Department NewsFrontiers Master's Program, requirements, and funding 2011 Frontiers cohort
Frontiers Master's Program Overview
The National Science Foundation-funded Frontiers Master's Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan brings students to the study of ecology and evolution who might not otherwise have considered it. The program provides these students with opportunities to learn about the full range of subjects in ecology and evolution. Students complete a focused research project with a supportive research mentor, develop teaching skills and experience, and receive mentoring and advice from the faculty program director and staff committed to enhancing the diversity of the discipline.
Frontiers Master's Program requirements and expectations
Students admitted to the Frontiers M.S. program are expected to have a solid foundation in the biological sciences. In addition, they are recommended to have completed the following college level courses: Physics, two semesters of lectures or one semester of lecture and one semester of lab; calculus, one semester; organic chemistry, two semesters of lectures and one semester of lab.
First summer term:
Incoming students begin with an eight-week program at the Biological Station in Pellston, Michigan, during the summer term. Students register for one class (usually Introduction to Ecology OR Evolution), as well as participate in a weekly Frontiers Career Development Seminar, where students read Karban & Huntzinger's How to Do Ecology: A Concise Handbook. At the seminar, students discuss their research projects and give short presentations. Students will also focus on career and team-building discussions and attend other UMBS activities as possible, including all-camp lectures, selected REU and BART workshops, symposia, field trips and career development seminars.Additionally, Frontiers students will work with a faculty research mentor to complete a short research project. UMBS research experience may or may not be directly related to future Master's research. Mentors will be assigned by the program director. It is up to the student to make contact with their mentor, discuss project options, and arrange a schedule of work, and progress meetings.
First fall term:
Starting fall term in Ann Arbor, students register for EEB 477: Field Ecology (first half of the semester) and EEB 401: Molecular Approaches in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (second half of the semester). They also register for EEB 810 (Supervised Teaching - Biology GSI training course) and hold a GSI appointment for an EEB or biology course. Students also choose a permanent advisor for their thesis research project by the end of the first fall semester.First winter term:
During the winter term of the first year, students form a thesis committee (see more information below) and enroll in other courses as discussed with the program director and/or a faculty advisor.Subsequent terms:
In subsequent terms, students enroll in other courses as discussed with the program director and/or their faculty advisor. Choices of future coursework are made with the permanent advisor and/or the program director, and students participate in advisor's lab meetings and journal club during the remainder of their time in the program.Course requirements:
The Frontiers M.S. program requires completion of 25 graduate credit-hours in EEB and other science-related courses; at least 16 hours must be selected from courses in the Department of EEB. No more than six hours of research courses may be included in the minimum of 25 hours required. Only graduate-level courses (numbered 400 and above) can be included in the required credit toward program. The program must include one seminar course, which requires an oral presentation or a written report. Students must also complete four hours of graduate-level cognate course work. The cognate course must be one offered by a department other than EEB or cross-listed with an EEB course, and should be one that is relevant to their program of study.Election of courses is determined in consultation with and approval of the program director and a faculty advisor, and is based on the professional goals of the individual student.
Advising
Upon admission to the program, the Frontiers Program Director will review each student's academic background and decide whether to require additional background courses. Each term, students are required to obtain approval for course elections from the Frontiers Program Director, including courses elected at the Biological Station. It is assumed that the student's thesis advisor will assist in this process once the thesis committee is formed. In addition, it is essential that students seek advice from their advisor during all phases of their program of study. Students should feel free to gain more guidance by meeting with the Frontiers Program Director, the Graduate Chair, and/or their faculty advisor.
The Graduate Affairs Committee, composed of three faculty members, and the Frontiers program director are together responsible for counseling and for the development and administration of the Frontiers program. Petitions and problems that students might encounter should be directed to the Frontiers director and/or the GAC. A student representative attends all committee meetings and contributes to all decisions made by the committee.
Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring/Summer |
1 UMBS class (generally either EEB 381/581 or EEB 390/590) Summer research project Frontiers Career Seminar Other UMBS lectures and events as possible |
Orientation (1st week) Register for EEB 477 (5hrs), EEB 730 lab rotation (2hrs), & EEB 801 (1hr) Choose primary advisor. Discuss winter classes with advisor and Frontiers director |
Register for 6hrs of classes (4hrs for a cognate) Form thesis committee (turn in form to graduate office) |
Work on research either on campus, at the BioStation, or at another appropriate location |
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Winter | Spring/Summer | |
|
EEB 790 Thesis hours (5hrs) EEB 800 seminar (1hr) Participate in advisor's lab meetings and journal club |
EEB 790 Thesis hours (6hrs) Meet with thesis committee Participate in advisor's lab meetings and journal club Defend thesis |
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*Must be registered for a minimum of 6 hours during each semester that you are a GSI
Thesis information:
In addition to the coursework requirements, Frontiers M.S. students are expected to prepare a thesis describing original research carried out under the guidance of a thesis committee. Up to six credit hours may be accumulated on the thesis research project and are included in the minimum 24 hours required by Rackham (25 hours required by EEB).
Function and constitution of the thesis committee:
The thesis committee is charged with the supervision of a student's thesis activities, and is intended to be a resource upon which the student may draw throughout the period of the thesis-oriented research. They should guide and encourage the student in the design and execution of the research program and in the writing of their thesis. Committee members monitor the student's progress in research, administer the final oral thesis defense, and must certify that the student has produced a thesis that satisfactorily completes the degree requirements.
The committee consists of the student's primary advisor plus two additional members (one of whom must be from EEB). The student chooses a chair or co-chairs (usually their advisor) who acts as the primary director of the student's research. Together they choose other faculty who may be expected to supply a high degree of expertise in the special area of the thesis. Committee formation takes place by the start of winter term of the first year in the program.
Following preliminary, informal discussions with their thesis committee members, the student is expected to prepare a thesis proposal outlining their proposed research. The student then meets formally with the full committee to present and discuss the proposal. Approval of the proposal by the committee is recorded by their signature on a proposal approval form which must be returned to the graduate coordinator. For most students, this step should be completed by March or April of the student's first year in order for the student to conduct thesis research during the following summer months. It is expected that thesis research will be completed during the students two years within the program.
Things to consider when selecting thesis committee members:
A good temperamental and intellectual fit between the candidate, dissertation advisor and committee can be critically important to a productive relationship. Before selecting a dissertation advisor and committee, candidates should speak with other experienced students in the department. Possible considerations include the following:
- What is the reputation of the advisor within the field of study?
- How compatible are the advisor's work habits with the student's?
- How long will it take to return written materials with comments? Is the faculty member willing to serve as an editor?
- How accessible is the advisor for discussion? How much time does the advisor spend away from campus?
- How much freedom will be granted in the choice of a dissertation topic?
- How much help will the advisor give in obtaining funding for the students?
- Does the advisor have a reputation for ethical behavior and for being intellectually and psychologically supportive to students?
- How long do students take to complete their degrees with this advisor, and, at least in the case of domestic students, what is the placement record of the advisor's students?
(From Enhancing the Academic Environment for Doctoral Students, University of Michigan Rackham School of Graduate Studies, 1992).
Thesis defense:
Once completed, the thesis is read and initially approved by the thesis committee members. The student must then arrange a time acceptable to all committee members for a public presention of their thesis seminar, which must be advertised in public postings. The thesis is to be presented in a public seminar open to all faculty and students in the University. Following the public portion of the defense, the meeting becomes closed for the student's oral exam. After the oral exam, the thesis committee decides upon the acceptability of the thesis. The committee may accept or reject the thesis, or recommend further work and re-examination. The student must submit a signed Master's Thesis Graduation Form, available in the Graduate Office, to the Graduate Affairs Committee. Upon review and approval by the GAC, it will be recommended to Rackham that the student receive a "M.S. Thesis" notation on their final official transcript.
Financial support
Frontiers is a fully-funded master's program, including an annual stipend of at least $23,000 (including a summer stipend), a tuition waiver, and health care benefits for themselves and all dependents. Students are guaranteed six total terms of funding; including two summers (starting with Summer Term at the UMBS at the beginning of the program), and are expected to defend their thesis at the end of this time.
Frontiers students are funded during the academic year as Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs). GSIs facilitate discussions in small sections connected to large lecture courses, run laboratory sections or teach small introductory classes. GSIs work between 16.5 and 20 hours per week during the eight-month academic year. During the 2011-2012 academic year, the GSI salary will be $17,702, or approximately $8,851 per term. A full tuition waver is also included, and as University employees, health and dental benefits are provided for GSIs and their dependents.
