Phone: 703-993-1050
Web: gmu.edu/departments/mmb
Chair: Willett
Professors: Bailey (distinguished), Chandhoke, Liotta, Petricoin, Popov, Soyfer (distinguished university), Willett
Associate professors: Baranova, Christensen, Fryxell, Grant, Royt
Assistant professors: Cox, van Hoek, Wu
Term assistant professors: Beck (associate chair), Coss, Cupo, Fondufe, Kocache, Madden, Polayes
Research professor: Isbister
Research assistant professor: Popova
Adjunct faculty: McClintock, Tondi
Affiliate faculty: Anderson, Burgess, Connors, Cook, Dressick, Edmiston, Frank, Gunasinghe, Hearing, Hicks, Hunt, Karginov, Kulesh, Liu, McCreight, Monroe, Niemeyer, Patrick, Reilly, Schultz, Singh, Voltchikhina, Wilhelmsen, Wu
The department offers all course work designated BIOL, BIOS, and MTCH in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
The bachelor degree programs in biology provide a sound liberal arts education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought, along with preparation for a related profession. In addition to ensuring the strong background necessary for graduate study in the many fields of biological science, the broad range of courses available at Mason allows students to develop careers in many areas, including secondary school teaching, environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, and natural history. Alternatively, students may prepare for postgraduate studies in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, wildlife management, fisheries biology, or marine science. The department also offers a BS in medical technology. Additional information can be found at the Molecular and Microbiology Department’s web site at gmu.edu/departments/MMB or by contacting the department, David J. King Hall, Room 3005, 703-993-1050.
All biology majors are strongly urged to see an academic advisor regularly to help them plan their schedule, so they can graduate on time. Biology majors should see an advisor for permission to register prior to their first semester and again as they complete 60 credits and 90 credits. Medical technology majors must see the medical technology advisor to obtain permission to register each semester. Call 703-993-1050 or visit David J. King Hall, Room 3005, to make an advising appointment.
Students majoring in biology are required to complete 16 credits in the major at the 300 and 400 levels at Mason in addition to meeting the university residency requirement of at least 30 credits at Mason.
BA-BIOL
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for a BA degree in COS, students must complete the following credits with a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the 32 credits of BIOL courses and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the supporting courses listed below. No more than 8 credits of 100-level BIOL courses (103, 104, 124, 125) may be applied toward the 32 credits of required BIOL courses. (Through the course work below, biology majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)
Students expecting to enter graduate or professional school are strongly urged to complete MATH 113 and 114. Organic chemistry and PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246 are recommended.
BS-BIOL
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, students must complete the following course work with a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the 44 credits of BIOL courses and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the supporting courses listed below. No more than 8 credits of 100-level BIOL courses (103, 104, 124, 125) may be applied toward the 44 credits of required BIOL courses. (Through the course work below, biology majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)
Students are encouraged to consult with a biology faculty advisor to determine which option best meets their career goals. Students who wish to take biochemistry must take BIOL 483 to receive credit toward the major in biology.
Students may choose to complete the requirements of one of the concentrations described below. Or, they may take biology elective courses of their choice to complete the requirement of 44 credits of biology.
The biotechnology concentration consists of a selection of courses that provide essential skills to students who seek employment in the field or wish to include an applied component in their undergraduate training in biology.
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, students majoring in biology with a concentration in biotechnology must complete the following. (Through the course work below, they satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)
*Laboratories associated with courses are required.
**Subject to approval by program coordinator.
This concentration is offered to students seeking a biology degree that focuses on ecology and organismal biology, and prepares them for graduate work or employment in environmental and conservation fields, such as natural resources management, fisheries, forestry, water quality management, aquatic and wetland ecology, and conservation biology. The concentration is staffed and supported by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy.
In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, students must complete the following. (Through the course work below, they satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)
*If not used for field course requirement.
This concentration offers lecture and laboratory courses in microbiology to prepare students for employment or advanced study in microbial genetics, physiology, diversity, and related fields.
In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, students must complete the following. (Through the course work below, they satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)
The molecular biology concentration provides basic knowledge of the structure of macromolecules, and chemical processes that occur in living cells. The concentration prepares students for employment or further advanced study in molecular biology.
In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, students majoring in biology with a concentration in molecular biology must complete the following. (Through the course work below, they satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)
Only authorized experiments and exercises may be carried out in any departmental research or teaching laboratory and must be done under the supervision of a university faculty or staff member. No unauthorized work is allowed in any laboratory.
Direct observations of actual organisms are considered an essential part of learning biology at all levels. Direct observations of organisms may involve the use of living or preserved specimens, dissections of organisms or parts of organisms, and microscopic examination of organisms or parts of organisms. All use of live animals conforms to National Institutes of Health guidelines for the use and care of laboratory animals. Activities specified above may be a required part of a course and thus serve as a basis for grading in the course. Any questions about the administration of this policy should be directed to the course coordinator or instructor.
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in biology fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 307. Students not taking BIOL 307 at Mason should consult the biology undergraduate coordinator for a course to fulfill this requirement.
Minimum requirements for invitation:
Ideally, we would like to recruit students in their freshman or sophomore year.
Students in honors biology must maintain a biology GPA of 3.50 or better and a supporting GPA of 3.00 or better from the time they have accumulated 30 hours and thereafter.
Students who fall below this standard will be given a one semester probationary period in which to bring their GPA back up to the minimum standard.
Students are required to take 6 to 7 credits in honors courses in BIOL including three semesters of BIOL 494 (honors seminar, 1 credit) or two semesters of Biol 494 and one semester of BIOL 493 (honors research, 1 credit).
The GPA requirements are as follows:
Candidates for the minor in biology must complete 19 to 20 credits in biology with a minimum GPA of 2.00, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, and either 307 or 311, in addition to one other 3- to 4-credit biology course at the 300, 400, or 500 level (not BIOL 301). Eight credits of course work must be unique to the minor. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.
Web: prehealth.gmu.edu
Many students planning to enter medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, or other health professional schools choose to pursue a major in biology. These students should consult the health professions advising web site on required course work and overall preparation.
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter of this catalog and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics and wish to fulfill their natural science requirement with a two-semester laboratory sequence in biology should enroll in BIOL 103 and 104. With permission of the instructor, nonmajors may enroll in BIOL 213 and then take one of the following to complete the requirement: BIOL 303, 304, or 305/306. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics majors should consult their faculty advisor to determine which biology courses to take.
BS-MTCH
This program requires the equivalent of three years of full-time preprofessional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical technology. All affiliated schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Responsibility for applying to schools of medical technology and gaining admission rests with the student; however, guidance is provided by the medical technology program director in the Molecular and Microbiology Department. Admission to medical technology schools is selective, so candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to a NAACLS-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to a biology major without loss of credits.
Application to medical technology schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the preprofessional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with their faculty advisor. All medical technology majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MTCH 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession, as well as the educational demands placed on candidates.
Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following special interpretation of university policies. Transfer students must present at least 16 credits of 300- to 400-level biology or chemistry course work taken at Mason. Students may present no more than 6 credits of D grades in biology and chemistry courses required in the three years of preprofessional study. No unsatisfactory grades may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students entering with more than 45 transfer credits are often unable to complete the preprofessional phase of their program in the usual three years of full-time study.
Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For details, consult the program director.
In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree and completing MTCH 200, candidates must present the following courses in their preprofessional programs with a minimum GPA of 2.00. (Through the course work below, majors satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.) Because of the extensive professional education requirements stipulated by NAACLS, students majoring in medical technology are exempt from the university-wide general education requirement in the fine arts.
Students are encouraged to elect additional basic science courses during their preprofessional years. Recommended courses are BIOL 380, 465, 483, 484, and 485; CHEM 321; and PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246.
Professional study during the senior year involves clinical education at an affiliated school of medical technology. Thirty credits of course work are required, including MTCH 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. The distribution of credits in these courses varies with the school of medical technology. No more than 30 professional credits may be applied toward the degree.
A special program is available for Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) who are graduates of associate degree programs. This program provides substantial credit for the scientific and clinical aspects of the associate degree but requires students to meet clinical requirements for national certifying exams through approved work experience. For details, contact the program director.
While the standard program for medical technologists is three years on campus followed by a fourth year at a clinical affiliate (3 + 1), many students elect to complete a bachelor’s degree before entering the clinical program (4 + 1). Students who have completed a BS in biology or chemistry at Mason and then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology. Students wishing to receive the second degree must apply before entering their fifth year. For further information, contact a medical technology advisor.
