Biology AMP

All students must meet the Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Degree Programs

Overview

An accelerated master's degree in biology can be earned in a shortened time by applying and being accepted in the junior year of undergraduate work. Biology, Zoology, Neuroscience or Environmental Science B.S. majors should discuss this possibility with the department’s graduate program director as soon as they think they might be interested in the program. The AMP M.S. is expected to be earned in one additional year.

Learning goals for AMP students are:

  • Be able to execute scientific experiments, analyze and communicate experimental results orally and in writing.

  • Have a working knowledge of the fundamental literature, concepts and ideas of field of study.

  • Have a broad factual and conceptual knowledge of biology.

Following formal admission to the Accelerated Master's Program, up to six credits of subsequent Biology course work approved for graduate credit taken in the junior and senior year can be counted toward the degree requirement. Courses must be selected from among:

BIOL 202Quantitative Biology3
BIOL 203Population Ecology3
BIOL 204Adv Genetics Laboratory4
BIOL 205Adv Genetics Laboratory4
BIOL 208Morphology&Evolution Insects0 or 4
BIOL 209Field Zoology0 or 4
BIOL 212Comparative Histology0 or 4
BIOL 217Mammalogy0 or 4
BIOL 219Compar/Func Vertebrate Anatomy4
BIOL 223Developmental Biology3
BIOL 225Physiological Ecology3
BIOL 238Winter Ecology3
BIOL 246Ecological Parasitology1 or 3
BIOL 254Population Genetics0-4
BIOL 255Comparative Physiology0 or 4
BIOL 261Neurobiology3
BIOL 262Neurobiology Techniques4
BIOL 263Genetics Cell Cycle Regulation3
BIOL 264Community Ecology3
BIOL 265Developmntl Molecular Genetics3
BIOL 266Neurodevelopment3
BIOL 267Molecular Endocrinology4
BIOL 270Speciation and Phylogeny4
BIOL 271Evolution3
BIOL 275Human Genetics3
BIOL 277Sociobiology3
BIOL 280Molecular Ecology0 or 4
BIOL 286Forensic DNA Analysis3
BIOL 295Advanced Special Topics (with permission)0-18
BIOL 296Advanced Special Topics (with permission)1-18
BIOL 372Cutting Edge Topics2
BIOL 381Special Topics (with permission)0-4

Specific Requirements

Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Science for Accelerated Master's Students

To be eligible for the Accelerated Master’s Program, a student must be a declared biological science, zoology, neuroscience or environmental science B.S. major, and have identified a Biology faculty sponsor. Other requirements include a GPA typically higher than 3.10 overall and 3.30 in biology courses. Following admission students are required to take at least three credits of undergraduate research with a Biology faculty member who is the intended research advisor, usually in their senior year. After graduation with the B.S. degree, students are eligible to become candidates for the AMP M.S. degree. There is no GRE requirement for the AMP degree.

Minimum Degree Requirements

Nine or more additional course credits in biology and related fields; thesis research (up to fifteen credits); and successful defense of thesis.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination must be taken by the end of the second semester as a matriculated graduate student for students admitted under the accelerated program. The examination will cover broad knowledge of the student's discipline. The details and format of the examination and its form (written or oral or both) are decided upon by the studies committee and will be discussed with the student well in advance of the exam.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science

Satisfactory completion of a qualifying examination.