Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Rowan University Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Rowan University Academic Catalog

Accelerated Dual Degree: Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics, Master of Science in Bioinformatics


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Overview

This Accelerated Dual Degree program allows high-achieving Rowan Bioinformatics majors to obtain the BS and MS in a five-year period (rather than the traditional period of six years if both degrees were completed independently). By beginning graduate-level studies in their fourth year, highly talented and motivated students will be able to take 12 credits of graduate courses at the undergraduate rate during their senior year and thus complete both degrees on an accelerated timeline. The BS/MS dual degree program will enable students to obtain advanced graduate level training in bioinformatics which will prepare them for careers in industry or further graduate study

Accelerated Dual Degree Undergraduate Program Requirements


Completion of all course requirements for the BS in Bioinformatics:

Bioinformatics Core courses (includes 9 graduate s.h.) Credits: 23

Non-program required foundational courses Credits: 54

Restricted upper-level electives (include at least 3 g.s.h) Credits: 12

General Education and Rowan Experience Credits: 35

Total undergraduate semester hours ≥ Credits: 120

Focus Restricted Electives: 12 s.h.*


Note:


*graduate courses (see below) taken as part of the accelerated BS/MS program will count toward and fulfill the remaining 12 s.h.

Rowan Experience, General Education, and Free Elective Courses: 32 s.h.


Four approved graduate-level courses may substitute for any of the free elective courses. No more than 12 graduate credits total may be used to replace undergraduate coursework.

Total Required Credits for the Undergraduate Portion of the Program: 120 or 110** s.h. total


**The first number is the official number of credits required for the undergraduate degree; however, the second number reflects the actual number of credits students will take through undergraduate coursework since 12 of the graduate credits are completed in the senior year and count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Accelerated Dual Degree Graduate Program Requirements


Total Graduate Semester Hours (g.s.h.): 30 g.s.h.


Required MS Courses taken as an Undergraduate ADD student: 3 s.h.


Required MS Courses taken as a Graduate ADD Student in year 4: 12 g.s.h.


Required MS Courses taken as a Graduate ADD Student in year 5: 15 g.s.h.


Graduate Electives:


Courses offered by the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biosciences


  • MCB 01506 - Graduate Translational Cell Biology (Lecture)

Note:


* Students must fulfill prerequisites or obtain permission of the instructor.

Total Required Credits for the Graduate Portion of the Program: 30 s.h.


This number includes the 12 graduate credits that may be applied towards both the graduate and undergraduate portions of the program.

Total Required Credits for the Program: 138 s.h.


Requirements for Admission:

By July 1, after your junior year, send an email to bioinformatics@rowan.edu. Include the following: intent to apply for the program, one-page essay describing your background and future goals in relation to this program. Also, have two Rowan faculty members send an email describing your suitability for this program. Applications will be reviewed by the Bioinformatics Program Admission Committee, chaired by the Graduate Program Coordinator. Students will be notified in about 2 weeks. The requirements for admission will be:

  • Current undergraduate bioinformatics major
  • Successful completion of at least 90 credits of course work
  • Successful completion of the Introduction to Bioinformatics (BINF 07310 )
  • 3.25 GPA in the major and a 3.0 GPA overall
  • On-track completion of Bioinformatics degree program requirements

Requirements for Graduation

To graduate from the accelerated BS/MS dual degree program in Bioinformatics, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of all requirements for the Accelerated BS in Bioinformatics
  • Completion of all requirements for the Accelerated MS in Bioinformatics
  • Maintain satisfactory progress through the program. Satisfactory progress will be defined as:
    • completion of at least 3 graduate Bioinformatics courses at the end of fourth year of study;
    • Earn at least a grade of B in all graduate courses taken during that period;
    • Any student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress as described above will be dropped from the graduate program. If the student has not already earned the BS in Bioinformatics, he/she will be re-admitted into the BS subject to the requirements of that program;
    • Students with extenuating circumstances may request an exception to this requirement by obtaining written approval of the Graduate Advisor and the Undergraduate Advisor, and other approvals if needed under University policy.

Upon completion of the requirements above, the student will be granted both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Bioinformatics.

Student Status: Students enrolled in the accelerated BS/MS Program will pay undergraduate fees for all courses until they have reached the required number of credits for the undergraduate degree (i.e.120 credits), whether the courses are taken at the undergraduate or graduate level. Beyond this, students will pay graduate credit for graduate courses. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to take more than 12 graduate credits at the undergraduate rate.

Contingency for Students who do not Complete the MS program: Students who enter the accelerated MS program but do not maintain satisfactory progress or opt-out of the MS degree will be allowed to apply graduate coursework credits toward the Bioinformatics BS degree and any remaining credits to make up the required 120 credits for the undergraduate BS Bioinformatics degree will be taken using traditional coursework at the Glassboro campus.

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