Plan B

Graduate Program | M.S. (Plan A) and Ph.D | M.S . (Plan B) | Curriculum

Master of Science Plan B Program

• Admission Requirements
• Financial Assistance
• Entry Into the Program
• Transfer of Credits
• Curriculum
• Grades and Scholastic Probation
• Advisory Committee and Final Examination

The Graduate Center for Toxicology offers a non-thesis Master's degree program which requires a minimum of 31 credit hours of core courses and electives. Core courses are designed to provide the student with a knowledge of the basic concepts of Toxicology, and a firm foundation in biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and statistical analysis. The program is intended to meet a number of current needs in Toxicology education. It provides training in Toxicology for individuals interested in non-research careers in Toxicology, environmental science, law, and business. It allows re-training of mid-career professionals who wish to enter Toxicology and also provides the academic foundation necessary for preparing one to compete for certification in Toxicology. Moreover, completion of the program requirements will provide recognition of academic specialization for those who have experience in Toxicology but no post-baccalaureate degree.

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Admission Requirements
These shall be the same as established for all students applying to the graduate program in Toxicology.

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Financial Assistance
Students in the Plan B Master's Program are not eligible for either research assistantships or teaching assistantships. Students are encouraged to apply for non-service fellowships and loans available from the University, various agencies, foundations, etc.

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Entry into the Program
It is preferable that the student who wishes to enter the Plan B program make this decision prior to his/her registration for the first semester. A student in good standing may later select to enter the Plan A program provided that a research advisor has been selected. A student may enter the Plan B program from the Plan A program at any time prior to beginning his/her thesis research. After that, the transfer may be made only with the written approval of the student’s research advisor.

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Transfer of Credits
The minimum credit hours, 31, required for the Plan B degree must be earned after the student has been admitted to the graduate program in Toxicology. Course credits earned prior to admission may not be credited towards the Plan B degree requirements. However, repeat of courses where performance was satisfactory (B or better grade) will not be mandatory. Alternate courses of equivalent credit hours or greater (from the list of electives approved for all students in Toxicology) may be assigned in lieu of those taken prior to admission.

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Curriculum

The required courses, approved electives and recommended scheduling of courses to permit completion of the Master's degree requirements are listed below.

Elective Courses
Plan B students must take at least 3 elective courses totaling at least 8 hr credit. Electives must be 600- or 700-level graduate course from the following categories:

1. Previously approved Toxicology PLAN A/Ph.D. electives
2. IBS604, IBS605, or IBS606
3. Electives subject to approval by the student's Advisory Committee and DGS

Recommended schedule:

As part of TOX780, Plan B Master's students would be required to research the literature and author a paper on a topic to be approved by their 3-member (Master's) committee. After submission of the paper (Written exam), the student must also pass an oral examination. If the student fails, one repeat of the oral examination is permitted.

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Graduation
Students entering with certain requirements completed or who wish to extend the Plan B beyond the 1-year minimum may, with the consent of the Advisor, select additional courses from the Plan A list of electives. However, no more than 15 credit hours per semester are allowed by the Graduate School.

1. A minimum of 3 credits from Group A or B or 600-700 courses in the specialty electives.

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Grades and Scholastic Probation
Requirements relative to academic performance and scholastic probation are the same as those for all students in the Toxicology program. In summary, this requires that a 3.0 average be maintained, that no more than one C grade be accepted as credit toward the 31 credit minimum.

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Advisory Committee and Final Examination
In addition to regulations specified in the Graduate School Bulletin, Toxicology program requirements for the Plan B Master's are as follows:

Students should select a major advisor and two additional Toxicology faculty members for their advisory committee as soon as possible after entrance into the program. The major advisor should assist the student in selecting an appropriate subject for their special problem (registration for TOX 780 required). The Special Problem will involve a thorough literature search and preparation of a written report, following guidelines provided by the major advisor. The typed report must be submitted to the major advisor and committee members before taking the oral examination. Failure to complete any phase of the examination process will result in the need for a student to repeat that (those) phase(s) of examination. A third examination is not permitted.

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