College of Science

The Master's of Science in Biology program provides the opportunity for broad training in a variety of biological areas as well as specialization in areas of particular interest to the student. The Department offers a thesis and a non-thesis track within the degree. The thesis track is designed for students whose career goals require formal research training. The non-thesis track is designed for students whose career goals require graduate education, but not formal research experience, such as teaching at the community college/regional college level. The program provides the opportunity for broad training as well as specialization in areas of particular interest through the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) concentration and the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology (E3B) concentration. Students in the Ph.D. and M.S. programs have the opportunity to conduct graduate research under the co-direction of a Biology faculty member and select faculty at the Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte.

Biology (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Biology has as its intellectual focus an interdisciplinary synthesis of the biological sciences and related biotechnology. The program draws upon the strengths of faculty in multiple departments and is intended to serve students with interests in conducting research in academia, industry and clinical settings. Graduates of the program will be well versed in quantitative approaches to Biology. The interdisciplinary makeup of the program is designed to produce graduates who will be able to integrate the strengths of more than one discipline in solving biological problems.

Biomedical Sciences (CERT)

Certificate

Main Campus

College of Science

The Certificate will provide students with core competencies or exposure to biomedical sciences to prepare them for professional biomedical schools. Students will choose from course offerings in areas of anatomy and physiology; biochemical principles and metabolic pathways; microbiology, immunology, and infection; embryology, cell biology and development. Students may take up to 3 credit hours of BIOL 6901 Mentored Non-Thesis Laboratory Research providing one-on-one work with a faculty member in an area of interest.

Biotechnology (CERT)

Certificate

Main Campus

College of Science

The Certificate is a multi-disciplinary program designed to combine advanced biotechnology course work with activities that develop communication and technical skills that are highly valued by employers in the biotechnology industry. Students will gain practical experience through internships in laboratories on campus or in local industry. A seminar series will cultivate an awareness of ethical, policy and management issues related to the biotechnology industry.

Chemistry (MS)

A Master of Science in Chemistry prepares students for careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, food and power industries. A master’s degree in Chemistry may also serve as a useful step toward professions such as medicine, pharmacy, industrial hygiene, patent law, or toward more advanced study in Chemistry, Physics, Biology and other scientific and engineering disciplines.

Chemistry and Nanoscale Science (Ph.D.)

The Chemistry and Nanoscale Science Ph.D. is an interdisciplinary program that addresses the development, manipulation, and use of materials and devices on the scale of roughly 1-100 nanometers in length, and the study of phenomena that occur on this size scale. The program prepares students to become scholarly, practicing scientists who possess the critical thinking, methodological and communication skills required to advance and disseminate knowledge of fundamental and applied nanoscale science.

Mathematics (applied) (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. degree program in Applied Mathematics is designed to enable students to master a significant body of mathematics, including a specialty in applied mathematics; relate this knowledge to a coherent area of science or engineering; and to carry on fundamental research in applied mathematics at a nationally competitive level. Recipients of this degree will, according to their abilities and choice of sub-specialty, be able to work effectively in a research and development environment involving mathematical or statistical analysis and modeling in business, government or industry; teach mathematics at the college or university level; or carry on fundamental research in their area of specialty.

Mathematics (MS)

The Master of Science in Mathematics is organized into four concentrations: General Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics and Mathematics Education. The Concentration in General Mathematics is a robust but flexible program that allows a student to develop a broad background in Mathematics ranging over a variety of courses chosen from both pure and applied areas, or to tailor a program toward a particular focus that may not be as closely covered by the department's other degree concentrations (e.g., one that is interdisciplinary in nature). The Concentration in Applied Mathematics develops analytical and computational skills focused toward applications of mathematics in the physical sciences as encountered in industry, government and academia. The Concentration in Applied Statistics provides theoretical understanding of, and training in, statistical analysis and methods applicable to particular areas of business, industry, government and academia. The Concentration in Mathematics Education is designed primarily for secondary school mathematics teachers interested in professional growth in mathematics teaching. Emphasis in this program is given to developing depth and breadth in mathematics teaching and learning, appropriate to the role of the secondary school teacher.

Optical Science and Engineering (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Optical Science and Engineering is interdisciplinary, involving primarily five science and engineering departments and two centers (Departments of Physics and Optical Science, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science; the Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications; and the Center for Precision Metrology). The purpose of the program is to educate scientists and engineers who will develop the next generation of optical technology.

Physics (applied) (MS)

The Applied Physics concentration is excellent preparation for those planning to continue their education through the Ph.D., either in physics or an engineering field, or for a career as an instructor in a two-year college. Students electing the thesis option will be well qualified for employment in industry or in a research laboratory. The Applied Optics concentration is designed for students intending to pursue a career in optics fields such as optoelectronics, optical communications, optical metrology, etc. This concentration would also be excellent preparation for those planning to continue their education through the Ph.D. in optics.

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College of Science