MASTER
OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY INFORMATION SHEET
The M.S.
program in Biology at USM is designed to meet the diverse
interests of potential students and to give them additional
preparation for specialized careers in the life sciences.
The program is aimed at three groups of students: 1) those
who want to continue the scholarly pursuit of the biological
sciences and possibly continue with a Ph.D. or M.D.; 2) those
desiring laboratory or field experience to make them more
competitive for employment; and 3) those teaching or those
who wish to teach at the secondary or community college /
technical college level.
In order to meet the diverse needs of these students, the
M.S. program in Biology offers breadth in its coursework offerings,
yet maintains an individualized approach with its research
requirement. Coursework and research opportunities span the
subdisciplines of cell and molecular biology, developmental
biology, evolutionary genetics, physiology (animal, plant,
and microbial), ecology (animal, plant, and microbial), and
environmental science.
The student thesis, tailored to individual interests and falling
within the specialty area of a faculty mentor, is intended
to give students experience in scientific investigation. In
addition to exposure to the current state of knowledge within
the subdiscipline, students learn the skills necessary for
creative scientific inquiry. These include exploration and
evaluation of the scientific literature, experimental design,
implementation of original laboratory or field-based research,
statistical analysis of data, and the writing of a publishable
scientific paper. Thus, students graduate from the program
as knowledgeable scientists who have contributed to the field
of biology.
When to apply?
Applications and
supporting materials received by 1 February will receive priority
status for Fall admission and consideration of departmental
financial support. The application deadline for Spring admission
is 15 October. Students applying for Spring admission are
less likely to obtain graduate assistantships in their first
semester - most financial aid will be distributed during Fall
admissions.
What are the admissions
criteria?
Admission to the
Biology program is competitive. Preferably, applicants would
have earned a baccalaureate degree in the life sciences (e.g.,
Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Natural
and Applied Science, Zoology) from an accredited institution
with a minimum GPA equivalent to 3.0. Admission is dependent
upon a faculty member agreeing to serve as advisor to the
student. Therefore, students should investigate faculty research
interests here.
Is the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE) required?
Yes, students must
submit scores for the General Test of the GRE as part of their
application. Official scores from the GRE Subject Test in
Biology are recommended but not required.
What are the
program requirements?
This degree provides
two options: thesis and non-thesis. Most students are expected
to produce a thesis; however, an individual, with approval
of their Advisory Committee, could undertake the nonthesis
option, which requires writing a comprehensive review paper.
All master’s candidates preparing a thesis must complete
a minimum of 24 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis
research. Candidates completing the nonthesis option must
complete 32 credits of course work, which must include at
least one laboratory course, and 3 credits of literature review.
Coursework is determined individually for each student in
consultation with the student’s Advisory Committee.
During the first semester, students are required to declare
a research topic and an Advisory Committee. The committee
consists of the student’s advisor and at least two other
faculty members.
All students must take four required courses (15-18 credits):
Applied Biostatistical Analysis (AMS 545), Research Methods
in Biology (BIO 601), Graduate Seminar (BIO 621), and either
Thesis research (BIO 698) or Literature Review (BIO 699).
Students also choose electives. To maintain breadth, electives
are required in at least two of three areas (selecting from
Organismal Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology; and Ecology
and Evolution). Upon approval of the Advisory Committee, students
also may take graduate level courses in other departments.
At the end of the program, the thesis or literature review
must be written in a form suitable to submit to a peer-reviewed
scientific journal, and the results must be presented in a
seminar open to all university faculty, students, and the
general public. After the presentation, the student and Advisory
Committee will meet to discuss details of the project, paper
and seminar.
Is financial
aid available?
Graduate assistantships
may be available on a competitive basis for students interested
in the thesis option and attending full time (9 credits per
semester). Graduate assistants would be expected to teach
introductory lab sections each semester in addition to doing
their own coursework and thesis research. Research assistantships
may be available to students working with particular faculty
who have funding available. Funding is also available for
student research on a competitive basis. The Financial Aid
Office is a good source of information on other funding sources
for graduate students.
For
an application or more information on graduate study at USM,
please call the Office of Graduate Admissions at 207-780-4386,
or visit www.usm.maine.edu/grad
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