{"id":748,"date":"2012-09-10T20:03:54","date_gmt":"2012-09-10T20:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1213\/sas\/programs\/master-of-arts-in-biological-environmental-sciences\/"},"modified":"2018-08-17T13:26:26","modified_gmt":"2018-08-17T17:26:26","slug":"master-of-arts-in-biological-environmental-sciences","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/sas\/programs\/master-of-arts-in-biological-environmental-sciences\/","title":{"rendered":"MASTER OF ARTS IN BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Master of Arts in Biological and Environmental Sciences<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Theodora Pinou, Graduate Coordinator, SB 242<\/span><\/td>\n(203) 837-8793
\n<\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\npinout@wcsu.edu<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lisa Taylor, Department Secretary, SB 220<\/span><\/td>\n(203) 837-8791<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\ntaylorl@wcsu.edu<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFax: (203) 837-8769<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*The Biological and Environmental Science program is currently not accepting any students into the program.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faculty\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/td>\nP. Boily; N. Connally; J. Cordeira; R. Gyure; M. Monette; T. Philbrick; T. Pinou (Graduate Coordinator); R. Prunier; S. Wagener; E. Wong\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Program\u00a0Overview and Mission<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Biological and Environmental Sciences degree program provides an opportunity for advanced study through intensive classroom presentations, seminars, laboratory and field experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

The M.A. program enables students to: pursue industrial, public service, or technical careers in the biological and environmental sciences; upgrade their knowledge in support of secondary school teaching; prepare for further studies leading to the Ph.D. in biology.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning Goals and Objectives<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A student completing an M.A. in Biological and Environmental Sciences should<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process and be able to apply it to designing and analyzing biological experiments<\/span><\/li>\n
  • demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the factual and theoretical bases of one or more areas of biology<\/span><\/li>\n
  • be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written presentations<\/span><\/li>\n
  • acquire the specific knowledge and understanding needed to further his or her professional career<\/span><\/li>\n
  • possess the computer and library skills necessary to continue learning beyond the M.A. degree, as well as information relevant to his or her specific interests and needs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Admission Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    A student seeking admission to the M.A. in Biological and Environmental Sciences program must meet the following requirements in addition to the general requirements described in this graduate catalog:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Applicants must hold a bachelor\u2019s degree in the biological sciences with a GPA of at least 2.70, or equivalent background. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.70, or with an undergraduate degree in a field other than biology, may be required to submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in biology in support of their application. Both the undergraduate record and GRE scores will then be considered.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • A narrative statement describing the student\u2019s career goals and an explantion as to why the student\u00a0would like to pursue a graduate degree; in particular, students should cite why they are seeking admission to Western Connecticut State University.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Final admission requires approval by the program coordinator and the dean of arts and sciences.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Degree Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      Advising Committee<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

      Each student will choose an adviser based on his or her interests. After the student completes six credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, the student and adviser will then choose two other faculty members to compose the student\u2019s committee. A committee member from outside the department of biological and environmental sciences must be approved by the department.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Course Work and Related Requirements<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

      Students must complete 24 to 30 semester hours of course work, depending upon choice of the thesis or non-thesis option, and must pass a final examination. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required for graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Master of Arts in Biological and Environmental Sciences<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

      a.\u00a0 Required Course: BIO 500 Graduate Seminar 3 SH<\/span><\/p>\n

      b.\u00a0 Additional Course Requirements: 21\u00a0to 27 SH to be chosen from the following list:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      BIO 504\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Limnology<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 510\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Current Topics in Biology<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 530\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Population Genetics\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 516\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Current Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 535\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Advanced Molecular Biology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 536\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Molecular Oncology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 537\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Molecular Endocrinology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 538\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Molecular Mechanisms of Animal Development<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 540\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aquatic Vascular Plants\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 543\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stream Ecology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 545\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Advanced Systematic Biology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 551\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soil Ecology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 555\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Environmental Physiology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 556\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herpetology\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4\u00a0 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 560\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behavioral Ecology<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 565\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Topics in Animal Behavior\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 592\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Independent Thesis Research\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n1-6 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 598\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Faculty-Developed Study\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n1-4 SH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      BIO 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Student-Developed Study<\/span><\/td>\n1-6 SH\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      Other 500-level BIO courses may be added to this list. A student should see the program coordinator before taking a BIO course not on this list. A maximum of six semester hours in 400-level courses may be applied to the degree. Some 400- or 500-level courses from other departments may be approved by the student\u2019s committee. A student should obtain committee approval before taking a course in another department.<\/span><\/p>\n

      c.\u00a0 Thesis or nonthesis option. Students will choose from the following options:<\/span><\/p>\n

      1. Thesis<\/em>. A minimum of 24 semester hours of course work, plus a thesis. All courses must be approved by the student\u2019s committee. The thesis proposal must be approved by the student\u2019s committee, the program coordinator, and the school dean. Thesis students will be required to present their research in a department seminar.<\/span><\/p>\n

      2. Nonthesis.<\/em> A minimum of 30 semester hours in a planned program of courses. All courses must be approved by the student\u2019s committee.<\/span><\/p>\n

      d. Final Examination<\/span><\/p>\n

      Thesis students must pass a thesis defense. Nonthesis students must pass a comprehensive examination. The examination or thesis defense will be administered by the student\u2019s committee during the student\u2019s final semester. The student\u2019s GPA must be at least 3.0 at the time of the thesis defense or comprehensive examination.<\/span><\/p>\n

      e.\u00a0 Grade Point Average<\/span><\/p>\n

      A student\u2019s cumulative GPA must be at least 3.0 to be eligible for graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Master of Arts in Biological and Environmental Sciences Theodora Pinou, Graduate Coordinator, SB 242 (203) 837-8793 pinout@wcsu.edu Lisa Taylor, Department Secretary, SB 220 (203) 837-8791 taylorl@wcsu.edu Fax: (203) 837-8769 *The Biological and Environmental Science program is currently not accepting any …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":747,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-748","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=748"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/748\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1920\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}