---Matriculation requirements
---Applicants must offer adequate preparation in the following, with a grade point average of 3.00 or higher: a minimum of 8 credits of introductory biology; an appropriate general physics course; two terms of organic chemistry; and a minimum of two advanced courses selected from the following areas of study: botany, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, ecology, evolution, general physiology, or genetics.
The Biology Department's graduate admission committee selects candidates to be admitted to the program. An interview may be required of applicants.
General matriculation and admission requirements of the Division of Graduate Studies are in the section "Admission."
---Degree requirements
---Thirty credits are required for the degree. Students must complete 21 credits in courses in the Biology Department. The following courses are required: Biology 7932G and 7991G. Biology 7910G and Biology 7931G are strongly recommended, but not required. No more than 2 credits in Biology 7910G may be counted toward the degree.
With permission of the deputy chairperson, the remaining credits required for the degree may be in courses in another science department.
In the second year, students must pass a comprehensive examination.
Students must submit a thesis acceptable to the department.
Information about requirements for the comprehensive examination and thesis is in the section "Academic Regulations and Procedures."
M.A., biology teacher (7-12)
HEGIS code 0401.01; SED program code 26742
The profession of teacher education is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Therefore, program requirements are subject to change. All students should consult with the School of Education for the current requirements.
--- Matriculation requirements
---
Applicants must offer adequate preparation in the following, with an average grade of B or higher in biology courses: general biology; general physics;
an advanced course in botany, zoology, general physiology, and genetics; and two terms of organic chemistry.
Applicants must also offer (a) or (b) or (c):
(a) New York State Initial Certification in Adolescence Education in teaching biology for grades 7-12;
(b) courses in education that meet the New York State standards for the pedagogical core. These courses include study of the following: history of education and philosophy of education or principles of education or educational sociology; educational psychology or developmental psychology or
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psychology of adolescence or adolescent development; classroom management; teaching students with special needs and English language learners;
6 credits in literacy and language acquisition; curriculum development and methods of assessing student learning; uses of technology in the classroom; methods of teaching biology in grades 7-12; 100 hours of fieldwork; 40 days or 300 hours of student teaching of biology in grades 7-12, or one year of full-time teaching of biology in grades 7-12; and submission of scores on the Liberal Arts and Science Test (L.A.S.T.);
(c) an undergraduate degree with a major in biology or appropriate course work in biology, and submission of scores on the L.A.S.T.
Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00. A minimum average of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.
International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 before being considered for admission.
Applicants who have not completed all the specific course requirements are given individual consideration and may be admitted with conditions, with the approval of the head of adolescence education and special subjects in the School of Education and the chairperson of the Biology Department.
Applicants must consult matriculation requirements for adolescence education and special subjects in the School of Education section of the Bulletin, and should see the head of adolescence education and special subjects for counseling.
General matriculation and admission requirements of the Division of Graduate Studies are in the chapter "Admission."
--- Degree requirements
--- A minimum of 34 credits is required for the degree.
Students must complete 22 credits in biology and related areas.
Students must complete 12 credits in courses in the School of Education. Students take different education courses and sequences of courses depending on their previous course work, teaching experience, and the certificates they hold. Students who possess Initial Certification in teaching biology must complete 9 credits in Group II and 3 credits in Group III, below. Students who do not possess Initial Certification in teaching biology or equivalent course work and teaching experience or who are teaching but do not possess Initial Certification in teaching biology must have the appropriate course work and credits in the subject area and must complete the appropriate courses in Group I before taking courses in Groups II and III.
Students pursuing Initial Certification in teaching biology must take Education 7503X, Teaching Writing Across the Curriculum, in Group III.
Students who already have a master's degree but wish Initial Certification in teaching biology must take appropriate courses in Group I and Group III, below, as determined at the time of matriculation by the head of adolescence education and special subjects in the School of Education.
Group I:
Education 7302X, 7501X, 7312T, 7542T, 7326T, 7543T.
Group II:
Education 7502T, 7327T, 7340T.
