Program Admission and Degree Requirements
According to the rules of the UMBC Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, applicants to the AMB Masters program should have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and the rules of the program require that they take the Graduate Record Examination.
Students with GPAs somewhat below 3.0 can be accepted into the progam if there are reasons to believe that they will both benefit from it, and be able to perform up to expectations in the classroom. These reasons could, for example, be significant life experience after completion of a baccalaureate program. Some of our most committed and highest achieving students are returning students and we welcome applicants of that type. However, remember that this is a competitive program, so make your case clearly and persuasively if this is your situation.
A student who does not have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA will have provisional status, which means that they must achieve a 3.0 average in their first semester to remain in the program. Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 average during their graduate training.
Prior to enrollment in the program, at a minimum the following courses or their equivalents should have been completed (more advanced courses, especially in Molecular Biology, are encouraged):
- Genetics (one semester)
- Cell biology (one semester)
- Biology laboratories (two semesters)
- General chemistry (two semesters)
- Organic chemistry lecture and laboratory (two semesters)
- Physics (two semesters)
- Calculus (one semester)
Foreign applicants should have a Test of English as a Foregin Language (TOEFL) score greater than 550 (paper-based) .
Since enrollment is limited to 12 new students each year students should apply early in the spring semester. If spaces are available, applications will be accepted until July 1. Students will only be admitted for the fall semester.
A Master of Science degree in Applied Molecular Biology will be awarded upon completion of the required courses. In one of these courses, all students submit a scholarly paper based on a project completed in the 14 credit laboratory. Finally, they must pass a written comprehensive examination that will test their knowledge of the techniques used in that laboratory. These are the requirements of the Graduate School for non-thesis programs.
If the program interests you please visit the Graduate School Admissions web site, where application information is provided:
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We encourage you to apply on-line. This method insures our rapid consideration of your application; on-line application requires paying the $50 application fee using a credit card.
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Alternatively, you can download application materials and apply by mail.