Graduate Bulletin
Biology, M.S.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: April 15
Spring: November 15
Applicants wishing to be considered for University Fellowships for the fall term must have a completed application on file by February 1.
Letters of reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters should be from college/university faculty members (preferably in laboratory science areas) familiar with the applicant's academic and/or research abilities.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:
Yes. A B.A. or a B.S. in science. Applicants should have a solid background in biology and should have taken at least eight undergraduate biology courses, and one year each of organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. The Department's Graduate Committee may allow departures from these course requirements after review.
Statement of Goals:
The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1000 words 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 or range of scores needed to be accepted:
600 on the paper-based version or 250 on the computer-based version.
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
Campus Location:
Main Campus
Full-Time/Part-Time Status:
Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before 4:30 p.m.
General Program Requirements:
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 24
Required Courses:
Bio 473 and Bio 703. The Bio 473 requirement may be satisfied with a previous course in Biochemistry at the discretion of the Department Graduate Committee. A student seeking this credit must petition the Department Graduate Committee.
Masters students must complete one core course from each of the three major areas of study within the department. Molecular Biology and Genetics: Bio 410, Bio 415, Bio 422, Bio 428, Bio 429, Bio 463, Bio 474, Bio 476, Bio 479, and Bio 489. Physiology, Behavior, and Neurobiology: Bio 415, Bio 416, Bio 452, Bio 454, Bio 456, Bio 470, and Bio 481. Cell and Developmental Biology: Bio 429, Bio 430, Bio 440, Bio 464, Bio 465, Bio 471, and Bio 484. One three-credit graduate seminar course is also required. Students must enroll in a one-credit graduate seminar in each semester that either Bio 703 or a three-credit 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 their committee (the major advisor plus another member of the graduate faculty). The student then should register with the Graduate Secretary. After the date, time and room are approved, the Biology Department will post flyers announcing the defense.
The student's committee (major advisor plus another graduate faculty member) is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its oral defense in a public presentation. The committee will vote 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
255 Biology Life Sciences Building
1900 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia PA 19122
richard.waring@temple.edu
215-204-8854
Department Contacts:
Admissions:
Program Coordinator:
Richard Waring
richard.waring@temple.edu
215-204-8877
Graduate Chairperson:
Richard Waring
richard.waring@temple.edu
215-204-8877
Chairperson:
Shohreh Amini
shohreh.amini@temple.edu
215-204-8854
The M.A. 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 Campus
Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before 4:30 p.m.
Department Information:
Dept. of Biology
255 Biology Life Sciences Building
1900 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia PA 19122
richard.waring@temple.edu
215-204-8854
Ranking:
Not applicable.
Accreditation:
Not applicable.
Areas of Specialization:
Faculty members specialize in the following areas: cell biology, neurobiology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, virology, aquatic ecology
Job Placement:
The Department produces well-trained biologists who find work in the health professions, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology fields, and in government positions.
Affiliation(s):
Not applicable.
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.
Study Abroad:
No.
Licensure:
Not applicable.
Non-Degree Student Policy:
Non-matriculated students may enroll in a total of three courses with the permission of the instructor and the department.
Financing Opportunities
Teaching Assistant (TA): The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant include assisting faculty members in classroom, field and laboratory instruction, preparing material for demonstration, conducting tutorials and laboratory sessions, and grading labs, quizzes and tests. Attendance at weekly laboratory preparation sessions is required. Research Assistantships (RA): 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. Research Assistants 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.
Other Financial Opportunities
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