M.A. 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.
Graduates 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. 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.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit official transcripts and official GRE scores in order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Program in Biology. 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: a bachelor's degree in Biology or closely related field, either a 3.0 GPA in Biology or a GRE minimum combined scores of 300 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. Students with deficiencies in these areas will be required to take these courses for undergraduate credit. Courses in general physics, pre-calculus, and statistics are strongly recommended.
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.
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 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 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 muscle physiology.
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.