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Program Coordinator: Dr. Peter Bradley
508-929-8571
email: pbradley@worcester.edu
The Master of Science in Biotechnology is a part time program
designed to broaden the students understanding of the biological
sciences and to prepare the student for professional careers
in Biotechnology or doctoral study. Classes are usually held
in the evenings and combine lectures with laboratory experiences
in a broad range of subjects. Selected
Topics (BI 980) are presented on a variety of subjects including
timely topics for the modern professional Biotechnologist.
Individual courses are open to students who hold a Bachelor’s
degree in a biological subject or Biotechnology.
Prerequisites for Admission to the Program
In order to be admitted to the program a candidate must meet
the Worcester State College general admission requirements
for the degree of Master of Science. The program is open to
graduates of accredited institutions of higher education who
have been awarded a baccalaureate degree and who possess a
substantial background at the undergraduate level comparable
to that required of Biology, Biotechnology or Chemistry majors
at Worcester State College.
Graduate study in Biotechnology at Worcester State College
assumes sound undergraduate training and pronounced academic
capability. The applicant should have achieved a minimum grade
point average of 2.75 in all undergraduate work and an average
of 3.00 in all course work within his/her major at the junior
and senior level.
The Biotechnology Graduate Coordinator shall review all applications
and make appropriate recommendations to the Director of Admissions.
Program of Study for the Degree
The quantitative requirement for the degree is 33 graduate
credits in an approved schedule of courses within the program.
All work for the degree must be completed within a period
of six years from the date of admission to the program. All
course credits must be earned in courses which are exclusively
graduate-level courses (900 series).
Of the 33 credits required for the degree, at least 21 credits
must be earned as a matriculated graduate student at Worcester
State College. Credits for which students have earned a “B-”
or higher within a two year period immediately prior to the
date of their acceptance into the program are transferable
from an accredited institution, including credits earned at
Worcester State College. A maximum of 12 such transfer credits
may be accepted.
Matriculated students who do not maintain a GPA 3.0 or higher
will be terminated from the program.
Degree Requirements:
Required of all students:
BI 921 Biotechnology and DNA 4 credits
BI 927 Tissue Culture Techniques 3 credits
BI 930 Biological Chemistry 3 credits
Additional approved Biology or Chemistry electives 14 credits
minimum
BI 990 Seminar in Biology/Biotechnology 3 credits
BI 995 Research in Biology/Biotechnology 6 credits
In addition (a) reading competency in a language other than
the candidate’s native tongue, or (b) computer science
proficiency, or (c) statistics competency is required. A minimum
score of 500 on the Graduate School Foreign Language Test
(GSFLT) of the Educational Testing Service may be required
to establish language competency. Students electing to satisfy
computer science or statistics proficiency must meet the requirements
established by the Department of Biology in conjunction with
the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Proficiency
is normally determined by the candidate’s completion
of an approved course(s) with a minimum of grade of B-.
Elective Courses are from this list or others when approved
by the faculty:
BI 905 Historical Perspectives
BI 910 Public Health Parasitology
BI 915 Advanced Botany
BI 935 Biochemical Techniques
BI 936 Immunology
BI 937 Molecular Virology
BI 938 Toxicology
BI 940 Reproductive Physiology
BI 945 Neuroendocrinology
BI 980 Selected Topics in Advanced Biology
BI 985 Graduate Internship in Biology/Biotechnology
CH 941 Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
CH 942 Structure & Function of Proteins
CH 943 Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
CH 990 Special Problems in Chemistry
CH 991 Directed Study
CH 996 Internship in Chemistry
To fulfill requirements for the Course BI 995 Research in
Biology/Biotechnology (6 credits) the candidate must complete
an acceptable thesis or paper submitted in publishable format
based upon the original research. The candidate must adhere
to the form specified for the thesis by the Biology Department
graduate faculty. The thesis will be defended in an oral examination
conducted by the faculty. During the semester in which the
candidate anticipates receiving the degree, the following
timetable for the thesis completion and defense shall apply.
1. A minimum of four weeks prior to graduation the
paper must be presented to the candidate’s graduate research
advisor.
2. A minimum of two weeks prior to commencement the
final copy of the paper, following approval by the candidate’s
graduate research advisor, will be evaluated.
Comprehensive Examination
To receive the Master of Science in Biotechnology the candidate
is required to pass an oral and/or written comprehensive examination/thesis
defense in both general subject matter, as well as the candidate’s
area of specialization. The nature of the comprehensive, whether
it be written and/or oral will be determined by the candidates
comprehensive/thesis examination committee. If a candidate
fails the examination he/she will be granted one chance to
satisfactorily fulfill this requirement. At least twenty-four
approved graduate credits must be earned before the candidate
can submit a request for the scheduling of a comprehensive
exam/thesis examination.
The candidate shall be eligible to receive the degree at
commencement upon endorsement by the Biotechnology Graduate
Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies.
Biology/Biotechnology Courses (Graduate)
BI 905 Historical Perspectives in Biology
The nature, processes, and research approaches of the major
biological discoveries and emerging new paradigms from the
17th century to present.
