General requirements Course deficiencies Course requirements Advising Program overview Requirements and expectations Curriculum Thesis information Financial support Rackham requirements

Frontiers Master’s Program, Requirements, and Funding

General requirements
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.

Course deficiencies:
Applicants with good records but who lack one or two of the prerequisite courses are eligible for admission, but the missing courses must successfully completed no later than the second term of enrollment (summer courses taken before matriculation are recommended). Courses taken at the graduate level may be used to fulfill deficiencies in EEB, but no more than eight credits may be counted toward the 25 graduate credit-hours required for completion of the program. Undergraduate-level courses are usually elected to fulfill other entrance deficiencies, such as physics, but credits earned for these courses are not included in the total Credits Toward Program (CTP).

Course requirements:
The degree 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 are included in the required CTP. Graduate courses are generally those courses that are numbered 400 and above; courses elected below the 400-level are undergraduate courses and will not count toward degree requirements (see the Rackham Bulletin for a complete list of courses accepted for graduate credit). Election of courses is determined in consultation with the program director or a faculty advisor, and is based on the professional goals of the individual student. 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 offered by a department other than EEB, and should be a science-related course or one that is relevant to the program (e.g., Stat 402; Biochem 515; Geol 418).  Check our list of suggested cognate courses.

Advising
An advising committee for incoming students, comprising of the Frontiers Director and a Faculty Advisor, will meet with each student upon his/her arrival to discuss the student’s academic background. The committee will decide whether to require additional background courses such as those recommended in the admission policy or alternative courses the committee deems necessary for individual students. Results of the committee’s meeting with each student, including any additional courses the committee requires, will be placed in the student’s file.  Courses the committee requires will be clearly distinguished from those recommended by the committee.

Students are required to obtain advisor approval for all initial course elections, including courses elected at the Biological Station. A student may change advisors by petitioning the Graduate Affairs Committee. It is assumed that the student’s thesis advisor will take on this role once the thesis committee is formed. It is essential that students seek advice from an advisor during all phases of their graduate program. Students should feel free to gain more guidance by meeting with the 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 this committee. A student representative attends all committee meetings and contributes to all decisions made by the committee.

Frontiers Master’s Program overview
Incoming students begin with an eight-week program at the Biological Station in Pellston, Mich., during the summer term. In 2008 the summer term begins Saturday, June 21. Students will register for one class, as well as participate in a weekly Frontiers Career Development Seminar, where students will read Karban & Huntzinger's How to Do Ecology: A Concise Handbook. At the Seminar, students will 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 so on. Additionally, Frontiers students will work with a faculty research mentor to complete a short research project. 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.

During the fall term, back in Ann Arbor, students will take EEB 477: Field Ecology (1st half of the semester) and participate in a lab rotation (2nd half of the semester); arranged with the Program Director and a faculty advisor. In the winter term, students will choose a research advisor with whom to work during their remaining time in the program.

Frontiers Master’s Program requirements and expectations
Participation in the summer program at UMBS

• Enroll in one UMBS course (e.g. Introduction to Ecology & Evolution).
• Summer research project with UMBS research mentor. UMBS research experience may or may not be directly related to future Master’s research.
• Career Development Seminar with Frontiers Director.
• Participation in camp-wide lectures and events, as possible.

Take Biology GSI training course (EEB 801) and GSI for appropriate EEB/BIO course.
Participation in EEB 477: Field Ecology Lab with Vandermeer and Perfecto.
One 8-week lab rotation after field course is finished.
Enroll in other courses as discussed with the Program Director and/or a Faculty Advisor.

By the end of the fall semester, first year:

• Chose a permanent advisor for thesis research project.
• Choices in future coursework will be made with this permanent advisor and/or the Program Director.

During the winter term, first year, form a thesis committee (advisor + two other members, one of which is from another department) (view more information on forming your thesis committee and defending your thesis).

Participate in advisor’s lab meetings and journal club during the second year.

