Masters of Science Degrees in Biology and Biotechnology

How to successfully navigate through your program.

Biology: Dr. Garry Sunter (458-5479)Biotechnology: Dr. Steven Saville (458-7023)

Administrative Assistant for MS Programs:Diane May (458-4459)

Main Biology Office (BSB 2.03.02).

Program Advisors and Contacts.

Be Aware of Your Admission Status.

Your admission status will fall into one of the following categories:

Unconditional

Conditional

Special Graduate

Unconditional Status

If you are unconditionally accepted, you are a clear admission and do not have to fulfill added requirements.

For unconditional acceptance, you must have:Degree in Biology or equivalent

GRE scores above 1000

GPA > 3.0

Two supportive letters of recommendation

Statement of Future Plans

Conditional Status

If you have a conditional acceptance, find out what the conditions are and meet them as soon as possible. (Review your acceptance letter.).If you are required to enroll in additional courses, take them first!When you have met all conditions, be sure you formally apply to change your status with Diane May who will process the appropriate paper work.Courses completed to satisfy conditions cannot be applied to the MS degree.

If you are a Special Graduate

Special Graduate students that decide to seek a degree must submit a formal application to the MS program.

A maximum of 12 hours of course work earned as a Special Graduate can count toward your Masters Degree.

MS Biology Program of Study

Includes 18 hours of organized course work.Includes 18 hours of additional coursework. For non-thesis degree, includes 3 hours of Bio 7041 (Colloquia).For Thesis, includes 6 hours of Masters Thesis.Custom design a program of study that supports your educational and career goals.

Organized Coursework

Courses can be selected to develop expertise in:

Neurobiology

Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology

Biochemistry

Plant Biology

Microbiology/Immunology

Bioinformatics/Computational Biology

Additional Coursework (18 Hours)

Organized courses (Typically Graduate Level Biology Courses).Up to 6 hours of approved upper division undergraduate courses.Colloquium courses (3 hours required for Biology MS if student chooses non-thesis option).Seminar courses.For thesis degree, includes 6 hours of Masters

Thesis (Bio 6983).Directed Research (Bio 5973).Independent Study (Bio 6951-3).Note: A maximum of 6 hrs of Bio 5973 and Bio 6951-3 combined, can be applied to your degree.

MS Biotechnology Program of Study

Includes 14 hours of required Core Lecture Courses.Includes 3 hours of laboratory coursework.Includes 3 hours of experimental data management coursework.Includes 9 hours of coursework selected from 1 of 4 areas of specialization.Includes 7 hours of electives.

Core Courses

Biotechnology core curriculum (15 Hours):

BIO 5113 Principles of Biochemistry

BIO 5123 Principles of Molecular Biology

BIO 5133 Principles of Cell Biology

BIO 5623 Bioinformatics for Biotechnology

BIO 5762 Fundamentals of Immunology

for Biotechnology

Microbial Biotechnology

Biodefense

Drug Development and Discovery

Molecular Biotechnology

Areas of Specialization

Directed research. Students may elect to develop expertise in research techniques in a selected emphasis in biology/biotechnology through BIO 5973 Directed Research.

Master’s thesis option (MS Biology Only). Students electing the thesis option must complete 6 semester credit hours of BIO 6983 Master’s Thesis.

Research Options

Masters ThesisRecommended for individuals interested in research careers.

To complete a Masters Degree with a Thesis:

Select a Chairperson for your committee with whom you will do your thesis research.

Select a Thesis Committee (3 professors including your Chairperson).

Must be enrolled in Master’s Thesis (Bio 6983) every semester in which thesis is in progress. 6 hours of Masters Thesis can be applied to the degree.

Obtain approval for your Thesis project from your committee.

Take an oral qualifying exam. Write and orally defend your Thesis.

Can I switch from Thesis to Non-thesis?

Yes, BUT:

If you have Masters Thesis credits, the hours will not count toward your degree. You will have to make up the hours with other courses.

You must fill out the appropriate paper work to change your status.

Therefore, be sure you want to do a thesis before you take your Masters Thesis hours.

Things to do in the first year.

Develop a Program of Study.

Remember, NOT all courses are offered every semester, so plan carefully.

Thesis versus Non-Thesis option.

How and When do I select a Chairperson and Committee?

Talk with your professors.Form your committee by the end of your second semester.

Committee is comprised of 3 members.Tenure/Tenure-track or non-tenure track with a Ph.D.No more than one member can be NTT, and that person cannot be the Chair.

Comprehensive Exam

Required for all MS students (thesis and non-thesis).Oral qualifying examination.Normally taken in second year.Schedule exam for the end of your next to last semester or early in your last semester.Make sure all paperwork is in order before the qualifying exam. (Work with Diane May to make sure your file paperwork is up to date and complete).

Other Things you should know.

You must complete the program in no more than 6 years. You lose credit hours that are older than 6 years.You can complete the program in 1.5 - 2 years.You may switch programs but you must formally apply for admission to the new program.Look before you leap! Select your Chairperson and research project carefully.

Members of your committee.

Biology: Dr. Garry Sunter (458-5479)Biotechnology: Dr. Stephen Saville (458-7023)

Administrative Assistant for MS Programs:Diane May (458-4459)

Main Biology Office (BSB 2.03.02)

Who can help me along the way?

Good Luck on Your Journey

And Welcome to UTSA!