Alpha Epsilon Delta Zeta Premedical Honor Society is a national student support group, providing professional school tours, educational programs, and lectures on health topics and the professional school admissions process to students interested in such health-related fields as medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Active membership is awarded to students who have completed at least three semesters with a minimum scholastic GPA of 3.00. Associate membership is also available.
Mason students who are interested in pursuing careers in dentistry are encouraged to participate in the Predental Society. This student organization organizes supplemental programming focused toward dentistry as a career.
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS within an accelerated time frame. This program is open only to those students who wish to pursue the master’s degree concentrations in microbiology or molecular biology. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is complete.
Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.00 may apply for provisional acceptance to the accelerated master’s program after completing BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305/306, 307, and 311; and CHEM 315 and 318; or after completing 75 undergraduate credits including BIOL 494. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a prospective thesis or project advisor, are required.
After completing 120 credits and all requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students are awarded a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master’s students must then submit scores on the GRE and biology subject exam to have the provisional qualifier removed. Ordinarily, students should receive a minimum combined score of 1,100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the general test and be in at least the 50th percentile on the subject exam.
The interdisciplinary graduate degrees in biodefense are offered by the College of Science and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (LA-MS-BIOD, LA-PHD-BIOD). For details, see the CHSS chapter in this catalog.
MS-BIOL
This program provides advanced training for college graduates or professionals seeking careers in the biotechnology industry or biodefense, as well as more traditional careers in biomedical research, teaching, evolutionary biology, and animal biology. Master’s level concentrations are available in molecular biology, microbiology and infectious disease, bioinformatics and computational biology (BCB), and systematics and evolutionary biology. Alternatively, students may choose the program in biological sciences, which allows flexibility to specialize in additional areas.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in biology or its equivalent, except for students who choose the BCB concentration. Students who choose the BCB concentration must have an undergraduate degree in any natural science, mathematics, engineering, or computer science. It is preferred that students who choose the BCB concentration have some undergraduate course work in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry (two to four upper-division courses), plus some undergraduate course work in computer science (two to four courses that include substantial programming projects). Students without this background may be asked to remedy their deficiencies. Students who choose the concentration in microbiology and infectious disease must have a lecture and lab course in microbiology and a lecture course in biochemistry. All MS concentrations require a GPA of 3.00 in biology course work or in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study is required. Students must also submit three letters of recommendation and scores on the GRE. Successful applicants usually score at least 1,100 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE (1,200 for the BCB). Applicants to all concentrations except BCB must submit scores on the GRE subject exam in biology or biochemistry. Applicants to the BCB concentration must submit a GRE subject score in an area of their choosing (such as mathematics, computer science, physics, biology, or biochemistry). Admission is contingent on acceptance by a faculty research advisor.
An advisory committee and the student work together to develop a program of study that best fits the student’s background and interests. At least one member of the committee must be a member of the Molecular and Microbiology Department. The student must submit a program of study to the program director for approval within the first 12 credits of graduate work and must complete at least 30 graduate credits.
Students have the option to write a thesis (3 to 6 credits of BIOL 799) or project (1 to 3 credits of BIOL 798). According to Mason graduate policies, the same quality of work is expected of students regardless of their chosen option; that is, the MS thesis option or the MS project option. In general, the MS thesis is most appropriate for students planning or considering a research career. The MS project is most appropriate for students who have scheduling commitments, such as a full-time job, that may preclude performing a complete series of laboratory experiments. The requirements differ primarily at the conclusion of the project, when students pursuing the project option must successfully complete written and oral comprehensive exams. Students pursuing the thesis option must write a formal thesis that meets the requirements of the graduate school, as well as defending their thesis and presenting their results in a public seminar.
Students in the molecular biology, microbiology and infectious disease, and the bioinformatics and computational biology concentrations are required to present one research paper at the Departmental Journal Club meeting any time before graduation.
This program is for students who wish to specialize in an area not covered by the concentrations described below.
Requirements
Requirements
Requirements
Requirements
Requirements
Students may satisfy the molecular techniques requirement with BIOL 668 or BIOS 740. Special topics courses, such as BIOL 575 or 691, may be approved for this requirement by the program director but only in semesters in which they are primarily a laboratory course with substantial content of techniques in molecular biology.
