A four-point grading system is used to compute grade point averages for graduate work. The grading system for graduate courses is noted below.

Grade	Description	Grade Points
A	Highest passing grade	4.00
B	3.00
C	Lowest passing grade	2.00
F	Failure	0.00
Other grading symbols
I	Incomplete* (Temporary grade)
NR	Grade not reported* (Temporary grade) Course extends beyond end of semester/session.
UW	Unauthorized Withdrawal (Failure, 0)
W	Withdrawn Passing
WF	Withdrawn Failing (0)
*Work must be completed by the midsemester date of the next regular semester, otherwise a failure (0) is recorded.

 Withdrawal from a course

A student may withdraw during the first two-thirds of a course, receiving a grade of W. Withdrawing later in the course will result in a grade of WF. A student who does not withdraw but stops attending class receives a grade of UW. Contact the Office of the Registrar for course withdrawal instructions. Withdrawing from a course will result in the student being removed from their cohort relative to graduation from the Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics program.  Students may be considered for enrollment in a subsequent years’ cohort, being on an alternate plan of progression.

Incompletes

An incomplete grade may be assigned at the end of a semester when conditions beyond the control of the student preclude completing coursework. In such cases the student must be doing passing work and must be able to complete the unfinished work without further class attendance. Students must complete required work by the mid-semester date of the next regular semester; otherwise, an F is recorded.

Academic Good Standing

A student who earns an “F”, or withdraws from any course during the semester will be prohibited from progressing in the program.  The student will be allowed to repeat any failed or withdrawn course one time. 

A student who falls below a 3.0 grade point average following completion of 9 credit hours will be placed on academic probation for the following 9 credit hours.  Only one period of academic probation for a student will be allowed during the course of study.  During the academic probationary period, the student must meet with the Director for Pharmacogenomics Education to create and monitor a remediation plan.  If the student does not achieve a 3.0 grade point average upon completion of the academic probationary period, the student will be dismissed from the program. 

The on-campus program must be completed within two academic calendar years of the start date of the program and the online program must be completed within five academic calendar years of the start date of the program.

Petitions for Special Action

Students who believe extenuating circumstances merit consideration may petition the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee for exceptions to stipulated policies and regulations. Petitions must be in writing and are to be filed with the Director for Pharmacogenomics Operations. Action on petitions will be taken only at regular meetings of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee and will not be considered as a precedent for any future action. The decision of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee is final and no further appeal procedure shall exist within the University. 

Academic Dishonesty Procedures

Membership in the Manchester University community requires a devotion to the highest principles of academic and personal integrity, a commitment to maintain honor, and a continuous regard for the rights of others. There can be no rights without individual responsibility.

Manchester University faculty are committed to teaching and learning as a career and a profession. Each instructor is presumed to develop and use methods and techniques which enhance learning and which best fit his or her personality and subject matter area. At the same time, the instructor is expected to abide by the general principles of responsible teaching which are commonly accepted by the academic profession. These principles suggest that faculty keep complete records of student performance and that they develop and apply express, uniform criteria for evaluating student performance.

Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. While they may reserve judgment about matters of opinion, they are responsible for learning the content of any course in which they are enrolled. At the same time, students are expected to abide by the general principles of academic honesty which are commonly accepted in educational settings.

When a student chooses not to follow the general principles of academic honesty, the following policies and procedures will apply.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY The Academic Dishonesty Policy applies in cases of plagiarism or cheating as defined below.

Plagiarism Plagiarism is the presentation of information (either written or oral) as one’s own when some or all of the information was derived from some other source. Specific types of plagiarism encountered in written and oral assignments include the following:

• Sources have been properly identified, but excerpts have been quoted without proper use of quotation marks; or the material has been slightly modified or rephrased rather than restated in the student’s own words.
• Key ideas or items of information derived from specific sources that present material that is not common knowledge have been presented without proper identification of the source or sources.
• Unidentified excerpts from other sources have been woven into the student’s own presentation.
• A paper or speech may be a mosaic of excerpts from several sources and presented as the student’s own.
• An entire paper or speech has been obtained from some other source and presented as the student’s own.
• Texts in another language are translated into English and presented as the student’s own.

