Graduate

M.S. Non-Thesis Programs

MS-Biology-NON-Thesis

microbes under microscope

In brief, the curriculum is the same as MS-Bio Thesis but with the exception of taking 9 additional hours and the qualifying exam.

Curriculum Requirements

The Master’s Degree Requirements should be completed in two to three years. Students must choose a specific concentration in the M.S. degree that will be completed within either the MBS or IB Department.

Total Minimum Hours - 30 post-bachelor’s

  • Core Requirements - 6 credit hours
  • Concentration (required) - 15 credit hours minimum
  • Non-Thesis (electives) - 9 credit hours minimum

Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

  • BSC 6393 Advances in Life Sciences Credit Hours: 1 (Taken 3 times)
  • BSC 6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology Credit Hours: 1(Taken 3 times)

Concentration Requirements

Cell Biology and Molecular Biology (15 credit hours minimum)

Students select courses from the following (15 Credit hours minimum), or other graduate course approved by the supervisory committee.

  • BMS 6300 Principles of Immunology and Infectious Diseases Credit Hours: var.
  • BSC 6939 Selected Topics in Cancer Biology Credit Hours: 1-4
  • BSC 5931 Selected Topics in Biology Credit Hours: 1-4
  • Selected Topics include:
    • Eukaryotic Genomics (3 credit hours)
    • Molecular Microbial Ecology (3 credit hours)
    • Advanced Bacterial Genetics (3 credit hours)
  • BSC 5425 Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology Credit Hours: 3
  • MCB 5655 Applied and Environmental Microbiology Credit Hours: 3
  • PCB 6107 Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hours: 4
  • PCB 6525 Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3
     

Non-Thesis (9 credit hours)
For students enrolled in the non-thesis program a minimum of 9 hours of elective courses taken beyond the concentration and core requirements, and a review paper of a topic approved by the supervisory committee is required as well as successful completion of the comprehensive oral qualifying exam after all course work has been completed. For non-thesis master’s students, this exam will occur at the end of the program of study.

MS-MICROBIOLOGY-NON-THESIS

In brief, the curriculum is the same as MS-Micro Thesis but with the exception of taking 14 additional hours of electives and the qualifying exam.

Curriculum Requirements

Total Minimum Hours: 30 Credit Hours

  • Core Requirements - 6 Credit Hours
  • Additional Required Courses - 3 Credit Hours Minimum
  • Electives - 7 Credit Hours Minimum
  • Non-Thesis - 14 Credit Hours 

Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

  • MCB 6305 Advanced Bacterial Genetics Credit Hours: 3
  • MCB 6205 Bacterial Pathogenesis Credit Hours: 3 

Additional Required Courses (3 Credit Hours)

  • BSC 6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology Credit Hours: 1 (Taken three times)

Electives (7 credit Hours Minimum)

Select from the following or other graduate courses approved by the supervisory committee:

  • BSC 5931 Selected Topics in Biology Credit Hours: 1-4 (3 credits for this program) (Molecular Microbial Ecology)
  • BSC 5931 Selected Topics in Biology  Selected Topics in Biology Credit(s): 1-4 (3 credits for this program) (Bacterial Pathogenesis)
  • MCB 5655 Applied and Environmental Microbiology Credit Hours: 3
  • PCB 6930 Current Topics in Cancer Biology Credit Hours: 2 Principles of Immunology Credit(s): 3 (Proposed as PCB 5335)
  • PCB 6525 Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3
  • BSC 5425 Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology Credit Hours: 3
    Note: Additional courses not on the list may be substituted with the approval of the thesis committee and CMMB Graduate Director.
     

Lab Rotations

Where appropriate, students must complete three laboratory rotations during their first semester of residency.

Comprehensive Examination

A final comprehensive oral examination is required for all master’s students. This examination is open to all departmental faculty. Students must take their comprehensive exam within two years of matriculation and the exam is normally taken after the completion of all formal course work. For non-thesis students, the comprehensive qualifying exam is taken after all course work has been completed at the end of the program of study.  Thesis students must take the examination at least one semester before the thesis is presented.   The examination is administered and evaluated by the student’s graduate committee.

Non-Thesis Option (14 Credit Hours)

Students in the non-thesis option complete an additional fourteen (14) hours of electives.  

For students enrolled in the non-thesis option, 21-hours of elective courses (7 hours of electives and 14 hours of additional electives) and a review paper of a topic approved by the supervisory committee are required, as well as successful completion of the comprehensive oral qualifying exam after all course work has been completed. For non-thesis master’s students, this exam will occur at the end of the program of study.