All students must meet the Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Degree Pathways
Overview
The Accelerated Master’s Degree Entry Pathway (AMP) in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is designed to offer select UVM undergraduate science majors the opportunity to obtain both their Bachelor’s degree and Master's degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in a total of 5 years of study. The objective of this program is to provide a broad knowledge base of microbiological and molecular genetic concepts to improve students' relative standing towards pursuing additional graduate degrees (Ph.D., M.D.) or to prepare students for careers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related industries.
Students enrolled in this pathway can have up to 9 credits of graduate-level (5000- or 6000-level) courses, which are taken during their Senior undergraduate year, count towards both a Bachelor’s Degree and the Master's Degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. In their Senior year, their primary curriculum is their undergraduate major with a secondary curriculum for the M.S. Following completion of their Bachelor's, the graduate program becomes the primary curriculum and students are expected to complete the remaining Master’s Degree requirements during a 5th year of full-time study. Students interested in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics AMP should contact the Program Coordinator.
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
A minimum of 30 credits are required for completion of the Accelerated Master's Degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Of the 30 credits, at least 15 must be graded coursework (with at least 6 of those at the 6000-level or above) and at least 8 must be Master's thesis research credits. Students must also meet the Graduate College requirements for the Master's Degree including maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.00.
Courses should be selected from the following lists.
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following courses: | ||
| BIOC 6001 | General Biochemistry I *Successful completion of BIOC 3005 can substitute for the BIOC 6001 requirement for previous UVM students only. However, this will NOT count towards the 30-graduate credit requirement for the degree and thus cannot be used as part of the 9 credits that double count towards the bachelor's and master's degree. | 3 |
| MMG 6890 | Graduate Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| NSCI 6270 | Resp Conduct in Biomed Rsch | 1 |
| MMG 6990 | Special Topics (R Programming for Bench Scientists) | 3 |
| Students must complete at least 2 upper-level courses in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics | ||
| MMG 6330 | Adv Genetics and Genomics | 3 |
| MMG 5270 | Advanced Cancer Genetics | 3 |
| MMG 6990 | Special Topics (Host-Microbe Interactions) | 3 |
| MMG 5210 | Gr Medical Microbiology | 3-4 |
| or MMG 5220 | Gr Medical Micro w/lab | |
| MMG 5230 | Immunology Concepts | 3 |
| MMG 5055 | Human Microbiome | 3 |
| BIOC 5990 | Special Topics (Structure of Proteins and Nucleic Acids) | 3 |
| Remaining credits in the degree program should be selected from graduate courses approved by the student's Studies Committee | ||
| At least 8 (and up to 12) credits of Master's Thesis Research (MMG 6391) are required. In addition, a written thesis and defense of this thesis must occur according to the guidelines laid out by the Graduate College. | ||
Comprehensive Examination
By the end of the first semester following receipt of the Bachelor's Degree, M.S. students will write either an extensive literature review or research proposal that pertains to their research interests. Students can expect guidance from their advisor and Studies Committee in the writing of the proposal, but must assume responsibility for the final version and must acquire sufficient mastery of their chosen subject area to defend the proposal. Students will present their written proposal to their Studies Committee. That Committee will determine if the written proposal is satisfactory and, if it is, schedule an oral defense. During the oral defense, the Committee shall be free to explore the knowledge of the student on a range of subjects related to the proposal, much as occurs during a thesis defense. If the written review/proposal is deemed unsatisfactory or if a student fails the oral defense, the candidate will be given 1 opportunity to rewrite or re-defend his/her proposal. If the student fails a second time, s/he/they will be dismissed from the M.S. program.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Advancement to candidacy requires satisfactory completion of the comprehensive exam.
Studies Committee:
The student’s Studies Committee will consist of the student’s research faculty mentor, a member of the MMG graduate faculty, a faculty member from outside the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department to serve as the Chair of the Studies Committee and a fourth member at the discretion of the student in consultation with their research mentor.
Thesis Writing and Defense:
Thesis writing cannot begin until a student has become a Candidate for the Degree of Master of Science in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and has received approval from the student’s Studies Committee.