Missouri State University

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Biomedical Sciences 

Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology

Program Description

The graduate program in Cell and Molecular Biology is designed for students preparing for entry into doctorate or health professional programs, or for expanding career opportunities in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, health science research, bioinformatics, genomics, and proteomics sectors. The program offers opportunities for science graduates with biological or biochemical preparation to increase knowledge in the molecular biosciences and provides initial or additional experiences using the biotechnologies emerging from the rapidly-growing disciplines in cell and molecular biology. The development of laboratory research skills occurs in a laboratory-focused curriculum that has a health and human emphasis.

Program Objectives

  1. To educate students at the graduate level in modern concepts and methodologies of cell and molecular biology.
  2. To build upon the student's foundation of knowledge in cell and molecular biology through enhanced exposure to course, laboratory, and research opportunities.
  3. To enhance the student's ability to carry out independent research in the the many bioscience disciplines and subdisciplines that are based on cell and molecular biology.

Admission Requirements For U.S.-Educated Applicants

Admission to the program requires much of the science and mathematics background that would be required of a student completing the undergraduate program in cell and molecular biology. In addition, admission to the program requires evidence that the applicant has an aptitude for research and will be able to successfully complete a rigorous graduate program in the sciences at a high level of performance.

  1. Two semesters of organic chemistry
  2. Two semesters of physics
  3. A course in calculus
  4. A bachelor's degree from a Missouri State Univeristy-recognized accredited college or university and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, overall, or for the last 60 hours. Students with GPAs of between 2.75 and 3.00 may be admitted if they have a composite score of 1000 or more on the GRE with a writing sample score of at least 3.5. Other students with GPAs of between 2.75 and 3.00 may be admitted after completing a minimum of 9 hours of specified graduate courses in the program, earning a GPA of at least 3.30 in these courses. Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for a graduate assistantship. Out of state applicants with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.25 or higher are eligible for the MOGO scholarship. International students are not eligible for a graduate teaching assistantship during their first semester.
  5. Submission of GRE scores from the General Examination portion. The scores must include the writing sample score.
  6. Thesis option candidates require acceptance as a potential member of a research team by at least one graduate faculty member in the Biomedical Sciences Department. Non-thesis option candidates may be admitted by the department's program director in consultation with the graduate faculty and Department Head.

Degree Requirements

The program requires completion of a minimum of 32 semester hours (minimum) and includes the following:

  1. Fundamentals. In addition to meeting specific admission requirements, including a course in cell biology, each candidate must demonstrate competence in cell and molecular biology. This requirement is met by enrolling in and successfully completing:
    • BMS 521-Molecular Cell Biology (4 credit hours)
    • BMS 525-Molecular Biology (4 credit hours)
    • BMS 558-Recombinant DNA Technology (3 credit hours)
  2. Orientation. The candidate must enroll in BMS 601-Introduction to Graduate Studies in the Biomedical Sciences (3 credit hours).
  3. Bioinformatics. The candidate must enroll in BMS 593-Bioinformatics and Biomedical Resources (2 credit hours).
  4. Statistics. The candidate must enroll in an approved introductory statistics course at the graduate level if a course in statistics is not a part of their previous academic record.
  5. Electives. A group of courses appropriate to the candidate's needs will be developed with the assistance of the candidate's graduate committee. Upon approval of the committee, up to 9 hours of appropriate course work may be selected from outside the Biomedical Sciences Department.
  6. Research. All candidates (thesis and non-thesis options) must satisfactorily complete a research requirement of at least 3 credit hours by enrolling in BMS 698. Thesis option candidates may apply an additional 3 hours of BMS 698 and a maximum of 6 hours of BMS 699 toward the 600 level requirement for the degree. Non-thesis option candidates may not apply more than 4 hours of BMS 698 and may not apply BMS 699 toward the degree.
  7. 600 Level Courses. At least 16 hours of course work must be at the 600 level or above. A maximum of 6 hours in BMS 698 (Research) and a maximum of 6 hours in BMS 699 (Thesis) may be counted toward the degree. In addition, candidates will be required to enroll for a minimum of two semesters in the journal topics course, BMS 630 (Current Literature Topics).
  8. Comprehensive Examination. The candidate must pass a written and an oral examination arranged and administered by the student's advisor and committee.

Additional Admission Requirements For Foreign Applicants

Requirements for foreign applicants include considerations of TOEFL totals and subscores, undergraduate grade point averages, and GRE verbal, quantitative, and writing sample scores.

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