Cheating Cheating consists of any unpermitted use of notes, texts or other sources so as to give an unfair advantage to a student in completing a class assignment or an examination. Intentionally aiding another student engaged in academic dishonesty is also considered cheating. Submission of the same work (essay, speech, art piece, etc.) to fulfill assignments in separate classes requires the permission of both instructors (if both courses are being taken in the same semester), or the permission of the second instructor (if they are taken during different semesters).

Academic Dishonesty Procedures

1. In a case of academic dishonesty, the instructor shall send a letter documenting the deception to the student (via e-mail and hard copy to student mailbox or home address), with copies emailed to the Director of Pharmacogenomics Operations. The instructor shall complete an Academic Dishonesty Tracking form and submit documentation of the academic dishonesty to the Office of Academic Resources.
2. In cases of a first offense, the Director will contact the instructor to determine if grade sanctions have been applied and if the instructor wishes the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee to review the case and consider additional sanctions. The Director will send a letter outlining the seriousness of academic dishonesty and the consequences of a second offense to first offenders not going through the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee review.
3. In cases of a first offense, students who wish to appeal an instructor-imposed sanction may request a Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee hearing.
4. If requested by the instructor in cases of a first offense, or for any subsequent offenses, the Director will convene a meeting consisting of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee and one graduate student selected by the candidate’s program director. The Director will vote only in cases of a tie. The Director will schedule a hearing with the student and the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee within two weeks of receipt of the tracking form. A registration “hold” will be placed in effect until the hearing has occurred.
5. Following the hearing the Director will inform the student and the instructor who filed the report of dishonesty of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee’s decision in writing. The Director will inform the registrar of any action which affects enrollment (i.e. suspension or expulsion).

Penalties

1. The instructor has the sole discretion to impose specific grade sanctions such as failure of the assignment or failure of the course for any incident of academic dishonesty. When a failing grade for the course is imposed, the student will not be allowed to withdraw from the course with a grade of W.
2. For a first referred offense, the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee has the discretion to impose disciplinary sanctions such as a letter of apology, monetary fine or community service requirement in addition to any grade sanction imposed by the instructor.
3. For a second or subsequent offense, a Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee hearing will occur, whereby additional sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion from the University could be applied. 

Due Process Students shall have a right to due process. This shall include the right

1. To be informed of the nature of the violation. 
2. To a fair hearing of the evidence leading to a decision in the case.
3. To be accompanied to any hearing by a faculty or administrative staff member from the University campus community.
4. To request an appeal based only on due process or new, exculpating evidence.

Appeal An appeal for an academic dishonesty decision may be made ONLY with the vice president of academic affairs and ONLY on the basis of due process violations or the discovery of new, exculpating evidence. A request for appeal must be made with the vice president of academic affairs within five days of receipt of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee's decision.

ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE POLICY

The Academic Grievance Policy pertains only to cases in which a student believes the final course grade has been assigned in a capricious or unfair manner. Grievances unrelated to academic performance may be brought directly to the Office of Academic Resources.

Academic Grievance Procedures

1. The student and the instructor should discuss the student's grievance and make every effort to reach a satisfactory solution. A mutually agreed upon third party may be invited to observe the meeting.
2. If an agreement cannot be reached, the student will bring the issue to the program director. Final course grade grievance must be brought before the program director no later than March 1 for fall semester and January session grades, and October 1 for spring semester and summer session grades. 
   1. The program director will request a detailed written summary from each party.
   2. The program director will inform the vice president of academic affairs of the grievance.
   3. The program director will meet with both parties together, listen to their concerns and attempt to resolve the grievance.
   4. If an agreement is reached, the program director will inform the vice president of academic affairs of the result in writing. The written summaries will be forwarded to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (see a. above).  Exception: If the involved instructor is the program director, the director will request that the vice president of academic affairs appoint another graduate program director to hear the concerns and attempt to resolve the grievance.
3. If an agreement cannot be reached through the program director, the student may initiate the formal grievance procedure. 
   1. The student will obtain an Academic Grievance form from the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
   2. The completed form will be forwarded by the student to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
   3. The Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee (or their designated representative) will review the grievance only if procedures 1 & 2 have been completed. The written summaries initially provided to the program director can be used by the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee and/or the committee may wish to interview both parties individually.
   4. The Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee will render a final decision. 

