Biomolecular Sciences M.A.
Program Rationale:
The Master of Arts in Biomolecular Sciences is designed to fulfill the educational needs of biologists who desire further specialization and/or knowledge of recent advances in cell and molecular aspects of biology, students who seek an immersion in cell and molecular biology as an intermediate step toward preparation for work at the doctoral level, and teachers who are interested in their knowledge in molecular and cellular biology.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Graduate students will:
- demonstrate knowledge in biomolecular science, including an understanding of:
- the connection between molecular properties and cellular activities,
- the connection between cellular activities and biological responses,
- cellular structure and function, including chemical composition, physiochemical and functional organization of organelles, and basic cellular metabolism,
- major cellular processes, including DNA replication, gene regulation, protein structure and function, cell signaling, and differentiation,
- the role of molecular and cellular processes in human health and disease,
- contemporary techniques used in cell and molecular biology;
- be able to evaluate papers from the scientific literature and present oral and written critiques;
- develop research questions and the approach they will use to address that question; and
- successfully complete a research project, analyze and evaluate the data generated and present their findings in both an oral and written format.
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must also have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 point scale (where A is 4.00), or its equivalent, and good standing (3.00 GPA) in all post-baccalaureate course work.
The application process begins with the submission of an application for admission to graduate study, as well as official transcripts from all institutions where graduate or undergraduate work has been done, to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office (860- 832-2350).
Additional Materials Required:
Applicants should submit a narrative statement describing their academic goals directly to the chair of the Department of Biomolecular Sciences. These materials will be reviewed by the Department Graduate Committee, and students who are accepted will be assigned a program committee that will work with each student to develop a planned program of academic study.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the aptitude and advanced biology tests are optional, but, if available, these should also be submitted to the academic department.
Contact 860-832-2645
Course and Capstone Requirements:
Each student will be assigned a graduate committee that will help the student plan a sound program of study.
There are two options (Plan A and Plan B) leading to the Master of Arts in Biomolecular Sciences degree, both of which require a total of 30 credits, made up of a Course Component and a Capstone Component.
TOTAL CREDITS FOR PROGRAM IS 30 CREDITS
Course Component
| BMS 501 | Fundamentals of BiomolecularScience | 2 |
| BMS 540 | Advanced Topics in Biomolecular Science | 1 to 4 |
and biomolecular course electives (19-22 credits in BMS or related fields) from the following courses or others as approved by the advisor:
Capstone Component
Plan A:
| BMS 599 | Thesis | 3 |
| BMS 591 | Independent Research Project in Biomolecular Sciences | 1 TO 4 |
| Thesis defense | |
| or | |
Plan B:
| BMS 591 | Independent Research Project in Biomolecular Sciences | 1 TO 4 |
| Comprehensive Exam | |