School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Philosophy and Objectives
Degree Programs And Pre-Professional Agreements

Dr. Paul B. Tchounwou, Dean

Dr. Mohamed Eltowissy, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs

Dr. Rhonda Battle, Director, Director of Recruitment and Student Success

The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) houses five academic departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. At SCMNS, we provide the best training to place our graduates in advanced degree programs and find employment. For this purpose, we have established formalized partnerships to admit students into professional schools, graduate schools, and place them into internship programs (Google, Facebook, Morgan Chase, Apple, Intel, etc.). Uniquely located in the Washington-Baltimore region, we have built partnerships for graduates to obtain employment in information technology, cybersecurity, health care, insurance, and chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as a long list of federal governmental agencies. The B.S. degree in Actuarial Science is the only such program in the state of Maryland and among the nation’s HBCUs. The B.S. in Cloud Computing program is one of the first in the country and is offered in both online and face-to-face format. Both the chemistry and the medical laboratory science programs are accredited/certified by their respective societies.

With Morgan State University’s strategic goal of Growing Morgan into a World Class Doctoral Research University, our graduate degree programs will be put on a fast track for growth and advancement. These programs include four master’s degrees, Advance Computing, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, and Science (with tracks in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Science Teaching), and two interdisciplinary doctoral degrees, Bioenvironmental Science and Industrial and Computational Mathematics. Our graduate programs are supported by world-class research scholars.

Vision

The School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences envisions itself to be a premier school of sciences through transformational education to a diverse student body.

Mission

The mission of the school is to offer a comprehensive list of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs to educate and nurture the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and technologists, to advance the frontiers of science and technology through scientific research and innovation, and to serve the local, regional and global communities.

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 (9) undergraduate degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B. S.) degree in:

Actuarial Science

Biology

Chemistry

Cloud computing (online and face-to-face formats)

Computer Science

Engineering Physics

Mathematics

Medical Laboratory Science

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). This 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 University’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 higher 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.

Academic and Other Policies

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 (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 Success and Recruitment

The Office of Student Success and Recruitment places an important role in student recruitment, retention, graduation and placement. 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. The PearBear Program provides mentoring for all the incoming Freshmen.

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 are encouraged to complete a six-credit Complementary Studies Program of two (2) three credit courses or any (credit) combination thereof totaling six credits, per program requirements, 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.

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.
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. The Dean grants permission to pursue excess credits only to students with a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher. Special circumstances may be granted for students with a GPA of 2.8 and above, provided that the Department Chair submit an application to the Dean for such permission with specific reasoning.
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 at 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.

SCMNS Freshman Orientation Program (ORNS)

ORNS 106 FRESHMAN ORIENTATION FOR MAJORS IN THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER, MATHEMATICAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES — Two hours; 1 credit. This course introduces students to the expectations and demands of higher education, to the legacy and tradition of Morgan State University, to college survival strategies, and to the broad array of career opportunities in the science, mathematical and technological fields. Students enrolled in this class are required to attend all university convocations and other prescribed extracurricular activities. They are also required to hold conferences with their faculty or staff advisors in order to pass the course. Students transferring 24 or more credits to the university when admitted are exempted from this requirement.

SCMNS HONORS PROGRAM

COURSE OFFERING

The following courses required of all Honors students in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences:

HONR 106 – SCMNS FRESHMAN HONORS COLLOQUIUM - Two hours lecture; 2 credits. — The purpose of this course is to teach Science Honors Program students important personal, social, and academic skills needed to succeed in education and future careers. Emphasis is placed on 1) developing self-discipline, 2) tools to stay motivated until graduation, and 3) planning and preparing for a future career in the sciences. Open to Honors students in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences only. This course may be substituted for ORNS 106. (FALL).

HONR 206– SCMNS SOPHOMORE HONORS COLLOQUIUM - Two hours lecture; 2 credits. This course is intended to enrich the thinking of SCMNS Honors Program students by strengthening critical thinking skills through writing exercises and analysis of literature in their particular field of study. Students will also learn to think critically of their future and career aspirations through the construction of an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio), which will allow them to connect the dots of their education and reflect upon their undergraduate career and future career endeavors. Open to honor students in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences only. (SPRING).

HONR 306– SCMNS HONORS THESIS SEMINAR I -Two hours lecture; 2 credits. This course is a workshop on technical writing geared toward getting SCMNS Honors Program students started on their Honors thesis. It includes discussions of library resources, prudent use of the internet, and data analysis. (FALL/SPRING).

HONR 406– SCMNS HONORS THESIS SEMINAR II - Three hours lecture; 3 credits. This course utilizes skills and knowledge acquired in HONR 306 in order to formulate a senior thesis. Students will work closely with a faculty mentor in their field of interest to generate either a research-based or literature-based thesis.