http://www.odu.edu/graduateschool
Robert Wojtowicz, Dean
Bryan Porter, Associate Dean
Missy Barber, Program Manager
Liz Smith, Interdisciplinary Initiatives Administrator
2102 Monarch Hall
757-683-4885
Overview - Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
The Graduate School supports excellence and diversity in graduate education and scholarship. As a part of that support, the Graduate School houses the University's graduate interdisciplinary programs, the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences program, the M.S. in Cyber Security program, and the Graduate Certificate in Conservation Leadership. By managing these interdisciplinary programs centrally, the Graduate School will be able to coordinate efforts across departments and colleges.
Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Sciences
Lesley Greene, Graduate Program Director
In this interdisciplinary program, students will master a broad range of basic biomedical science topics. Integration of the basic courses is reinforced by a rotation of laboratory experiences and by special seminars that highlight disciplinary interrelationships and approaches to biomedical research. The student progresses from a core of basic courses to in-depth study of specific biomedical problems. This includes advanced doctoral courses and the doctoral research project. Under the guidance of the graduate faculty, the student will integrate knowledge from the broad spectrum of biomedical disciplines into his or her focus on an area of specialization.
The program graduate will be a scientist with a broad biomedical education and a demonstrated ability to carry out original and creative research, cognizant of disciplinary interfaces and implications and capable of pursuing and/or recommending continuing lines of study. He/she will be prepared to bridge the gap between practice and discovery in the art of medicine and the practice of science. The graduate is capable of serving in an industrial, governmental, or academic teaching or research setting, either independently or as a member of a team.
Admission
The requirements for admission to the biomedical sciences Ph.D. program are as follows:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a B (3.00) average. Students with advanced degrees are encouraged to apply.
- GRE scores: 300 combined verbal and quantitative, and at least a 3.5 on the analytical writing section.
- GRE scores (older version): 1000 combined verbal and quantitative.
- TOEFL Exam: Minimum total score required is 84 with a minimum of 26 (speaking portion). The TOEFL exam is the only acceptable test for satisfying the English proficiency requirement. Other test scores (GRE Verbal, IELTS, Pearson PTE, etc.) are not accepted for admission to the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences.
- Prior training in biology (two years), calculus and/or statistics, and organic chemistry (one year). Additional courses in biology, chemistry, and physics are recommended.
Application Procedures
The completed application for the biomedical sciences Ph.D. program will include the following items:
- Transcripts of college coursework from all colleges attended.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores, sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to the Old Dominion University Graduate Admissions Office. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) can substitute for the GRE. These required exams are waived if the student attended Old Dominion University for their B.S. or M.S. degree, but are required from students applying from other universities.
- A statement of personal goals and academic objectives.
- Writing sample on a science related topic (from a course or from your research experience.
- Resume listing all degrees earned and work experience.
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members at colleges attended who are familiar with the applicant's academic and research capabilities.
- A completed application form.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores, send directly from ETS to ODU International Graduate Admissions Office must accompany international aplications for applicants with a degree issues outside of the United State.
Applications can be completed online at http://www.odu.edu/admission/graduate. The applicant is responsible for ensuring all application materials are received and the application is complete in all respects.
Students holding a bachelor's degree in another, related field, such as computer science, mathematics, or physics may need to take leveling courses in biological and chemical sciences or pursue master's level work in those fields. The Biological Sciences department and the Chemistry & Biochemistry department both offer master's degrees.
Financial Support
Sources of financial aid available to biomedical sciences Ph.D. students include:
- Research and teaching assistantships
- Students on research or teaching assistantships may be eligible for a tuition waiver.
- Financial Aid
Curriculum and Requirements
To accomplish the objectives of the program, the student:
- Enrolls in the basic biomedical sciences courses to develop a broad foundation for more advanced course work and dissertation research;
- Selects a concentration and completes the required advanced courses. Students choose the concentration with the selection of the mentor, which varies based on how they entered the program;
- Completes at least 78 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree or 48 credit hours beyond the master’s degree;
- Presents two seminars;
- Candidacy Exam and Prospectus: Develops a written interdisciplinary research NIH style proposal based on preliminary and proposed research that is accepted by the student's committee. Successfully presents and passes an oral exam on the grant proposal and on coursework. The proposal must provide evidence of original and independent thinking.