3 credits.
BI 910 Public Health Parasitology
Biology, epidemiology, disease processes, control and prevention
of human parasites. Concentrates on selected protozoan, helminth,
and arthropod organisms. Includes three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 915 Topics in Advanced Botany
Explores and reviews specialized topics in the life of plants.
Includes three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 920 Population Biology
Analyzes population density, growth, regulation, and energy
relationships. Population interactions, organization, and
evolution are stressed.
3 credits.
BI 921 Biotechnology and DNA
Applications of recombinant DNA technology, together with
business and industry information and government regulation.
Includes a three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 923 Fermentation Technology
The growth of microorganisms in bioreactors under sterile
conditions and the production of useful products.
3 credits.
BI 924 Recombinant DNA
A theoretical course covering the basic concepts of DNA structure,
the role of DNA in cells and how genes are isolated and cloned.
3 credits.
BI 925 Cell Physiology
Examines the cellular mechanisms involved in maintaining homeostasis
in response to changes in the cellular environment. Includes
three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 927 Tissue Culture Techniques
Prerequisite: B.S. in a biological science
Presents the most important techniques used for mammalian
tissue culture by lecture and laboratory demonstration and
practice. The course also includes topics in plant tissue
culture.
3 credits.
BI 930 Biological Chemistry
Concerns the physical, chemical, and biological properties
and metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, DNA, and
RNA.
3 credits.
BI 935 Biochemical Techniques
Prerequisite: BI 930
Topics include the isolation and characterization of biochemical
compounds with emphasis on nucleic acids and proteins. One
hour of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
3 credits.
BI 936 Immunology
Prerequisite: B.S. in a biological science
Recent advances in understanding the immune system will be
covered.
3 credits.
BI 937 Molecular Virology
Prerequisite: B.S. in a biological science
A study of virus families with emphasis on replication and
regulation of gene expression.
3 credits.
BI 938 Toxicology
A theoretical course presenting the principles and mechanisms
of toxic damage to cells, organs and organisms.
3 credits.
BI 940 Reproductive Physiology
Concerns the influence of sex hormones on the reproductive
system, beginning with embryogenesis and early maturation
and extending into the areas of fertilization, pregnancy,
gestation, parturition, and lactation. Includes
three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 945 Neuroendocrinology
Emphasizes the hypothalamo-hypophysial system in mammals together
with its influence on the central nervous system.
3 credits.
BI 950 Physiological Ecology
Considers the physiological adjustments which animals make
in response to environmental factors; emphasizes the physiological
basis of animal evolution and distribution.
3 credits.
BI 955 Herpetology
Concerns the structural and functional characteristics of
amphibians and reptiles, their origin and evolution, their
ecological relationships, and their distribution and natural
history. Includes three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 960 Biology of Symbiosis
Nutritional, metabolic, and evolutionary mechanisms of partnerships
in nature with emphasis on the universality of symbiosis.
Includes three hour laboratory.
4 credits.
BI 980 Selected Topics in Advanced Biology
Each topic is a timely and exciting new lecture and/or laboratory
course. Topics will be announced in advance and will service
needs in growth areas; e.g., biotechnology.
3-4 credits.
BI 985 Graduate Internship in Biology/Biotechnology
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a minimum of 12 graduate
credits toward the degree and approval of the Biology faculty.
Provides M.S. candidates the chance to gain practical experience
at off-campus agencies where technical and analytical skills
can be gained.
3-4 credits.
BI 990 Seminar in Biology/Biotechnology
Study and discussion of current researches, books, and periodicals
in the field of biology; includes reports of research in progress.
Required of all graduate degree candidates.
3 credits.
BI 995 Research in Biology/Biotechnology
Original research in biology under faculty supervision. Requires
an acceptable thesis or paper in publishable format. Required
of all degree candidates.
3-6 credits.
Chemistry Courses (Graduate)
CH 941 Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
Prerequisites: Biochemistry I, Modern Biochemistry, or Biological
Chemistry
The structure and function of DNA and RNA. Topics include
bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic nucleic acids.
3 credits.
CH 942 Structure and Function of Proteins
Prerequisites: Biochemistry I, Modern Biochemistry, or Biological
Chemistry
The biochemistry of proteins. Particular emphasis is given
to enzymes and the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
3 credits.
CH 943 Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
Prerequisites: Biochemistry I, Modern Biochemistry, or Biological
Chemistry
This course includes the isolation and characterization of
biochemical compounds with emphasis on nucleic acids and proteins,
including enzymes.
3 credits.
CH 990 Special Problems in Chemistry
Prerequisite: Consent of department
A laboratory or library research project conducted in consultation
with a faculty member.
3 credits.
CH 991 Directed Study
Prerequisite: Consent of department
Designed for the student who wishes to undertake an individualized
study in chemistry on a topic mutually agreeable to student
and instructor.
1-4 credits.
CH 996 Internship in Chemistry
Prerequisite: Consent of department
Research project completed at an institution other than WSC
by a student with a non-WSC sponsor and WSC liaison. Requires
final typewritten report.
3 credits
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