BS-MS Option in Horticulture

Bachelor degree students with high grade point average (GPA) can get pre-admitted in the MS degree program and earn graduate credits while still fulfilling the requirements for the BS degree. This option offers these students a quicker path to complete their targeted MS degree, within one additional year, instead of the current two years after the B.Sc., with proper advising and guidance. The pre-admission option will be offered for students studying in the B.Sc. Horticulture who may want to earn a master degree in M.Sc. Horticulture, if they are eligible for it.

Objectives

1. Make it easier for B.Sc. students to continue on to graduate study to provide them advanced knowledge, skills, and attributes to become independent learners and leaders in their own major or in an interdisciplinary area and open up opportunities for successful careers at the forefront of industrial development, governmental, consulting, or academic areas.
2. Shorten the study period to earn graduate degrees for outstanding students, as they may be able to complete their MS degree within one year after the BS instead of the typical two years in the regular admission route.
3. Better prepare the engineering graduates for the current and future requirements of professional registration with the U.A.E. and internationally, for which having a MS would be an advantage.
4. Foster a tradition of graduate research activity in the engineering departments with the expectation that there will be ancillary benefits to the undergraduate program.

Credit Requirements

The B.Sc. Horticulture typically require the completion of 120 CHs.  After completing the B.Sc., students can earn a M.Sc. by completing an additional 36 CH of graduate course work with thesis. For the BS-MS students, they would be advised on their technical electives and senior project selections so as they get them oriented earlier for graduate study in their selected discipline. As an incentive, BS-MS students will also be allowed to earn their M.Sc. by completing 30 CH of graduate work after the B.Sc., i.e. up to 6 CH less than the standard route. The 6-CH difference is accounted for by double counting electives in both the B.Sc. and M.Sc. programs.

The “Elective” courses are typically applied courses that provide additional instruction to students beyond the core B.Sc. courses, making them suitable for both undergraduate and graduate credits. When students take these for both undergraduate and graduate credits as BS-MS students, they will be required to carry additional work, such as a term project, and perform at a higher level commensurate with the graduate program expectations. If they fail this, no graduate credits will be counted for the students.

General Admission Requirements

1. Advanced level (Junior or Senior) status in BSc in Horticulture program. The applicant may apply for the BS-MS program after successful completion of 65 CH. However, he/she can only join the program after successfully completing a minimum of 80 CH in the Bachelor degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Proficiency in English demonstrated by a score of 6 IELTS or equivalent.
3. Acceptance of the obligation and responsibility for the graduate study fees.
4. A statement of professional goals.
5. An interview

Modes of Enrollment:

Students enroll as full-time BS-MS students, with the MS classes held after 4 p.m.

The Early Admission Procedure

Interested students should first check on their eligibility with their respective Graduate Program Coordinator, then submit an application as specified by the University’s Admission office to the Departmental Chairperson by the announced deadline. Such an application should be simpler than the regular graduate program application, as the student information is already on file with the Registrar’s office.

Once the early admission requirements are reviewed and recommended by respective Graduate Program Committee, they will be forwarded to the University’s Admission Office for official pre-admission by the announced university deadline for regular admission to graduate programs. Student can apply when they have 65 CHs but will only be admitted when they have successfully completed 80 CHs.

Academic Advising Guidelines

During the first semester, the BS-MS student will confer with the respective Graduate Program Coordinator and faculty members who correlate with his/her research interests. After potential research areas have been identified and mutually agreed to with a faculty member and the Graduate Program Committee, the designated faculty member will become the student’s academic advisor to recommend and approve his/her course schedule for the rest of the duration of the program. This academic advisor will also supervise the student’s thesis if the thesis option is chosen.

Probation and Dismissal from the BS-MS Status

All applicable UAEU policies and procedures regarding academic progress of students will apply as relevant for the undergraduate portion of the studies and the graduate portion. Thus, if the BS-MS student, for example, cannot maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) for the graduate courses taken at UAEU of 3.0 or more, he/she will be placed on probation with possible dismissal from the MS eligibility for failing to raise the GPA within the specified number of semesters.

Changing the MS major within the BS-MS option

Students wishing to change their MS program major should get the approval of the respective Graduate Program Coordinators and accept to take any additional course requirements as stipulated by the new MS program to be enrolled in. They may then submit their request to the Registrar’s office through the Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours : minimum 150 hours

BS-MS Courses