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Dec 01, 2024
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2016-2017 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Integrated Sciences MIS
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► Graduate School Rules apply to this program
Program Requirements
The Master’s program in Integrated Sciences (MIS) is designed to provide a broad-based, content-rich curriculum that integrates knowledge and methods from natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science disciplines. MIS is a 30 semester-hour interdisciplinary program in which students take courses from two or three disciplines, identify a faculty mentor, and complete a Master’s project or thesis. The signature aspect of the program is that the capstone experience must truly integrate the interdisciplinary content into a unified program of research.
Specifically, students are required to complete a coherent selection of classes in a minimum of two areas and a maximum of three areas within the disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental sciences, geology, mathematics or physics. Each student must meet with the Program Director within the first semester of study to develop a program goal statement, which is used to guide his or her individualized curriculum. All classes applied toward the degree must be related to the student’s stated program goal and receive prior approval for inclusion in the program of study by the Program Director.
With sufficient justification and with approval from the Program Director, students may take a maximum of 6 semester-hours outside of the program’s areas of concentration. In addition, a maximum of 6 semester-hours of MINS independent study/internship coursework may be applied to the degree. All such contracts must be approved by the Program Director.
In accordance with Graduate School Rules , a minimum of 24 semester-hours must be at the graduate level (5000+). Under exceptional circumstances, up to 6 semester-hours may be taken at the 4000 level, with prior approval from the Program Director.
The student is responsible for insuring that all prerequisite requirements for the classes they take have been met, even if the prerequisite courses do not count toward the degree.
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Graduate Advisor and Examination Committee
All candidates for the MIS degree must select a faculty advisor and two other faculty members to serve with the advisor as the candidate’s graduate examination committee. The committee members must have graduate standing at the University of Colorado Denver and be approved by the Program Director. The name of the faculty advisor must be submitted to the Program Director no later than two semesters following admission to the program.
Core Requirement
Students are required to enroll in MINS 5200, Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Science, within their first year of the program. This course serves as an introduction to the program and helps students to develop research skills and to further their professional development. This course is offered in the fall semester only.
MINS 5200 Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Science
This course introduces methods used in interdisciplinary research in the physical and natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science and prepares students for developing research-based Master’s project/thesis proposals. Topics include the scientific method and ethics, experimental design, data collection and analysis, literature searches, evaluation of scientific literature, scientific writing, and oral presentation. Prereq: Graduate Standing or Instructor Permission.
Concentration and Depth Requirements
The student must designate one area of concentration (the primary area of study) and one or two depth areas (the secondary and, if applicable, tertiary areas of study) within the disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental sciences, geology, mathematics or physics. An interdisciplinary area of study (including but not limited to fields such as biochemistry, biophysics, or computational biology) may also be considered. The student must complete a minimum of nine semester hours in the chosen area of concentration and a minimum of six semester hours in each depth area.
Project or Thesis Requirement
The program provides students with two options as their capstone experience, either a project or a thesis, depending on their academic and professional goals. All students must conduct independent research integrating coursework from the disciplines in their program of study. The research is conducted as either a project (requiring 3-4 semester-hours of MINS 5960) or a thesis (requiring 4-6 semester-hours of MINS 5950), and is presented to their examination committee in both written and oral forms. The student must successfully defend their project/thesis in an oral examination (defense) in order to graduate. Prior to enrolling in Project or Thesis hours, all students must submit a proposal approved by three faculty members (one of whom is their graduate faculty advisor) and the Program Director.
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