Write a thesis and defend during winter term or spring/summer term of the second year.

Curriculum:

Thesis information:
In addition to the coursework requirements, the student is 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 included in the minimum 24 hours required by Rackham (25 hours required by EEB). 

Students are also required to give a public seminar and defend their thesis with their thesis committee after the seminar. The student must arrange a date for the oral defense acceptable to all members of the thesis committee and must advertise it in public postings. Copies of the thesis and an evaluation form must be presented to the members of the thesis committee at least two weeks before the oral defense.

The thesis is defended in a public seminar open to all faculty and students in the University.  Following the public portion of the defense, the candidate defends his/her thesis before the thesis committee, plus any other member of the EEB Department who wishes to attend (for a time period at the discretion of the committee Chair). After the oral defense, 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.

A thesis committee consists of the student’s primary advisor plus two additional members, one of whom must be from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The student chooses all members, usually by the winter term of their first year in the program, and turns in a completed Frontiers Thesis Committee form to the Graduate Office. Following preliminary, informal discussions with thesis committee members, the student is expected to prepare a thesis proposal outlining the thesis research. The student then meets formally with the full committee to present and discuss the proposal.  For most students, this step will be completed by March or April of the student’s first year in order for the student to do thesis research over the summer months. It is expected that thesis research will be completed within 2 years.

For more information on creating a thesis committee or defending, view the dissertation and thesis webpage.

Financial support
Frontiers is a fully-funded master’s program, including an annual stipend of at least $21,800, a tuition waiver, and health care for each student, as well as his or her spouse and dependents. Support is available for four incoming students each academic year.

Students in the Frontiers program are guaranteed two years through Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) appointments in the Department of EEB. Other external 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 the National Science Foundation (NSF) or NASA. These fellowships provide substantial stipends plus full tuition and students are urged to apply. Part-time positions with a University unit are variable in kind and availability, and are best found by applying in person to the Student Employment Office, 2503 Student Activities Building, in the summer prior to the Fall Term registration. More information about fellowship opportunities can be found on our funding opportunities page.

GSI appointments provide the primary means of support for EEB Frontiers students.  GSIs teach small introductory classes, facilitate discussions in small sections connected to large lecture courses and run laboratory sections. The typical GSI has a 50% appointment, working between 16.5 and 20 hours per week during the eight-month academic year. During the 2008-2009 academic year, the median half-time GSI salary will be $16,070, approximately $8,035 per term. A full tuition waver is included, and as University employees, health and dental benefits are provide for GSIs and their dependents. EEB Frontiers students are expected to teach in the Fall and Winter terms of their two years in the program. For additional information on GSI appointments please see the Center for Research and Teaching’s Web site.
 
GSRA appointments provide students with funding support while conducting their own research or assisting others with research relevant to their own academic goals. GSRA appointments are generally provided through an advisor’s externally funded grant or contract. GSRA stipend amounts are consistent with those announced annually for the Office of Academic Human Resources. Tuition waivers generally accompany GSRA appointments, as does health and dental insurance coverage through the GradCare program. For additional information on GSRA Appointments, see the Academic Human Resources Web site. GSRA funding is provided in an amount commensurate with GSI rates.

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. Additional EEB fellowship funding opportunities are described starting on pg. 50.  During the Spring/Summer term of 2008, the Department fellowship support was $5250.

GradCare is the medical insurance plan available exclusively to GSIs, GSRAs, and benefit-eligible fellowship holders. 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 or GradCare webpage. Department fellowship funding is provided in an amount commensurate with GSI rates.

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. View the Handbook for Graduate Students.

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 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 are expected to complete at least one-half of their degree 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:
1. completing 4 credit hours of cognate coursework in approved graduate-level courses with a grade of B- or better.
2. 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.
3. using credit officially transferred from another institution in another field of study.

4. 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.

For more information from Rackham for master's students, check out Rackham's Master's students page.