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Masters Program

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MASTER OF ARTS
The degree is offered either as a terminal degree or as the first year toward the PhD within CUNY. Both introductory and advanced courses are available at Hunter College. Requirements for Admission
In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate programs, the following departmental requirements must be met:

  1. One year of organic chemistry, including laboratory
  2. One year of college physics
  3. One year of calculus
  4. An undergraduate major in biology, botany, physiology, zoology, chemistry, physics, or other appropriate discipline. A minimum of 18 credits in the area of specialization should be presented. Chemistry or physics majors must offer at least one year of appropriate life science for admission to any of the majors in the MA program in biological sciences.
  5. General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  6. TOEFL Test for foreign, non-English speaking students

Requirements for the Degree
The program of course work, planned with the graduate adviser, is concentrated in one of the following major areas: molecular and cell biology, cancer biology, molecular and developmental genetics, molecular neuroscience, and biotechnology.
Required Courses
BIOL 700.05 Genetics
BIOL 710.13 Molecular Biology Lecture
BIOL 714.01 Cell Biology
BIOL 750.03 Developmental Biology
Up to 4 credits of tutorial are accepted toward the degree. Only one 600-level course
(including in another science such as biochemistry) may be credited toward the degree.
 Comprehensive Examination and Thesis
Students may fulfill requirements for the MA through either of the following plans:

  •  Plan A: A minimum of 30 credits of course work plus a passing grade in a written comprehensive examination in the areas covered by the four required courses. The comprehensive examination is given annually in June. Only fully matriculated students who have completed all four required courses may take the comprehensive examination.
  • Plan B: A minimum of 24 credits of course work plus a passing grade in a written comprehensive examination and a thesis on an original research problem along with a minimum of 6 credits in original research. The thesis must be approved by both the student's faculty and the MA adviser, and it must be defended before a thesis committee.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 December 2009 14:35 )