Biology MS

Co-Directors:

Mission Statement

The Master of Science 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 MS program requires completion of traditional courses and an extensive research project that culminates with a written thesis. The degree is typically completed within two years.  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 MS degree requires completion of 30 credits of graduate level courses. 

Core Courses:
BIO 785Introduction to Research (not required for students in the BS/MS 4+1 program)1
BIO 786Research Ethics1
BIO 801Scientific Discourse (each semester of enrollment)2-4
BIO 887Graduate Colloquium1
MAT 704Statistics for Research3
BIO 799Master's Research12-14
Electives:
Two (2) Biology electives (600 level or higher) are required (3-4 credits each).6-8
Total Hours26-32

Thesis Requirements

The MS degree requires completion of a research project in the biological sciences under the supervision of a research mentor. The findings are published in thesis form. A Thesis Committee will be formed to follow the progress of the candidate, evaluate the final thesis, and administer a final oral examination (thesis defense) based on the thesis research. The thesis must be acceptable in both scholarship and literary quality. To be recommended for the Master of Science degree in Biology, the candidate must receive approval of the majority of the committee members.

Concentrations

Students in the MS 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 two of the following elective courses:

Choose two (2) of the following:
BIO 602
602L
Advanced Cell Biology
and Advanced Cell Biology Lab
4
BIO 604Biochemistry3
BIO 611
611L
Molecular Genetics
and Molecular Genetics Lab
4
BIO 612
612L
Neurobiology
and Neurobiology Lab
4
BIO 615
615L
Immunology
and Immunology Lab
4
BIO 616
616L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Lab
4
BIO 617
617L
Systemic Physiology
and Systemic Physiology Lab
4
BIO 620
620L
Bioinformatics
and Bioinformatics Lab
4
BIO 621
621L
Molecular&Cellular Biophysics
and Mol & Cel Biophysics Lab
4
BIO 624
624L
Biotechnology
and Biotechnology Lab
4
BIO 625
625L
Bacterial Pathogenesis
and Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab
4
BIO 628
628L
Histopathology
and Histopathology Lab
4
BIO 630
630L
Neurological Disorders
and Neurological Disorders Lab
4
BIO 710Fundamentals of Brewing Scienc3

Concentration in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

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

BIO 601
601L
Animal Behavior
and Animal Behavior Lab
4
BIO 609
609L
Ecology
and Ecology Lab
4
BIO 613
613L
Plant Physiological Ecology
and Plant Physiological Eco Lab
4
BIO 619
619L
Invertebrate Zoology
and Invertebrate Zoology Lab
4
BIO 620
620L
Bioinformatics
and Bioinformatics Lab
4
BIO 622
622L
Applied & Environ Microbiology
and Applied & Environ Micro Lab
4
BIO 623
623L
Evolution
and Evolution Lab
4
BIO 629
629L
Environmental Science
and Environmental Science Lab
4