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The master of arts degree in biological
sciences emphasizes independent research along with advanced course
work. Candidates for admission should demonstrate a strong background
in biology and a dedication to pursue laboratory research. We offer
opportunities to focus in a wide variety of areas of biology, including
molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, evolutionary
biology, animal behavior, developmental biology, neurobiology, ecology,
marine biology, plant and animal physiology, and environmental sciences.
Programs for the master’s
degree are designed to meet individual needs and ordinarily include the equivalent
of eight credits of thesis research. An oral presentation of the thesis is
required.
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more about biological sciences >
Applicants to the program are normally expected to have majored
in the department concerned, although the department will consider an applicant
who has had some undergraduate work in the field and has majored in a related one.
All such cases fall under the jurisdiction of the department. Prospective
students who are in this category should address questions about specific
details to the departmental graduate adviser or the director of graduate
programs. With departmental approval, a student whose undergraduate
preparation is deemed inadequate may make up any deficiency
at Smith College.
Candidates for this degree must also
offer evidence, satisfactory to the department concerned, of a reading knowledge
of at least one foreign language commonly used in the field of study.
Applicants
are required to complete a minimum of 32 credits of work,
of which at least 16, including those in preparation for
the thesis, must be at the graduate level. The remaining 16 may be
undergraduate courses (of intermediate or advanced level), but no
more than eight credits at the intermediate (200) level are permitted.
With the approval of the department, no more than three undergraduate
seminars may be substituted for graduate-level courses. To be counted
toward the degree, all work, including the thesis, must receive a
grade of at least B–, but
the degree will not be awarded to a student who has no grade above this minimum.
Courses for graduate credit may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
basis. The requirements described in this paragraph are minimal. Any department
may set additional or special requirements and thereby increase the total number
of courses involved.
A thesis is also required of each candidate
for this degree. It may be limited in scope but must demonstrate scholarly
competence; it is equivalent to a one-semester, four-credit course
or a two-semester, eight-credit course. Two copies must be presented
to the committee for deposit in the library. The thesis may be completed
in absentia only by special permission of the department and of the
director of graduate programs.
Although the requirements for this degree may be fulfilled
in one academic year by well-prepared, full-time students, most candidates
find it necessary to spend three or four semesters in residence.
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Master
of Arts
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