2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
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2014-2015 University Catalog

Biology, MS

Banner Code:  SC-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 microbiology and infectious disease, molecular biology, neuroscience, and systematics and evolutionary biology. Alternatively, students may choose the program in general biological sciences, which allows flexibility to build a degree program tailored to a specific research or career interest.

An accelerated master’s option is available to students currently enrolled in the bachelor’s of science program at Mason. See Biology, BS/Biology, Accelerated MS  for specific requirements.

This program of study is offered by the School of Systems Biology  in the College of Science .

Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission  section of this catalog. Applicants to the MS in biology program must have a bachelor’s degree in biology or its equivalent. All MS concentrations require a GPA of 3.00 in biology course work or in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study. Students must also submit three letters of recommendation and scores on the GRE general exam. Exam scores should be in the 45th percentile or above. Admission is contingent on acceptance by a faculty research advisor.

Students who choose the concentration in microbiology and infectious disease (MID) must have a lecture and lab course in microbiology and a lecture course in biochemistry.

Degree Requirements

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies  section of the catalog.

Program of Study

The faculty advisor and the student work together to develop a program of study that best fits the student’s background and interests. The student must submit a program of study to the program director for approval within the first 12 credits of coursework. By the end of the 2nd semester of coursework, students will form a graduate committee made up of three faculty members. At least two committee members must be faculty in the School of Systems Biology.

Concentration of Study Options

Candidates for the master’s of science in biology focus their study in one of four approved concentrations below, or by completing course work for the program in biological sciences in an area of study chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and program director.

Master’s level concentrations in biology are available in:

Research Options

Students have the option to complete a 3-6 credit master’s thesis (BIOL 799 ) or a 1-3 credit research project (BIOL 798 ). In accordance with Mason graduate policies, the same quality of work is expected of students regardless of which option they choose.

  • Thesis:  In general, the MS thesis is most appropriate for students planning or considering a research career. Students pursuing the thesis option must write a formal thesis that meets the requirements of the graduate school and must defend their thesis and present their results in a public seminar.
  • Research Project:  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. Students pursuing the project option must successfully complete written and oral comprehensive exams.

MS without Concentration (30 credits)

Program in Biological Sciences (30 credits)

This program is for students who wish to specialize in an area not covered by the concentrations described below.

1–3 credits of research methodology
2 credits of seminar
1–6 credits of research
19–26 credits of electives
  • 19–26 credits of electives in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director. A partial list of recommended electives is provided at the end of the concentration listings below.
Total: 30 credits

MS with Concentration (30 credits)

▲ Concentration in Microbiology and Infectious Disease (MID)

Students in the microbiology and infectious disease concentration complete the degree as follows:

1–3 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core biology

 Choose four courses from the following:

2 credits of seminar
1–6 credits of research
7-14 credits of electives to be chosen from the following:
Total: 30 credits

▲ Concentration in Molecular Biology (MOB)

Students in the molecular biology concentration complete the degree as follows:

1–3 credits of research methodology
13 credits of core biology
3 credits of bioinformatics
2–4 credits of molecular techniques

Students choose from courses satisfying the Molecular Techniques requirement.

2 credits of seminar
1–6 credits of research
0-8 credits of electives
  • 0-8 credits of electives in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director.
  • A partial list of recommended electives is provided at the end of the concentration listings below.
Total: 30 credits

▲ Concentration in Neuroscience (NEUR)

Students pursuing the concentration in neuroscience take:

1-2 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core neuroscience
3-4 credits of statistics chosen from the following:
5-10 credits of electives

Suggested electives include but are not limited to:

1-6 credits of research
Total: 30 credits

▲ Concentration in Systematics and Evolutionary Biology (SEB)

Students pursuing the concentration in systematics and evolutionary biology take:

1–3 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core biology
2–4 credits of molecular techniques

Students choose from courses satisfying the Molecular Techniques requirement.

2 credits of seminar
1–6 credits of research
3–12 credits of electives
  • 3–12 credits of electives in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director
Total: 30 credits

Recommended Electives

The following list is for students in the general biology track, the molecular biology concentration (MOB), or the systematics and evolutionary biology concentration (SEB), and 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 or the graduate program coordinator when preparing a course plan.