The Biology Track of the Master’s Program is designed to meet the needs of students interested in obtaining graduate credentials in the traditional areas of biology, in preparation for professional study in medicine, in preparation for employment requiring a Master’s degree, or preparatory to doctoral training at another institution. Current research areas include microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and animal anatomy and physiology.

The M.S. curriculum offers two options for students. The Thesis option requires experimental research and is designed for students who will obtain positions in research or who are interested in pursuing doctoral training. The Non-Thesis option requires an independent study project and is an appropriate terminal degree for students pursuing advancement in non-research positions. In the thesis option, all students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 credits with at least a B average. In the non-thesis option, all students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 credits with at least a B average.

Ideal preparation would include a Bachelor’s Degree in Science such as Biology or Chemistry. Undergraduate preparation should include courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. An otherwise well-qualified student whose background does not contain all the requisite courses may be considered

All applicants must submit scores on the general aptitude section of the GRE or MCAT scores.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (30 or 36 Credits Required)
All students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 or 36 credits with at least a B average, no more than two grades of C, and no grade below C including:

Thesis Track (30 Credits Required)
a. At least one laboratory course in the candidate’s chosen area of specialization;
b. BIO 790, 791 Thesis Research I, & II and the successful completion and oral defense of thesis;
c. A comprehensive written examination;
d. A maximum of nine credits which may be transferred into the program from accredited institutions outside the Greater Hartford Consortium for Higher Education. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis and is not guaranteed.

Non-Thesis Track (36 Credits Required)
a. At least one laboratory course in the candidate’s chosen area of specialization;
b. A 3-credit independent study project, i.e. BIO 593 Special Problems, and an oral report;
c. A comprehensive written examination;
d. A maximum of nine credits may be transferred into the program from accredited institutions outside the Greater Hartford Consortium for Higher Education. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis and is not guaranteed.

SELECTED GRADUATE COURSES
BIO 544 Biochemistry
BIO 545 Biochemistry Laboratory
BIO 536 Animal Physiology
BIO 534 Plant Physiology
BIO 555 Vertebrate Histology
BIO 556 Micro-Cyto Techniques
BIO 557 Animal Development
BIO 560 Techniques in Electron Microscopy
BIO 591 Special Problems
BIO 596 Special Topics: Immunology Seminar
BIO XXX Microbiology
BIO 710 Topics in the Literature of Biology

Note: All courses are not given yearly but are available on a rotating basis; topics of current interest are presented in advanced topics and topics in literature courses.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Thesis Track: Ideal preparation would include a bachelor’s degree in science, such as biology, or chemistry, with additional optional undergraduate preparation in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. An otherwise well qualified student whose background does not contain all the requisite courses may be considered. All applicants must submit scores on the general aptitude section of the GRE or MCAT scores.

Non-Thesis Track: Ideal preparation would include baccalaureate work in some area of the life or health sciences such as biology, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or nursing, with additional optional undergraduate preparation in chemistry and biology. An otherwise well-qualified student whose background does not contain all the courses may be considered. For health professionals, results of licensing and/or certification examinations may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores or MCAT.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

A limited number of graduate assistantships will be available: these will provide 16 credits tuition remission per Academic Year and a $5,000 stipend. Recipients of these assistantships will be expected to teach two laboratory sections per Semester during the Academic Year and to work for the Department during the First Summer Session in June.


FEES FOR 2001/2002
Application fee: $40.00, domestic; $55.00, international
Registration fee/semester, $ 30.00
Tuition fee per credit, $300.00
Technology fee/semester, $25.00
Graduation Fee, $130.00
Thesis Continuation fee per semester (beyond 2 years only), $ 40.00


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Martin Cohen, Ph.D.
Director, Biology Graduate Program
Department of Biology
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 768-4587 (Phone)
(860) 768-5002 (Fax)
email: mcohen@hartford.edu