Graduate Bulletin
Biology, M.S.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: April 1
Spring: November 15
Applicants who desire to be considered for a University Fellowship must have a completed application on file by February 1.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters should be obtained from college/university faculty, preferably those in laboratory science areas, who are familiar with the applicant's academic and/or research abilities.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:
Applicants should have a solid background in Biology and should have taken at least eight undergraduate Biology courses and one year each of Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus. The Department's Graduate Committee may allow departures from these course requirements after review.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
A B.A. or B.S. in a science field is required.
Statement of Goals:
The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words in length and should include your interest in Temple's program and your research goals.
Standardized Test Scores:
The GRE is required. Admission guidelines include a minimum score of 550 in both the quantitative and analytical sections of the GRE exam.
Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted:
600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based.
Transfer Credit:
Graduate credits from an accredited institution
may be transferred into the Biology program.
The credits must be equivalent to coursework
offered by the Biology Department at Temple
University. A grade of "B" or better must
have been earned for the credits to transfer.
The Biology Department Graduate Committee
makes recommendations to the Department
Chair for transferring credit on an individual
basis. The maximum number of credits a student
may transfer is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 24
Required Courses:
Bio 5475 and Bio 8003. The Bio 5475
requirement may be satisfied with a previous course in Biochemistry at the discretion of the Department's Graduate Committee. A student seeking this credit must petition the Department's Graduate Committee.
Master's students must complete one core course from each of the three major areas of study within the Biology Department:
Molecular Biology and Genetics: Bio 5101, Bio 5248, Bio 5403, Bio 5429, Bio 5469, Bio 5474, Bio 5476, and Bio 5479.
Physiology, Behavior, and Neurobiology: Bio 5416, Bio 5452, Bio 5454, Bio 5456, and Bio 5467.
Cell and Developmental Biology: Bio 5427, Bio 5429, Bio 5430, Bio 5464, Bio 5465, Bio 5467, and Bio 5471.
One 3-s.h. graduate seminar course is also required. Students must enroll in a 1-s.h. graduate seminar in each semester that either Bio 703 or a 3-s.h. seminar is not taken. All graduate-level courses, including Biochemistry, must be passed with a "B-" or better.
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
Additional Requirements:
Attendance at scheduled departmental colloquia is required.
Culminating Events:
Thesis:
The master's thesis is an original empirical study that demonstrates the student's knowledge of research methods and mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Theses should be limited to a specific problem in the Biological Sciences and should be investigated under the direct supervision of a major advisor.
A student preparing to defend a master's thesis should confirm a date and time with her/his committee, composed of both the major advisor and another member of the Graduate Faculty. The student should then register with the Graduate Secretary. After the date, time, and room are approved, the Biology Department posts flyers announcing the defense.
The student's committee is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its oral defense in a public presentation. The committee votes to pass or fail the thesis and defense at the end of the public presentation. If revisions are required, the committee must approve the changes.
Contacts
Program Contact Information:
www.temple.edu/biology
Department Information:
Dept. of Biology
Regee Neely, Administrative Assistant
255 Biology-Life Sciences Building
1900 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
rneely@temple.edu
215-204-8854
Department Contacts:
Admissions:
Regee Neely
rneely@temple.edu
215-204-8854
Program Coordinator:
Edward Gruberg
e.gruberg@temple.edu
215-204-1920
Graduate Chairperson:
Edward Gruberg
e.gruberg@temple.edu
215-204-1920
Chairperson:
Shohreh Amini
shohreh.amini@temple.edu
215-204-8854
The M.S. in Biology offers students rigorous advanced study of the Biological Sciences. Broad preparation is offered in major research areas in Biology through a variety of formal courses and advanced seminars. Students are encouraged to take courses in related sciences. Preparation for both research and teaching is important.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years
Campus Location:
Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status:
Full-time study is required. Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before 4:30 p.m.
Department Information:
Dept. of Biology
Regee Neely, Administrative Assistant
255 Biology-Life Sciences Building
1900 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
rneely@temple.edu
215-204-8854
Interdisciplinary Study:
The program encourages interdisciplinary research and coursework in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Special interdisciplinary programs in which faculty from the Biology Department participate include the Center for Neurovirology and Cancer Research; the Neuroscience Program; and the Environmental Studies Program.
Affiliation(s):
Not applicable.
Study Abroad:
No.
Ranking:
Not applicable.
Accreditation:
Not applicable.
Areas of Specialization:
Faculty members specialize in the areas of Aquatic Ecology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, and Virology.
Job Placement:
The Department produces well-trained biologists who find work in the health professions, in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology fields, and in government positions.
Licensure:
Not applicable.
Non-Degree Student Policy:
Non-matriculated students may enroll in a total of three courses (9 credits) with permission of the instructor and the Department.
Financing Opportunities
The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant include assisting faculty members in the classroom; offering field and laboratory instruction; preparing materials for demonstration; conducting tutorials and laboratory sessions; and grading labs, quizzes, and tests. Attendance at weekly laboratory preparation sessions is required. The duties of a Research Assistant vary depending on the faculty member or principal investigator who is directing a specific research project. The appropriate project(s) are determined by consultation between the student and the student's academic and research advisors. RAs are expected to devote 20 hours per week to research obligations. Both Teaching and Research Assistantships carry a nine-month academic-year stipend and full tuition remission (up to 9 credits per semester). Summer stipends are also available. Assistantships are awarded competitively.
Updated 9.11.07
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