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2016-2017 University Catalog
Biology, MS
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Banner Code: SC-MS-BIOL
College: College of Science
Department: School of Systems Biology
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, evolutionary biology, and translational and clinical research. 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 Biology, BS at George Mason University. See Biology, BS/Biology, Accelerated MS for specific requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog. Applicants to the Biology, MS program must have a bachelor’s degree in biology or its equivalent. All MS concentrations require a GPA of 3.00 in biology coursework 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.
Students who choose the Translational and Clinical Research concentration may submit MCAT scores in place of GRE general exam scores.
Students who choose the Evolutionary Biology concentration must also submit a personal statement/statement of interest consistent with at least one faculty member’s research program. GRE score should be approximately 303.
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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 Options
Candidates for the Biology, MS focus their study in one of five approved concentrations below, or by completing coursework 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 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
This program is for students who wish to specialize in an area not covered by the concentrations described below.
Research Methodology (1-3 credits)
Research (1-6 credits)
Choose either:
Electives (19-26 credits)
- 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.
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: Research Methodology (1-3 credits)
Core Biology (12 credits)
Choose four courses from the following:
Research (1-6 credits)
Choose either:
Electives (7-14 credits)
Choose from the following:
▲ Concentration in Molecular Biology (MOB)
Students in the molecular biology concentration complete the degree as follows: Research Methodology (1-3 credits)
Core Biology (13 credits)
Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Choose one from:
Molecular Techniques (2-4 credits)
Choose from:
Research (1-6 credits)
Choose either:
Electives (0-8 credits)
- 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.
▲ Concentration in Neuroscience (NEUR)
Students pursuing the concentration in neuroscience take: Research Methodology (1-3 credits)
Core Neuroscience (12-13 credits)
Choose from the following courses:
Seminar (2 credits)
Choose from the following:
Statistics (3-4 credits)
Choose from the following:
Research (1-6 credits)
Choose either:
Electives (2-11 credits)
Suggested electives include but are not limited to:
▲ Concentration in Evolutionary Biology (EB)
Students pursuing this concentration should work closely with their advisor to plan a program of study within the following parameters:
Core Courses (6-10 credits)
Choose at least two courses from the following:
Organismal Biology (6-8 credits)
Choose courses in consultation with an advisor and/or committee and the program director. Suggested courses include:
Molecular Techniques (4-7 credits)
Research (1-6 credits)
Choose either:
Electives (0-10 credits)
Suggested courses are listed below, but other courses are allowed if approved by an advisor and/or committee and the program director
▲Concentration in Translational and Clinical Research (TCR)
Students pursuing the translational and clinical research concentration are required to complete:
Research Methodology (1-3 credits)
Advanced Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 credits)
Bioinformatics/Biostatistics (3 credits)
Human Genes, Cells and Tissues (3 credits)
Biochemistry (3-4 credits)
Research (1-6 credits)
Students must complete either a 1-3 credit research project or a 3-6 credit master’s thesis.
Electives (6-14 credits)
Choose from the following:
Recommended Electives
The following list is for students in the general biology track, the Molecular Biology concentration (MOB), or the Evolutionary Biology concentration (EB), 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 program of study. Students should consult their faculty research advisor or the graduate program coordinator when preparing a program of study.
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