Exception: If the involved instructor is a member of the Graduate Council, the vice president and dean for academic resources will appoint a full-time faculty member from the same division to replace the involved instructor while the grievance is being reviewed or discussed, and a decision is being made. If the involved instructor is the academic dean, the chair of the Graduate Council will request that the president of the University appoint a full-time faculty member to replace the vice president and dean for academic resources while the grievance is being reviewed or discussed, and a decision is being made.

Professionalism Expectations and Procedures

Professional BehaviorAll individuals are expected to behave professionally. Unprofessional behavior includes any act or omission that is unethical or improper, and/ or in violation of any local, state, or federal laws and regulations.  This includes unlawful or untoward actions that may result from substance abuse, including but not limited to: unlawful and unauthorized manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of narcotics, controlled substances, illicit drugs or alcohol.

Unlawful and illicit for these purposes means in violation of federal, state or local regulations, policy, procedures, and rules, including legal statutes. Educational setting means University or College operated buildings and grounds or while conducting University or College business away from the actual premises, including experiential or service- learning sites. Professional activities relate to professional meetings.

Students in the MU Master of Science in PGx Program are expected to demonstrate professionalism and integrity during class in service settings and in their personal lives. Whether attending a meeting, going to a continuing education program, or participating with other organizations, you are representing the Program, College, and University at all times. Strive to be the example that others may look up to and emulate.

CivilityAn environment conducive to learning depends on behavior of mutual respect among students, faculty, administration, and staff. The Program does not tolerate disrespect or lack of civility toward any member of the College community. Lack of civility includes: inappropriate verbal, written, or e- mail remarks that disrespect, harass, discriminate, intimidate or demean the character of another individual.

Professionalism Violation Procedures

In a case of a professionalism violation, the instructor shall send a report documenting the deception to the student (via e-mail), with copies emailed to the director of pharmacogenomics operations, the chair of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee.

Penalties

1. The instructor has the sole discretion to impose specific grade sanctions such as failure of the assignment or failure of the course for any unprofessional behavior. When a failing grade for the course is imposed, the student will not be allowed to withdraw from the course with a grade of W.
2. For a first referred offense, the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee has the discretion to impose disciplinary sanctions such as a letter of apology, monetary fine or community service requirement in addition to any grade sanction imposed by the instructor.
3. For a second or subsequent offense, a Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee hearing will occur, whereby additional sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion from the University could be applied. 

Due Process Students shall have a right to due process. This shall include the right:

1. To be informed of the nature of the violation. 
2. To a fair hearing of the evidence leading to a decision in the case.
3. To be accompanied to any hearing by a faculty or administrative staff member from the University campus community.
4. To request an appeal based only on due process or new, exculpating evidence.

Appeal An appeal for an academic dishonesty decision may be made ONLY with the vice president of academic affairs and ONLY on the basis of due process violations or the discovery of new, exculpating evidence. A request for appeal must be made with the vice president of academic affairs within five days of receipt of the Graduate/Professional Curriculum and Assessment Committee's decision.

Preparation for Graduation and Participation in Commencement

Degrees are conferred at the end of the semester following completion of 34 credit hours. Diplomas are awarded at the May commencement.

No diploma or transcript will be released until all financial obligations to the University have been met.

Time Limit

The on-campus program must be completed within two academic calendar years of the start date of the program.  The online program must be completed within five academic calendar years of the start date of the program.

An on campus student must complete fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the MS in PGx course work on campus.  An online student must complete fifty-one (51%) or more of the MS in PGx course work online.  Online students in the MS in PGx program will be automatically withdrawn from the program if the student does not complete any course work during five (5) consecutive half-semesters.  If a student is automatically withdrawn from the program, the student is eligible to return to the program, but must reapply using the Admission Process outlined above.

A student may change enrollment status from online to on campus or from on campus to online one time during the duration of the program, if needed.  The request to change enrollment status is processed by the PGx Council, following the submission of the request to the Director for PGx Education.