MS in Biology
Career Options
Alumni of the Biology graduate program have secured positions as instructors in community colleges, lab technicians in research facilities, and biologists with state and federal agencies as well as nongovernmental organizations; and they have gone on to medical and graduate schools.
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.
RESEARCH FACILITIES
Students in the M.S. program have access to state-of-the-art facilities for research in modern molecular, cell, and whole organism biology.
- cell imaging equipment such as epifluorescence microscopes, confocal laser scanning microscope and flow cytometers
- equipment for molecular biology, such as gradient and quantitative PCR thermocyclers, DNA sequencer, fluorescence microarray reader, various electrophoresis supplies for DNA and protein analysis
- constant temperature lighted growth chambers for plant and phytoplankton
- liquid scintillation counter for radioisotope work
- Geographic Information System (GIS) facility
- NMR spectrometry
- HPLC system
FACULTY RESEARCH INTERESTS
Interested students are encouraged to contact program faculty directly. Applicants must identify potential advisors in their application essay.
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David T. Champlin |
champlin “at” usm.maine.edu |
hormonal control of insect development |
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Douglas A. Currie |
dcurrie “at” usm.maine.edu |
cell signaling in the developing mammalian brain |
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Michele Dionne |
dionne “at” wellsnerr.org |
salt marsh ecology and restoration |
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S. Monroe Duboise |
duboise “at” usm.maine.edu |
virology and environmental microbiology |
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David Evers |
david.evers “at” briloon.org |
environmental toxicology of New England wildlife |
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Louis F. Gainey, Jr. |
gainey “at” usm.maine.edu |
cell signaling; physiological ecology of marine molluscs |
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David Harris |
deharris “at” usm.maine.edu |
cardiovascular disease programs and education |
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Thomas J. Knight |
tknight “at” usm.maine.edu |
nitrogen and carbon metabolism in plants |
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Ira A. Levine |
ilevine “at” usm.maine.edu |
physiological ecology of commercial red algae |
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Christine R. Maher |
cmaher “at” usm.maine.edu |
evolution of social behavior in mammals |
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Michael Mazurkiewicz |
mazurkie “at” usm.maine.edu |
estuarine and tidal marsh ecology |
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Lisa R. Moore |
lmoore “at” usm.maine.edu |
physiological ecology of marine phytoplankton |
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James D. Paruk |
jim.paruk “at” briloon.org |
mortality threats and impacts of climate change on loon reproduction |
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Iain Stenhouse |
Iain.stenhouse “at” briloon.org |
reproductive and behavioral ecology of marine birds |
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Jason Stockwell |
jstockwell “at” gmri.org |
pelagic ecology |
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Theresa A. Theodose |
theodose “at” usm.maine.edu |
salt marsh plant ecology |
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Jeffrey A. Walker |
walker “at” usm.maine.edu |
evolutionary physiology of animal locomotion |
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Kenneth E. Weber |
keweber “at” usm.maine.edu |
genetic control of wing shape in Drosophila |
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Karen A. Wilson |
kwilson “at” usm.maine.edu |
freshwater and marine linkages |
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John P. Wise, Sr. |
john.wise “at” usm.maine.edu |
human and animal toxicology; molecular epidemiology |
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are awarded to students by the department on a competitive basis. GAs teach introductory lab sections, or other appropriate classes, in addition to coursework and conducting their own research.
Research Assistantships may be available to students working with particular faculty who have external funding. In addition, external funding (fellowships, scholarships) is available from various government agencies and private foundations. For further information on outside funding for graduate students, contact your potential advisor.
Further information on Financial Aid can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies at 207.780.4386.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
See additional information on the M.S. Biology program
Contact Biology's Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Doug Currie (dcurrie "at" usm.maine.edu)
Download USM's Graduate Catalog
Courses & Requirements
This degree provides two thesis options: research and literature review. Most students are expected to produce a research thesis, based on an original research project. However, an individual, with approval of their Advisory Committee, could undertake the literature review thesis option, which requires writing a comprehensive review paper of a specific topic. All master’s candidates preparing a research thesis must complete a minimum of 24 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis research. Candidates completing the literature review thesis 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 choose an Advisory Committee. The committee consists of the student’s advisor and at least two other faculty members.
All students must take these required courses (15-18 credits):
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Research Methods in Biology (BIO 601) taken in the first fall semester
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Graduate Seminar (BIO 621) students must take 2 different seminars
- either Applied Biostatistical Analysis (AMS 545) or Introduction to Biostatistics (STA 588)
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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 Genetics and Molecular Biology; Physiology; 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 research 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 meet to discuss details of the project, paper and seminar.
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