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2013-2014 University Catalog
Biology, MS
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Banner Code: SC-MS-BIOL
This program provides advanced training for college graduates or professionals seeking careers in the biotechnology industry or biodefense, as well as more traditional careers in biomedical research, teaching, evolutionary biology, and animal biology. Master’s level concentrations are available in bioinformatics and computational biology, microbiology and infectious disease, molecular biology, neuroscience, and systematics and evolutionary biology. Alternatively, students may choose the program in general biological sciences, which allows flexibility to specialize in additional areas.
An accelerated master’s option is available to students in the bachelor’s of science program. See Biology, BS/Biology, Accelerated MS for specific requirements.
This program of study is offered by the School of Systems Biology in the College of Science .
Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission section of this catalog. Applicants to the MS in biology program must have a bachelor’s degree in biology or its equivalent, with the exception of those applying to the bioinformatics and computational biology (BCB) concentration. All MS concentrations require a GPA of 3.00 in biology course work or in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study. Students must also submit three letters of recommendation and scores on the general GRE. Successful applicants usually score at least 1,100 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE. Admission is contingent on acceptance by a faculty research advisor.
Students who choose the BCB concentration must have an undergraduate degree in any natural science, mathematics, engineering or computer science. It is preferred that students who choose the BCB concentration have some undergraduate course work in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry (two to four upper-division courses), plus some undergraduate course in computer science (two to four courses that include substantial programming projects). Students without this background may be asked to remedy their deficiencies.
Students who choose the concentration in microbiology and infectious disease (MID) must have a lecture and lab course in microbiology and a lecture course in biochemistry. |
Degree Requirements
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog. Program of Study
An advisory committee and the student work together to develop a program of study that best fits the student’s background and interests. At least one member of the committee must be faculty in the School of Systems Biology.
The student must submit a program of study to the program director for approval within the first 12 credits of graduate work and must complete at least 30 graduate credits. Concentration of Study Options
Candidates for the master’s of science in biology focus their study in one of five approved concentrations below, or by completing course work for the program in biological sciences in an area of study chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and program director.
Master’s level concentrations in biology are available in:
Research Options
Students have the option to complete a 3-6 credit master’s thesis (BIOL 799 ) or a 1-3 credit research project (BIOL 798 ). In accordance with Mason graduate policies, the same quality of work is expected of students regardless of which option they choose.
- Thesis: In general, the MS thesis is most appropriate for students planning or considering a research career. Students pursuing the thesis option must write a formal thesis that meets the requirements of the graduate school and must defend their thesis and present their results in a public seminar.
- Research Project: The MS project is most appropriate for students who have scheduling commitments, such as a full-time job, that may preclude performing a complete series of laboratory experiments. Students pursuing the project option must successfully complete written and oral comprehensive exams.
MS without Concentration (30 credits)
Program in Biological Sciences (30 credits)
This program is for students who wish to specialize in an area not covered by the concentrations described below. 1–3 credits of research methodology
19–26 credits of electives
- 19–26 credits of electives in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director
MS with Concentration (30 credits)
▲ Concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB)
Students in the bioinformatics and computational biology concentration complete the degree as follows: 1–3 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core biology
2–4 credits of molecular techniques
Students choose from courses satisfying the Molecular Techniques requirement. 3-12 credits of electives
- 3–12 credits in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director.
- A list of recommended electives is shown at the end of this program description below.
▲ Concentration in Microbiology and Infectious Disease (MID)
Students in the microbiology and infectious disease concentration complete the degree as follows: 1–3 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core biology
Choose four courses from the following: 7-14 credits of electives to be chosen from the following:
▲ Concentration in Molecular Biology (MOB)
Students in the molecular biology concentration complete the degree as follows: 1–3 credits of research methodology
13 credits of core biology
3 credits of bioinformatics
2–4 credits of molecular techniques
Students choose from courses satisfying the Molecular Techniques requirement. 0-8 credits of electives
- 0-8 credits of electives in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director.
- A list of recommended electives is shown at the end of this program description below.
▲ Concentration in Neuroscience (NEUR)
Students pursuing the concentration in neuroscience take: 1-2 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core neuroscience
3-4 credits of statistics chosen from the following
5-10 credits of electives
Suggested electives include but are not limited to: ▲ Concentration in Systematics and Evolutionary Biology (SEB)
Students pursuing the concentration in systematics and evolutionary biology take: 1–3 credits of research methodology
12 credits of core biology
2–4 credits of molecular techniques
- 2–4 credits of courses satisfying the Molecular Techniques requirement
3–12 credits of electives
- 3–12 credits of electives in BIOL, BIOS, or related areas as approved by the student’s advisor and the program director
Recommended Electives
The following list, for students in the molecular biology concentration (MOB) or the bioinformatics and computational biology concentration (BCB), is provided as a suggestion only and is not intended to be complete. Note that two courses covering substantially similar topics may not both be counted in the student’s course plan. Students should consult their faculty research advisor or the graduate program coordinator when preparing a course plan. |
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