- Develops an interdisciplinary research proposal in NSF or NIH format that is accepted by the guidance committee;
- Performs publishable research to demonstrate the ability to complete original and creative research projects; and
- Prepares and successfully defends a dissertation.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 24 | |
| Advanced Cell Biology | ||
| Responsible Conduct of Research | ||
| Biometry | ||
| Dissertation Research | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry | ||
| Development of Grants and Contracts in the Health Professions | ||
| Molecular Genetics, Gene Function and Genomics | ||
| Required Research Credits | 12 | |
| Doctoral Research | ||
| Concentrations | 13 | |
Select one of the following concentrations: | ||
| Bioelectrical Science | ||
| Introduction to Bioelectrics | ||
| Advanced Bioelectrics | ||
| Biomembranes and Ion Channels | ||
| Graduate Seminar * | ||
| Bioinformatics and Genomics | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | ||
| Biomedical Doctoral Seminar * | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Genomic Data Science | ||
| Practical Computing for Biology | ||
| Advanced Genomics Data Analysis | ||
| Protein Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics | ||
| Topics in Computer Science | ||
| Genomic Databases: Content, Curation, and Application to Biomedical Research | ||
| Biological Chemistry | ||
| Medical Biochemistry | ||
| Mechanisms in Sensing and Signal Transduction | ||
| Doctoral Seminar * | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Biochemistry | ||
| Microbiology and Immunology | ||
| Advanced Microbiology | ||
| Advanced Immunology | ||
| Biomedical Doctoral Seminar * | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| Advanced Vaccinology | ||
| Autoimmunity and Transplantation | ||
| Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine | ||
| Chromosome Biology and Human Disease | ||
| Stem Cells: Biology and Therapy | ||
| Doctoral Seminar | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Electives ** | ||
| Total Hours | 49 | |
| * | Two graded seminar courses required. |
| ** | Optional elective courses require permission of dissertation committee. |
Continuance
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive no more than one course grade of B- or lower to continue in the Ph.D. program. Students are also required to complete Responsible Conduct of Research training within their first 12 completed credit hours in the program.
Teaching
Students are required to successfully complete the GTAI Institute and teach at least one semester. International students or students where English is not their first language are required to either pass the SPEAK test or demonstrate they have received a score of 26 or better on the speaking portion of their iBT TOEFL exam.
Exit Requirements
Students must complete the following in order to graduate:
- Academic requirements - All core and concentration course requirements
- Publication Research
- Exit Survey
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Hongyi Michael Wu, Graduate Program Director
Effective Fall 2020, this program will be relocated to the new School of Cybersecurity.
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is a 30-credit hour non-thesis degree program. It is designed to prepare cyber security technology leaders.
Graduates will develop skills and competencies in technical aspects of cyber security and will be prepared to assume responsibility for the management of cybersecurity projects and coordination of cyber operation teams. It also provides preparation for students desiring to purse doctoral studies or teach cybersecurity courses in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities.
The program is offered in online format and with the option for local students to attend classes on campus. The required core courses focus on the fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity, covering advanced cybersecurity principles, techniques, and operations, as well as advanced topics in law, policy, management and leadership in cybersecurity. Students will have opportunities to choose five restricted electives to learn about different aspects of cybersecurity. The capstone course provides opportunities to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills to solve real-world cybersecurity problems.
Admission
The requirements for admission to the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program are as follows:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalend foreign institution.
- GRE scores with a 50% or better attainment on quantitative reasoning.
- Current scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 550 from applicants whose native language is not English (waived if applicant has earned a college degree from an accredited institution in an English-speaking country.)
Students with previously completed work at a regionally-accredited institution may submit a request for a maximum of 12 elective graduate credit hours to be transferred into the program. If approved by the admission committee, it will be added to the transcript.
