UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE FORMS
Academic Program Approval
This form is a routing document for the approval of new
and revised academic programs. Proposing department should
complete this form. For more
information, call the Faculty Senate Office at 831-2921.
Submitted by: Melinda K. Duncan phone number 0533
Action: Request for New Graduate
Degree “Certificate in Biotechnology”
(Example: add major/minor/concentration, delete
major/minor/concentration, revise
major/minor/concentration, academic unit
name change, request for permanent status, policy change, etc.)
Effective term 010J (use format 04F, 05W)
Current
degree_____________________
(Example: BA, BACH, BACJ, HBA,
Proposed change leads to the
degrees of: Certificate
(Example: BA,
BACH,
Proposed names: Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology
Proposed new name for revised
or new major / minor / concentration / academic unit
(if
applicable)
Revising or Deleting:
Undergraduate major /
Concentration:_________________________________
(Example: Applied Music – Instrumental degree BMAS)
Undergraduate
minor:_______________________________________________
(Example: African
Studies, Business Administration, English, Leadership, etc.)
Graduate Program Policy statement change: ___________________
(Attach your
Graduate Program Policy Statement)
Graduate Program of
Study:__________________________________________
(Example: Animal Science: MS Animal Science: PHD
Economics: MA Economics: PHD)
Graduate minor /
concentration:______________________________________
List program changes for
curriculum revisions:
None
List new courses required for
the new or revised curriculum:
MAST697, MAST698; however, if these courses
are not approved, they are not critical for the certificate to run.
Other affected units:
ANFS, PLSC, MAST, CHEM, HESC, ENWC,
Rationale:
(Explain your reasons for creating, revising, or deleting the
curriculum or program.)
This certificate is designed to complement the
Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Biotechnology and overlaps with a
significant portion of the science core of the PSM. It is intended to serve as a stepping stone
to earning the PSM for part-time students.
However, the target audience for this certificate is expected to be
diverse and will include both full-time students in existing UD graduate programs
and part-time students who currently hold full-time employment in the field.
Program Requirements:
(Show the new or revised curriculum as it should appear in the
Course Catalog. If this is a revision,
be sure to indicate the changes being made to the present curriculum.)
See Attached.
ROUTING AND AUTHORIZATION: (Please do not remove supporting
documentation.)
Department Chairperson Date
Dean of College Date
Chairperson, College Curriculum
Committee___________________________________Date_____________________
Chairperson, Senate Com. on UG or GR
Studies Date
Chairperson, Senate Coordinating
Com. Date
Secretary, Faculty Senate Date
Date of Senate Resolution Date
to be Effective
Registrar Program
Code Date
Vice Provost for Academic Programs
& Planning Date
Provost Date
Board of Trustee Notification Date
Resolution for the Faculty
Senate Agenda (if a resolution is required)
WHEREAS, the proposed Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary graduate course of study covering the scientific underpinnings of the biotechnology revolution and WHEREAS, there has been much interest over several years from individuals with diverse backgrounds and interest in pursuing advanced graduate studies in biotechnology, and WHEREAS, the experience of the Department of Biological Sciences with graduate level training in the life sciences in collaboration with Departments ranging over the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Earth, Ocean and Environment, Engineering, and Health Sciences provide existing courses and a foundation for the program, and WHEREAS, the proposed program contributes to three milestones on the University's "path to prominence": to become a premier research and graduate university; to achieve excellence in professional education; and the engaged university, be it therefore RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate recommends approval provisionally, for five years, the establishment of a new major leading to the Certificate in Biotechnology, effective June 1, 2010.Graduate
program proposal
Graduate Certificate in
Biotechnology
I. DESCRIPTION
This certificate is designed to complement the Professional
Science Master’s (PSM) in Biotechnology and overlaps with a significant portion
of the science core of the PSM. It is
intended to serve as a stepping stone to earning the PSM for part-time
students. However, the target audience
for this certificate is expected to be diverse and will include both full-time
students in existing UD graduate programs and part-time students who currently
hold full-time employment in the field.
II. RATIONALE
AND DEMAND
A.
Institutional
factors.
1.
In May
of 2008, the
2.
