The request to revise Ph.D. and M.S. in Biology
Date: March 11, 2016
To: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: February 26, 2016
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2016
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
Catalog Copy
Biology
- Ph.D. in Biology
- M.S. in Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
biologicalsciences.uncc.edu
Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Christine Richardson
Graduate Faculty
Dr. Kenneth Bost, Professor
Dr. Richard Chi, Assistant Professor
Dr. Mark Clemens, Professor
Dr. Didier Dréau, Associate Professor
Dr. Valery Grdzelishvili, Associate Professor
Dr. Martin Klotz, Professor
Dr. Lawrence Leamy, Professor
Dr. Ian Marriott, Professor
Dr. Pinku Mukherjee, Professor
Dr. James Oliver, Professor
Dr. Matthew Parrow, Associate Professor
Dr. Susan Peters, Associate Professor
Dr. Molly Redmond, Assistant Professor
Dr. Adam Reitzel, Assistant Professor
Dr. Thomas Reynolds, Professor
Dr. Christine Richardson, Associate Professor
Dr. Amy Ringwood, Associate Professor
Dr. Stanley Schneider, Professor
Dr. Inna Sokolova, Professor
Dr. Bao-Hua Song, Assistant Professor
Dr. Todd Steck, Associate Professor
Dr. Andrew Truman, Assistant Professor
Dr. Shan Yan, Assistant Associate Professor
Dr. Jian Zhang, Associate Professor
Associate Graduate Faculty
Dr. Vinita Chauhan, Research Associate Professor
Dr. Daniel Nelson, Research Associate Professor
Dr. Ken Piller, Adjunct Associate Professor
Dr. Jennifer Warner, Senior Lecturer
Ph.D. in Biology
The Ph.D. in Biology Program has as its intellectual focus an interdisciplinary synthesis of the biological sciences and related biotechnology. In addition to a vigorous research concentration, the program emphasizes the importance of relevant coursework. All students are required to complete a series of core courses related to the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Students must choose the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD) concentration or the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B) concentration before selecting elective courses. The cornerstone of the program is the student’s research dissertation. Each dissertation is expected to be a significant scientific contribution based on independent and original research, leading to publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals.
For further information, please see the Ph.D in Biology website at biologicalsciences.uncc.edu/graduate-programs/phd-program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be evaluated in a holistic manner to identify those who have the greatest potential for success. In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, to begin study toward the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology, students admitted to the program should have:
- A B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university.
- An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in biology, 3.0 in chemistry, and 3.0 in mathematics.
- A score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test in at least the 65th percentile (average for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections).
- A minimum of 24 hours in biology, including at least one course in genetics, physiology, and cell/molecular biology. Additionally, applicants should have one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Applicants with academic deficiencies may be admitted on the condition that any deficiencies are corrected during the first year of graduate study. The Graduate Ph.D. Committee will determine the remediation necessary for identified deficiencies.
- A score of at least 100 on the Internet-based, 220 on the computer-based, or 557 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS, for applicants whose native language is not English. Students who do not pass this examination must pass ENGL 1100 (English as a Foreign Language) with a grade of C or above. In addition, these students who will be involved in any instructional activity (e.g., teaching assistants) will be required to be evaluated by the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte prior to the beginning of the first semester of study.
- Three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from faculty members.
Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. acknowledges the value of coursework as background and preparation for research, but the primary emphasis of the program is on the development of research skills and the completion of a research project on a significant problem in the biological sciences or related biotechnology.
Total Hours Required
The program requires 72 post-baccalaureate credit hours. All students are required to take a general curriculum that includes a sequence of courses as shown below.
Required Courses
BIOL 8101 Hypothesis Testing (3)
BIOL 8102 Cellular and Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 8140 Evolutionary Biology (3)
BIOL 8201 Seminar (2) (1 hour per year)
Concentration Requirement
(One of the following, based on concentration)
BIOL 8241 Environmental Biology (3) (for students pursuing the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology (E3B) concentration)
BIOL 8270 Biological Pathways and Metabolism (3) (for students pursuing the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) concentration)
Research and Ethics Requirement
(One of the following)
BIOL 8260 Careers in Bioscience: Professional Development and Responsible Conduct (2)
GRAD 8002 Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
PHIL 8240 Research Ethics in the Biological and Behavioral Sciences (3)
Elective Courses
Students should select 9 hours minimum of elective courses; to be determined in consultation with the student’s Dissertation Committee, but typically will consist of at least three 3-hour courses from either the MCD or E3B tracksconcentration. At least half the total elective/concentration hours, including the concentration requirement, must be at the 8000-level. Elective courses outside the concentration may be substituted upon approval from the Supervisory Committee and Graduate Coordinator.
Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Concentration Elective Courses
Select from:
BIOL 5000. Advanced Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 5111. Evolution (3)
BIOL 5121. Biometry (3)
BIOL 5144. Advanced Ecology (3)
BIOL 5162. Advanced Biotechnology I (3)
BIOL 5163. Advanced Biotechnology II (3)
BIOL 5168. Recombinant DNA techniques (4)
BIOL 5184. Plant Biotechnology (3)
BIOL 5189. Mechanisms of Development (3)
BIOL 5199. Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 5205. Advanced Horticulture (3)
BIOL 5221. Plant Systematics (4)
BIOL 5229. Dendrology (4)
BIOL 5234. Wildlife Biology (3)
BIOL 5235. Mammalogy (4)
BIOL 5242. Biology of Birds (3)
BIOL 5242L. Biology of Birds Lab (1)
BIOL 5243. Animal Behavior (3)
BIOL 5244. Conservation Biology (3)
BIOL 5250 Microbiology (3)
BIOL 5250L. Microbiology Lab (1)
BIOL 5253. Marine Microbiology (4)
BIOL 5257 Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (3)
BIOL 5260 Population Genetics (3)
BIOL 5277. Endocrinology (3)
BIOL 5282. Developmental Plant Anatomy (3)
BIOL 5282L. Developmental Plant Anatomy Lab (1)
BIOL 5283. Animal Development (3)
BIOL 5283L. Animal Development Lab (1)
BIOL 5293. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)
BIOL 6000/8000. Special Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 6800. Tutorial (1-4)
BIOL 8200. Interdisciplinary Colloquium (1)
BIOL 8800. Lab Rotations (2)
Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Concentration Elective Courses
Select from:
BIOL 5000. Advanced Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 5121. Advanced Biometry (3)
BIOL 5162. Advanced Biotechnology I (3)
BIOL 5163. Advanced Biotechnology II (3)
BIOL 5168. Recombinant DNA Techniques (4)
BIOL 5171. Cell Physiology (3)
BIOL 5189. Mechanisms of Development (3)
BIOL 5199. Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 5167. Medical Genetics (3)
BIOL 5233. Parasitology (3)
BIOL 5250. Microbiology (3)
BIOL 5250L. Microbiology Lab (1)
BIOL 5251. Immunology (3)
BIOL 5251L. Immunology Lab (1)
BIOL 5254. Epidemiology (3)
BIOL 5255. Bacterial Genetics (3)
BIOL 5256. Pathogenic Bacteriology (3)
BIOL 5256L. Pathogenic Bacteriology Lab (1)
BIOL 5257. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (3)
BIOL 5259. Advanced Virology (3)
BIOL 5259L. Advanced Virology Lab (1)
BIOL 5265. Drugs: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms (3)
BIOL 5258. Epidemics and Plagues (3)
BIOL 5276. Cardiovascular Physiology (3)
BIOL 5277. Endocrinology (3)
BIOL 5279. Neurology (3)
BIOL 5282. Developmental Plant Anatomy (3)
BIOL 5282L. Developmental Plant Anatomy Laboratory (1)
BIOL 5283. Animal Development (3)
BIOL 5283L. Animal Development Laboratory (1)
BIOL 5292. Advances in Immunology (3)
BIOL 6000/8000. Special Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL6010/8010. Special Topics in Microbiology (1-4)
BIOL 6103/8103. Immunology of Infection (4)
BIOL 6104/8104. Integrative Systems Physiology (4)
BIOL 6273/8273. Advanced Human Physiology (3)
BIOL 6274/8274. Advanced Human Pathophysiology (3)
BIOL 6800. Tutorial (1-4)
BIOL 8200. Interdisciplinary Colloquium (1)
BIOL 8800. Lab Rotations (2)
Dissertation
BIOL 8999 Dissertation Research (minimum of 18 hours)
Grade Requirement
A student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 in all coursework taken for graduate credit. Lab rotations and the dissertation research will be graded on a Pass/Unsatisfactory basis and therefore will not be included in the cumulative average. An accumulation of one C grade will result in suspension from the program; two C grades will result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the graduate program. If a student makes a grade of U in any course, enrollment in the program will be terminated.
