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USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> USNews 2006 Edition: America's Best Graduate Schools
Post Info TOPIC: USNews 2006 Edition: America's Best Graduate Schools
Top of the Class

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USNews 2006 Edition: America's Best Graduate Schools
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Last week I purchased a copy of the 2006 Edition of USNews' America's Best Graduate Schools ratings. In light of USM's World Class claims, some of the findings were surprising. Here are some, but not all, of the disciplines that appeared in the rankings. The number in parentheses is the total number of progams that were ranked in that particular discipline. In some cases the odd numbers are because of tied ranks. I don't know why the numbers which were ranked vary from discipline to discipline.  


USM did not appear in any of the graduate programs in these disciplines: 


Business: (50 ranked), Education: (50 ranked), Biological Sciences: (67 ranked), Chemistry: (50 ranked), Computer Science: (41 ranked), Economics: (26 ranked), Geology: (27 ranked)History: (25 ranked), Mathematics: (41 ranked), Nursing: (93 ranked), Physics: (41 ranked), Social Work: (32 ranked), Speech-Language Pathology: (49 ranked), English: (25 ranked), History (25 ranked), Political Science: (28 ranked), Psychology: (88 ranked), Clinical Psychology: (48 ranked), Sociology: (26 ranked), Master of Fine Arts: (53 ranked).


That's the bad news. The good news is that out of the 53 top medical schools that were ranked, the University of Mississippi School of Medicine ranked #40 (tied with the Medical College of Georgia, University of Pittsburg, and University of Virginia) in the "Primary Care" category. It was not listed among the 50 schools that were ranked in the "Research" category. Out of the 102 top Schools of Law that were listed, the University of Mississippi Law School ranked #85 (tied with Catholic University, Georgia State, Northeastern University, and University of Louisville.


The print was relatively small and I worked all day and was tired when I did the compilation, but I think I was careful and read things accurately. I can ensure nothing, however, so you may want to  purchase a copy ($9.95) and check for yourself.


 



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ICES-003 Class B

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Wait...you mean to tell me that USN&WR didn't have USM ranked in ANY category??? I can't believe they'd overlook a Carnegie Class 1, SREB, Doctoral Extensive Research University. Tim Hudson..err, Angie Dvorak...err, Cecil Burge must have forgotten to turn in some paperwork. I'm sure it'll all get cleared up by next year.

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Jeff Foxworthy's I.T. Director

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All this talk of USM's rankings and how regional it might be calls to mind my boss's list from earlier this year, "You might be a little red-neck university if...."  For your convenience, the I.T. staff has been working hard to provide you with a web site with all the test questions. A long night of Coke and Doritos later, the staff put this link on my desk.  Bookmark and click it whenever you feel the need.



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Foxworthy Fan

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How lovely! Give the link time to download. It's well worth viewing.

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USM Alum

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What about Polymer Science?  Is this the same ranking that includes or has included that program as one of the nations best?

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Oldie Black & Goldie

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USM Alum wrote:

What about Polymer Science?  Is this the same ranking that includes or has included that program as one of the nations best?
I vaguely recall that many years ago Polymer Science may have been ranked #3 in the nation. But I don't think there were many separate departments in that field back then. Wasn't that #3 out of 4 or something like that? Correct me if I'm wrong.

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Emma

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I heard that USM Polymer Science program was number 18 in all 18 programs in the country. I'm joking, but if they were one of the top depts. - and it could be "proven" - via documentation (another subjective process) - we'd have that info shoved down our vitual throats constantly.


I'm simply blinded by the polymers



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Polecat

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Emma wrote:

I heard that USM Polymer Science program was number 18 in all 18 programs in the country. I'm joking, but if they were one of the top depts. - and it could be "proven" - via documentation (another subjective process) - we'd have that info shoved down our vitual throats constantly. I'm simply blinded by the polymers

I did find a student review on the Internet that said USM's department of polymer science is 2nd in the nation, excelled only by MIT. Most students will believe what they are told, of course, as long as the teller is viewed as an authority. on the other hand, maybe this is true.


Somebody at USM must know where Polymer Science places on their disciplinary totem pole. Credit should be given if credit is due.  



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Judge

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Polecat wrote:

Emma wrote: I heard that USM Polymer Science program was number 18 in all 18 programs in the country. I'm joking, but if they were one of the top depts. - and it could be "proven" - via documentation (another subjective process) - we'd have that info shoved down our vitual throats constantly. I'm simply blinded by the polymers I did find a student review on the Internet that said USM's department of polymer science is 2nd in the nation, excelled only by MIT. Most students will believe what they are told, of course, as long as the teller is viewed as an authority. on the other hand, maybe this is true. Somebody at USM must know where Polymer Science places on their disciplinary totem pole. Credit should be given if credit is due.  

Polymer Science falls through the cracks in academia.  It really isn't a science, but rather engineering or maybe applied science.  Most universities do not have such a program, or if they do, it is part of the chemistry department, as in “applied chemistry”.  This makes it very hard to rate the program nationally.  Don’t forget in Mississippi if money is involved then the program is considered GREAT.



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Taking a chance on love

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Judge wrote:

 Don’t forget in Mississippi if money is involved then the program is considered GREAT.
Then our casino management program, along with the one at UNLV should be considered to be GREAT.  

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Emma

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I meant virtual, "Vitual" sounds more Jethronian to me.

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Eso Phagus

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Emma wrote:

I meant virtual, "Vitual" sounds more Jethronian to me.
Oh, I thought you meant "victual" throat.  You know, the one we stuff food down.

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my thoughts

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Polymer science is indeed a hard program to rank. It is a hybrid discipline of chemistry, engineering, physics, and materials science (i think if you check the credentials of the PS faculty i am sure you will find the majority have BS degrees in chemistry or physics and likely PhDs in chemistry, NOT polymer science). As has been mentioned, since it is a hybrid discipline most universities with polymer programs have them directly associated/located within chemistry or engineering departments. There are a few other stand-alone polymer programs in the US (at UMASS and Akron for example) and other departments with strong programs in materials science (MIT and CalTech for example). I think it would be fair to say that USM ranks very near the bottom of the stand-alone Departments (one only has to look at the publication records/national or international standing of the faculty to see that USM is, in fact, not that impressive). WHile it may be more competitive in the rankings with places like MIT you are not really comparing apples with apples.

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asdf

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US New used to have a ranking for polymer as a subspecialty of chemistry.  USM was ranked 3rd around 1994 and 7th around 1998.  Since then this separate category has been dropped.

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Memory Lapse

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asdf wrote:

US New used to have a ranking for polymer as a subspecialty of chemistry.  USM was ranked 3rd around 1994 and 7th around 1998.  Since then this separate category has been dropped.
asdf, do you recall the total number of polymer programs that were ranked during 1994 and 1998? That information would help with our interpretation of your figures.

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figurer

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Memory Lapse wrote:

asdf wrote: US New used to have a ranking for polymer as a subspecialty of chemistry.  USM was ranked 3rd around 1994 and 7th around 1998.  Since then this separate category has been dropped. asdf, do you recall the total number of polymer programs that were ranked during 1994 and 1998? That information would help with our interpretation of your figures.

about 7 programs around the US.


Remember USM has the number one polymer program in US that is in a building possessing a large lobby with tacky chairs and a throne room in the newest palace wing.



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