Biology, M.A.
ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø's Master of Arts in Biology is designed to prepare graduates for further training or for careers in academic, private or government sectors.
Program Highlights
- The SLU program emphasizes coursework and does not require a thesis.
- Students applying generally desire to broaden their knowledge or become more competitive in seeking employment or gaining admission into a health science program (medical school, dentistry school, etc.).
- In addition to the M.A. in Biology, SLU also offers anÌýM.S. in BiologyÌýthat offers experience in laboratory research, including experimental design, interpretation of data and scientific writing. For those who want to continue their studies after completing the M.A.,ÌýÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø's Department of Biology also offers a Ph.D. in Biology.Ìý
- Biology students at ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø have access to excellent facilities on campus and at the University'sÌýReis Biological Station. Collaborations with neighboring institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Zoo and Danforth Plant Science Center further expand possibilities for research and learning.
Curriculum Overview
The M.A. in Biology requires at least 30 post-baccalaureate credits. Coursework may be chosen from a wide variety of fields, including cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, geographic information systems, ecology, evolution and botany.
Careers
Past students have gone on to further study in medical or law school, or to careers as research scientists, teachers and in various capacities in pharmaceutical companies and government agencies.
ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø Requirements
Applicants should possess adequate undergraduate preparation in biology or a related discipline with a minimum 3.0 GPA in science and math courses. Research experience can bolster applications when the 3.0 GPA minimum is not met.
Suggested courses include biology (a minimum of 18 upper-division credits); chemistry (a minimum of eight, upper-division credits, including two semesters of organic chemistry or one semester of organic chemistry and the other of biochemistry); physics (two semesters); mathematics (through a course in calculus). A formal minor is not permitted.
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcript(s)
- ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
- Goal statement
- Interview (desired)
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
- WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
- In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
Review Process
Faculty committee members examine each applicant's materials and make recommendations.
Tuition
Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
---|---|
Graduate Tuition | $1,370 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For more information about ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø scholarships and financial aid, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- Graduates will be able to critically analyze primary literature articles by evaluating the scientific contributions of peer-reviewed publications in biology.
- Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional integrity.
SLU's M.A. in biology degree requires a minimum ofÌý30Ìýcredits of post-baccalaureate coursework but does not require a thesis. The expectation of the biology department is that students will complete the degree in two years, though up to five years are allowed by the Office of Graduate Education. The following requirements govern which courses may be counted toward a degree:
- At leastÌý20Ìýcredits of structured courses (does not include reading courses or problems courses).
- At leastÌý24 credits must be 5000- and 6000- level courses.
- At leastÌý12Ìýcredits of the total program must be from the biology department andÌý15Ìýcredits must be directly related to biology.
- At leastÌý24Ìýcredits must be completed in residence (i.e. no more than six transfer credits).
- No more than six credits ofÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5970 Research Topics (1-3 cr)Ìý²¹²Ô»å/´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5980 Graduate Reading Course (1-3 cr).
- Graduate seminar course (µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation (1-2 cr)Ìý´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (2 cr)) for two semesters
- Departmental seminar (µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 Department Seminar (1 cr)), must be taken each semester enrolled).
- Students must be enrolled in a course (even if it is for zero credits) every fall and spring semester to maintain standing in the program; students on 11-month assistantships must also enroll in the summer.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Seminars | ||
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar (every semester) | 1 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 | Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation | 1-2 |
´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 | Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics | |
Elective Courses | 27 | |
Students elective credit may vary depending on how many semesters of seminar they take and how long they are in the program. Total credits between electives and seminars must total at least 30. | ||
Total Credits | 30 |
Elective Courses
Electives can be selected from any 4000-level or higher courses in biology or related areas (subject to limits on 4000-level, 5970, and 5980 credit hours). Among the courses that can be taken as electives are:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4090 | Plant Ecology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4100 | Natural History of Vertebrates | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4120 | Field Botany | 5 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4130 | Field Mammalogy | 5 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4140 | Field Ornithology | 5 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4160 | Microbial Ecology and Molecular Evolution | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4200 | Aquatic Ecology | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4260 | Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4280 | Biology of Fishes | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4320 | Cave Biology | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4330 | Spring Flora of the Ozarks | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4360 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4370 | Animal Behavior Lab | 1 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4410 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4440 | Vertebrate Histology: Structure and Function of Tissues | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4480 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4510 | Behavioral Endocrinology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4540 | Human Systemic Physiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4640 | General Microbiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4650 | General Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4720 | Cancer Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4910 | Internship in Conservation | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4912 | Internship in Plant Science | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5000 | Problems in Vertebrate Morphology | 2-3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5030 | Genomics | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5050 | Molecular Techniques Lab | 2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5070 | Advanced Biological Chemistry | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5080 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5090 | Biometry | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5190 | Geographic Information Systems in Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5350 | Current Topics in Cell Biology | 2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5400 | Problems in Genetics | 1-4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5480 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5550 | Advanced Ecology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5560 | Advanced Evolution | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5610 | Principles of Develop Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5630 | Concepts of Immunobiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5640 | Advanced Microbiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5670 | Advanced Population Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5700 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5780 | Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 | Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation | 1-2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 | Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics | 2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6150 | Neural Basis of Behavior | 3 |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
General ScheduleÌý
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
4000/5000 level electives 1 | 6 | |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
Ìý | Credits | 6 |
Spring | ||
4000/5000 level electives | 6 | |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 or µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 |
Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation or Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics |
2 |
Ìý | Credits | 8 |
Summer | ||
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5980 | Graduate Independent Study in Biology (Optional) | 1 |
Ìý | Credits | 1 |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
4000/5000 level electives | 6 | |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 or µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 |
Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation or Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics |
2 |
Ìý | Credits | 8 |
Spring | ||
4000/5000 level electives | 7 | |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
Ìý | Credits | 7 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 30 |
- 1
A maximum of 10 hours of 4000-level courses can counted toward the MA; please see program notes for detailed requirements and a sample schedule of electives.
Sample Schedule
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5030 | Genomics | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5700 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
Ìý | Credits | 6 |
Spring | ||
BIOLÌý4250 | Neurobiology of Disease | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5070 | Advanced Biological Chemistry | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 | Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation | 2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
Ìý | Credits | 8 |
Summer | ||
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5980 | Graduate Independent Study in Biology | 1 |
Ìý | Credits | 1 |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5190 | Geographic Information Systems in Biology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5640 | Advanced Microbiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 | Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics | 2 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
Ìý | Credits | 8 |
Spring | ||
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5630 | Concepts of Immunobiology | 3 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5090 | Biometry | 4 |
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5810 | Department Seminar | 0 |
Ìý | Credits | 7 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 30 |
For additional information about our program, please contact:
Robert Wood, Ph.D.
314-977-3718
robert.wood@slu.edu