 | Graduate Biology Online Program
The Online Graduate Program in Biology is meant to reach those working professionals who cannot be constrained by the traditional course schedule. Rather, Saint Joseph College brings our courses to these students by means of an Internet-based lecture program. In this manner students can fit courses around their work and home schedules, completing a Master's program in Biology within two years. The key features of our online courses include a threaded discussion and frequent assessment of the material. The threaded discussion allows students to answer questions posed by the instructor, and then build upon those answers. Thus, a dialogue is created not only between instructor and student, but also among students in a cooperative venture. Frequent assessment (weekly or biweekly) ensures that students are cognizant of the material and what they need to do to expand their understanding. Each student generally receives more individual attention via the discussion group and email than students in regular graduate courses. Note that online courses are not correspondence courses; the rapidity of the communication is involving. Online education has also been found to be more work than in a regular course, due to the greater level of attention offered to the student. Due to the rigorous nature of distance learning courses, students in the online program shall be limited to 2 courses per semester. Students must keep pace with the assigned material, lest they fall behind in their studies. Although the courses are asynchronous (where no one has to be at the same place at the same time), the timeline must be maintained with some discipline to prevent the workload from accumulating. Some students lack this discipline; this course format will not work for them. | Master of Science in Biology Degree Program Requirements (30 credits) | | 24 credits from the following courses: | | BIOL501 | Ecology | 3 | | BIOL502 | Laboratory Techniques for Teachers | 3 | | BIOL505 | Biometry | 3 | | BIOL504 | Emerging Diseases | 3 | | BIOL505 | Epidemiology | 3 | | BIOL508 | Advanced Physiology | 3 | | BIOL509 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | | BIOL510 | Cell Biology | 3 | | BIOL513 | Virology | 3 | | BIOL514 | Evolution | 3 | | BIOL515 | Pharmacology | 3 | | BIOL516 | Toxicology | 3 | | BIOL517 | Animal Behavior | 3 | | BIOL518 | Endocrinology | 3 | | BIOL519 | Cancer Biology | 3 | | BIOL522 | Immunology | 3 | | BIOL524 | Clinical Problem Solving | 3 | | BIOL525 | Genetics | 3 | | BIOL528 | Mammalogy | 3 | | BIOL529 | Sexually Transmitted Diseases | 3 | | BIOL533 | Medical Bacteriology | 3-4 | | BIOL535 | Neuroscience | 3 | | BIOL540 | Public Health | 3 | | BIOL560 | Parasitology | 3-4 | | BIOL564 | Biotechnology | 3 | | BIOL565 | ECG Readings and Clinical Interpretations | 3 | | BIOL590-592 | Special Topics | 1-3 | | BIOL593, 594 | Biology Seminars | 1-3 | | BIOL595, 596 | Independent Study/Research | | | (limited to three credits) | 1-3 | | | | Non-Thesis Option (6 credits) | Six additional graduate credits of related course work from any academic department, pre-approved by the program director in Biology.
A comprehensive examination after having completed 24 of the 30 required credits in Biology. | | | | Thesis Option (6 credits) | | Graduate Level Statistics 3 and BIOL 598 Master's Thesis | 3 | | Students in the thesis option will present and defend their thesis as a culminating activity in lieu of a written comprehensive examination. | | | | Certificate in Emerging Diseases - (12 credits) | | Program requirements are typically met by taking both: | | BIOL540 | Public Health | 3 and | | BIOL504 | Emerging Diseases | 3 | | | | An additional two courses are selected from the following options: | | BIOL513 | Virology | 3 | | BIOL522 | Immunology | 3 | | BIOL529 | Sexually Transmitted Diseases | 3 | | BIOL533 | Medical Bacteriology | 3-4 | | BIOL560 | Parasitology | 3-4 | | In some cases, a particular special topics course may be recommended in place of one of these electives, depending upon the student's goals. |
Note that you don't have to start on any specific date--you can enter the program at the beginning of any term. Nor are you required to take every course every semester; students may participate in the program at the level of progress that is most comfortable. Our program has been approved by the Connecticut Department of Education, and we are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). What's in the future? Course development will be continuous to adjust to changing technology, eventually including multimedia application and simulation. In some instances the material presented will simply not be applicable across the Internet, due to limitations in communication technology. In these situations, CD-ROMs will be produced and sent to students in the course, featuring images, audio, and video sequences which will enhance the online experience. In many cases the lecture material will direct the student to Internet sites, which support the study material. Download our brochure. (PDF: 2pp., 202K) 
Updated 10/26/07. | |
