School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Philosophy and Objectives
Degree Programs And Pre-Professional Agreements

Dr. Hongtao Yu, Dean

Dr. Gaston N’Guerekata, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Kadir Aslan, Assistant Dean for
Research and Graduate Studies

The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) consists of the following departments: Biology/Medical Technology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics/Actuarial Science and Physics/Engineering Physics. In addition, the School houses several science research training and academic enhancement programs, an Honors program, a Student Development program, a Transfer/ Pre-Professional program, as well as community-outreach programs. These departments and support programs all work in concert under the leadership of the Dean of the School to prepare academically sound and well-versed science and mathematics graduates to succeed, thrive and serve in tomorrow’s changing scientific and technological world. The School also offers General Education Requirement courses in the sciences and mathematics to all Morgan students, regardless of their major field of study.

Philosophy and Objectives

Excellence in teaching, productivity in research, and abundant student support and outreach services are benchmarks that embrace this School’s philosophy. Together, they serve as the School’s guiding force in educating Morgan science and mathematics majors to become the next generation of not only scientists and mathematicians but also community and world leaders. The primary goal of the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences is therefore to recruit and maintain a cadre of learned, capable and dedicated faculty who are: (1) creative and innovative in their thinking and teaching; (2) passionate and meticulous in transmitting current and relevant subject matter in their classes; (3) productive in creating new scientific knowledge in their research laboratories; and (4) caring and knowledgeable in their roles as faculty advisors to students. Toward this end and in keeping with the three pronged mission of teaching, research and service of the University, the major objectives of the School are:

to maintain cohesive and productive programs that focus on advancing frontiers in science, mathematics and technology;
to recruit and retain highly qualified and productive faculty who demonstrate scholarly activities and compassion in teaching students, and who also provide demonstrated service to the university and the broader community;
to recruit students with demonstrated potential for leadership, service and research roles in science and mathematics;
to provide sound and up-to-date curricula that emphasize competency in the sciences and mathematics that can be interrelated with the various other academic disciplines;
to provide an integrated core of instruction in science and mathematics that ensures proficiency and understanding of the basic concepts of these disciplines;
to provide state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities that promote academic excellence and encourage faculty and student involvement in basic research; and
to instill in students the desire to become scientifically and technologically literate to meet the challenges of a changing global society.

Degree Programs And Pre-Professional Agreements

The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences offers nine (8) undergraduate degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B. S.) degree. They include degrees in Actuarial Science, Biology, Chemistry Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Mathematics, Medical Technology, and Physics.

In addition, the Pre-professional Program facilitates an early selection program in medicine with the Boston University School of Medicine through the Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP). Morgan’s EMSSP with Boston University School of Medicine is an accelerated program that entails three years of resident study at Morgan State University. Students then transition to Boston in their senior year. In this transition year students must complete a prescribed course of study at Boston and perform satisfactorily on the MCAT in order to be fully admitted into Boston’s School of Medicine. Upon successful completion of all requirements at both institutions, students will receive their bachelors degree at the end of the senior year (transition year) then be promoted to their first year of medical school.

MSU also enjoys a partnership with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. This agreement allows the opportunity for Early Selection into the GWU Medical program. Students are expected to complete all four years at MSU before full acceptance into the medical Selection at GWU. Students must also have attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 and maintain a B or better in all science coursework at MSU. Upon acceptance into the GWU Early Selection Program students are expected to use their summers for professional and pre-health development. The MCAT is not required for students who matriculate from the MSU Early Selection partnership to GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Students must meet all other admission requirements.

Upon completion of the MD program, students will be awarded the MD degree by the respective medical school.

See the school’s website for more details under the Pre-Professional Program.

Admission to Degree Programs

Students who meet the admission requirements of the University are eligible for admission to degree programs in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. Unless specifically prohibited by University regulations, students should declare their majors as early as possible and should contact the appropriate department for further directions.

Retention in Degree Programs

In order to remain in good academic standing as majors in degree programs in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, students must meet the University’s standards for satisfactory academic progress outlined under the Academic Policies. According to University standards, students who attain less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average are placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation are required to: (1) repeat all courses for which they earned less than a “C” grade, and concurrently (2) pursue no more than 13 credits until they raise their cumulative grade point average to 2.0 or better. Students who are academically dismissed by the University for unsatisfactory progress are also dismissed as degree candidates in their majors. Readmission to the University constitutes readmission as a degree candidate in the major.

