Graduate Programs in Biology

The Department offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Biology.

The biology programs concentrate on educational and research activities in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, and microbiology. Graduate education in Biology is available on either a full- or part-time basis. Master's degree programs are designed so that they may be completed by part-time students. Ph.D. level courses are usually available in the evenings (or on Saturdays). Initially, part-time students may enroll as either Regular or Special graduate students. Graduate courses in biology also are available to part-time students who do not intend to work toward degrees.

Each new graduate student is assigned a graduate student advisor and must obtain the approval of the advisor each semester before registering for any graduate classes.

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Master of Science in Biology

• 32-33 credit hours
• written comprehensive examination
• non-thesis and thesis options
• dissertation and oral defense (thesis option only)

An M.S. student must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours of approved graduate work: this will include 24-28 credit hours of coursework and 2 credit hours of BIOL 595 Colloquium in Biology.

Students must pass the written M.S. Comprehensive Examination in their area of specialization: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, or microbiology. Students in biotechnology may choose either the biochemistry or microbiology examination.

Students entering the Biology M.S. program are initially admitted to the non-thesis option. Those wishing to change to the thesis option will need to meet certain additional requirements as evaluated by the faculty at the end of the first academic year.

The M.S. with Thesis is designed for individuals planning careers as experimental biologists, including those who may wish to pursue a Ph.D. Students choosing this program must complete six credit hours of research toward the thesis (BIOL 591). A written thesis based on laboratory research must be prepared and defended orally. The specific course requirements for each of the specializations are described below:

• Biochemistry
  The basic biochemistry sequence:
  BIOL 512 Advanced Biochemistry,
  BIOL 515 Molecular Biology,
  BIOL 519 Biochemistry Laboratory,
  BIOL 520 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory,
  BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
  CHEM 538 Physical Biochemistry,
  and any one of the following:
  CHEM 455 Advanced Organic Chemistry,
  CHEM 500 Advanced Analytical Chemistry, or
  CHEM 553 Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics;
  plus six to nine credit hours of approved electives. Admission to this program requires one year of physical chemistry in addition to the usual requirements described above.



• Biotechnology
  BIOL 512 Advanced Biochemistry (or BIOL 403 Biochemistry Lectures),
  BIOL 515 Molecular Biology,
  BIOL 519 Biochemistry Laboratory,
  BIOL 523 Methods in Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
  BIOL 542 Advanced Microbiology Lectures,
  BIOL 550 Industrial and Computational Biology;
  BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
  plus three credit hours of approved electives.



• Cell and Molecular Biology
  BIOL 445 Cell Biology,
  BIOL 512 Advanced Biochemistry (or BIOL 403 Biochemistry Lectures),
  BIOL 515 Molecular Biology,
  BIOL 526 Gene and Cell Development,
  BIOL 533 Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology,
  BIOL 539 Advanced Cell Biology Laboratory;
  BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
  plus three to six credits hours of approved electives.



• Microbiology
  BIOL 512 Advanced Biochemistry (or BIOL 403 Biochemistry Lectures),
  BIOL 523 Methods in Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
  BIOL 542 Advanced Microbiology Lectures,
  BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
  BIOL 560 Microbial Physiology and Metabolism;
  plus nine to twelve additional credit hours in approved microbiology electives.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

• 84 credit hours, including Master's degree studies
• written qualifying examination
• comprehensive examination
• dissertation and oral defense

A minimum of 84 credit hours is required for the Ph.D. degree in biology. Students who have received an M.S. degree from another university may petition for transfer of up to 32 credit hours applicable toward the Ph.D. degree. Completion of an M.S. degree is not normally required for admission to the full-time program for the Ph.D. degree but may be required of part-time students. Students must pass the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination in their area of specialization: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology or microbiology.

The Ph.D. program is tailored to fit the student's background and goals and is subject to approval at the time of filing of the Program of Study (Form 401). Programs of Study may be designed in any of the areas of concentration currently available in the department. However, all Programs of Study must include 40 credit hours in formal courses (exclusive of BIOL 591, BIOL 595, BIOL 597, BIOL 691); four semesters of BIOL 595 Colloquium; and two semesters of BIOL 590 Instruction in Biology. Formal courses must include the following:

BIOL 445 Cell Biology,
BIOL 512 Advanced Biochemistry,
BIOL 515 Molecular Biology,
BIOL 526 Gene and Cell Development,
BIOL 542 Advanced Microbiology Lectures,
BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
BIOL 560 Microbial Physiology and Metabolism;

plus any two of the following pairs of laboratory courses:

BIOL 519 Biochemistry and BIOL 520 Advanced Biochemistry,
BIOL 521 Microbial Physiology & Genetics and BIOL 523 Methods in Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
BIOL 533 Cell and Molecular Biology and BIOL 539 Advanced Cell Biology Laboratory.

All research for the dissertation must be carried out under the direct supervision of a faculty research advisor. The faculty research advisor also will act as the candidate's academic advisor.

Students must have passed the written qualifying examination before registering for BIOL 691 Ph.D. Thesis Research. Students may complete all formal course requirements for the Ph.D. degree as either full-time or part-time students.

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BCPS Department, 3101 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312.567.3480     FAX: 312.567.3494
BCPS Webmaster (segre@iit.edu)