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Accelerated Master’s Program in BMB

Overview      Program Details      Application    Double Count Courses

 

Overview

  • The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department offers a combined Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in which well-prepared undergraduates can complete their B.S. and a research-based, Plan A Master’s degree in five years. The Plan A Master’s degree requires the completion of an original research thesis. Completion of this program will provide students with intensive didactic instruction and research experience in a specific area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
    • Both didactic coursework and progression in research that will count toward the completion of the M.S. degree can begin as early as the fall semester of the student’s fourth year within the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Bachelor’s degree program.  Students from any one of the BMB department undergraduate degree concentrations are encouraged to seek out this opportunity. Students will need to have completed 75 credits of course work, including 15 credits in upper division courses, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.25 before they apply. In addition, a student must be working in a lab with a Principal Investigator (PI) who is willing to mentor their Plan A Master’s research thesis.

Program Details

    • Students must have completed 75 credits of undergraduate coursework including 15 credits of upper division course and the completion of BC401, maintained a minimum GPA of 3.25, and currently be working in a research lab with a principal investigator that is willing to sponsor their research. Students are eligible to apply internally within the BMB Dept. for the AMP in their junior year. Students will then apply to the Graduate School in the last year their undergraduate studies The Request to Double Count Courses must be submitted after admission to the GS and before finishing the BS degree.
    • Recommended courses to count towards both degrees: BC512, BC563, and BC565. The above courses have been designed with three primary purposes in mind. First, each course prepares students to read primary journal articles within the broad topics of physical biochemistry (BC512), molecular genetics (BC563), and cell biology (BC565). Second, to successfully read primary journal articles a student must be well versed in knowledge of the experimental techniques used within each field and how to properly analyze data produced by each experimental technique. Finally, critical thinking skills must be well-developed to properly critique whether the authors of each article have come to proper conclusions given both the data presented within the paper and the established theories and models known to the field. In taking these courses students will be well-prepared to conduct their own scientific research within the program.
    • The department will appoint an AMP advising committee comprised of both an undergraduate advisor and a graduate level advisor. Students seeking admission to the program will be required to meet with a member of the committee at which time the student will be advised of both the requirements for entrance into the program as well as all topics listed above. The committee will work closely with the financial aid office to address the unique financial concerns of each individual student. At this time the committee will be comprised of Aaron Sholders Ph.D. and Jennifer DeLuca Ph.D.
    • Full details regarding the program can be found through this here.

  • Information regarding Plan A M.S. coursework requirements, thesis requirement, and forming a Student Advisory Committee can be found here.

Application Process

    • Students must submit an Intent to Apply form by April 1stof the Spring semester of their Junior year. The form should be completed, signed, and submitted to the BMB office (MRB 111) or emailed to cns_bmb@Mail.colostate.edu.
    • After the Intent to Apply form has been submitted, students must apply to the BMB AMP through the CSU graduate school. The application deadline is December 1stof the Fall semester of the student’s Senior year. Graduate applications will not be accepted earlier than one year prior to starting the graduate program.

Form to Double Count Courses

  • Students must complete and submit the Request to Double Count Courses form to the Graduate School during their final undergraduate semester and prior to completing their undergraduate degree.