Biological Sciences - Master of Arts (MA)

Introduction

The Master of Arts (MA) in Biological Sciences serves as the core degree for those seeking additional academic credentials while offering academic enrichment, skill development, and career advancement for working scientists. Designed for professionals employed in biology-related fields such as health care, agriculture, environmental science, and teaching, the program equips graduates to take on new challenges and expanded workplace responsibilities. The primary options for MA track include:

• the MAGB (MA, General Biology track): a literature-based thesis in the biological sciences
• the MABE (MA, Biology Education track): an education focus for certified teachers

Course selections allow additional flexibility.

The program is structured to accommodate students’ work schedules. Many students enroll on a part-time basis to balance their professional duties with graduate school. In recognition of that need for balance, Delaware State does not require students to complete a laboratory-based research thesis for the MA degree. The M.A. degree Biology Education (MABE) concentration is designed for secondary or middle school teachers who desire a course of study which is strongly based in Biology, yet includes coverage of current areas of significance in Science Education requirements include partnership with DSU’s Department of Education to take graduate level education courses and a literature based thesis that is reviewed by a committee. The M.A. program requires thirty (30) graduate credits. Master’s candidates in Biology work closely with faculty members to design a literature topic. The program’s small scope and size ensures a high degree of direct interaction between professors and graduate students. Graduate students benefit from professors’ experience as well as their professional and academic networks.

For those seeking research laboratory experiences, see the Master of Science (MS) degree in Biological Sciences.

Professional Preparation

Graduate students in biology at Delaware State develop superior academic and communication skills. They learn to design experiments, analyze results, present their findings to peers, and write for scientific publications.

Faculty

Master’s candidates in Biology work closely with faculty members to design a literature topic. The program’s small scope and size ensures a high degree of direct interaction between professors and graduate students. Delaware State’s biology faculty includes highly accomplished researchers and educators. Graduate students benefit from professors’ experience as well as their professional and academic networks.

Research and Experience

Although MA students do not participate directly in laboratory-based research, they can interact with active researchers and draw upon their wealth of knowledge and resources. The literature-based thesis requires extensive knowledge-based research since the final report is presented to a thesis committee. Although there are active, well-funded inquiries on campus in such fields as neuroscience, biofuels, cancer, DNA analysis, plant breeding, and gene manipulation; the topic can be selected by the student and an appropriate advisor / committee will be identified, if possible.