Graduate Catalog 2010-12
Biomolecular Sciences
Faculty
James P. Mulrooney (Chair, Copernicus
204); Michael A. Davis, Betsy Dobbs-McAuliffe, Barry Hoopengardner,
Martin A. Kapper, Thomas R. King, Kathy A. Martin-Troy, Cheryl L.
Watson (Dept. office: Copernicus Rm 204; Dept. phone: 860-832-3560)
Department Overview
The Department of Biomolecular Sciences
offers instruction in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, and
physiology that is strongly integrated with the theory and practice
of molecular biological research. The department offers an M.A. in
Biomolecular Sciences degree and an Official Certificate Program in
Cell and Molecular Biology, and also contributes to the
interdisciplinary Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Health
Studies program.
Located in Copernicus Hall, the
Department of Biomolecular Sciences includes a wide range of modern
research equipment in laboratories designed both for class
instruction and for independent student research. Special facilities
include a protein purification and analysis facility, a cell culture
facility, a molecular genetics research laboratory, a laboratory
animal care suite, and several computer laboratories.
Student-centered biomolecular research activity is also promoted,
fostered, and supported by the Biotechnology Institute at CCSU, an
interdisciplinary organization (housed in the Department of
Biomolecular Sciences) that is dedicated to developing graduates with
excellent research skills.
Admission Requirements
The application process begins with the
submission of an application for admission to graduate study, as well
as official transcripts from all institutions where graduate or
undergraduate work has been done, to the Graduate Admissions Office
(Davidson 115; 860-832-2350). Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
scores for the aptitude and advanced biology tests are optional, but,
if available, these should also be submitted to the Graduate Studies
Office. In addition, applicants should submit narrative statements
describing their academic goals, and two or three letters of
recommendation directly to the chair of the Department of
Biomolecular Sciences. These materials will be reviewed by the
Department Graduate Committee, and students who are accepted will be
assigned a program committee that will work with each student to
develop a planned program of academic study.
Programs
Master of Arts in Biomolecular Sciences
Program Rationale:
The Master of Arts in Biomolecular
Sciences is designed to fulfill the educational needs of biologists
who desire further specialization and/or knowledge of recent advances
in cell and molecular aspects of biology, students who seek an
immersion in cell and molecular biology as an intermediate step
toward preparation for work at the doctoral level, and teachers who
are interested in furthering their knowledge in molecular and
cellular biology.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Graduate students will:
demonstrate knowledge in
biomolecular science, including an understanding of:
the connection between molecular
properties and cellular activities,
the connection between cellular
activities and biological responses,
cellular structure and function,
including chemical composition, physiochemical and functional
organization of organelles, and basic cellular metabolism,
major cellular processes,
including DNA replication, gene regulation, protein structure and
function, cell signaling, and differentiation,
the role of molecular and
cellular processes in human health and disease,
contemporary techniques used in
cell and molecular biology;
be able to evaluate papers from
the scientific literature and present oral and written critiques;
develop research questions and the
approach they will use to address that question; and
successfully complete a research
project, analyze and evaluate the data generated and present their
findings in both an oral and written format.
Course and Capstone Requirements:
Each student will be assigned a
graduate committee that will help the student plan a sound program of
study.
There are two options (Plan A and Plan
B) leading to the Master of Arts in Biomolecular Sciences degree,
both of which require a total of 30 credits, made up of a Course
Component and a Capstone Component.
Course Component (24-27 credits)
BMS 500 Seminar in BMS 1
BMS 540 Advanced Topics in BMS 3-4
BMS 572 Laboratory Rotation in Cell and
Molecular Biology 1
and biomolecular course electives
(18-22 credits in BMS or related fields) from the following courses
or others as approved by the advisor:
BMS 412 Human Physiology
(413) (with optional lab) 3-4
BMS 415 Advanced Exploration in Cell,
Molecular &
Physiological Biology 3
BMS 505 Molecular Biology 4
BMS 506 Biosynthesis, Bioenergetics,
and Metabolic Regulation
(497) (with optional lab) 3-4
BMS 516 Medical Microbiology 3
BMS 519 Physiology of Human Aging 3
BMS 540 Advanced Topics in BMS 3-4
BMS 562 Developmental Biology 3
BMS 570 Advanced Genetics 3
BMS 590 Focused Study in Advanced
BMS 1-4
CHEM 456 Toxicology 3
CHEM 458 Advanced Biochemistry 3
BIO 416 Immunology 3
BIO 449 Plant Physiology
(450) (with optional lab) 3-4
Capstone Component (3-6 credits)
Plan A:
Option 1-BMS 599 Thesis (6 credits)
and a thesis defense
or Option 2-BMS 599 Thesis (3
credits) and BMS 591 Independent Research Project in BMS (3 credits)
and a thesis defense
or
Plan B:
BMS 591 Independent Research Project in
BMS (3 credits) and a Comprehensive Exam.