Group III:
Education 7005X, 7547T, 7671X, 7527T, 7684T, 7545X, 7503X, 7548X/English 7507X, Education 7913X/ Theater 7141, Education 7038X.
Students must pass a comprehensive examination or submit a thesis acceptable to the Biology Department. Information about requirements for the comprehensive examination and the thesis is in the chapter "Academic Regulations and Procedures."
The program of study must be approved early in the first semester by the chairperson or the deputy chairperson of the Biology Department and the head of adolescence education and special subjects in the School of Education.
Fellowships
Some fellowships are available to qualified students. Inquiry should be made of the chairperson at the time of application.
CUNY Ph.D.
The City University of New York offers doctoral programs in biology and biochemistry. General information about CUNY Ph.D. programs is in the chapter “Support for Academic Success in Graduate School.” The Biology Department offers courses at Brooklyn College that are creditable toward the CUNY doctoral degree. For information about the courses, students should consult the deputy chairperson of the Biology Department and the executive officer of the doctoral program.
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Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, encourages original investigation in the natural sciences, pure and applied. The fields of activity of the society include the physical sciences, the life sciences, the earth sciences, and mathematics. The Brooklyn College Chapter elects students to associate membership in the society on the basis of academic excellence and marked aptitude for research in one of the fields listed above.
Courses
Prerequisite of admission to all courses is permission of the chairperson.
Unless a prerequisite is specific, students may apply graduate or undergraduate courses toward fulfillment of that prerequisite.
BIOL 7005 Genetics 60 hours; 4 credits
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics; organization of DNA, replication repair, mutagenesis, recombination, control of gene expression, genetic engineering and molecular techniques.
Prerequisite: A course in genetics and/or molecular biology.
BIOL 7010T Modern Concepts in Biology I, II 60 hours each term; 4 credits each term
Significant contemporary concepts in biology. These courses may be taken more than once, with the permission of the chairman or graduate deputy.
BIOL 7027G Model Systems in Biology 30 hours; 2 credits
Introduction to a selection of biological systems used in different areas of biological research. Exploration of how and why different biological systems are used to solve biological problems, the advantages of selected systems to solve specific problems, and how Biology faculty are using these systems in their research. It will give students an opportunity to see the types of research faculty are involved in and can help them choose a thesis research topic.
BIOL 7080G Journal Club 15 hours; 1 credit
Student presentation of current research papers provide an
opportunity to read literature, develop an understanding of an area of research and present both an overview and a current paper that they have selected for critical analysis by the class. This course may be taken twice for credit.
BIOL 7100G Molecular Biology 75 hours; 5 credits
Structure and function of biomolecules; enzyme mechanisms;
replication, transcription, translation; regulation of macromolecular biosynthesis; energy transformations.
Prerequisites: A course in genetics or molecular biology or biochemistry.
BIOL U7110X Biotechnology of Algae 2 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion section; 3 credits
Phylogeny, evolution, habitats, growth cycles, and genetic engineering of algae; biosynthetic pathways of algal products and their metabolic regulation; interdisciplinary topics including designing bioreactors, nutritional value of natural products from algae; the economic aspects of patent and management of companies dealing with algae. A required
in-depth discussion of topics pertinent to algal biotechnology will take place following every lecture.
Prerequisite: Biology 1072 [29]; Chemistry *1100 [1] or its equivalent;
and permission of the chairperson.
BIOL U7121X Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology: Lecture
30 hours; 2 credits
This course is an introduction to the molecular biology of the gene and some of the methodologies used for the isolation and cloning of genes.
BIOL U7122X Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology: Laboratory
120 hours; 4 credits
Laboratory work related to the subject matter of Biology U7121X [712.01X]
Prerequisite or corequisite: Biology U7121X [712.01X].
BIOL U7141G Cell Biology: Lecture 60 hours lecture and conference; 4 credits
Intensive study of major areas of cell biology; integration of cellular ultrastructure; metabolism; transmission of cellular information.
