Student Learning Outcomes

1. Develop experience in application of the scientific method to research problems in contemporary Biology.  For M.S. students, this will be expected to culminate at program conclusion in a basic knowledge of how to approach the design and execution of experiments addressing a research problem in a robust way.

2. Possess knowledge of their subfield sufficient to formulate and address contemporary research questions.

3. Gain the ability to explain and analyze concepts from additional subfields of biological sciences related to their own.

4. Develop communication and synthetic skills for presentation in oral, poster, and written formats.

5. Demonstrate an awareness of matters associated with ethics and the responsible conduct of research.

M.S. in Biology

The Biology M.S. program requires a minimum of 24 credits of formal coursework (at least 12 credits at the 600-level or above) selected in consultation with the student’s Research Committee, and 6 additional Master’s Thesis credits (BIO 997).

All Biology M.S. students are required to take BIO 705 (Graduate Research Seminars, 1 or 0 credits) during each Fall and Spring semester in which they are actively enrolled in the M.S. program.  New M.S. students will take BIO 700 (Scientific Writing, 3 credits) upon entering the program.  M.S. students are also required to take at least two graduate seminar courses, and a 3-credit quantitative skills course, chosen from existing courses available at Syracuse University, SUNY ESF, and SUNY Upstate.  If a student enters the M.S. program with a background in statistics, they have the option of submitting a petition to have the quantitative skills requirement waived, or alternatively, to be permitted to take a 1-credit course in fulfillment of this requirement.

A thesis based on original research must be developed and successfully defended in accordance with the rules and regulations  of the Syracuse University Graduate School.  The maximum expected time in residence is three years.

Students should choose an appropriate quantitative skills course in consultation with their Research Advisor.  Here is a partial list of courses which may fulfill this requirement:

Suggested Quantitative Skills Courses (3 credits each):

APM 620 - Experimental Design and ANOVA (ESF)

APM 625 - Sampling Methods (ESF)

APM 630 - Regression Analysis (ESF)

APM 635 - Multivariate Statistical Methods (ESF)

APM 645 - Nonparametric Statistics and Categorical Data Analysis (ESF)

APM 696 - Special Topics in Quantitative Methods (ESF)

APM 730 - Advanced Regression Modeling Methods (ESF)

BIO 600 - Quantitative Methods for Life Scientists

ERE 621 - Spatial Analysis (ESF)

FSC 631 - Forensics Statistics

HTW 631 - Intermediate Biostatistics (Public Health)

HTW630 - Introductory Biostatistics (Public Health)

MPH 602 - Principles of Biostatistics (Public Health)

Graduate Awards

The current minimum level of support for the 2020-2021 academic year is $27,270 for Ph.D. students, and $19,500 for M.S. students (or $25,290 for STEM or S.U. Fellowship recipients).  Each year, there is the possibility of summer support, which is dependent on grant funding levels and the availability of department funds.  Typically, the summer support is an amount which brings the total support for the year to $2,500 over the current TA stipend for that student’s program.  Biology graduate students are guaranteed support for a specific number of years (i.e., 4 years for Ph.D., and 2 years for M.S.) as long as they maintain good standing in the program.  Ph.D. students have the option of petitioning for an additional 5th year of support, if necessary.

During the academic year, most students are supported by a teaching assistantship for at least some semesters, and in many instances, for all semesters during their time in the program.  Students may also be supported by their faculty research advisor’s external grants or by Syracuse University fellowships.  Applying to local and national programs for graduate fellowships is also strongly encouraged.  Tuition costs are typically covered by tuition reduction credits, which are awarded as part of a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or S.U. Fellowship.

Research Facilities

Shared research facilities currently include AAALAC-accredited animal facilities, a research greenhouse and growth chambers, a confocal microscope facility, extensive computing facilities, and local field experiment sites.  Extensive facilities and instrumentation for carrying out modern biological research at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and population levels are available.  Library holdings and computing facilities are readily accessible for student and faculty use.  The Biology Department is housed in the Life Sciences Complex, a 210,000-square-foot building with dedicated and outstanding research and teaching space for the life sciences.

M.S. in Biology - Neuroscience Concentration (optional)

Students admitted into the Biology M.S. program may opt to complete coursework for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Neuroscience Concentration (I-GNC).  If all requirements are completed, the M.S. degree will be awarded from the Biology Department with the “Neuroscience Concentration” listed on the final transcript as an area of specialization, along with the Biology M.S. degree.

Core Requirements:

The Neuroscience Concentration constitutes a small set of core courses that each M.S. student will take.  Apart from their academic aspects, these courses also create an opportunity for students and faculty from the different neuroscience disciplines to interact.

• BIO 607 Advanced Neuroscience (3 credits)
• BIO 624 Readings in Neuroscience (3 credits)
• BIO 625 Interdisciplinary Methods of Neuroscience (3 credits)

In addition, I-GNC students are expected to:

• Participate in other research activities organized or sponsored by the I-GNC during their tenure as a student.
  
• Attend I-GNC-sponsored seminars given by outside speakers, other I-GNC graduate students, postdocs, and faculty.