Biology M.A.
Dr. Bela Peethambaran, Co-Director
Dr. Edwin Li, Co-Director
Dr. Kenneth Myers, Co-Director
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 M.A. program is primarily course-based and more easily accommodates part-time as well as full-time students. Students seeking the M.A. 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. Non-matriculated students may also, with permission, enroll for isolated credit.
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.
Degree Requirements
The M.A. degree requires completion of 30 credit hours of graduate level courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses: | ||
| BIO 786 | Research Ethics | 1 |
| BIO 801 | Scientific Discourse (at least 2 semesters) | 2 |
| BIO 887 | Graduate Colloquium | 1 |
| MAT 704 | Statistics for Research | 3 |
| Electives: | ||
| Six (6) Biology electives (600 level or higher) | ||
Concentrations
Students in the M.A. Biology program may elect to declare one of the following concentrations: (1) Cell and Molecular Biology, and (2) Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. The concentration is optional. Students are not guaranteed a particular sequence of courses to ensure the completion of a concentration. The concentration must be declared by the end of the Add-Drop period in the last semester of enrollment.
Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology
For the concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology, students must complete three of the following elective courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cell Biology and Advanced Cell Biology Lab * | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology * | ||
| 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 |
*Students can take BIO 602/602L or BIO 861, but not both.
Concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
For the concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, students must complete three of the following elective courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |