Biology BS/MS Combined Degree Program

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Description

This combined degree program enables students to complete their Bachelors and Masters in Biology in an accelerated fashion, in as little as five years.  When qualified Brockport undergraduate Biology majors are admitted to this combined degree program, they may take up to 12 graduate credits of coursework in Biology, all at the undergraduate tuition rate. These credits may apply to undergraduate and graduate degree requirements simultaneously. Upon finishing all undergraduate degree requirements and graduating in good academic standing in the combined degree program, students matriculate directly into the Master of Science in Biology program.

Note: the program is designed for students who intend to pursue the Plan 1: Thesis track of the graduate program.

Admission to the Program

Admission to this highly selective combined degree program is restricted to Brockport Biology students who:

  • are in their first semester of junior year
  • have completed at least 30 credits at Brockport (transfer students also need 18 credits from courses numbered BIO 300-499)
  • have a cumulative Brockport GPA of at least 3.25
  • have a Brockport GPA of at least 3.25 in all science and math courses

Qualified students interested in this combined degree program should speak with their undergraduate faculty advisor or graduate coordinator before submitting the online application. The application deadline is November 1. Applications include:

  • general personal information
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • statement of objectives
  • writing sample, consisting of at least three pages illustrating scientific writing skills
  • resume

The combined degree program is limited to a maximum of 10 students per year. Not all students who meet the minimum standards for admission will necessarily be admitted to the combined degree program.

Program Requirements

Taking Graduate Classes as a Combined Degree Student

Once admitted to this combined degree program, undergraduate students can take up to 12 graduate credits of coursework in Biology at the undergraduate tuition rate. Up to 12 of these credits can fulfill undergraduate Biology major requirements.  These 12 credits can fulfill requirements for the Master of Science in Biology once they matriculate into that program.

General Education Requirements (31 credits)

Major Departmental Requirements (37 credits)

  • BIO 201 Biology I* 4 credits
  • BIO 202 Biology II* 4 credits
  • BIO 310 Biological Chemistry 3 credits
  • BIO 311 Biological Chemistry Lab 1 credit
  • BIO 315 Cell Biology 3 credits
  • BIO 302 Genetics 4 credits
  • BIO 498 Seminar 1 credit

At most, two electives (8 credits) may be taken at the 300-level and counted toward the major. They may be chosen from these courses:

  • BIO 303 Ecology 4 credits
  • BIO 321 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
  • BIO 322 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
  • BIO 323 Microbiology 4credits

Students in the combined degree program in Biology pursue revised undergraduate requirements for the Biology major. Instead of 17 credits of 300- and 400-level upper-division electives in Biology, students take 11 credits of 300- and 400-level upper division electives in Biology plus 6 research credits from the following:

  • BIO 424 Experimental Research
  • BIO 493 Honors Research

Combined degree students are required to take ONE upper-level laboratory course at the 400- (undergraduate) or 500- (graduate) level as part of their undergraduate degree requirements.

Cognate or Additional Requirements (27-28 credits)

  • CHM 205 College Chemistry I* 4 credits
  • CHM 206 College Chemistry II 4 credits
  • CHM 305 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits

Math Requirement (3-4 credits)

One of the following courses:

  • MTH 201 Calculus I 4 credits
  • MTH 243 Elementary Statistics 3 credits
  • ENV 337 Biostatistics 3 credits

Physics Requirements (8 credits)

One of the following two-course sequences is required:

  • Option 1
    • PHS 205 Introduction to Physics I* 4 credits
    • PHS 210 Introduction to Physics II* 4 credits
  • Option 2 
    • PHS 235 Physics I* 4 credits
    • PHS 240 Physics II 4 credits

Prerequisites (0-6 credits)

  • MTH 111 College Algebra (3 credits)
  • MTH 122 Pre-Calculus (4 credits) or placement by the math placement coordinator

Electives (19-25 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

GEP 100 Academic Planning Seminar (0-3 credits)

A minimum grade of "C" in BIO 201 and BIO 202 is required before Biology majors students are allowed to take further biology courses in the major

A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all required major courses (Major Departmental Requirements).

Completion of all college-wide degree requirements

*denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements

When combined degree students have fulfilled all requirements for their revised Biology major and their undergraduate degree, they may no longer take graduate courses at undergraduate tuition rate. Furthermore, no more than 12 graduate credits taken as undergraduates at Brockport can transfer into their graduate degree program and fulfill its course requirements.

Maintaining Good Academic Standing in the Program

Students are admitted to the combined degree program in the middle of their junior year. At the end of the junior year, students must maintain a GPA of 3.25 in all science and math courses, and a GPA of 3.25 overall to remain in good academic standing. In addition, students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 in all science and math courses, and a GPA of 3.00 overall, to remain in good academic standing in their senior year.

Students who are dismissed or choose to de-matriculate from the combined degree program, can complete outstanding requirements for the undergraduate major and degree. If such a student subsequently applies for the graduate program, those credits may be transferred to fulfill graduate degree requirements at departmental discretion.

Matriculation into the Graduate Program

When undergraduate students in good academic standing in this combined degree program graduate from Brockport, they can automatically matriculate directly into the Master of Science in Biology program.  All Brockport and Department of Biology graduate academic policies will then apply to them.

Contact Information for Questions and Advisement:

Dr.Huey Hing (hhing@brockport.edu)