Current Class Schedules

Undergraduate Courses

Overview of Programs

BA Program

BS Program

BS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Combined BA/MS

Dept. Honors Program

Available Fellowships

Transfer Students

Minor in Biology

Research Positions

Student Clubs

Financial Aid

Combined B.A./M.S.

The new B.A./M.S. program is a combined degree program that provides an accelerated path to the Master's of Science degree in Biological Sciences.

Normally six years are needed to achieve both degrees, if pursued individually (four years for the B.A. and two additional years for the M.S. degree) The combined program is designed to be completed in just five years. When they complete the program, enrolleed will receive a combined B.A./M.S. degree; separate B.A. and M.S. degrees are not awarded.

Purpose and Goal

The combined B.A./M.S. program is a research-intensive degree program. It is contructed to provide training of students to satisfy an increasing demand in biological sciences for research personnel capable of both initiating research projects, as well as overseeing the work of others within a line of investigation. Students enrolled in the program integrate classroom and laboratory learning experiences. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be well prepared for entry into the research workforce or for further education in the biological sciences or in related fields at UB or elsewhere.

Program Structure

Students seeking the B.A./M.S. degree enroll in undergraduate courses during the first three years of the program, when their course work is basically the same as that of other undergraduate biology majors (see course listing and timetable below). A total of 68 credit hours of required coursework in the sciences is to be completed in the undergraduate phase ofthe program, during which enrolleed are expected to maintain a GPA of at least 3.0

In the fourth year of study, subsequent to formal admission into the B.A./M.S. program, enrollees will be considered graduate students, and at that time the rigor of their classroom work will shift to the 500-600 level. Emphasis during the final two years of the program will be put on gaining laboratory research experience, culminating in the completion of a research project under the supervision of one of the members of the biological sciences faculty.

Application Procedures and Standards

Students should apply to the B.A./M.S. program at the end of the spring semester of their second year in residence, but no later than the fall semester of the third year. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both science and general education courses and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty. Applications can be obtained in the Office of the Department of Biological Sciences, located in 109 Cooke Hall, or by email (ub-biosciences@buffalo.edu).

The combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science degree program

Summary

Required lecture courses in Biological Sciences for B.A. degree

BIO 200 Evolutionary Biology

BIO 201 Cell Biology

BIO 205 Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry

BIO 309 Ecology

BIO 319 Genetics

BIO 328 General Physiology

BIO 367 Developmental Biology

Required laboratory courses in Biological Sciences for B.A. degree: Choose THREE

BIO 215 Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry Lab

BIO 310 Ecological Methods

BIO 329 Genetics Lab

BIO 338 General Physiology Lab

BIO 370 Developmental Biology Lab

Required laboratory courses in Biological Sciences for B.A. degree:

CHE 101 General Chemistry

CHE 102 General Chemistry

CHE 201 Organic Chemistry

CHE 202 Organic Chemistry

MTH 121 or 141 Calculus I

MTH 122 or 142 Calculus II

PHY 107 General Physics I

PHY 108/158 General Physics II

Required graduate courses in the biological sciences for the MS degree

BIO 600 Problems in Biology

BIO 610 Graduate Student Seminar

BIO 614 Departmental Seminar

BIO electives (500 and 600 level) to reach minimum of 38 graduate credits

Suggested timetable for completion of the combined ba/ms degree in biological sciences

About Buffalo
Student Life
Campus Maps
College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate Study at UB