Program Structure and Requirements
Program Structure
The normal length of the program is 30 credit hours. To be recommended for graduation with an MSc in Molecular Life Sciences (MOLS), students must satisfactorily complete the courses in the specified categories as set out as follows - at least 15 credit hours of BIOL courses (12 credit hours of core required courses and at least 3 credits hours of BIOL electives), 6 credit hours of additional electives, as well as 9 credit hours of thesis research. Additionally, students have to submit a written thesis which is evaluated by the examination committee, as well as satisfactorily defend their thesis research in a viva format.
| Program Component |
Credit Hours |
Program Core
|
12 |
| Electives |
9 |
| Thesis Research |
9 |
| Total |
30 |
Program Requirements
Students seeking the degree of MSc in Molecular Life Sciences (MOLS) must successfully complete 30 credit hours as specified in the program requirements detailed below, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Course selection should be made in consultation with the student’s Main Advisor.
Program Core (12 credit hours)
Students must complete the core courses listed below.
Core Courses
| BIOL 601 | Research Methods in Biosciences | 3 |
| BIOL 695 | Graduate Seminar 1 | 1 |
| BIOL 696 | Graduate Seminar 2 | 1 |
| BIOL 602 | Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 603 | Experimental techniques in Molecular Life Sciences | 4 |
Program Electives (9 credit hours)
Students must complete 9 credit hours of electives (of which at least 3 credits hours of BIOL electives, and up to 6 credit hours of additional electives)
Program Elective Courses
Elective Courses from Other Departments
Master's Thesis
Students must complete a master’s Thesis that involves creative, research-oriented work within the field of Molecular Life Sciences, under direct supervision of a full-time faculty advisor from the Biology Department, and at least one other full-time faculty who acts as a co-advisor. The outcome of research should demonstrate the synthesis of information into knowledge in a form that may be used by others. The research findings must be documented in a formal thesis and defended successfully in a viva voce examination.
Thesis Research