Note: No more than 9 credits at the
400-level will be allowed in the graduate Planned Program of Study.
Official Certificate Program:
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cell and Molecular Biology
Program Overview
This non-degree certificate program is
designed for college graduates wishing to expand or update their
knowledge of modern cell and molecular biology, but who are not ready
to commit to graduate programs leading to the master's degree. This
post-baccalaureate certificate program provides these students a
formal option for acquiring both advanced instruction and academic
advisement.
Admission
Students must have completed a
bachelor's degree to participate in the program. Potential students
should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to request an
application packet. The application requires official transcripts
from all colleges and universities attended and an essay describing
why the student is interested in the program. Completed applications
will be filed with the Graduate Admissions Office. The biomolecular
sciences chair will schedule an interview with the applicant, during
which an advisory committee will work with the candidate to develop
an individualized plan of study in keeping with their academic
backgrounds and professional goals. The advisory committee will make
admission recommendations to the department which will make final
admission decisions on a rolling basis. Successful applicants will
have a 2.70 undergraduate cumulative grade point average and course
prerequisites must be met, including BMS 102 and 103 (or BIO 121),
BMS 190, 201, 290; and CHEM 161, 162, 163, and 164; or equivalent.
Post-baccalaureate students will be classified as graduate students;
they may be either part-time or full-time and may qualify for
financial aid. Only students matriculated as full-time may take nine
or more credits a semester. Part-time and nonmatriculated students
are limited to less than nine credits/semester.
Program Requirements
The Official Certificate Program in
Cell and Molecular Biology will require 18-20 credits in approved
cell and molecular biology courses (see below), including BMS 572,
BMS 591 and at least two cell and molecular biology courses that
include laboratory instruction. Any individual program must be
selected and approved in consultation with the biomolecular sciences
advisor. A minimum of 15 credits in the planned program must be taken
at CCSU.
Program
Research Component:
BMS 572 Laboratory Rotation in Cell and
Molecular Biology 1
BMS 591 Independent Research Project in
BMS 2
Laboratory Science Component:
2 courses with lab from the following:
BMS 412/413 Human Physiology (with
lab) 4
BMS 505 Molecular Biology 4
BMS 506/497 Biosynthesis,
Bioenergetics, and Metabolic Regulation
(with lab) 4
BMS 540 Advanced Topics in BMS 4
BIO 449/450 Plant
Physiology/Investigations in Plant Physiology 4
Elective Component:
7-9 credits elected from any
additional Laboratory Science course(s) listed above and/or from the
following:
BMS 412 Human Physiology 3
BMS 415 Advanced Exploration in Cell,
Molecular &
Physiological Biology 3
BMS 506 Biosynthesis, Bioenergetics,
and Metabolic Regulation 3
BMS 516 Medical Microbiology 3
BMS 519 Physiology of Human Aging 3
BMS 540 Advanced Topics in BMS 3
BMS 562 Developmental Biology 3
BMS 570 Advanced Genetics 3
BMS 590 Focused Study in Advanced
BMS 3-4
BIO 449 Plant Physiology 3
BIO 416 Immunology 3
CHEM 456 Toxicology 3
CHEM 458 Advanced Biochemistry 3
Note: To enroll in BMS 572 or 591,
students need to have a planned program approved by the biomolecular
sciences advisor.
The student must maintain a 3.00 (B)
cumulative grade point average in order to be in good academic
standing and to receive the post-baccalaureate certificate. Upon
completion of the planned certificate program, a certificate will be
issued from the dean, School of Graduate Studies. (While completion
of this program does not lead to a graduate degree, courses at the
400-level or above that are taken as part of the post-baccalaureate
certificate program may be counted towards a master's degree,
provided that the graduate-syllabus option is elected at the time of
course registration in all 400-level courses; all master's program
admissions and degree requirements are met; and the courses are part
of a planned program of study approved by the master's degree
advisor. Students must apply for the MA through Graduate Admission.)
Official Certificate Program:
Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Health Studies
The Department of Biomolecular Sciences
contributes to the interdisciplinary Post-baccalaureate Certificate
in Pre-Health Studies, a non-degree program designed for college
graduates whose undergraduate background does not yet meet the
requirements for admission to professional schools of medicine,
dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other related fields. The CCSU
Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (Pre-PAC) is responsible
for admitting students to this program and for individually advising
them upon entry. Both the Pre-PAC and this Official Certificate
Program are described in more detail on the Pre-Health Studies page, linked here.