The
planning process began in late fall of 2008 in consultation between the
Graduate Program Director of Biological Sciences, Melinda K. Duncan Ph.D.,
members of the Delaware Bioscience Industry Association and John Sawyer Ph.D.,
current Associate Provost for Professional Education, UD about the need to
professional training opportunities in biotechnology at the post-bachelors
level in the State of Delaware. Drs.
Duncan and Sawyer applied for and were awarded a program development grant from
the Delaware Valley Innovation Network in March of 2009. Since then, the curriculum has been designed
in consultation with an industrial advisory board comprised of managers based
in Delaware biotechnology industries, onsite discussions with mid-level
managers at local biotechnology companies, the faculty of the Department of
Biological Sciences, the chairs of the Departments of Computer Science and
Chemistry as well as the Dean’s and the chairs of affected Departments from the
Colleges of Health Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and
Sciences, Engineering, and Earth, Oceans and Environment.
3.
The
impact of this program on University programs will be to increase the
enrollment in graduate courses in biotechnology related fields. Commitments have been obtained from all
affected units to provide this.
4.
The
proposed curricula would more fully utilize existing resources since it will
provide enrollment for some currently undersubscribed courses in the life
sciences, particularly those taught outside of the
B.
Student
demand
1.
This
certificate will provide training in the life sciences for current UD graduate
students enrolled in diverse graduate programs and will also be a stepping
stone for part-time students working in Biotechnology related industries to the
PSM in Biotechnology. While the current
projection is for 10 students per year to earn this certificate, the recent
workforce analyses conducted by the Delaware Valley Innovation network suggest
that the demand for this program could grow much larger once the program is
established (see http://www.delawarevalleyinnovationnetwork.com/reports/gap-analysis)
2.
This
curriculum is also intended to meet the needs of full-time UD graduate students
who desire training supplementary to that of their current graduate program to
prepare them for careers in biotechnology industry. However, efforts are ongoing to move a
significant proportion of the content to evening or online offerings to better
meet the needs of working professionals.
C.
Certificate
option combined with other programs.
We expect few to no students to transfer into the Certificate from other UD
degree programs, although we do expect students in other graduate programs,
particularly those in agriculture, chemistry, physics, mathematics and
engineering to pursue this certificate if it fits their academic
aspirations. Students who choose to
complete the requirements for the Certificate in Biotechnology may do so if concurrently
enrolled in another degree program. Courses used toward the requirements of
the degree program may also be used to satisfy the requirements as appropriate
for the Certificate in Biotechnology.
Students who enroll in the Certificate program after the completion
of a previous degree will not be permitted to transfer course(s) from the
degree program to the Certificate program.
D.
Access
to graduate and professional programs
N/A
E.
Demand
and employment factors
This certificate seeks to prepare students for employment in the Biotechnology industry. The Delaware Valley Innovation Network Talent
Gap Analysis for Delaware Valley Biotechnology industry (published Winter 2009,
see http://www.delawarevalleyinnovationnetwork.com/reports/gap-analysis) has identified
a need to increase the number of qualified biotechnology workers able to fill
jobs in the growing biotechnology sector.
Since full-time workers may find it challenging or impossible to
simultaneously work and pursue the PSM in Biotechnology, this certificate
allows these workers to expand their credentials without committing to the PSM.
Further, graduate students in many MS and Ph.D. programs across the university
are investigating research problems in the life sciences, but their graduate
curriculum may have little course work directly addressing problems in the life
sciences. The Certificate in
Biotechnology will provide interested students with training to complement
their research.
F.
Regional,
state, and national factors
1.
There
are currently no comparable courses of study offered by any university in The
State of Delaware. Both the Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware and Department of Biological
Sciences/Biotechnology, Delaware State University, offer MS degrees in
Biological Sciences. However, neither
university offers graduate certificates in biotechnology.
2.
There is
no existing accrediting body for this type of program beyond the university
level accreditation of Middle States.
G.
Describe
other strengths
The
University of Delaware is uniquely positioned to offer the Certificate in
Biotechnology. Our focus reflects the
academic strengths of our Faculty, our longstanding and ongoing commitment to
biological sciences and biotechnology industry, our existing and developing
partnerships, and the unique characteristics of the region. Some of these strengths are listed below:
1.