Transfer Credit
Only courses with grades of A or B may be accepted for transfer credit; courses graded IP/P typically cannot be transferred among graduate programs. Although the maximum amount of credit past the baccalaureate degree that a Ph.D. student may count towards the doctorate is 30 semester hours, only courses appropriate for the program and curriculum in which the student is enrolled may be transferred. This should be determined by the student’s Dissertation Committee and approved by the program coordinator, before the request is submitted to the Graduate School. This rule applies whether the courses were taken at UNC Charlotte or elsewhere, and whether a Master’s degree was earned or not. However, no more than six hours taken when the student was in post-baccalaureate (non-degree seeking) status may be applied toward the doctoral degree.
Departmental Seminars
Graduate students are expected to attend all seminars sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences. In addition, each student is required to make a 20 minute presentation on his/her research at the departmental seminar after entering his/her 2nd year in the program. The Graduate Coordinator will work out the logistics with the department seminar coordinator concerning the arrangement of students’ presentations.
Advancement to Candidacy
For Advancement to Candidacy, a student must pass the Candidacy Qualifying Examination by the end of the 5th semester of study. The Candidacy Qualifying Examination can be taken only after all coursework for the degree has been completed, with the exception of the Doctoral Dissertation Research. Following successful completion of the Candidacy Qualifying Examination, a dissertation topic is proposed to the student’s Dissertation Committee by the end of the 6th semester of study. A student advances to candidacy following approval of the proposed dissertation topic by the student’s Dissertation Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Obtaining the Non-Thesis M.S. While Completing the Ph.D. Degree
Ph.D. students may choose to receive the non-thesis M.S. degree while continuing to work toward the doctoral degree provided they have successfully completed the Candidacy Exam and completed at least 30 hours of coursework, and two hours of Tutorial BIOL 6800 culminating in a written assignment developed in consultation with the student’s major advisor. Obtaining the non-thesis M.S. requires dual enrollment in the Ph.D. and M.S. programs. Doctoral students can apply for enrollment in the M.S. program after entering the Ph.D. program.
Dissertation
The doctoral program of study must include a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation credit. The student must complete and defend a dissertation based on a research program approved by the student’s dissertation committee, which results in a high quality, original and substantial piece of research. The student must orally present and successfully defend the dissertation to the student’s dissertation committee in a defense that is open to the public. A copy of the dissertation must be made available for review by the program doctoral faculty at least two weeks prior to the public defense.
UNC Charlotte Residency Requirement
The student must satisfy the UNC Charlotte residency requirement for the program by completing 20 hours, either as coursework or research credits. Residence is considered to be continuous if the student is enrolled in one or more courses in successive semesters until 20 hours are earned.
Laboratory Research Rotations
Optional laboratory research rotations allow the student to sample areas of research and become familiar with program faculty. A student may engage in a maximum of 3 rotations. Each rotation will consist of a minimum of 4 weeks and there is no expectation that the work done during the rotation will result in a publication. By the end of the student’s second semester he/she must have determined their major advisor. A rotation must have been completed in the advisor’s laboratory.
The purpose of a laboratory rotation is to learn and perform techniques associated with the lab, and to potentially identify a Dissertation Advisor. A typical rotation will involve 5-10 hours per week in the laboratory for 4-10 weeks. Students are encouraged to identify a sponsoring faculty member well in advance of the scheduled rotation. Students must meet with the sponsoring faculty member to determine what will be done during the rotation, i.e. techniques to be learned and identification of the project to be completed. At the end of the rotation the student must write a one- to two-page synopsis of the rotation to be signed by the sponsoring faculty member and turned in to the Ph.D. coordinator.
Student Teaching
Every student must teach at least once. This requirement is satisfied by being a Graduate Teaching Assistant for one course for one semester.
Deadlines/Progression Requirements
- A student must have an advisor by no later than the end of the 2nd Semester.
- A student must establish their Dissertation Committee by the end of the 3rd Semester.
- A student must have a Program of Study/Curriculum Contract approved by the Dissertation Committee by the end of the 3rd Semester.
- The student and Dissertation Committee must meet by the end of the 4th Semester to set a timeline for the candidacy exam.
- The student is required to meet with their Dissertation Committee at least once a year.
- The deadline for completing the candidacy exam is the end of the student’s 5th Semester.
- A student must have a Dissertation Proposal approved by their Dissertation Committee by the end of the 6th Semester.
Time Limits for Completion
All requirements for the degree must be completed within eight years after first registration as a doctoral student. The student must achieve admission to candidacy within six years after admission to the program and complete all requirements within six years after admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. These time limits are maxima; students will typically be expected to complete the degree requirements within five years.