The following list, for students in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and computational biology, is provided as a suggestion only and is not intended to be complete. Note that two courses covering substantially similar topics may not both be counted in the student’s course plan. Students should consult their faculty research advisor when preparing a course plan.
PHD-BIOS
This program is a research-oriented field of study that prepares students for significant contributions in academic or industrial settings. The area of emphasis in functional genomics and biotechnology includes microarray analysis of gene expression, sequencing and analysis of genes, gene family evolution, mechanisms of toxicology and mutagenesis, and biotechnological applications. The concentration in microbiology and infectious disease stresses molecular mechanisms of infectious disease, genomic and proteomic analysis of pathogens, and the physiology and metabolism of pathogens. The academic component is a three-tiered structure. The first tier provides a set of four core courses designed to advance research skills across all disciplines. The second tier comprises four or five core courses and elective courses. The first two tiers are designed to be completed in approximately two years, including the comprehensive exam. Only on completion of these requirements, the comprehensive exam, and a successful thesis proposal can the students advance to candidacy status. The third tier focuses on research and culminates in a dissertation.
In addition to materials required of all applicants for graduate study, the following is also required:
An interview may be required. Applications should be submitted by February 1 for fall admission. Under unusual circumstances, applications may be considered for spring admission if they are received by October 1. Applications will be considered until positions are filled. Students are encouraged to meet application deadlines to be considered for scholarships and stipends. Strong candidates who lack several prerequisites may be admitted to provisional status. Removal from provisional status and continuation in the program is contingent on earning a GPA of 3.25 in the program’s fundamental courses, plus completion of missing prerequisites.
Students who have not taken a course in basic biochemistry will be required to complete one prior to BIOS 701.
Candidates for the PhD in biosciences must complete a minimum of 72 graduate credits.
On admission to the program, each student is assigned an advisor from the bioscience faculty. The advisor may be changed by mutual consent of student and advisor, or petition to the program director and dean. With their advisor, students adopt an individual program that focuses on a specific area of research.
By the end of the fourth semester of course work, students assemble a dissertation committee of four graduate faculty members with representation from at least two academic departments. The committee and the program director approve the program of study.
On nearing completion of course requirements, students take a qualifying exam with a written and an oral component. At the discretion of the committee, the written qualifying exam may be retaken once if the student’s performance was deemed below satisfaction. On successful completion of the qualifying exam, the majority of all course work, and an accepted thesis proposal, students will be recommended for advancement to candidacy by the committee and the program director.
After advancement to candidacy, students are eligible to enroll in dissertation (999). Students must present their dissertation results to their graduate committee on a regular basis until graduation. For graduation, students will present their results to their graduate committee and defend their dissertation publicly.
For students entering the doctoral program with a master’s of science degree, the number of credits required may be reduced by a maximum of 30 with approval of the advisor and the program director. Graduate credits taken previously and not used toward another degree may be transferred, subject to the approval of the advisor, the program director, and the dean.
Students in the doctoral program are required to present two research papers at the departmental Journal Club meeting any time before graduation.
This emphasis prepares students for significant contributions in an academic or industrial research career. Areas of emphasis include microarray analysis, cancer genomics, molecular studies of disease mechanisms, and biotechnology.
Requirements
All students must take the following 15 graduate credits as their emphasis courses:
| BIOS 740 Current Lab Methods in Functional Genomics and Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOS 741 Genomics | 3 |
| BIOS 742 Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOS 743 Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BIOS 744 Molecular Genetics | 3 |
Electives may include graduate-level courses relevant to the student’s research and authorized by the student’s advisor and program director.
Students in this concentration will be prepared for employment in academia, government, or industry. By stressing mechanisms of pathogenicity, physiology, metabolism, and genomics of pathogens, students will have a firm foundation for future research in infectious disease. Students will also be introduced to advanced laboratory practices, such as animal research methodologies and biocontainment laboratory work.
Requirements
In addition to the degree requirements stated previously, students are required to take the following:
| BIOL 563 Virology | 3 |
| BIOL 669 Pathogenic Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 715 Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 720 Microbial Metabolism | 3 |
| BIOL 718 Techniques in Microbial Pathogenesis | 3 |
Electives to complete 72 credits
To be chosen from BIOL 553, 564, 568, 578, 579, 580, 682; BIOS 710, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 760, 898, 899; or EVPP 551 or BINF 633, 636, 705