Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program:
Biology

Overview
The Master of Art in Biology program is intended for biology and biochemistry majors who develop sharply focused research interests. Students should have most, if not all, their course work behind them so that they can focus on research. It is expected that students will complete their research and write a thesis within the 5th year. Research foci for the MA include cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and various topics in ecology and evolution. Students may also conduct research at the UMASS Medical Center in conjunction with an advisor in the Biology Department.

Program of study
Beginning in the senior year, students take at least four graduate-level biology courses that are approved by their faculty advisor. Courses at the 200-level or 300-level are eligible for graduate credit. All 200-level courses must be completed with a grade of B+ or better. Students must also prepare a written thesis, based on original research. Typically students will begin the research for their thesis no later than the fall of their senior year. Students conduct research working in close collaboration with faculty advisors and with doctoral students.

Departmental eligibility requirements
The MA is open to biology and biochemistry majors only. Students must complete the chemistry, mathematics and physics requirements for the biology major by the end of the junior year.

Program Advisor (Signature Required on Application: Part 1)
Professor David Hibbett
Lasry Center for Bioscience, Room 232
508-793-7332
dhibbett@clarku.edu

Student Profiles

• Sarah Deroko (MA 2004) is a research associate at University of Massachusetts
  Medical School
• Katie Kopycinski (MA 2004) is a research technician at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
• Julie Mazeika (MA 2004) is a research fellow in Molecular and Cellular Biology
  at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Alex Nagle (MA 2004) is enrolled at Albany Medical College
• Michael Gershenovich (MA 2003) is a research associate at Genzyme Corporation
• Freya Hendrickson (MA 2003) is a research technician at the Smithsonian
  Environmental Research Center
• Ok Shin (MA 2003) is in the Ph.D. program in Immunology at Tufts University
• Leah Fico (MA 2002) is a research associate at Cambria Bioscience in Boston, MA
• Nicholas Guerin (MA 2002) teaches at Wachusett Regional High School
• Ensar Halilovic (MA 2002) is in the Ph.D. program at Cornell Medical School, NYC
• Alicia Mihaliak (MA 2002) is in the Ph.D. program at University of
  Massachusetts Medical School
• Nora Mineva (MA 2002) is in the Ph.D. program at Boston University Medical School
• Jennifer Saporita (MA 2002) is a research technician at University of
  Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, MA
• Megan Staples (MA 2002) is a research associate GPC Biotech in Waltham, MA

Advice for prospective students
Students should have an area of research and an advisor chosen by the middle of their junior year. Students are advised to review the research interests of the faculty and to contact those professors whose research is of interest.