Curriculum and Requirements
This program consists of four core courses (12 credit hours), five electives (15 credit hours), and one capstone course (3 credit hours). The four core courses focus on the fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity, covering advanced cybersecurity principles, techniques, and operations, as well as advanced topics in law, policy, management and leadership in cybersecurity.
The five electives provide students with opportunities to learn about different aspects of cybersecurity, e.g., in information systems, network systems, mobile and wireless systems, operating systems, and cyber-physical systems. Courses are also offered to address such important cybersecurity topics as reverse software engineering, digital forensics, thread modeling, and ethical hacking and penetration testing.
The capstone course brings together students in their final semester of study to synthesize knowledge from their previous coursework and apply it to solve real-world cybersecurity problems. The faculty member who teaches the capstone course will work with industrial and academic partners who will serve as external mentors of the capstone course. Each student in the capstone course will discuss—with both faculty member and mentor—development of her/his master’s project that aims to solve a cybersecurity problem in a real-world business setting.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CYSE 600 | Cybersecurity Principles | 3 |
| CYSE 601 | Advanced Cybersecurity Techniques and Operations | 3 |
| CYSE 603 | Advanced Cybersecurity Law and Policy | 3 |
| CYSE 605 | Leadership and Management in Cybersecurity | 3 |
| Restricted Elective Courses | 15 | |
| Networked Systems Security | ||
| Information Assurance for Cybersecurity | ||
| Topics in Computer Science | ||
| Advanced Digital Forensics | ||
| Mobile and Wireless Security | ||
| Mobile and Wireless Security | ||
| Advanced Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | ||
| Independent Study in Cybersecurity | ||
| Cyber Defense Fundamentals | ||
| Cyber Physical System Security | ||
| Information Technology Assurance Services | ||
| Project Management Using Information Technology | ||
| Introduction to Information Security | ||
| Cyber Systems Engineering | ||
| Threat Modeling and Risk Analysis | ||
| Networked System Security | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| CYSE 698 | Master's Project | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Recommended Plan of Study for Full-Time Students
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours | Summer Term | Hours |
| CYSE 600 | 3 | CYSE 601 | 3 | CYSE 698 | 3 |
| CYSE 605 | 3 | CYSE 603 | 3 | Restricted Elective | 3 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
| Restricted Elective | 3 | Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
| 12 | 12 | 6 | |||
| Total credit hours: 30 | |||||
Recommended Plan of Study for Part-Time Students
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| CYSE 600 | 3 | CYSE 601 | 3 |
| CYSE 605 | 3 | Restricted Elective | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| CYSE 603 | 3 | Restricted Elective | 3 |
| Restricted Elective | Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| 3 | 6 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Term | Hours | ||
| CYSE 698 | 3 | ||
| Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
| 6 | |||
| Total credit hours: 27 | |||
Application Procedures
The completed application for the Master of Science Cybersecurity program will include the following items:
- Official copies of transcripts from all colleges/universitites attended.
- GRE test scores, sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the ODU Graduate Admission Office.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with applicant's professional and/or academic background.
- A current resume.
- A statement of professional goals and academic objectives.
- A completed application form.
- Receipt of the application fee. Checks should be made payable to Old Dominion University
- TOEFL test scores, sent directly from the ETS to ODU International Graduate Admission Office must accompany international applications for applicants with a degree issued outside of the United States.
Applications to Old Dominion University can be completed on-line at http://www.odu.edu/admission/graduate.
The applicant is responsible to ensure that all application materials are received and the application is complete in all respects.
Financial Aid
Sources of financial aid available to biomedical sciences Ph.D. students include
- waivers of tuition,
- research and teaching assistantships and
- loans.
Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics
Mohammed Zubair, Graduate Program Director and Computational Data Analytics Concentration Coordinator
Dean Chatfield, Business Intelligence & Analytics Concentration Coordinator
This programs will provide students with a foundation to use state-of-the-art programming tools and software packages to develop statistical models. Students will learn how to use data for identifying trends and patterns, solving problems, communicating results, and recommending optimal solutions. Students will choose one of two concentration areas: computational data analytics and, business intelligence analytics.
