical sketch stating career goals

Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 with the appropriate academic background and evidence of the capacity for graduate study may be considered for admission with limited standing. Applicants who qualify for this admission status must complete a specified number of graduate credits, with a GPA of 3.0 or above within the first year of their program, to be advanced to full admission.

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.

Transfer credits

One course (3 or 4 credits) may be transferred to the graduate certificate from a regionally-accredited institution providing it meets the criteria set forth by Oakland University for graduate transfer credits.

Certificate requirements


The Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 16 credits in an approved program of study.

Satisfactory academic progress


In addition to meeting Oakland University’s rules for Satisfactory Academic Progress at the graduate level, students must also adhere to their program Satisfactory Academic Progress policies.

In order to remain in good standing at the graduate level, students must maintain a minimum graduate 3.0 GPA. Additionally, students should refer to specific criteria and policies published by their departments regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Good academic standing


All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing  throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable program and maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

  1. Holding a Graduate Assistantship
  2. Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
  3. Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
  4. Going on a leave of absence
  5. Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information


Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.

Transfer to the Master of Arts in biology (MA) or Master of Science in biology (MS) degree program

Students admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences program who wish to transfer to the Master of Arts in biology (MA) or Master of Science in biology (MS) degree program must do so prior to the completion of the graduate certificate program. They must meet all the admission requirements for the MA or MS degree program, excluding the GRE examination and must also:

  1. have successfully completed three (3) courses in the graduate certificate program with at least a 3.0 GPA.
  2. submit a letter from a Biological Sciences faculty member that expresses willingness to serve as their research mentor.

Students admitted to the degree program can apply to transfer up to 12 credits earned in the graduate certificate program to their MA or MS degree.