2017-2018 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology

The M.S. in cell and molecular biology requires a minimum of 35 credits for both the research emphasis and the professional science master's, biotechnology emphasis. A minimum grade of B is required for all courses.

There are separate admissions committees for the research emphasis and the biotechnology emphasis degree programs. The research emphasis is a thesis-based masters. The biotechnology emphasis is one of the three internship-based professional science masters (PSM) programs at GVSU.

Admission to the Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology

• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework is required.
• Satisfactory GRE score.
• Extensive undergraduate life science experience.
• Personal statement of career goals and background experiences, including an explanation of how this program will help achieve educational and professional objectives.
• Written recommendations from at least two individuals who are in positions to attest to the applicant's successful completion of the program.
• Telecommunications interview with program faculty.

Requirements for the M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology: Biotechnology Emphasis (PSM)

Core cell and molecular biology courses (Credits: 16)

• CMB 505 - Advanced Cell Biology (3 credits)
• CMB 506 - Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• CMB 610 - Foundations of Biotechnology (3 credits)
• CMB 620 - Cell and Tissue Culture (2 credits)
• CMB 626 - Advanced Nucleic Acids Laboratory (3 credits)
• CMB 697 - Colloquium in Biotechnology (2 credits)

Interdisciplinary courses shared with PSM degree programs (Credits: 6)

• CIS 661 - Introduction to Medical and Bioinformatics (3 credits)
• STA 622 - Statistical Methods for Biologists (3 credits)

Core PSM courses (Credits: 5)

• PSM 650 - Ethics and Professionalism in Applied Science (3 credits)
• PSM 662 - Seminar in Professional Science Practice (2 credits)

PSM internship (Credits: 4)

• PSM 691 - Internship (1 to 9 credits)
  Four credits required. No more than 4 credits can be applied toward degree completion.

*Electives (minimum of four credits with advisor approval)

Requirements for the M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology: Research Emphasis

Core cell and molecular biology courses (Credits: 11)

• BIO 610 - Scientific Methodology (3 credits)
• CMB 505 - Advanced Cell Biology (3 credits)
• CMB 506 - Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• CMB 698 - Colloquium in Cell and Molecular Biology (2 credits)

Research and thesis (Credits: 1 to 9)

• CMB 695 - Thesis Research (1 to 9 credits)

Biostatistics course (Credits: 3)

• STA 622 - Statistical Methods for Biologists (3 credits)

Electives

• BIO 580 - Special Topics in Biology Credits: 1 to 4
• BIO 680 - Special Topics in Biology Credits: 1 to 3
• BMS 680 - Special Topics in the Biomedical Sciences Credits: 1 to 3
• CMB 501 - Scientific Communication for the Life Sciences and Professional Science Masters Credits: 3
• CMB 580 - Special Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 1 to 4
• CMB 620 - Cell and Tissue Culture Credits: 2 (Elective for Research Emphasis)
• CMB 626 - Advanced Nucleic Acids Laboratory Credits: 3 (Elective for Research Emphasis)
• CMB 680 - Special Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 1 to 4
• CMB 699 - Grad Research in Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 1 to 6
• STA 616 - Statistical Programming Credits: 3

Cell and Molecular Biology Program Description

Click here for the program description.