The degree is offered either as a terminal
degree or as the first year toward the PhD within CUNY.
Both introductory and advanced courses are available at
Hunter College.
Departmental Requirements
for Admission
In addition to the general requirements for admission
to graduate programs, the following departmental requirements
must be met:
1. One year of organic chemistry, including
laboratory.
2. One year of college physics.
3. One year of calculus.
4. An undergraduate major in biology,
botany, physiology, zoology, chemistry, or physics.
A minimum of 18 credits in the area Of specialization
should be presented. Chemistry or physics majors must
offer at least one year of appropriate life science
for admission to any of the majors in the MA program
in biological sciences.
5. General Test of the Graduate Record
Examination (GRE).
6. TOEFL Test for foreign, non-English
speaking students.
Departmental Requirements
for the Degree
Courses The program of course work is planned with the
graduate advisor so that it is concentrated in one of
the following major areas: molecular and cell biology,
cancer biology, molecular and developmental genetics,
and molecular neuroscience.
Required Courses
BIOL 700.05 Genetics
BIOL 710.13 Molecular Biology Lecture
BIOL 714.01 Cell Biology
BIOL 750.03 Developmental Biology
Up to 4 credits of tutorial are accepted
toward the degree. Only One 600-level course (e.g., in
another science such as biochemistry) may be credited
toward the degree.
Comprehensive Examination and Thesis
Students may fulfill requirements for the MA through either
of the following plans:
Plan A
A minimum of 30 credits of course work plus a passing
grade in a comprehensive written examination in 4 of the
required areas. The comprehensive examination is given
annually in August.
Plan B
1. A minimum of 24 credits of course work plus a passing
grade in a comprehensive examination, and
2. Thesis on an original research problem
and a minimum of 6 credits in research. The thesis must
be approved by the students advisor, and it must be defended
before a thesis committee.