Master of Science in Biology
The M.S. in Biology degree program is designed for students who desire to pursue advanced studies in professional and graduate schools or various vocational opportunities in biology and related areas (see biologicalsciences.uncc.edu/graduate-programs/masters-programs). The program provides the opportunity for broad training in a variety of biological areas as well as specialization in areas of particular interest through the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCB) concentration and the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B) concentration. Selection of either concentration is optional.
The Department of Biological Sciences offers the thesis and non-thesis track within the M.S. degree. The thesis track is designed for students whose career goals include formal research training. The non-thesis track is designed for students whose career goals include graduate education, but not formal research experience. Students may switch between the thesis and non-thesis tracks with written approval from their major advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following requirements are specific to the Department of Biological Sciences:
- A B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university.
- Evidence of undergraduate preparation in biology with a minimum 24 semester hours in biology and 24 semester hours of cognate study.
- An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in biology.
- A score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test in at least the 50th percentile (average for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections).
- A score of at least 100 on the Internet-based, 220 on the computer-based, or 557 on the paper based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS, for applicants whose native language is not English. Students who do not pass this examination must pass ENGL 1100 (English as a Foreign Language) with a grade of C or above. In addition, these students who will be involved in any instructional activity (e.g., teaching assistants) will be required to be evaluated by the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte prior to the beginning of the first semester of study.
- Three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from faculty members.
Degree Requirements
All M.S. students must complete 30 semester hours of coursework approved by a Supervisory Committee, including the following courses:
Required Courses
BIOL 6101 Hypothesis Testing (3)
BIOL 6102 Cellular and Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 6140 Evolutionary Biology (3)
Research and Ethics Requirement
(One of the following)
BIOL 6260 Careers in Bioscience: Professional Development and Responsible Conduct (2)
GRAD 6002 Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
PHIL 6240 Research Ethics in the Biological and Behavioral Sciences (3)
Students may choose the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD) concentration or the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B) concentration when selecting elective courses, although selection of a concentration is not required. In addition to coursework, each degree candidate must pass an oral candidacy examination administered by the Supervisory Committee.
Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Concentration Elective Courses
Select from:
BIOL 5000. Advanced Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 5111. Evolution (3)
BIOL 5121. Biometry (3)
BIOL 5144. Advanced Ecology (3)
BIOL 5162. Advanced Biotechnology I (3)
BIOL 5163. Advanced Biotechnology II (3)
BIOL 5168. Recombinant DNA techniques (4)
BIOL 5184. Plant Biotechnology (3)
BIOL 5189. Mechanisms of Development (3)
BIOL 5199. Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 5205. Advanced Horticulture (3)
BIOL 5221. Plant Systematics (4)
BIOL 5229. Dendrology (4)
BIOL 5234. Wildlife Biology (3)
BIOL 5235. Mammalogy (4)
BIOL 5242. Biology of Birds (3)
BIOL 5242L. Biology of Birds Lab (1)
BIOL 5243. Animal Behavior (3)
BIOL 5244. Conservation Biology (3)
BIOL 5250 Microbiology (3)
BIOL 5250L. Microbiology Lab (1)
BIOL 5253. Marine Microbiology (4)
BIOL 5257 Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (3)
BIOL 5260 Population Genetics (3)
BIOL 5277. Endocrinology (3)
BIOL 5282. Developmental Plant Anatomy (3)
BIOL 5282L. Developmental Plant Anatomy Lab (1)
BIOL 5283. Animal Development (3)
BIOL 5283L. Animal Development Lab (1)
BIOL 5293. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)
BIOL 6000. Special Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 6800. Tutorial (1-4)
Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Concentration Elective Courses
Select from:
BIOL 5000. Advanced Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 5121. Advanced Biometry (3)
BIOL 5162. Advanced Biotechnology I (3)
BIOL 5163. Advanced Biotechnology II (3)
BIOL 5168. Recombinant DNA Techniques (4)
BIOL 5171. Cell Physiology (3)
BIOL 5189. Mechanisms of Development (3)
BIOL 5199. Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 5167. Medical Genetics (3)
BIOL 5233. Parasitology (3)
BIOL 5250. Microbiology (3)
BIOL 5250L. Microbiology Lab (1)
BIOL 5251. Immunology (3)
BIOL 5251L. Immunology Lab (1)
BIOL 5254. Epidemiology (3)
BIOL 5255. Bacterial Genetics (3)
BIOL 5256. Pathogenic Bacteriology (3)
BIOL 5256L. Pathogenic Bacteriology Lab (1)
BIOL 5257. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism (3)
BIOL 5259. Advanced Virology (3)
BIOL 5259L. Advanced Virology Lab (1)
BIOL 5265. Drugs: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms (3)
BIOL 5258. Epidemics and Plagues (3)
BIOL 5276. Cardiovascular Physiology (3)
BIOL 5277. Endocrinology (3)
BIOL 5279. Neurology (3)
BIOL 5282. Developmental Plant Anatomy (3)
BIOL 5282L. Developmental Plant Anatomy Laboratory (1)
BIOL 5283. Animal Development (3)
BIOL 5283L. Animal Development Laboratory (1)
BIOL 5292. Advances in Immunology (3)
BIOL 6000. Special Topics in Biology (1-4)
BIOL 6010. Special Topics in Microbiology (1-4)
BIOL 6103. Immunology of Infection (4)
BIOL 6104. Integrative Systems Physiology (4)
BIOL 6273. Advanced Human Physiology (3)
BIOL 6274. Advanced Human Pathophysiology (3)
BIOL 6800. Tutorial (1-4)
Elective courses outside the concentration may be substituted upon approval from the Supervisory Committee and Graduate Coordinator. In addition to coursework, each degree candidate must pass an oral candidacy examination administered by the Supervisory Committee.