Coursework for the computational data analytics concentration focuses on teaching programming language, use of complex statistical tools, and mathematical modeling. Graduates will be able to enter data science, analytical, and statistical fields. Coursework for the business intelligence and analytics concentration focuses on providing students with the skills to gather, analyze, and use data to make informed decisions. Graduates will be prepared to enter business and organizations that need educated professionals to help make informed recommendations.
Computational Data Analytics Concentration
In this concentration, students will prepare to enter rapidly emerging fields related to data science and analytics. The coursework addresses relevant data analytics topics such as video analytics, algorithms and data structures, and information retrieval. Students will learn computational data analysis, data visualization, and natural language processing. Students will select four courses in consultation with the faculty advisor.
Business Intelligence & Analytics Concentration
This concentration will prepare students for organizations looking for data-driven recommendations. The course work addresses the use of tools to store, access, and analyze data to support making informed business recommendations. Students will learn how to retrieve data, to gain insights, make decisions, and communicate solutions to various constituents in specific settings of data science and analytics. Students will select four courses in consultation with the faculty advisor.
Admission
The requirements for admission to the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics are as follows:
- A baccalaureate degree in computer science, electrical and/or computer engineering, mathematics, statistics, information system and technology or a related field from a regionally-accredited institution or an equivalent institution outside the U.S.; students holding a bachelor's degrees in an unrelated field will need competency in topics related to basic statistics and computer science.
- GRE scores with a 50% or better attainment on quantitative reasoning.
- Current scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 230 on the computer based TOEFL or 80 on the TOEFL iBT.
Students with previously completed work at a regionally-accredited institution may submit a request for a maximum of 12 elective graduate credit hours to be transferred into the program. If approved by the admission committee, it will be added to the transcript.
Curriculum and Requirements
The program requires 30 credit hours. The curriculum includes two concentrations: computational data analytics and, business intelligence and analytics. A capstone project is required.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Introduction to Data Science and Analytics | ||
| Data Analytics and Big Data | ||
| Data Visualization | ||
| Statistical/Probability Models for Data Science and Analytics | ||
| Statistical Tools for Data Science and Analytics | ||
| Capstone Course | 3 | |
| DASC 690 Capstone Project | ||
| Concentrations | 12 | |
Choose one of the following concentrations: | ||
Computational Data Analytics Concentration | ||
Select four of the following: | ||
CS 521 Machine Learning I | ||
CS 601 Algorithms & Data Structures for Data Science | ||
CS 626 Visual Analytics: Exploring & Analyzing Data Visually | ||
CS 721 Machine Learning II | ||
CS 727 Large Scale Video Analytics | ||
CS 733 Natural Language Processing | ||
CS 735 Information Retrieval | ||
Business Intelligence & Analytics Concentration | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Data Visualization and Exploration | ||
| Advanced Business Analytics/Big Data Applications | ||
| Simulation Modeling for Business Systems | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Business Intelligence | ||
| Information and Communications Technology for Big Data | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Graduate Certificate in Conservation Leadership
This interdisciplinary certificate in Conservation Leadership was developed, and is implement by Old Dominion University, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a part of a long-term, sustainable program of conservation-related service-learning, internships, and leadership programs. The certificate will facilitate the development of the next generation of professionals who can address the challenges for conservation posed by a changing climate and sea level rise.
Degree Requirements
The certificate requires four core courses (3 credit hours each) and one elective (3 credit hours). One of the core courses is a mentored internship, preferably at a USFWS or related facility. A unique aspect of this certificate is the requirement to take one course (3 credit hours) that is designated as a service-learning course in which the student will be engaged in a project at a USFWS (or related) facility.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| Introduction to Mitigation and Adaptation | ||
| Sustainability Leadership | ||
| Participatory and Agent-Based Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization | ||
| Internship in Conservation Leadership | ||
| Electives | 3 - 5 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Community Ecology | ||
| GIS in the Life Sciences | ||
| Intercultural Communication: History, Theory and Application | ||
| Global Environmental Health | ||
| The Politics of Climate Change | ||
| Studies in Applied Ethics | ||
| Total Hours | 15-17 | |