SWAG��Ƶ

The mission of the Department of Biology at SWAG��Ƶ is to enable students to understand the real-world relevance of the biological sciences, foster scientific literacy and critical thinking skills, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful, productive contributions to society. 

The mission of the Master of Science:  Biological Sciences program is to prepare outstanding graduate students for careers or further training in science, technology, and education by providing an advanced knowledge base and a working knowledge of research methods in the biological sciences. 

The Master of Science: Biological Sciences program offers post-baccalaureate training to students interested in a wide variety of biological topics.  The classroom curriculum features a broad-based  exposure to advanced topics in biological subjects that may include physiology, ecology, molecular biology and microbiology. The program also focuses on the research experience: students will conduct research and prepare a thesis on any of a variety of topics selected in consultation with our faculty.

Program Goals

• Provide a knowledge base in the biological sciences that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience.
• Foster participation in the production of biological knowledge through excellence in research.
• Instill outstanding research skills and a working knowledge of the scientific method by participation in high-quality research.
• Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through writing and oral presentations.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To remain in the MS: Biological Sciences program, the student's cumulative graduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0.  A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade below B- in any course taken for graduate credit will be placed on academic probation.

Program Completion Timeline

Students have a maximum of five years to complete the graduation requirements.  After two academic years (fall and spring terms), students who have completed their coursework but are still completing their theses are required to enroll in a minimum of three Thesis credit hours per semester to remain in the program.

Probation/Dismissal

A graduate student whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester falls below 3.0, or whose cumulative grade point average is below 3.0, or who receives a class grade below a B- for any class taken for graduate credit is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one fall or spring semester to raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the semester, and cannot receive a second class grade below B-.  Any student who fails to meet these criteria will be considered for dismissal by the  the Department of Biological Sciences and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Course Withdrawal

In normal length semesters, a matriculated student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty (a grade of W is assigned) at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered, subject to determination by the instructor. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average. 

Incomplete Grades

A student who believes she/he is unable to complete the work for a given course by the end of the term may apply for an extension by discussion with the instructor. At the time of this meeting, a plan must be agreed upon for completion of the course work, including a date of completion, not to exceed six weeks following the end date of the course. This agreement must be completed by the last day of class for the given course. Any student who does not follow the above guidelines will receive an F for the course. In exceptional circumstances (such as death in family, significant illness, accident), an additional extension may be requested. Any such request must be made in writing, reviewed and signed by the instructor and the student’s advisor.

Program Goals

1. Provide a knowledge base in the biological sciences that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience.
2. Foster participation in the production of biological knowledge through high quality research.
3. Instill outstanding research skills and a working knowledge of the scientific method by participation in high-quality research.
4. Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through written and oral presentations.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate expertise in their thesis research field
2. Students will increase their proficiency to publication level written and professional oral communication skills
3. Students will demonstrate mastery of the concepts and principals of the Biological Sciences
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of research design and have the ability to carry out a research project

Transfer Credit

No transfer credit will be granted.

Advanced standing

There is no advanced standing available.

Experiential Learning

No credit will be awarded to students for experiential learning.

Prerequisite Courses

ACADEMIC/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from a US regionally accredited baccalaureate or higher degree program.  (If the Bachelor’s degree is in progress at the time of application, it must be completed prior to enrollment.)
• All science prerequisites must include a lab component and must be completed  prior to enrollment (summer term for research assistantships; fall for others) into the program, preferably before application
• All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C-“grades are not acceptable).
• Minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0; minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0, required
• Successfully complete the Graduate Record Exam () test with competitive score and submit official score report
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions to complete application file
• Prior to or early in the admissions process, students are advised to communicate with faculty with whom they want to work.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admissions are accepted through the SWAG��Ƶ’s   Detailed instructions are included in the online application portal.
• Applications must be submitted electronically by the posted deadline. 
• All completed applications will be reviewed by the program admissions committee after the application deadline.  Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space available basis.
• Decision letters will be mailed and sent as email attachment at the beginning of March each year.
• Accepted students will be expected to pay a minimal non-refundable deposit to secure the seat for the program by the deadline indicated in the decision letter.  The deposit will be applied to any fees that are not covered by the assistantship or grant that the student receives upon acceptance. (Deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited should student decide not to matriculate into the program.)
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See  for a list of educational credential evaluators. 
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency .)If applicable, the Test of English as a Foreign Language () requirement must be completed and score received by the application deadline.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the  website.

Policy exceptions

The Master of Science in Biological Sciences program and the Biological Sciences Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Continued Enrollment

After two academic years, a student who has completed all coursework except his/her thesis will be required to pay for a minimum of three Thesis credit hours plus mandatory fees each semester to remain in the program. 

Other Expenses

Housing is arranged by and financed at the expense of the student.  Currently there is no on-campus housing available for graduate students.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office at the Biddeford Campus. Call 207-602-2342 or by visiting the Financial Aid website. Information on tuition remission, Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships can be found on the Department of Biology graduate programs website.