Graduate Student Research Associate (GSRA) appointments may be available from student's faculty advisors, and provide students with funding support while conducting their own research relevant to their academic goals. GSRA appointments are generally provided through an advisor's externally funded grant or contract and GSRA funding is provided in an amount commensurate with GSI rates. Tuition waivers generally accompany GSRA appointments, as does health and dental insurance coverage through the GradCare program.
Other external funding sources such as loans and work-study programs are available through the University's Office of Financial Aid, 2011 Student Activities Building. Students are eligible to apply for external fellowships, such as those offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These fellowships can provide substantial stipends, plus full tuition, and students are urged to apply. Additional EEB fellowship funding opportunities can be found on the department website.
Two summers of department fellowship funding are guaranteed for Frontiers Master's students. Department fellowships include a full tuition waver and benefits eligibility through the GradCare program. During the Spring/Summer term of 2011, the Department fellowship support was $6,000. Other funding is available for research expenses through the annual Block Grand Award program.
GradCare is the medical insurance plan available to Frontiers M.S. students and their eligible dependents in association with their GSI appointment, or summer fellowship status. GradCare is administered by Blue Care Network and the provider network in Ann Arbor includes University Health Service, the University of Michigan Health System, and participating community pediatricians. There are no deductibles to meet before the plan begins and outpatient services are covered with a co-pay. In-patient hospital services are covered in full for medically-necessary conditions. Prescription drug coverage is also provided. For more information, visit the UM Benefits Office website.
Rackham requirements:
The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies specifies the general requirements for admission and degree programs as well as other general standards. Therefore, in addition to the specific requirements of the EEB Program, applicants and students should also be familiar with the following Rackham requirements.
Time Limit: A student in a terminal master's program is expected to complete all work within five years from the date of first enrollment in the program. Students exceeding this time limit must file a petition for modification or waiver of regulation with Rackham's Office of Academic Records and Dissertations (OARD). Petitions must describe explicitly the amount of work remaining and a timeline for completion. A student who fails to complete degree requirements within five years may be withdrawn and required to apply for readmission.
Residence Requirement: The Graduate School requirement involves credit hours and should not be confused with state residency requirements. Frontiers master's students must complete at least one-half of their degree requirements on the Ann Arbor campus, or at the Biological Station.
Minimum Average Grade of "B": An overall grade point average of "B" (5.00) is required for all graduate courses taken for credit and applied toward the Master's degree.
Transfer of Credit: A maximum of six semester hours (inter-University), or half of the program (intra-University and inter-University combined) may be transferred. Please refer to the Bulletin for complete guidelines.
Cognate Requirement: Rackham recognizes the value of intellectual breadth in graduate education, and the importance of formal graduate study in areas beyond the student's field of specialization. Cognate courses are those that are in a discipline or area different from a student's field of study, but are related or connected with some aspect of this field. Cognate coursework must be approved by the department or program, and may be satisfied by:
- completing 4 credit hours of cognate coursework in approved graduate-level courses with a grade of B- or better.
- using coursework within the same department or program but in a subfield different from the student's own. A course in a student's program that is cross-listed as a course in another program may satisfy the cognate requirement. In this case, the department or program should notify Rackham OARD.
- using credit officially transferred from another institution in another field of study.
- completing graduate coursework at another institution that meets the expectation of the cognate requirement without officially transferring the credit to the transcript. The student must provide Rackham OARD with an official transcript, including the courses and credit hours, and the department or program should notify Rackham OARD. These courses do not apply toward the minimum requirement for the degree, and do not appear on the University transcript.
Diploma application
To be recommended for a Frontiers Master's degree, students must have their advisors complete the EEB M.S. Checkout Form and submit it to the graduate coordinator for additional approvals. Upon submission of the form, students should "apply to graduate" through the "Student Business" section of Wolverine Access. Application deadlines for each term are published by Rackham. A student who fails to complete all requirements during the term in which the degree application is submitted must reapply to be considered again for the degree. Master's diplomas are not distributed at commencement, but are mailed seven to eight weeks later.
