Degree Requirements

M.S. in Biology and Biotechnology

Students pursuing the M.S. degree in biology and biotechnology must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of course and theses work, six of which must be thesis research credits. In addition, M.S. students must successfully complete (grade of B or higher) as minimum of three graduate courses appropriate to their area of study (subject to pre-approval by their thesis committee) and the graduate seminar (BB 501, 1 credit in every semester registered for full-time study). Students must assemble an Advisory Committee of three faculty members of which a minimum of two must be biology and biotechnology program faculty members. One of the biology and biotechnology faculty members will chair the committee and be the student's faculty advisor. The Advisory Committee must review and approve each M.S. student's program of study and thesis research.

Ph.D. in Biotechnology

In addition to the WPI requirements, a dissertation (minimum of 30 credit hours) and dissertation defense is required of all Ph.D. students. It is the intention of the faculty that doctoral students develop skills not only in their research area, but also receive training in interdisciplinary approaches to research, presentation skills (oral and written), pedagogical approaches, experimental design, and professional ethics within the life sciences. Specific operational details of the program, including the qualifying exam and dissertation defense, can be found in the Biology and Biotechnology graduate handbook provided to entering students.

Publications

In order to graduate, at least one manuscript should be submitted for publication in a refereed journal and at least one paper must have been presented at a national or international conference.

Qualifying Exam, Reports and Dissertation Defense

A Ph.D. qualifying exam is required and should be taken prior to the end of the second year of study. A majority of the Examining Committee must be members of the biology and biotechnology department faculty. The committee must also approve the student's dissertation research proposal and review student's progress through committee meetings. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must give annual presentations of their research work to the department as part of the graduate seminar course. A public defense of the completed dissertation is required of all students and will be followed immediately by a defense before the Examining Committee. All members of the Examining Committee must be present for the defense.