Strong
research capabilities in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at bio-related
research centers at the University of Delaware such as the Center for Translational Cancer
Research, the Avian Biosciences Center and the Center
for Biomedical Engineering Research.
2.
Delaware
Biotechnology Institute:
Established in 1999 to promote research, education, and technology transfer for
biotechnology applications to the benefit of
the environment, agriculture, and human health.
3. Delaware Health Sciences Alliance: Partnership between the University of Delaware, Thomas Jefferson University, Christiana Care Health Systems, and The Nemours Foundation/Alfred I. DuPont
Hospital for Children, to support joint and collaborative education,
research, public outreach, and student internships.
4.
The Delaware Valley region is a major center
of biosciences industry.
5.
11.5% of
new jobs in the Delaware Valley region are in the biosciences.
6.
Every
new biosciences job in the region supports 3.7 additional jobs.
7.
Longstanding
relationships with key bio industry companies such as AstraZeneca and DuPont.
8.
Melinda
Duncan and John Sawyer obtained a Department of Labor grant through the
Delaware Valley Innovation Network to develop this program.
III. ENROLLMENT,
ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
A.
The
current enrollment goal is to admit 10 students per year into the program with
a total of 20 students enrolled at any one time. This limit is based on the availability of
seats in the graduate level classes and faculty/staff time available to provide
appropriate academic advisement. If the
program is successful and proves very popular in the future, it would be
possible to admit additional students, although additional faculty teaching and
faculty/staff administrative resources would need to be identified to do so.
B.
Admission
Requirements
1.
Applicants
will be selected based on undergraduate and any graduate transcripts, letters
of recommendation, strength of prior experience in the field, the GRE and the
TOEFL if applicable. See graduate program policy for details.
C.
Student
Expenses and Financial Aid
1.
The
majority of student financial support for this program is provided from the
student’s resources supplemented through traditional financial aid mechanisms. However, full-time graduate students on full
contracts from other units will be encouraged to pursue the certificate as
well.
D.
Institutional
Factors
Students completing
this program will receive the designation “Graduate Certificate” on their transcript. This is the appropriate form of recognition
since it is a course work only program of 15 credits of graduate courses.
E. Describe the curriculum
The Certificate in Biotechnology requires 15
credits of graduate level course work consisting of:
1) 9
credits of graduate level course work in the biological sciences comprised of
at least one course in each of two of the five following areas: Molecular
Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Physiology and Microbiology (see list below).
2) 6 credits of graduate level courses in
fields related to biotechnology including Bioinformatics, Engineering, Chemistry,
Agriculture, Food safety, Health sciences and Statistics (see approved list
below).
Please see the
attached graduate program policy for full details of the curriculum:
V. RESOURCES
AVAILABLE
A.
Learning
Resources
See attached library assessment statement
B.
Faculty
/ Administrative Resources
The program administrator is Melinda K. Duncan, Ph.D., Tenured Full Professor
and Graduate Program Director, Department of Biological Sciences. She has been involved in the administration
of graduate programs in Biological Sciences for the past 11 years and has
served as the Biological Sciences Graduate Program Director since 2005.
C.
External
Funding
Dr. Duncan received funding from the Delaware Valley Innovation Network to
provide the initial resources necessary to develop this proposal.
VI. RESOURCES
REQUIRED
A.
Learning
Resources
The learning resources necessary for basic implementation are generally in
place in the form of existing graduate classes in the biological sciences and
related fields. In order to compete for
both the highest caliber of student and to fulfill the needs of the part-time
student population in the future, additional sections of the most popular
graduate classes will need to be offered after normal working hours, more
courses will need to be developed in fields relevant to biotechnology industry
such as fermentation, and the University office of Financial Aid will need to
be more responsive to the needs of tuition paying graduate students.
B.
Personnel
Resources
The Department of Biological Sciences is currently very short of full time
faculty to cover existing undergraduate and graduate course offerings. For this program to succeed and expand in the
future, additional faculty members qualified to teach graduate courses relevant
to biotechnology will need to be hired.
In some cases, such faculty could be on supplemental contracts, however,
full time faculty members are preferred to ensure the academic rigor of the
program.
C.