BIOL U7160X Cells in Culture
60 hours laboratory, 15 hours recitation; 3 credits
A mixed-format course on the use of cells in culture, including laboratory experience and a recitation hour. In the laboratory, students perform a series of planned experiments on cell cultures to become familiarized with research techniques. In addition, students carry out a limited project of their own design after consultation with the instructor. The recitation hour includes discussions of essential techniques used to culture cells and discussions of representative papers from the research literature.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
BIOL U7170X Advanced Cell Culture Techniques 60 hours laboratory, 15 hours recitation; 3 credits
An advanced course on cell culture techniques in which students are responsible for researching the literature and designing one or two advanced sets of experiments from a common list of project topics after consultation with the instructor. The planning of the projects is to include considerations of cost and sources of supply, timing of purchase, equipment availability, reagent preparation, a written proposal of objectives, detailed experimental protocols, appropriate control experiments, recording of results, potential statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and final interpretation of results. Each project will be concluded with the submission of a written report and an oral presentation.
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Prerequisite: Biology U7160X [716X] and the permission of the instructor.
BIOL U7321X Applied Microbiology: Lecture 30 hours; 2 credits
Applied methods in microbiology. Study of growth, metabolism, and genetics of bacteria and fungi, relating to industrial, environmental, food, and medical microbiology.
Prerequisite: a course in microbiology.
BIOL U7503X Developmental Biology 45 hours; 3 credits
Physiology of development. Mechanisms of fertilization, changes in the metabolism of a fertilized egg, differentiation, alterations in the metabolism of the developing embryo, organizers and their mode of action. Spring term.
BIOL 7650X Biology of Estuaries 45 hours; 3 credits
Survey of estuaries and coastal ecosystems; an introduction to major estuarine processes, habitats, and organisms; factors affecting community structure and function. Three all-day field trips.
Prerequisites: open to biology graduates; with permission of the instructor, open to graduates in geology, chemistry, and engineering.
BIOL U7910G Colloquium 15 hours; 1/2 credit
Discussion of recent contributions and research in progress in biology.
No more than 2 credits in this course may be applied toward the degree.
BIOL U7921G Advanced Study 30 hours; 2 credits
Tutorial study with a faculty member in an area in which formal course work is not offered. Assigned reading, reports, and laboratory or fieldwork. Weekly discussion and examinations by arrangement with the instructor.
BIOL U7922G Advanced Study 60 hours; 4 credits
Tutorial study with a faculty member in an area in which formal course work is not offered. Assigned reading, reports, and laboratory or fieldwork. Weekly discussion and examinations by arrangement with the instructor.
BIOL U7931G Seminar in Special Topics 15 hours each term; 1 credit each term
Topical discussion of recent contributions in biology. Course content varies from term to term.
BIOL U7932G Seminar in Special Topics 30 hours each term; 2 credits each term
Topical discussion of recent contributions in biology. Course content varies from term to term. Students may not repeat topics.
BIOL U7933G Seminar in Special Topics 45 hours; 3 credits
Topical discussion of recent contributions in biology. Course content varies from term to term.
BIOL U7941X Experimental Biology: Lecture 45 hours; 3 credits
Experimental approach to problems in biology. Course content varies from term to term.
BIOL U7942X Experimental Biology: Laboratory 90 hours; 3 credits
Experimental approach to problems in biology. Course content varies from term to term.
BIOL U7951X Research Topics in Biology 45 hours; 3 credits
Lecture in selected areas of modern biology. Course content varies from term to term. Students may take this course twice, but may not repeat topics. (Not open to students who have completed the same topic in Biology 795.2X.)
BIOL 7991G Thesis Research 45 hours each term; 2 credits each term
Research for master's thesis supervised by a faculty member. No more than four credits may be counted toward the degree. Credit is not earned until the thesis is accepted.
Prerequisite: completion of all graduate laboratory courses recommended by the department graduate studies committee.
BIOL 7992G Thesis Research 45 hours each term; 2 credits each term
Research for master's thesis supervised by a faculty member. No more than four credits may be counted toward the degree. Credit is not earned until the thesis is accepted.
Prerequisite: completion of all graduate laboratory courses recommended by the department graduate studies committee.