The Graduate Program in Biology
The Graduate Program in Biology has been a successful component of the University’s mission in education, scholarship, and service for over 30 years. The Master’s degree in Biology has served as both a terminal degree meeting professional requirements, and as a bridge towards the doctoral degree.
Graduate have entered careers in education, research, and government service. Candidates for the master’s degree reflect the diversity found in San Antonio and surrounding communities. Hallmarks of graduates are the skills and attitudes to become independent scholars. Two degrees are offered. The Master of Arts in Biology provides a broad background of course work in biology, including molecular and cellular biology, environmental biology, and organismal biology. The Master of Science in Biology provides additional training in laboratory-based or field research through completion of a thesis.
Admission Requirements:
In addition to the general requirements listed in the Graduate Admissions section of the Bulletin, the following are prerequisites for the Graduate Program in Biology: Either a 3.0 average in Biology or a GRE minimum combined scores of 1000 on Verbal and Quantitative sections, 8 semester hours credit in principles of chemistry, 6 semester hours of organic chemistry, and 12 upper-division hours in biology. Deficiencies in these areas will require taking courses for undergraduate credit. Courses in general physics, pre-calculus, and statistics are strongly recommended. Applicants are required to take the GRE test in Biology in addition to the Verbal and Quantitative tests. Unsatisfactory performance on a portion of this test may result in a requirement for the student to take remedial undergraduate course work.
Requirements for the Master of Arts:
- A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate level courses. At least 24 hours must be in biology.
- The following areas, if not already part
of the baccalaureate degree, are expected to be made up in addition to
the 30-hour requirement:
a. Genetics (with laboratory)
b. Environmental Biology
c. Organismal Biology
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. A master's candidate will be removed from the program if a grade of "C" is received in two courses or if a grade of “F” is received in one course.
- BIOL CE90 Comprehensive Examination is required for MA
candidates only.
Requirements for the Master of Science:
The requirements are the same as 1-3 above, but six hours of the 24 hours in biology must be in the thesis courses, BIOL 63TP and BIOL 63TR. The thesis must be defended before a committee of faculty. M.S. students are also required to take MATH 6363, Research Statistics.
Courses:
6345 - Biogeography
Analysis of present and past global patterns of distribution of plants
and animals and the ecological, evolutionary, and tectonic factors that
have influenced these patterns.
6370 – Molecular Biology
Study of the structure, expression, replication, and recombination of DNA.
Discussion of current technology of recombinant DNA, its application
in medicine, agriculture, and industry, and its implications in contemporary
society.
6373 - Tropical Parasitology
Study of the biology and systematics of parasitic organisms with a special
emphasis on etiological agents of human diseases prevalent in tropical
climates.
6375 - Medical Microbiology
The mechanisms of host defense, pathogenesis, and antimicrobial therapy.
A survey of medically important bacteria and viruses and their epidemiology.
Brief introductions to medical mycology and protozoology.
6380 – Virology
Study of viruses that infect animals including humans. The molecular mechanisms
by which viruses replicate and cause disease. Host immune responses to
viral infections.
6385 – Immunology
Study of the human immune system and its responses to microbial pathogens
and cancers. Mechanisms of cellular and humoral immunity.
6392 - Advanced Human Physiology
Human physiology with major emphasis on the nervous, endocrine, digestive,
circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems.
6399 - Selected Topics in Biology
Offered periodically including Human Evolution, Medical Entomology, Neurobiology,
Behavioral Endocrinology, and Ecological Mapping with GPS/GIS.
63TP/63TR - Thesis Proposal/Thesis Research
Laboratory or field-based research, under the direction of a graduate faculty
member, leading to completion of a Master's Thesis. The research is based
upon a Thesis Proposal, which should be completed by the time admission
to candidacy is filed, i.e., before the student registers for the last
18 hours of graduate study.
CE90 - Comprehensive Exam
A written examination covering questions from three graduate faculty who
have been selected by the candidate and the Director of the Graduate
Program.
Faculty:
1. David Coleman, Assistant Professor of Chemistry. B.S., Emory University, Ph.D., University of North Carolina. Area of research: structure and function of proteins.
2. David Foglesong, Associate Professor of Biology. B.S., Virginia Tech, Ph.D., Stony Brook University. Area of research: gene expression in human leukocytes.
3. Edward Gonzalez, Associate Professor of Chemistry. B.A., M.S., University of Texas, M.A., University of Texas at San Antonio, Ph.D., University of Texas. Area of research: natural products of plants.
4. Barbara Herlihy, Professor of Nursing. B.S.N., Boston College, Ph.D., University of Virginia. Area of Research: education in physiology.
5. Sara Kerr, Professor of Biology. B.S., Portland State University, M.Ag., Ph.D., Texas A & M University. Area of research: transmission of pathogenic protozoa.
6. Bin Kong, Professor of Chemistry. B.S., Seoul National University, M.A., M.S., Ph.D., University of Florida. Area of research: environmental chemistry.
7. Christy MacKinnon, Professor of Biology. B.S., University of Michigan – Flint, M.S., Michigan State University, Ph.D., Colorado State University. Area of research: professional development of educators in science.
8. Veronica Martinez, Assistant Professor of Biology. B.A., B.A., St. Thomas University, Ph.D., Texas A & M University. Area of research: developmental neurobiology.
9. Bonnie McCormick, Associate Professor of Biology. B.B.A., University of Texas, M.A., Incarnate Word College, Ph.D., University of Texas. Area of research: education in science.
10. Benjamin McPherson, Instructor of Biology. B.A., University of Texas, M.A., Incarnate Word College. Area of research: ecological preservation and restoration.
11. Richard Peigler, Associate Professor of Biology. B.S., M.A., Clemson University, Ph.D., Texas A & M University. Area of research: evolution and natural history of silk moths.
12. Russell Raymond, Assistant Professor of Biology. B.S., M.S., University of the Incarnate Word, Ph.D., Texas A & M University. Area of research: transmission of pathogenic protozoa.
13. Sara Tallarovic, Associate Professor of Biology. B.S. Northern Arizona University, Ph.D. Oregon State University. Area of research: behavioral physiology of weakly electric fish and behavioral effects of aquatic pollutants.