M.S. Degree: Thesis Track
At least 16 of the 30 hours required for the degree, including no more than eight hours of thesis research, must be in courses at the 6000-level. The candidate must prepare a written thesis based upon original research acceptable to the Supervisory Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School. Students have the opportunity to conduct their thesis research under the co-direction of a Biology faculty member and select faculty at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. The student must orally present and successfully defend the thesis to the student’s Supervisory Committee in a defense open to the public.
M.S. Degree: Non-Thesis Track
At least 12 of the 30 hours required for the degree must be in courses at the 6000-level, including two hours of Tutorial BIOL 6800 culminating in a written assignment developed in consultation with the major advisor. A maximum of two hours of thesis research may be taken as an elective, and students are encouraged to gain research experience. No written thesis or oral thesis defense is required for the non-thesis track.
Proportion of Courses Open Only to Graduate Students
At least 16 of the 30 required hours, including no more than eight hours of thesis research, must be in courses open to graduate students only.
Grade Requirement
A student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 in all coursework taken for graduate credit. An accumulation of two C grades will result in suspension from the Master’s program. An accumulation of more than two C grades will result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the Master’s program. If a student makes a grade of U in any course, enrollment in the program will be terminated.
Transfer Credit
Up to 6 hours of transfer credit may be applied to the Master’s degree. Only courses with grades of A or B may be accepted for transfer credit. Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a previously completed degree cannot be counted toward the Master’s degree. All transfer credit must be approved by the student’s Thesis Committee and the Graduate Coordinator.
Departmental Seminars
Graduate students are expected to attend all seminars sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences.
Student Teaching
Every student must teach at least once. This requirement is satisfied by being a Graduate Teaching Assistant for one course for one semester.
Deadlines/Progression Requirements
- All M.S. students must establish their Supervisory Committee by the end of the 2nd semester. The Committee must be established before approving the Curriculum Contract and taking the Oral Candidacy exam. For thesis-track students, the Supervisory Committee must also be established before approving the Thesis Proposal.
- The Curriculum Contract must be approved no later than the end of the 2nd semester and preferably by the end of the 1st semester.
- The Oral Candidacy exam must be approved before the beginning of the 3rd semester. All required coursework for the degree, with the exception of the Tutorial requirement for non-thesis track students and Research and Thesis for thesis-track students, must be completed before taking the Candidacy Examination. For thesis-track students, completion of the Candidacy exam must precede approval of the Thesis Proposal.
- For thesis-track students, the Thesis Proposal must be approved before the beginning of the 3rd semester.
- The student is required to meet with their Supervisory Committee at least once a year.
Admission to Candidacy
General academic regulations will apply to application for admission to candidacy. In addition to these the applicant should have:
- Removed any identified entrance deficiencies by the time of application.
- Successfully completed the Candidacy Examination, which can be taken only after the completion of all required coursework for the degree, with the exception of the Tutorial requirement for the non-thesis track, and Research and Thesis for the thesis-track.
- Taken at least 15 hours of graduate work with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Satisfied the Supervisory Committee that he/she is qualified to become a candidate, i.e., can fulfill the requirements successfully.
Assistantships
Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis for qualified students. A limited number of tuition grants are also competitively awarded. Typically, thesis-track M.S. students are prioritized above non-thesis track students for funding awards.