Grade Change Policy

The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences adheres strictly to the university policy concerning grade change. It does not make any exceptions to this policy.

“I” Grade Policy

“Incomplete” (“I”) is given in exceptional cases to students who have satisfactorily completed at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the course requirements, and, due to documented illness or other documented emergencies beyond their control, have been unable to complete the requirements for the course. Students must complete the remaining twenty-five percent program. To apply for Early (25%) or less of the course work by the end of the next semester of their enrollment at the University. Otherwise, the “I” grade is changed to “F.” Although a petition for “I” grade may be initiated by the student or the faculty member, the recording of the “I” grade must be approved by the Chairperson and the Dean. Forms are available in the Office of the Dean.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is an important part of the students’ undergraduate education. In the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, academic advising is high on the list of priorities and is a requirement for retention in the major. The Department Chairpersons assign students faculty advisors from the point of their matriculation as majors in one of the degree programs in the School. Students are required to hold conferences with their faculty advisor a prescribed number of times per semester, depending on their classification and/or their academic standing.

Office of Student Development

The Office of Student Development focuses on improving student success, student retention and graduation rates. This Office provides materials and workshops covering academic skills-building via tutorials, time management and test taking strategies, and career opportunities for all SCMNS students.

Requirements for Graduation

Students earning degrees in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences must meet the following graduation requirements:

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
In order to qualify for graduation, students must complete the courses outlined as “General Education Requirements” and “Requirements for Graduation” in the University catalog.
COMPLEMENTARY STUDIES:
All students earning degrees in programs in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences must complete a six-credit Complementary Studies Program of two (2) three-credit courses or any (credit) combination thereof totaling six credits, designed to broaden their college exposure and education. Courses used to meet the Complementary Studies requirement may not be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements. In order to qualify for graduation, students must choose any two courses that are different from those already selected to satisfy their General Education Requirements and that are not included within their Major and University Requirements.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: In order to qualify for graduation, students must complete the requirements specified in the programs in which they are majoring.
REQUIRED AVERAGE:
In order to qualify for graduation, students must have earned a cumulative average of 2.0 or better, must have a major average of 2.0 or better, and must have no outstanding grades below “C” in the major (which includes all required courses taken in the major and required supporting courses).
JUNIOR AND SENIOR LEVEL COURSES:
In order to qualify for graduation, students must have taken two thirds of their junior and senior level (300 and 400 level) requirements in the major at Morgan State University, unless granted prior written permission by the Dean to take courses elsewhere.
SENIOR COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION:
In order to qualify for graduation, students must pass the Departmental Senior Comprehensive Examination with a score of 70 or higher.

Other School-Wide Policies

INDEPENDENT STUDY:
The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences approves independent study for students only when the course has not been offered regularly enough for the student to complete degree requirements within the statute of limitations. In addition, the School does not approve independent study for students who have taken the course previously and failed it.
TAKING COURSES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS: Once students have matriculated at Morgan State University, they may not take courses at other institutions for the purpose of transferring them to Morgan, without prior written permission from the Dean of the School of
Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. Once prior written permission has been given, students may transfer credits, but not grades, for those courses to Morgan. As a general rule, the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences does not grant permission for students to take a course at another institution if students have taken and failed the same course at Morgan or if students have a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0. In addition, it does not permit students to take courses at another institution if the same courses are being offered at Morgan during that semester or session. This policy applies to CO-OP programs, as well.
EXCESS CREDITS: The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences adheres strictly to the university policy concerning granting permission to take excess credits during any semester. It does not make exceptions for the purpose of enabling seniors to graduate. The Dean grants permission to pursue excess credits only to students with a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFER EVALUATIONS: Transfer students admitted to a program in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences must appeal the evaluation of their transfer credits within one (1) year of the date on which the transfer evaluation is issued to them. After that date, the evaluation becomes permanent, and it may not be challenged later for the purpose of meeting requirements for graduation.
REPEATING COURSES TRANSFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY: Students who repeat Morgan courses for which they have been given transfer credit will automatically lose those corresponding transfer credits. Once the course has been taken ay Morgan, it will not be expunged from the record.
FAMILIARITY WITH ACADEMIC POLICIES: In the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, students are held responsible for being knowledgeable of published policies and procedures at the University. Under no circumstances will ignorance of published policies and procedures be accepted as a reason for making exceptions to them.