Budgetary
Needs
Since the Certificate in Biotechnology is a program with
interdisciplinary coursework spread over all five UD colleges, the tuition generated
from the program will need to be apportioned to fairly compensate all
participants. These decisions need to be
at the Dean’s level and discussions are ongoing.
We have proposed the following:
1) 20% of tuition shall be for program administration including staff
time, computer support, office supplies, teaching buyout and/or salary for the
program administrator, etc.
2) The remaining 80% of tuition for classes taken outside of the
College of Arts and Sciences will be sent to the College teaching the class.
A.
Implementation
Plan
All classes for the program will be in place by fall 2010. The program will seek to quickly market the
program immediately after program approval is obtained in order to matriculate
at least a small class for fall 2010.
B.
Assessment
Plan
Assessment plan Certificate in Biotechnology |
||||
|
Objectives |
Strategic Activities |
Measures |
Short-term Outcomes |
Long-term Impact |
|
1. Train students in life science disciplines pertinent to
biotechnology |
Recruit excellent applicants
and matriculate students with credentials similar to those in the existing
departmental graduate programs |
Number and demographic data
of student applicants and matriculated students. |
Retention and time to degree
statistics |
Students gain employment in
biotechnology related fields |
|
|
Course work covering the
disciplines of cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology,
physiology |
Faculty evaluation of
student progress in course work Surveys of graduate students
in the program and post-graduation |
Course work for the certificate
helped students secure biotechnology related employment and/or helped with
research projects in other UD degrees |
Graduates enjoy long term
success in biotechnology careers |
|
|
Course work covering
biotechnology related disciplines including agriculture, chemistry,
engineering, health sciences, statistics, lab science |
Surveys of students focusing
on their experiences in these classes Surveys of graduates to
determine the utility of these classes to their career Faculty evaluation of
student progress in course work |
Course work for the certificate
helped students secure biotechnology related employment or aided research
projects applied toward other UD graduate degrees Students and graduates
report applying knowledge from courses to work or academic research settings |
Graduates enjoy long term
success in biotechnology careers |
Program improvement will be an ongoing
process. The curriculum will be modified
as necessary to achieve the goal of producing graduates who apply the
knowledge, skills and abilities gained from the Certificate in Biotechnology to
their career.
VIII. APPENDICES
A.
Accreditation
Criteria (if appropriate) N/A
B.
Letters
of Approval from Contributing Departments
College of
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Thomas Sims, Ph.D., T. A. Baker Professor of Soil and
Environmental Chemistry Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Research
Department of Entomology and Wildlife Conservation, Judy
Hough-Goldstein, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Department of Food and Resource Economics, Thomas Ilvento,
Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Blake Meyers, Ph.D.
Professor and Acting Chair
Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Jack Gelb, Ph.D.,
Professor and Chair
College of Arts and
Sciences
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, B. David
Saunders Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Klaus Theopold,
Ph.D., Professor and Chair
College of Earth,
Ocean and Environment
School of Marine Science and Policy, Charles E. Epifanio,
Ph.D., Interim Director and Harrington Professor of Marine Science
College of
Engineering
Thomas Buchanan, Ph.D. Deputy Dean of Engineering,
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering, Norman Wagner, Alvin
B. and Julia O. Stiles Professor and Chairperson
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anette M. Karlsson,
Ph.D. Associate Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Gonzalo
Arce, Charles Black Evans Professor and Chair.
College of Health
Sciences
Department of Physical Therapy, Stuart A. Binder-Macleod,
PT, Ph.D., FAPTA, Edward L. Ratledge Professor and Chair
Department of Health Nutrition and Exercise Sciences and
School of Nursing, James G. Richards, Ph.D. Deputy Dean, College of Health
Sciences
University of
Delaware Library
Susan Brynteson, Vice Provost and May Morris Director of Libraries
C.
Graduate Program Policy
Graduate
Certificate in Biotechnology
Program Policy
Part I. Program
history
A) Statement of
purpose and expectations for graduate study
The
Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology seeks to provide advanced,
interdisciplinary didactic coursework in the life sciences.
B) Date of
permanent status-
pending
C) Degrees
offered Graduate Certificate in
Biotechnology
Part II.
