Master of Science in Biology
Hybrid
Courses
Common Core
ENG510Advanced Academic English
2 credits
This course is designed for graduate students working on their thesis. It gives them the opportunity to enhance their writing abilities and develop their critical thinking. It attempts to help students achieve greater competency in reading, writing, reflection, and discussion emphasizing the responsibilities of written inquiry and structured reasoning. Students are expected to investigate questions that are at issue for themselves and their audience and for which they do not already have answers. In other words, this course should help students write about what they have learned through their research rather than simply write an argument supporting one side of an issue or another.
BCH541Cell Signaling
SCF600Research Methodology
1 credits
The objective of the course is to introduce students to scientific research. Topics covered are: interest and research objectives; methodologies used in scientific research, and how to define a problematic; data collection; documentary research; analyze the collected knowledge; structure of a Master thesis; write a report; write the bibliography; make a scientific poster; and how to approach making an oral presentation.
STA515Statistical Analysis Methods
3 credits
The purpose of this course is to strengthen the knowledge of students in the field of applied statistics by minimizing the mathematical approach and developing practical and methodological aspects. It presents the main techniques of most known statistical tests (descriptive and inferential statistics, explanatory methods, and data analysis). The course provides an overview and practical main methods available in software, with an aid to the interpretation of the results and through fully processed examples using the statistical software SPSS. Most of the themes will be covered by this course including the analysis of Variance (ANOVA test), comparisons of samples (ttest and Chi-square), single and multiple regression.
CHM511Techniques for Quality Control
3 credits
This course is dedicated to quality and control. It looks at how to implement quality control practices and which criteria are involved in quality control. To understand all dimensions of quality control, the fields of drugs, food and the environment are discussed. The focus on these areas is explained by the improvement requirements for continuous quality.
Major Requirements
Specialization - Molecular and Cellular Genetics
BIO630Cancer Biology
3 credits
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the biology and pathology of cancer. It will focus on the genetic and molecular bases of cancer, including the role of mutations in cancer cells and how they lead to the deregulation of essential biological properties (programmed cell death, cell proliferation, and differentiation). Some medical aspects of cancer will also be discussed, such as diagnosis, classification, treatments, etc.
BIO632Genetic Engineering and Applied Biotechnology
3 credits
This course studies the methods of genetic manipulations and global analysis of the genome and its expression, as well as directed mutagenesis, gene expression in heterologous hosts and gene therapy.
Tangible applications will clarify some of the major achievements of genetic engineering chosen in different fields of application. This will be addressed through critical analysis of recent scientific articles.
BIO633The "Omics"
3 credits
Whole genome sequencing of many organisms, including humans, has created new fields of research. After the study of genomes came the study of proteomes, transcriptomes, metabolomes, etc. The aim of this course is to provide in introduction to each of the -omics fields, as well as practical bioinformatical skills in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, knowledge of the major web-resources and an understanding of how these methods are used in scientific research.
BIO631Virology and Vectrology
3 credits
This course comprises an introduction to virology, and discusses the different methods to study viruses, their classification, their mechanisms of infection and spreading, focusing on emerging diseases (AIDS, influenza, hemorrhagic diseases, Zika virus…), unconventional agents (prions) and vaccination, as well as the use of viral vectors in gene therapy and biotechnology.
Specialization - Physiology and Physiopathology
NSBT535Cellular Neurobiology and Physiology
BIO652Environmental Physiology
3 credits
At the completion of this course, students will have knowledge of environmental hazards with known and possible risks and they will have a better understanding of how these hazards are formed, their fate and distribution in the environment, and how to assess their potential effects in humans. This course will not be a comprehensive survey of all areas of study within environmental physiology, but instead will cover a few major topics in detail like endocrine, developmental and reproductive physiology.
BIO622Physiology and Physiopathology of the Contractile Structures
3 credits
This course will enable the students in the Master’s degree to deepen their theoretical bases and experimental approach in muscular physiology and physiopathology. In this course, the anatomy, the histology, the functioning and regulation of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles will be covered. This course will introduce the students to the scientific reasoning and to the research by describing and analyzing scientific articles.
BIO623Reproductive & Development Physiology and Physiopathology
3 credits
The primary goal of this course is to provide an understanding of how the reproductive system of the human body works to create and sustain life. The course starts with an introduction to basic endocrinology, anatomy and physiology of the human reproductive system and examines the processes and regulations of fertilization, pregnancy, birth and human development. Birth control, infertility and sexually transmitted diseases are also discussed.
Capstone
BIO697AMaster Thesis
6 credits | Pre-requisite: SCF600 Or FSC600 Or CHM600 Or BCH600
Student must complete a 6 credits research project applied to the major. They are expected to realize a research work in the laboratory, submit a written report and make an oral presentation.
Emphasis
- Molecular and Cellular Genetics
- Physiology and Physiopathology
Mission
The mission of the MS in Biology is to prepare broadly trained, professional scientists by developing the students’ independent research skills, strengthening their scientific communication abilities, and enhancing their likelihood of gaining employment in fertility and other biological fields or successful admission into doctoral and professional programs.
Program Educational Objectives
1. Graduates will be able to succeed in a wide variety of post-baccalaureate paths, including graduate and post-graduate schools, as well as research in biology and related disciplines.
2. Graduates will be able to work in many biology-related fields and continue their professional development while engaging in life-long learning necessary for a sustainable career.
3. Graduates will be able to function effectively and ethically within an organization and society as productive members of interdisciplinary teams.
Program Outcomes
a. Students will integrate advanced concepts in genetics, molecular biology, physiology, physiopathology, fertility and related fields.
b. Students will develop analytical and critical-thinking skills, and evaluate, design, conduct and quantitatively assess innovative research in a biological discipline.
c. Students will assess ethical issues in laboratory and/or field settings.
d. Students will effectively communicate scientific ideas by defending original research in writing and in oral presentation.