Integrated Sciences MIS

► Graduate School Policies and Procedures apply to this program

Program Description

Students in this program have the opportunity to take courses from a variety of areas in mathematics, the natural and physical sciences (biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, geology, and physics), and computer science in a program designed for professional growth in their area of interest. These areas are further explored through a required project or thesis that includes focused independent research on a topic that integrates two or three of the disciplines mentioned above.

The length of time it takes to complete the degree is determined by the student’s own schedule flexibility; many finish within two years of full-time work. In accordance with Graduate School Rules, the degree must be completed within seven years of matriculation.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the MIS program is competitively based. Minimum requirements for an application to be considered are:

the graduate application form for the University of Colorado Denver, including all application fees
a statement of purpose specifying why the applicant wishes to be admitted to the program, the applicant’s primary and secondary disciplines of interest, and their career goals
three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic qualifications, of which at least two should be from academic sources
transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended by the applicant
a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; however, applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may be considered if they have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and if the scores are forwarded to the program office
40 semester hours of undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental sciences, geology, mathematics, and/or physics
Possessing the minimum requirements will guarantee that the application is considered. It does not, however, guarantee admission. The admissions committee will select students competitively to create a high-quality and balanced cohort of participants entering the program each year.

Application Deadline

Students are admitted for the spring and fall semesters. The deadline for a complete application is April 15 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission.

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

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.

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 at the start of the third semester following matriculation to the program.