Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology M.S.

Introduction

The Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX). The METX M.S. degree can be attained through Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (capstone).

Plan I: A master’s research thesis, viewed as acceptable by the student's thesis reading committee, is required of each candidate. The completed thesis must be filed with the Graduate Division by the end of instruction in the term in which the candidate expects the degree to be awarded. Students will also complete a minimum of 40 credits of instruction.

Plan II: Students complete a capstone requirement, which is an individual written project. A comprehensive project in the major subject, as approved by the METX graduate advising committee, is required of each candidate. Students will also complete a minimum of 40 credits of instruction.

The METX M.S. degree combines core courses and electives to provide interdisciplinary training in microbiology, toxicology, and environmental health sciences. Graduates from the program are exceptionally prepared to take research or management positions in organizations concerned with microbial and environmental health-related sciences. Graduates may also pursue fields in education or enter doctoral programs in biological and environmental health sciences or related fields.

Students pursuing Plan I typically graduate in two years; Plan II typically concludes in one year.

Requirements

Plan I (thesis) M.S. Degree

Prospective students who are interested in research careers, or gaining research experience prior to entering a doctoral program, should consider the Plan I (thesis) M.S. degree.

Course Requirements

To receive a METX Plan I (thesis) M.S. degree, students must successfully complete the courses listed below. Additional coursework may be recommended or required by the student's faculty advisor or the graduate advising committee.

One required core course

Two courses from the following list:

Each quarter, Plan I students must also enroll in the following courses:

The METX Department Seminar

Research Units (select from below as appropriate)

Each quarter, students will consult with their faculty advisor and/or the METX Graduate Advising Committee to determine which research course to enroll in. Students only take one of these each quarter.

Topical Seminar (lab meeting) associated with their primary investigator (select from below as appropriate

Other Requirements

Literature Review

Students are required to write a literature review summarizing the current state of the field of the proposed dissertation research. The review should be written with feedback from the student’s faculty advisor and is due to the student’s advisor and the program graduate advisor by the first day of fall quarter of the second year.

Department Seminars

Plan I students are required to give a 15- 20-minute departmental seminar in the first academic year and a 50-minute departmental seminar on thesis work during the spring of the second year.

Master's Comprehensive Examination

The master's comprehensive exam is a presentation and defense of the student's master's research proposal, including relevant background knowledge. This examination is taken in the fall quarter of the second year and is given by the student’s Thesis Reading Committee (aka the thesis committee).

Thesis

Students are required to submit their thesis for fulfillment of the degree requirements. The thesis should be submitted to the student's thesis committee one month before the due date.

Plan II (capstone) M.S. Degree

The Plan II (capstone) M.S. degree may be of interest to students interested in interdisciplinary graduate training in microbiology and environmental health-related fields, but with career goals other than research, such as government service, non-profit NGOs, and private sector biotech and environmental health companies.

Coursework Requirements

Three required courses:

Two courses from the following list:

At least three additional courses

Plan II students must take at least three additional graduate-level METX courses or approved graduate-level courses from another department. Students should consult with the Graduate Advising Committee regarding the selection of these additional electives.

Department Seminar

Students are expected to enroll in and attend the METX department seminar every quarter.

Other Requirements

Capstone Writing Project:

Plan II M.S. students must complete a capstone writing project to be completed under the guidance/mentorship of a faculty member in the department. As an example, capstone projects may include a scientific research proposal or a substantial review article.