Plan B (Non-Thesis) Masters in Molecular Biology

University of Wyoming

Students wishing to pursue a Masters of Science (MS) in Molecular Biology with Thesis (plan A) should visit the Department of Molecular Biology web site:

http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/UWMOLECBIO/

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduate program for the Department of Molecular Biology is administered through the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Graduate Program:

http://www.uwyo.edu/MCLS/

Intent of the “Plan B” Masters in Molecular Biology Program

This one-year program is designed to serve students who have, usually, one of the following goals:

(a)    Creation of a flexible post-baccalaureate educational experience to prepare them for specific career objectives.

(b)   Enhancement of their curriculum vitae in order to increase the probability of admittance to PhD or Professional School programs.

(c)    A terminal degree in molecular biology to facilitate a career as a laboratory technician in an industry or academic laboratory setting.

In comparison to the Plan B Masters program, the Plan A Masters of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs provide a research-intensive educational experience.  However, all individual Plan B Masters candidates will be required to include a significant research component in their Program of Study.

Students who pursue a Plan B Masters degree in Molecular Biology are not guaranteed admittance to the MCLS Ph.D. program, nor will their research effort in the Plan B Masters program be credited as effort towards a Ph.D. in a program that they might subsequently enter.

Funding of students pursuing a Plan B Masters in Molecular Biology

No departmental funds will be used to support students in the Plan B Masters program.  Students are expected to be self-funded unless specific arrangements for funding have been made with the faculty member acting as the advisor and mentor.  Prospective foreign students must satisfy the financial standards of the graduate school prior to being granted admittance to the program. A student may be able to obtain financial support from the graduate school by applying for a Graduate School Scholarship or Minority Scholarship or other award from the Office of Educational Opportunities.

Application and Assignment of Advisor/Mentor

Potential Plan B Masters students are considered for admission only after they establish an agreement with a specific adviser that he or she agrees to advise that student if the student is admitted to the program.  The Graduate Chairperson should be notified in writing by the student’s prospective adviser of their willingness to advise the student’s Plan B Masters project.

After identifying a suitable mentor, the candidate must file an application through the graduate school (http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWGrad/applynow.asp).  After the identification of a willing mentor and submission of an application, both the graduate school and the Department of Molecular Biology Graduate Admissions Committee will assess the prospective student’s qualifications and potential.

A detailed description of the  Plan B Masters of Science in Molecular Biology can be found here.

 

This site is maintained by Randy L. Anderson.