Masters of Science in Biomedical Imaging: Policy on Student Progress

This policy establishes the requirements for students to progress to conferral of the Master’s of Science in Biomedical Imaging (MSBI) at UCSF.  It also addresses notification requirements, remediation, and review mechanisms.

1. Criteria for Satisfactory Progress

The MSBI program is an accelerated one year degree in which students have the option to complete a thesis.  Accordingly, student progress is evaluated at the end of each quarter to assure that they are on track to meet graduation requirements.  There is also a part-time option, under which studies may complete the MSBI degree over a period of time of up to three years. 

Non-Thesis Students (Plan II)

Students that elect not to perform thesis work can be eligible to graduate after three academic quarters.  These students must complete at least 36 units of course work, successfully complete all core MSBI courses, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, and not receive a failing grade in any of the core MSBI courses.  These students must submit an application for candidacy form indicating they are “Plan II” prior to the end of their second quarter of study to be eligible to graduate after three academic quarters.  At the end of each quarter students’ progress will be assessed and unsatisfactory progress will result in academic probation (summarized in the “Academic Probation and Dismissal section”).  At the end of their final quarter of study students must take and pass a comprehensive examination.  Indicators of unsatisfactory progress include:

  • Falling below a 3.0GPA either cumulatively or in any individual quarter
  • Failing a course or receiving a C grade in a core MSBI course
  • Failing to pass the end of program comprehensive examination
  • Unprofessional conduct or disciplinary problems in conflict with UCSF’s Code of Conduct

Thesis Students (Plan I)

MSBI students that elect the thesis option will be subject to the same requirements as non-thesis students.  They will, in addition, be required to identify a thesis project, thesis supervisor, and thesis committee by the end of their second academic quarter.  All of these must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Program Director of the MSBI program.  Students must take the Supervised Research course in their third quarter of study and pass a qualification examination at the end of this quarter.  This examination is the equivalent of the comprehensive examination for non-thesis students.  Indicators of unsatisfactory progress include:

  • Failure to identify a thesis project and committee by the end of their second quarter of study
  • Failing to pass the qualifying examination

Part-Time Students

Students taking the MSBI program on a part time basis are subject to the same standards as full time students, but must complete their 36 units of course work and optional thesis within a three year time window.  Additional indicators of unsatisfactory progress include:

  • Failure to meet program requirements by the end of the third year of study

2. Process by Which Failing Students will be Notified and Remediated

Students whose progress is unsatisfactory (according to one or more of the criteria listed above) will be notified and will meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to develop an individualized remediation plan to address the deficiencies. The meeting will result in a formal remediation plan that clearly outlines specific steps and associated deadlines that the student must fulfill in order to receive a satisfactory report. The report is then signed by the student and the Director of Graduate Studies and filed with the Program Administrator.

Should the student be unable to fulfill the expectations according to the timeline outlined in the remediation plan, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program.  Further details of this process are outlined in the Academic Probation and Dismissal section.

3. Composition of the In-Depth Review Committee

In the event that a student receives a notification of dismissal that they wish to appeal, they have the right to appeal and request a formal review.  This request must be made in writing within 14 days of their notification of dismissal.  The review committee will have three panel members selected by the Program Director from the MSBI faculty or executive committee.  The student is welcome to provide a recommendation regarding appropriate review committee members, but the final decision on the composition will be made by the Program Director.