Master's Program in Biology

The Master of Science degree in biology is primarily for students with a strong undergraduate preparation in biology who desire to prepare for advanced study, to teach at the college level, or to pursue a career in research. Students entering this program are encouraged to undertake thesis research as a means of satisfying the degree requirements.

A student desiring admission must offer an undergraduate major in biology consisting of a minimum of 50 credits in science, including a minimum of 30 credits in biology, 6 credits of chemistry, and one semester of college mathematics. Upon acceptance by the department, the student is assigned an interim adviser who assists him in arranging a program of study.

Thesis Requires completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 30 credits including 2 credits of seminar; 6 credits in thesis research (BIO 590). Thesis approval requires satisfactory oral defense of the thesis.

Comprehensive Examination
Requires completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 30 credits including 2 credits of seminar. Students in this program must pass a final written comprehensive examination administered by the department.

Special Project
Requires completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 36 credits, including a special project, 2 credits of seminar and 3 credits of BIO 600, Independent Study and Research, or BIO 601, Independent Study for Nurse Anesthetist.


MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOLOGY —
FOR NURSE ANESTHETISTS

• Jane J. Feng, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator.
  Telephone: (203) 392-6213.
• Dennis Buonafede, M.D., Medical Director
• Joanne Yankura, Interim Program Director, SCSU-Bridgeport Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program. Telephone: (203) 384-3054

The Master of Science Degree in Biology for nurse anesthetists is for registered nurses who have graduated from an accredited nursing program and hold a bachelor's degree in nursing or in a related science (biology, chemistry, physics). This program is based on joint acceptance by Southern Connecticut State University's School of Graduate Studies and the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia. A student in this program must complete 36 credits of graduate course work including 2 credits of seminar and 3 credits of BIO 601, Independent Study for Nurse Anesthetists. The student will also complete 16 credit hours in anesthesia course work and at least 550 anesthetic cases in a clinical practicum at Bridgeport Hospital. Successful graduates are awarded a Master of Science degree in Biology, a certificate in nurse anesthesia practice, and are eligible for the national certification examination for nurse anesthetists.

Admission requirements include a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 with a strong grade performance in all science courses, a minimum of two semesters of biology, two semesters of chemistry (inorganic and organic) and one semester of microbiology. A general physics course is highly recommended. At least one year of acute care experience as a registered nurse is required during which time the applicant must have had the opportunity to manage the nursing care of critically ill patients, display independent decision making ability, demonstrate psychomotor skills, gain expertise in the use and interpretation of advanced physiologic monitoring devices and establish competence in the administration of vasoactive drugs based on physiologic and pharmacologic principles.

Initial application to the program must be made directly to the SCSU-Bridgeport Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program located at Bridgeport Hospital. An application may be obtained via the program website at www.bhnap.org or by contacting the program directly at (203) 384-3054.

It should be noted that students in this program have available to them all the rights and privileges of any SCSU student including the right of due process as outlined in the student handbook.


MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATION

• Dr. Sean Grace, Coordinator.
  Telephone: (203) 392-6216.

The Master of Science degree is for elementary and secondary school teachers, who desire to increase their competency in this area of specialization. The entrance requirements and planned programs are flexible to accommodate the wide range of backgrounds and special needs of teachers.

A student seeking admission to this program must offer an undergraduate background including a minimum of 24 credits in biology, 6 credits in chemistry, and one semester of college mathematics. Upon acceptance by the department into the program, the student is assigned an adviser who assists the student in arranging a program of study appropriate to the individual. Successful completion of a certification program fulfills the requirements for the Initial Teaching Certificate in Connecticut. In addition to meeting the requirements for the master of science degree in biology, the following core courses are required for certification:

EDF 520-526 — Educational Foundations
EDU 452 — Secondary School Student Teaching
EDU 453 — Student Teaching Seminar
EDU 493 — Science (Secondary School)
HIS 110 — U. S. History
PSY 370 — Educational Psychology
SED 482 — Teaching Exceptional Students in Secondary Education Classroom
SHE 203 — School Health