Master's Programs in Biology
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The Master of Science in Biological Sciences and the Master of Science in Biological Sciences - Biotechnology Option provide the advanced study and training necessary to conduct independent research at a professional level and to be successful in today's competitive academic and industrial research markets. Students in the program will be encouraged to explore quantitative approaches to the solution of problems in the basic and applied biological sciences. Depending on their career goals, students may choose either research or course work options within the Department, or from the interdisciplinary Biotechnology and Bioinformatic option. All candidates for the master's degree are expected to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and skills to pursue independent and creative research activities.
Entrance Requirements and Procedures
Applications are considered twice per year, with deadlines for receipt of applications of October 15 and January 10 for the following Spring and Fall semesters, respectively.
Entering graduate students are expected to have a sound preparation in the biological sciences, chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics. A student found deficient in any of these areas may be required, during the first year, to take appropriate courses to eliminate the deficiencies. If the student has not had a biochemistry course, 81.519 should be taken for graduate credit. The departmental Graduate Coordinator helps plan the entering students programs of study, acquaints them with research opportunities in the department, and assists in selecting research advisors.
51视频 Requirements
A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate level work is required for the Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences. The student has a choice of three options: thesis, project, or non-thesis. Minimal core requirements for all options include 1 semester (2 credits) of Current Literature in Biology, completion of Biochemistry 81.519 or an approved equivalent and 12 credits of formal course work selected from departmental electives (exclusive of thesis, project, problems, or other directed studies). The remaining 16 credits may be satisfied by additional electives within the department (thesis, project, problems, or more course work), by transfer credit for approved graduate level biological sciences courses taken at other accredited institutions (9 credit maximum), or by graduate courses taken in related disciplines within the University (e.g., bioinformatics, chemistry, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, radiological sciences; 8 credit maximum). There is no formal language requirement. Students whose professional goals are to continue on for the Ph.D. degree, or who plan to seek employment in academic or industrial research laboratories as technicians or junior scientists are strongly advised to choose the thesis or project option in order to successfully compete for such positions. Students in the non-thesis option should endeavor to select courses with accompanying laboratories whenever possible.
Thesis Option
In choosing this option, the student concentrates on an in-depth, independent, scholarly investigation of a contemporary biological problem. Credit is allowed for 6-12 semester hours of M.S. Thesis Research. After consulting with the research advisor, the student selects two additional faculty members (one of whom must be from within the Department) to serve as members of the Thesis Committee. The student presents to the Committee a proposal of intended research and obtains the Committee's approval of the research topic. After completing the written thesis, the student gives an oral presentation of his results to the Thesis Committee.
Project Option
The project option is designed for independent laboratory investigations of a more limited nature than the thesis option. Generally, a project is completed in one or two semesters and credit is given for 3 or 6 semester hours of M.S. Project (no more than 6 credits will be allowed).
Non-Thesis Option
This option offers course work in breadth and depth, and may be of special interest to secondary school science teachers and individuals already employed in academic, hospital, or industrial laboratories. The non-thesis option may be completed during the day on a full-time basis or in late-afternoon or evening sessions on a part-time basis. However, since not all day courses are available in the evening sessions, a part-time student?s progress toward the M.S. degree will depend not only on his/her available time and abilities, but also on the scheduling of electives. In some instances, with the consent of a faculty member, an evening student may elect the thesis or project option.
Professional Experience
Credit (81-500; 3cr) may be requested by individuals who present satisfactory evidence (in the form of a written statement from their current supervisor) of engaging in at least one year of full-time experience in secondary school science teaching, or in an academic, hospital, or industrial laboratory setting.
Current Literature in Biology
Each student is required to complete one semester of Graduate Seminar (81.601; 3 credits) in Biology.
topMater fo Science 51视频 Program in Biological Sciences - Biotechnology Option
This option is more structured than the M.S. in Biological Sciences program described above. The core curriculum offers extensive hands-on experience in current techniques and instrumentation. Field trips and seminars afford students an opportunity for interaction with the biotechnology industry. Students are encouraged to conduct research in one of the recognized areas of biotechnology or to present an innovative application of technology or engineering principles to a biological problem of economic interest. The nature and extent of the investigation will determine its degree credit value. Those who enter the program having already completed some of the core courses, or who already have extensive laboratory experience, may consult with an advisor to design a course of study appropriate to their needs. A variety of biotechnology-related electives are available.
Core Requirements Biotechnology Option
81.519 Biochemistry I
81.520 Biochemistry II
81.521 Techniques in Biochemistry
81.542 Cell Biology or
81.560 Stem Cell Biology81.567/569 Molecular Biology (lecture and lab)
81.576 Cell Culture
81.593/595 Immunology (lecture and lab)
81.601 Graduate Seminar in Biology
Recommended Electives Biotechnology Option
10.535 Cell and Microbe Cultivation
10.545 Isolation and Purification
10.555 Biopharmaceutical GMP and Licensing
10.586 Biotechnology Processing Projects Laboratory
81.572 Virology
81.733 Projects Laboratory
81.733 M.S. Project in Biology
Up to 9 credits of coursework may be taken in other departments. The sum of core and elective courses must total at least 30 credits.
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