Admission
A) Admission
requirements
Admission to the Certificate in Biotechnology requires a
scholastic index (grade point average on a 4.0 point scale) of at least 2.8
overall and 3.0 in the sciences. Those who meet the stated minimum requirements
are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all those
requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other
appropriate strengths.
There is also the possibility of entering the program after
the successful completion of two courses of the Biological Sciences core with a
grade of B or better (not B-) as a continuing education student or as a student
enrolled in other UD graduate programs and the achievement of an overall GPA of
3.0 in graduate classes attempted.
Applicants who are not U.S.
citizens or permanent residents must complete the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 or higher on the paper-based test or 79 or
higher on the Internet-based test. Previous education, training or residence in
the s (for example,
for students from English-speaking countries outside of the U.S., or for
foreign students who have a college degree from a U.S. institution) must be
approved by the University of Delaware Office of Graduate Studies. Students
who need further training in English prior to attending graduate school may
apply for admission through the University of Delaware English Language
Institute’s Conditional Admission Program http://www.udel.edu/eli/programs_grad_cap.html.
The Graduate Record Examination is not required of
applicants to the Certificate in Biotechnology.
B) Prior degree
requirements
BA or BS degree, preferably in a science or
engineering discipline
C.
Application deadlines.
Fall
admission: Full
consideration deadline: January 15th with rolling admission to
continue until May 1st for foreign nationals and July 1st
for US citizens/permanent residents.
Spring
Admission: Full
consideration deadline: October 1st with rolling admission to
continue until November 1st for foreign nationals, December 15th for
US citizens/permanent residents.
D.
Special competencies needed
Applicants are required to have completed at the
undergraduate level the following (or the equivalent): two years of biological
sciences; one year of mathematics, preferably to include calculus and/or
statistics; one year of college physics; one year of general chemistry; and one
course in organic chemistry.
E.
Admission categories.
Provisional admission may be offered with the stipulation
that any deficiency in undergraduate training be made up (without graduate
credit).
Students with TOEFL scores below the minimum required for admission may be considered for conditional admission if they enter the University of Delaware English Language Institute’s academic English program.
F.
Other documents required
Applications must also include three letters of
recommendation from persons able to judge the applicant's ability to pursue
graduate study, a resume or CV outlining work and/or academic experience in the
field of biotechnology as well as an application essay consisting of the
answers to the following questions:
.
G.
University statement:
Admission to the Certificate in Biotechnology
program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed
admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily
precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.
Part III. Academic
A.
Degree Requirements
1.
List course requirements
The Certificate in Biotechnology requires 15 credits of graduate level course work consisting of:
1) 9 credits of graduate level course work in the biological sciences comprised of three classes, spread over at least two of the five following areas: Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Physiology and Microbiology (see list below).
2) 6 credits of graduate level courses in fields related to biotechnology including bioinformatics, engineering, chemistry, agriculture, food safety, health sciences and statistics (see approved list below).
Biological Sciences Core (9 credits, three classes;
must include classes from at least two of the five following categories)
BISC 612- Advanced Cell Biology 3
BISC 625- Cancer Biology 3
BISC 671- Cellular and Molecular Immunology 4
PLSC635- Plant Developmental Biology 3
BISC 654- Biochemical Genetics 3
BISC 656- Evolutionary Genetics 3
BISC 693- Human Genetics 3
PLSC 636- Advanced Plant Genetics 3
PLSC 605- Plant breeding 3
ANFS 635- Animal Virology 3
ANFS 639- Food Microbiology 3
BISC 641- Microbial ecology 3
BISC 682- Bacterial Pathogens; molecular mechanisms 3
BISC 645- Bacterial Evolution 3
