Master of Science in Biological Engineering
Finishing the M.S. Degree
Completion of the Plan of Study
A student must substantially complete the course work outlined in the Plan of Study (exclusive of research, problems or readings courses) to the satisfaction of the M.S. Program Committee and the Graduate School before taking the final examination.
In some unusual circumstances, it may become necessary to change a Plan of Study after the student and the M.S. Program Committee have developed it. The M.S. Program Committee must approve any substitutions, deletions or modifications of a student's Plan of Study. The student's academic adviser should inform JoAnn Lewis, 256 William Stringer Wing, in writing, of any necessary changes as soon as possible to assure that the Program of Study Course Substitution form (PDF) is filed with the graduate dean.
Successful academic progress on the plan of study includes an acceptable grade point average (GPA). For graduate work, the Biological Engineering Program faculty and the MU Graduate School require all students to maintain at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a four-point scale). A student receiving a cumulative or semester GPA of less than 2.0 is subject to immediate dismissal from the biological engineering program and MU.
Students falling below a 3.0 cumulative GPA in any semester will be put on academic probation for the following semester. If at the end of the first probationary semester the student's cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 3.0, the probationary status is removed. If the cumulative GPA has not reached 3.0, the student is allowed one more probationary semester. Failure to achieve a cumulative 3.0 GPA in two successive probationary semesters will result in the immediate dismissal of the student from the Biological Engineering M.S. Program. Unsatisfactory academic performance may also result in a student being dismissed from the University of Missouri.
The Graduate School has a comprehensive policy covering the requirements and procedures to be followed when it becomes necessary to dismiss a student. They also have developed procedures for appeal of any decision by the biological engineering program faculty. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog for further details.
Reasonable Rate of Progress
Every M.S. student will be evaluated annually for satisfactory progress by his or her major adviser as required by the Graduate School (see Dismissal Policy and Appeals Process for Graduate Students). Satisfactory progress includes adherence to a suitable timeline for completing the M.S. as described in this document, and adequate academic performance as described in Completing the Plan of Study (above). The major professor will inform the director of graduate studies as to the outcome of the evaluation on or before Sept. 1 of each year.
It is important to note that a reasonable rate of progress towards the M.S. degree is required. The M.S. degree must be completed within eight years after beginning. In unusual circumstances, it may be necessary to extend the time required to finish the degree. In these cases, the candidate requiring additional time must submit a request for extension prior to the expiration of the applicable period. On petition of the student together with their major adviser, the director of graduate studies in the biological engineering program may endorse an extension of time. A request for an extension of time must be submitted to the Graduate School for approval.
Students who take more than five years to complete the M.S. may be required by the biological engineering faculty to retake some or all of their course work.
Completion of a Research Project
All M.S. students are required to develop and execute a research project. Most students will begin their research project shortly after beginning their Program of Study. The research project is a collaborative effort between the student, the major adviser and the M.S. Program Committee. A successful project will involve research and scholarship that will significantly contribute to an increased understanding of biological engineering. The project must demonstrate the student's capacity for conducting research.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior while engaged in research at MU. Plagiarism or falsification of data will result in a student being immediately dismissed from the program and MU.
Preparation of the Thesis
A thesis based on the student's own research must be reviewed and approved by the student's M.S. Program Committee. The thesis must be submitted to the graduate coordinator and the student's Program of Study Committee at least two weeks prior to the final examination.
Specific regulations regarding completing and filing the thesis are outlined in Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines.
The style of the thesis is left up to the discretion of the major adviser and the student, as long as the minimum requirements of the Graduate School are met.
After the major adviser approves the student's thesis, the document should be submitted to the remaining members of the M.S. Program Committee for their approval. (Note: after successfully defending the thesis, the student will make any needed adjustments in format and corrections/clarification based on input from the M.S. Program Committee.)
Exit Seminar
Shortly before the final examination, the M.S. student must prepare a seminar on his or her research. The seminar must take place when MU is officially in session and has to be announced at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date and is open to the general university audience. The members of the M.S. Program Committee should attend. The seminar may be scheduled immediately prior to the final examination for convenience.
Submission of Manuscript for Publication
All M.S. students are required to have at least one manuscript submitted for publication to a refereed journal. The student's M.S. Program Committee must judge this manuscript acceptable for publication. A copy of the manuscript, signed by the M.S. Program Committee members must be submitted to the graduate coordinator along with the Report of the Master's Examining Committee (PDF).
Final Examination
After the student's exit seminar has been presented, the M.S. Program Committee will conduct a final examination. The candidate should be prepared to defend his or her research and discuss any related areas.
A report of the examination, carrying the signatures of at least three members of the committee, must be sent to the Graduate School before the deadline preceding the anticipated date of graduation. For the thesis to be considered successfully defended, the student's M.S. Program Committee must vote to pass the student on the defense with no more than one dissenting or abstaining vote.
All final examinations are open to the general faculty. The biological engineering program will announce final exams to appropriate colleagues within and outside the Program.
The final examination must take place when MU is officially in session and the candidate must be enrolled at MU at the time of the examination.
A final copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Graduate School in a form suitable for binding and microfilming. Specific instructions are provided in the Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines.
Finally, the student should assure that a Report of the Master's Examining Committee form (PDF) is submitted to the graduate coordinator as soon as possible. The coordinator will submit the completed form to the director of graduate studies and the graduate dean.
Additional Considerations
Credit Toward a Second Master's DegreeA student who has completed one M.S. degree at MU or elsewhere may use a maximum of eight hours of credit earned in the previous program toward a second master's degree. This requires the recommendation of the student's major adviser and approval by both the director of biological engineering graduate studies and the Graduate School.
Dual Master's DegreeA student may pursue and complete two master's degrees simultaneously at MU by:
- Satisfying the requirements of the two master's degrees in the participating two programs, schools or departments. These requirements must include at least 15 hours at the 8000 level or above in each of the degree programs.
and - Completing degree requirements: a thesis or project for each program, or a shared thesis or project to satisfy the requirements of both programs. Since both programs must approve the student's planned courses of study, the student is expected to begin the programs at the same time and simultaneously conclude both degree programs. For more information contact the Graduate School.
