Biology MA

Co-Directors

Mission Statement

The Master of Arts in Biology program at Saint Joseph's University is designed to provide training in technical and professional skills for students who wish to join the workforce as proficient scientists, or for students who desire to pursue a doctoral or professional degree.

Description of Program

The MA program is primarily course-based and more easily accommodates part-time as well as full-time students. Students seeking the MA degree may take up to six credits of research.  Students can choose to specialize in one of the following concentrations: (1) Cell and Molecular Biology, and (2) Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

Goal 1: Students will develop proficiency in subject content, train in cutting-edge technologies, and appropriate professional skills that will aid in their overall development as a scientist.

Outcome 1.1: Students will be informed about prospective careers for life scientists in government, industry, and academia as well as learn about the professional and ethical expectations for scientists.

Outcome 1.2: Students will be familiar with the appropriate set of research, laboratory and/or field skills used by specialists in their subfields of choice.

Goal 2: Students will develop skills in experimental design and the presentation of scientific information.

Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to design an experiment, operate basic laboratory equipment, reduce and present data that includes the interpretation of statistical tests.

Outcome 2.2: Students will be able to develop cogent written and oral presentations of scientific content.

Outcome 2.3: Students will be able to locate, read, interpret, evaluate, and discuss primary literature in biology.

The MA degree requires completion of 30 credit hours of graduate level courses.

Core Courses:
BIO 786Research Ethics1
BIO 801Scientific Discourse (at least 2 semesters)2
BIO 887Graduate Colloquium1
MAT 704Statistics for Research3
Electives:
Six (6) Biology electives (600 level or higher, 3-4 credits each). Students may take up to 6 credits of Research Credits (BIO793) or 6 credits of Graduate Internship (BIO791) as Biology electives.23-24
Total Hours30-31

Concentrations

Students in the MA Biology program may elect to declare one of the following concentrations: Cell and Molecular Biology or Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. The concentration is optional. Students are not guaranteed a particular sequence of courses to ensure the completion of a concentration. 

Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology

For the concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology, students must complete three of the following elective courses:

Advanced Cell Biology
and Advanced Cell Biology Lab *
Biochemistry
Molecular Genetics
and Molecular Genetics Lab
Neurobiology
and Neurobiology Lab
Immunology
and Immunology Lab
Microbiology
and Microbiology Lab
Systemic Physiology
and Systemic Physiology Lab
Bioinformatics
and Bioinformatics Lab
Molecular&Cellular Biophysics
and Mol & Cel Biophysics Lab
Biotechnology
and Biotechnology Lab
Bacterial Pathogenesis
and Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab
Histopathology
and Histopathology Lab
Neurological Disorders
and Neurological Disorders Lab
Fundamentals of Brewing Scienc

Concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior

For the concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, students must complete three of the following elective courses:

Animal Behavior
and Animal Behavior Lab
Ecology
and Ecology Lab
Plant Physiological Ecology
and Plant Physiological Eco Lab
Invertebrate Zoology
and Invertebrate Zoology Lab
Bioinformatics
and Bioinformatics Lab
Applied & Environ Microbiology
and Applied & Environ Micro Lab
Evolution
and Evolution Lab
Environmental Science
and Environmental Science Lab