BISC 679- Virology 3
PLSC 619- Soil Microbiology 4
PLSC 629- Introduction to Fungi 4
MAST 618- Marine microbial ecology 3
ANFS 670- Principles of Molecular Genetics 3
BISC 602- Molecular Biology of Animal Cells 3
BISC 665- Advanced Molecular Biology and Genetics 3
CHEM642- Biochemistry II 3
BISC 605- Advanced Mammalian Physiology 3
BISC 615- Vertebrate Developmental Biology 3
BISC 675- Cardiovascular Physiology 3
HESC 651-Neurophysiological Basis of Human Movement 3
HESC
654- Survey of Medical Physiology 3
Biotechnology-related science courses (two courses
from the following list adding up to at least 6 credits)
Agriculture/food science: Credits
ANFS 628- Food Chemistry 4
ANFS 629- Food Analysis 4
ANFS 633- Poultry pathology 3
ANFS 636- Immunology of domestic animals 3
ANFS 637- Avian immunology 3
ANFS 645- Food engineering technology 3
ANFS 649- Food biotechnology 4
ANFS 654- Advanced ruminant nutrition 3
BREG 603/PLSC 603- Soil physics 3
ENWC 611- Insect pest management 3
ENWC 610- Medical, Veterinary, and forensic
entomology 3
ENWC 619- Biological control 3
ENWC 805- Insect-plant chemical ecology 3
Bioinformatics: Credits
ANFS 644- Bioinformatics 3
MAST
697- Bioinformatics programming for Biologists 3
MAST 698- Environmental and systems bioinformatics 3
Chemistry/Biochemistry Credits
CHEM 641- Biochemistry 3
CHEM 645- Proteins, Structure and Function 3
CHEM 646-
CHEM 649- Molecular Biophysics 3
CHEM 653- Bioinorganic Chemistry 3
CHEM 681- Green Chemistry 3
Engineering:
CHEG 617- Colloid
science and engineering 3
CHEG 620- Biochemical
Engineering 3
CHEG 621- Metabolic
engineering 3
CHEG 625- Green
Engineering 3
CHEG 649- Molecular
Biophysics 3
CHEG 650- Biomedical
Engineering 3
CHEG 805- Multidisciplinary
biotechnology 3
CPEG 630- Neurons
and networks 3
ELEG 643- Biomedical Nanotechnology 3
ELEG 670- Biophysics
of excitable membranes 3
ELEG 671- Introduction
to biomedical engineering 3
ELEG 675- Image
processing with biomedical applications 3
ELEG 678- Introduction
to nano and biophotonics 3
ELEG 679- Introduction to medical imaging
systems 3
MEEG 612- Biomechanics of human movement 3
MEEG 682- Clinical biomechanics 3
MEEG 683- Orthopedic Biomechanics 3
MEEG 684- Biomaterials and tissue engineering 3
MEEG 685- Control of human movement 3
MEEG 686- Cell and tissue transport 3
Health Sciences
BISC600- Biotechnology and molecular medicine 3
HESC 601- Research Methods 3
HESC 687- Nursing Sciences Research 3
NURS 621- Advanced pathophysiology 3
NURS 622- Advanced pharmacology 3
NURS 638- Health sciences evaluation 3
PHYT 809- Psychosocial Aspects of Health and
Disease 3
PHYT 606- Research 3
PHYT 623- Clinical Neuroscience 3
Advanced Laboratory Techniques
BISC 601- Immunochemistry 4
BISC 604- Nucleic Acids Laboratory 4
BISC
619- Gene Expression Laboratory 4
Statistics/data analysis:
BISC 643- Biological Data Analysis 3
CHEG 604- Probability
and statistics for engineering 3
2. Advisement All students will develop a plan of study in
consultation with their advisor upon matriculation into the program.
3.
Give procedure for petitions for variance in degree requirements (e.g.,
course substitution policies, completion
deadlines, etc.)
All petitions for course substitutions and
variances in the completion deadlines must be made to the Graduate Affairs
Committee, Department of Biological Sciences.
4.
Define any grade minimums in courses that are different from University policy.
Only graduate courses completed with a grade of B or higher fulfill the biological sciences core and the biotechnology-related course requirements for the Certificate in Biotechnology. Students receiving a B- or lower in a required core course are subject to dismissal from the program. However, they may file an appeal to the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Affairs Committee for approval to retake the course and remain in the program. If the appeal is not approved, the Graduate Affairs Committee will recommend to the Office of Graduate Studies that the student be dismissed from the program.
5.
Identify any courses, which may not be used towards the degree
Only courses listed in the curriculum may
count towards the degree unless a variance is granted by the Graduate Affairs
Committee, Department of Biological Sciences.
6.
Identify expectations of facility of expression in English (oral and
written)
as part of the degree requirement.
Aside from the TOFEL admission requirement
for foreign applicants, there are no specific requirements. However, successful completion of the degree
will require fluency in both written and spoken English.
