The Specialist in Applied Biology program, offered in the Department of Biological Sciences, is co- or post-master’s work designed to provide advanced preparation in highly specialized fields of biological laboratory sciences. The degree is approved for study in immunohematology.

Degree Requirements
For completion of the program students are required to present a minimum of 63 semester hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree, including a thesis, specified courses, and any requirements for eligibility to take the examination for certification in the specialized area.
Specific requirements include:
Major Field: BIOL 603 and BIOL 699 or their equivalents; CHEM 545 and CHEM 546 or their equivalents.
Area of Specialization: A minimum of 24 semester hours of courses applicable to the specialty.
Practicum or Field Service: Service appropriate to the area of specialization.
Cognate Fields: Appropriate graduate-level courses in areas such as chemistry, management, or computer science may be applied to the degree if approved by the student’s committee.

Residence Requirement
Students are considered to be in residence whenever they are registered on campus as graduate students. Students must comply with one of the following three alternatives:
1. satisfactory completion of a minimum of four semester hours of study in each of two semesters;
2. full-time study for one semester with a minimum of eight semester hours;
3. full-time study for a summer session with a minimum of eight semester hours.

Certification
When certification by a professional society is sought in an area of specialization, the eligibility requirements for certification are necessary for the specialist degree. In immunohematology-blood banking, certification is granted by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists in cooperation with the American Association of Blood Banks.

Comprehensive Examination
In addition to the regular course examinations, students are required to pass a comprehensive oral examination during the final period of registration for course work.

Completion of Work
Candidates must complete all requirements for their degree within six years of the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements on the Tentative Degree Program.

Transfer Credit
A maximum of 30 semester hours of graduate work taken elsewhere may be applied toward the degree. At least 33 hours in this program must be completed at the University.

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