  We describe electromagnetic and favored \alpha-transitions to rotational
bands in odd-mass nuclei built upon a single particle state with angular
momentum projection $\Omega=\frac{1}{2}$ in the region $88 \le Z \le 98$. We
use the particle coupled to an even-even core approach described by the
Coherent State Model (CSM) and the coupled channels method to estimate partial
$\alpha$-decay widths. We reproduce the energy levels of the rotational band
where favored $\alpha$-transitions occur for 26 nuclei and predict B (E2)
values for electromagnetic transitions to the bandhead using a deformation
parameter and a Hamiltonian strength parameter for each nucleus, together with
an effective collective charge depending linearly on the deformation parameter.
Where experimental data is available, the contribution of the single particle
effective charge to the total B (E2) value is calculated. The Hamiltonian
describing the $\alpha$- nucleus interaction contains two terms, a spherically
symmetric potential given by the double-folding of the M3Y nucleon-nucleon
interaction plus a repulsive core simulating the Pauli principle and a
quadrupole-quadrupole (QQ) interaction. The $\alpha$-decaying state is
identified as a narrow outgoing resonance in this potential. The intensity of
the transition to the first excited state is reproduced by the QQ coupling
strength. It depends linearly both on the nuclear deformation and the square of
the reduced width for the decay to the bandhead, respectively. Predicted
intensities for transitions to higher excited states are in a reasonable
agreement with experimental data. This formalism offers a unified description
of energy levels, electromagnetic and favored $\alpha$-transitions for known
heavy odd-mass $\alpha$-emitters.