B.
Committees for exams, thesis, or dissertations
This degree has no thesis or dissertation
requirements.
C.
Timetable and definition of satisfactory progress towards the degree
1.
Academic load
It is expected that the Certificate in
Biotechnology will be primarily a part-time program or pursued along with
another graduate degree. As such, the
only enrollment requirement is that matriculated students must enroll in at
least one certificate class per academic year and the certificate must be
completed within five years.
Normal progress towards degree is reviewed
for all students in the program at the end of every academic year and is
assessed based on grades and participation in program activities.
2. Grade requirements (general and specific).
Only graduate courses completed with a grade of B or higher fulfill the biological sciences core and the biotechnology-related course requirements for the Certificate in Biotechnology. Students receiving a B- or lower in a required core course are subject to dismissal from the program. However, they may file an appeal to the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Affairs Committee for approval to retake the course and remain in the program. If the appeal is not approved, the Graduate Affairs Committee will recommend to the Office of Graduate Studies that the student be dismissed from the program.
3.
Thesis/dissertation progress timetable guidelines.
N/A
4.
Thesis/dissertation defense guidelines.
N/A
5.
Forms required.
Upon completion of the Certificate
requirements, the Director of the program will submit the approved plan of
study form to the Office of Graduate and Professional Education for
audit. The University will state on the student’s transcript that the
Certificate in Biotechnology was awarded. A diploma for the certificate program
is not awarded to the student.
6.
Identify consequence for failure to make satisfactory progress.
Students failing to make satisfactory progress
towards degree will be identified by the graduate affairs committee in
consultation with the student’s academic advisor/program director. Recommendations for dismissal are made by the
Department chair of Biological Sciences to the University of Delaware Office of
Graduate studies.
Students who feel that they have been graded
inappropriately or receive what they perceive as an unfair evaluation by a
faculty member may file grievances in accordance with University of Delaware policies. Students are
encouraged to contact the Department's Graduate Program Director prior to
filing a formal grievance in an effort to resolve the situation informally.
Part IV. Assessment Plan
Consistent with the Mission Statement
presented earlier in this document, two student learning goals are
defined. Students will:
1. Have advanced knowledge of the discipline of
biotechnology
2. Achieve competence in scientific
communication
The specific goals stated above are mapped to
various courses in the program Assessment Plan which guides program evaluation
and is filed with the Center for Educational Effectiveness.
These goals will be assessed through multiple
indicators including:
·
Faculty
evaluation of student progress in course work
·
Surveys
of students and program alumni
Both short term and long term impacts are
assessed.
Part V. Financial aid-
Students enrolled
in this program are responsible for their own tuition and living expenses. Both the Department of Biological Sciences
and University of Delaware Office of Financial Aid will provide assistance in
identifying suitable fellowships, grants and loans to help finance their
education.
Part VI. Departmental Operations
A.
General student responsibilities
Access to Student Records
Students wishing to review their Departmental
file must submit a written request to the Graduate Program Director at least 24
hours in advance. Students must review the file in the presence of departmental
staff or faculty and are not permitted to remove a file from Wolf Hall but may
photocopy documents from their folder. All access to student records is in
accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Standards of Student Conduct
A)Academic
honesty
All graduate students are subject to
University of Delaware regulations specified in the University Code of Conduct.
B) Laboratory Safety and Research Regulations
Graduate students performing laboratory
research are subject to all University regulations regarding safety, use of
human subjects and animals, and hazardous/radioactive material use and
disposal. These guidelines may be found in the University of Delaware Policies
and Procedures Manual.
C) Contact
information
It is the responsibility of all students to
ensure that their contact information on file with the university is current
(mailing address, phone number, email address).
It is also the student’s responsibility to regularly monitor their
email, phone and mail for important notices regarding their enrollment.
D). Departmental facilities
Occasionally student's graduate assistantship
or other assignments may require the use of departmental laboratories or other
facilities. Keys to laboratories, etc., are maintained in the Department office
and will be issued based on faculty and Department Chair approval.
Any assignments that require the expenditure
of departmental funds (e.g. data collection activities) require departmental
approval in advance and are processed through the department in which the work is
to be done.