The
biological sciences include the study of living systems at
levels ranging from the structure and function of molecules
to the behavior and evolution of communities of organisms.
Within the Department of Biological Sciences at Lehigh, research
areas in molecular biology include microbial evolution and
genetics, plant and animal molecular genetics, developmental
genetics, eukaryotic cell biology, regulation of gene expression,
and virology.
Program Overview
The Master’s
Degree in Molecular Biology includes: 30 credit hours of graduate
work; not less than 18 credits of 400-level courses (six credit
hours of research counts as part of the 400 level requirement)
and not less than 18 credits of coursework in the major of
which 15 credits must be at the 400 level. The remaining credits
are completed from electives, which are added to the schedule
on a non-regular basis or may be selected from discipline-related
courses offered outside the Molecular Biology program. Students
must register for six credits of research (two options available
– see Curriculum below) and successfully complete a
research project under the direction of a faculty member of
the Department of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with
a staff research advisor at their site.
New students will apply for associate admission
through the Biological Sciences Department using the Distance Learning Program admission form. Two
letters of recommendation and an official transcript of
previous educational experience are required for consideration
of associate status in the Distance Education Master's Degree
program. [Please
note: Students admitted for associate status must complete
9 consecutive credit hours of coursework of 300-level or
higher, with no grade lower than a B-, in order to continue
taking courses. Transfer to regular status may be petitioned
to complete a Master’s in Molecular Biology after
completion of the 9 credit hours. GRE scores may be required
before a transfer is approved.]
With the approval of the Department Graduate
Committee and the Lehigh University Registrar, a maximum of
six credits of molecular biology–relevant courses may
be transferred in toward completion of the master’s
degree. A course grade of B or better is required for transfer
credits.
Students completing the program will receive
a Master of Science Degree in Molecular Biology from Lehigh
University.
Curriculum
Required Courses
- BioS 345 Molecular Genetics
(3)
- BioS 371 Elements of Biochemistry
I (3)
- BioS 372 Elements of Biochemistry
II (3)
- BioS 407 Research (1-9)
|
- BioS 411 Advanced Cell Biology
(3)
- BioS 421 Molecular Cell Biology
I (3)
- BioS 422 Molecular Cell Biology
II (3)
- BioS 427 Techniques in Cell
and Molecular Biology* (3)
|
* This course may be completed by arrangement
at Lehigh or at the distance site in consultation with a staff
research advisor and Lehigh faculty. However, this course may
not be required (and another one may be substituted in its place)
if the student has demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology
and biochemical techniques. In this case, a description of research
or technical experience in the field should be summarized and
submitted with the student’s admission application.
A
non-thesis research option is available upon approval
by student’s departmental committee.
Electives: Elective courses offered through
the student’s program will include various specialization
courses such as:
- BioS 353 Virology (3)
- BioS 356 Human Genetics and Reproduction
(3)
- Bios 433 Classical and Molecular Embryology
(3)
- BioS 464 Molecular Biology of Eukaryotic
Organisms (3)
- BioS 466 Structure and Function of RNAs
and Ribonucleoprotein Complexes (3)
This elective list is preliminary and is shown
for information only. There is no relationship to the order
in which they appear above and when they will be scheduled
for broadcast.
Program Advisors: Professor
Vassie C. Ware, 610-758-3690, or e-mail: vcw0@lehigh.edu and Professor Michael Kuchka, 610-758-3687, or e-mail: mrk5@lehigh.edu
Application Deadline
Application deadlines for acceptance in to the Distance Education program are:
| Entrance beginning.... |
Regular Degree |
Non-Degree |
| Fall Semester |
July 1 |
August 1 |
| Spring Semester |
November 1 |
December 1 |
| Summer Semester |
April 15 |
May 1 |
For more information, including current course
offerings and tuition, please visit our web site at: www.distance.lehigh.edu
|
