Biology

Minimum number of credits required to graduate:  32

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate:  3.0

 

Mission:

To deepen out students’ knowledge of biology and the scientific enterprise, and to provide our students with a competitive advantage in their applications to graduate and professional schools, and in the job market.

 

Master of Science in Biology with concentrations in Biotechnology & Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology:

The Master of Science degree offered by the department of Biology will require 32 credits.  There are five graduate-only required core courses for both the concentrations in Biotechnology & Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology:  Survey Methods in Biological Sciences (4 credits), 2 semesters of Graduate Research (4 credits each for 8 credits), Careers in Biology (2 credits), and Research Seminar (2 credits).  The two semesters of Graduate Research must be a single project with one mentor, taken in consecutive terms, unless there is a compelling scientific reason to do otherwise.  The remaining credits will be fulfilled by electives that include lecture/lab, seminar, and research courses.  

In order to complete the master’s program in one calendar year, students must take at least two courses during the summer.  Those courses could either be two online/hybrid courses, or Methods in Biological Sciences and Graduate Research I with a faculty member.  Students may take all four of these courses during the summer as well.  

 

Entry Requirements:

Applicants must have a BA or BS degree in Biology or Biochemistry, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.  Applicants with other degrees who meet the course prerequisites will also be considered after an interview process.  If slots remain available, alumni and students outside the college will be considered.  Merrimack College students will not need letters of recommendation, but students coming from other institutions will need two letters.  There will be no GRE requirement.  Applicants must identify the research mentors with whom they want to work, and will be approved by the faculty of the department.