Objectives
The primary objective is to offer to qualified students
opportunities for advanced study in the biological sciences leading
to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Graduates of our master's program are normally employed in research
capacities at universities or companies involved in pharmaceutical,
clinical, biological or biotechnological research, or in teaching.
Graduates of our Ph.D. program accept research/teaching positions
at the college and university level or are often employed at
managerial levels in industry or government. The department has
organized its
courses to provide students with a broad-based background in
biology with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology and to
prepare them for advanced study and research in several areas
including intracellular trafficking, signal transduction and
cellular responses to stress, including aging and programmed cell
death.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Biological Sciences offers both M.S. and Ph.D.
degree programs focusing on Cell and Molecular Biology.
Approximately 40 graduate students of diverse backgrounds are
enrolled in these programs at any one time. The relatively small
size of our program encourages intensive faculty/student
interaction in both the classroom and laboratory. In many cases,
the laboratory setting includes undergraduates, M.S. students, and
doctoral students guided by postdoctoral fellows as well as
faculty, creating a dynamic environment with intellectual exchange
occurring at many levels. Find out more about our
Master of Science Degree Program in Biological and
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, a joint effort of the College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences and St. John’s College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Students begin their studies with a core of courses providing
solid grounding in biochemistry, molecular genetics, and cell and
developmental biology.
Advanced courses based on current scientific literature, as
well as regular attendance at seminars presented by scientists from
other institutions, round out the formal preparation.
Doctoral students gain research experience early, through a
series of research rotations which allow them to become familiar
with the biological questions asked by faculty in the department
and the techniques used to answer those questions. Students are
then in a position to choose and carry out their doctoral research
most effectively. We also encourage M.S. students to do research so
that they gain a better understanding of experimental techniques
and approaches to questions discussed in their classes, as well as
better preparation for careers in research.
Candidacy
A student will be admitted into candidacy for the Ph.D. upon the
successful completion of all courses other than doctoral research
(950), the doctoral qualifying examination, research tool
requirements, and acceptance of a thesis proposal by the chair of
the department.
Graduate Admission
Information
Robert Medrano, Director
Office of Graduate Admission
(718) 990-2790
medranor@stjohns.edu
Department Contact
Chris Bazinet, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies
bazinetc@stjohns.edu
St. Albert Hall Room 246C
(718) 990-1419