Biology - M.S.
The M.S. Biology Program at Fisk University is focused on preparing students for PhD level training in the biological and biomedical sciences or advancing their skills for careers in the sciences.
Students who complete the M.S. program in biology will be able to:
- search the literature independently to become aware of advances in subject matter;
- develop independent research questions in the research area of their thesis advisor
- possess skills to test, interpret and critically analyze data presented in the literature and obtained the laboratory; and
- communicate science effectively and prepare manuscripts for publication in relevant journals.
The student and advisor will develop a specifically tailored plan including courses and other graduation requirements during the first semester of enrollment. Full-time graduate students are expected to complete their course work by the end of their third semester in the program.
Required course work includes a minimum of 30 semester credits, which includes up to 6 credits for thesis research. At least 14 of the required 30 semester credits must be completed at Fisk. A maximum of 13 semester credits may be taken in cross-registration at Vanderbilt University; cross registration at institutions other than Fisk must be approved by the thesis advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies in Biology and should be selected to align with the research interests and anticipated research of the student.
The balance sheet below, to be completed by all graduate students as they progress through their time within the program, and to be shared by the student at every committee meeting, summarizes the requirements of the Graduate Program in Biology.
Program Requirements
Fall of First Year
Other Requirements:
- Must register for at least 9 credit hours.
- Formulate Research Project and Plan with Research Mentor.
- Begin participation in Vanderbilt IMSD student-run journal/data club.
- Identify Labs of Interest for Bridging to Vanderbilt (by end of first semester)
Spring of First Year
| NSCI 594 | Literature Review | 0.5 |
| BIOL 590 | Graduate Biology Journal Club | 0.5 |
| BIOL 594 | Literature Review and Scientific Writing | 1 |
| Elective: Biochem II, Dev. Bio, Cancer | 4 |
| Vanderbilt Courses: 1 or 2 courses | 2-3 |
Other Requirements:
- Must register for at least 9 credit hours.
- Form Thesis Committee (can be done in Fall of First Year if possible)
- Hold First Thesis Committee Meeting (BEFORE MARCH 1ST), turn in summary
- Continue participation in IMSD Journal Club, relevant VU seminars/meetings
Summer of First Year
Other Requirements
- Meet with Thesis Committee (usually toward end of summer), submit summary
- Begin to identify conferences to attend in upcoming year
Fall of Second Year
| BIOL 590 | Graduate Biology Journal Club | 0.5 |
| BIOL 591 | Thesis Research | 1-6 |
| BIOL 599 | Thesis Preparation | 1-9 |
| Vanderbilt Courses: IGP Bioregulation, Preview Course | 0-6 |
Other Requirements:
- Must register for at least 9 credit hours.
- Vanderbilt Courses: IGP Bioregulation, Preview Course: modules as desired/needed
- Meet with Thesis Committee, submit summary
- Apply for NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (if desired)
- Apply to PhD programs at Vanderbilt and other institutions (many have Dec. 1st deadlines)
- Attend ABRCMS/SACNAS/or other professional conferences
Spring of Second Year
| BIOL 590 | Graduate Biology Journal Club | 0.5 |
| BIOL 592 | Thesis Research | 1-6 |
| BIOL 595 | Manuscript Writing | 1 |
| BIOL 599 | Thesis Preparation | 1-9 |
| Vanderbilt Courses: as desired/needed | |
Other Requirements:
- Must register for at least 9 credit hours.
- Finalize thesis, turn in to committee two weeks before defense.
- Finish up experiments in lab, tie up loose ends in lab.
- Defend Thesis and make suggested changes to thesis document.
Overall Requirements
- At least 30 credits total
- At least 24 didactic credits
- At least 14 credits at Fisk
- Up to 6 credits of Thesis Research
Matriculation into the PhD phase of the Bridge Program
The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD program in Biology bridges from an MA in Biology at Fisk University to a broad array of possible PhD-granting programs. Biology students can be admitted to Vanderbilt through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program; students who enter directly into the Biological sciences program also will be taking the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) Bioregulation course, a fast-paced introduction to the breadth of content in the IGP course. Students can additionally apply directly to the Neuroscience program.
After their FALL semester in the IGP introductory program, students identify a PhD mentor, if this was not already established during the MA phase, and become aligned with one of multiple possible graduate programs: biological sciences, biochemistry; chemical biology, cell and developmental biology; microbiology and immunology; molecular physiology and biophysics; physical and structural biology; neuroscience; pathology; and/or pharmacology.
All incoming students will participate, as well, in the Vanderbilt University IMSD (Initiative for Maximizing STEM Diversity) – PhD student-hosted sessions held bimonthly at Vanderbilt (typically Thursdays at 5 pm) in order become acquainted with the culture of research intensive discovery through student-hosted journal clubs and data meetings.
Matriculation into the Biological Sciences PhD Program: Students can apply directly to the Biological Sciences Department and enter in their first year or after spending their first year in the IGP. Most students will complete three research rotations (nine week periods) in their first year to facilitate choosing a dissertation advisor and as part of the required didactic course work (BSCI 7390). At least two rotations are required for all students.
Matriculation into the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program leading to PhD programs in diverse biomedically relevant areas. Exposure to the extensive graduate programs in biomedically relevant areas will occur informally via participation in the IMSD student-hosted sessions at Vanderbilt outlined above. Specific questions about each of the available PhD-granting programs for those completing their MA in Biology as part of the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge program are optimally answered by the Directors of Graduate Studies for those programs (see www.vanderbilt.edu); these conversations can be facilitated by Dina Myers Stroud, PhD., Executive Director of the Bridge program.