Master of Life Sciences (LFSC)

Abstract

The Master of Life Sciences is a content based Master's program for high school science teachers that provides in depth knowledge of current research areas in the chemical, biological, biochemical and biomedical sciences. The program offers areas of concentration in biology and chemistry. The courses cover subject matter as diverse as genetic engineering and gene therapy to pharmaceutical chemistry, ecology and the concepts of biocomplexity. University faculty who are experts in the field will lead discussion sessions on topics of current interest with significant social impact. Topic examples include the positive and negative aspects of genetically engineered foods and their safety or the ethical and moral issues involved in cloning and the handling of genetic information.

The program will also provide a set of laboratory experiences that will facilitate the presentation of many of these concepts in the classroom. Aside from the laboratory experiences, all courses will be offered exclusively through distance education as online courses. The LFSC infrastructure provides a web based asynchronous program.

Teachers who desire to update and advance their knowledge or who must complete an advanced degree or graduate courses, will find that this program meets their needs.

Admissions Information

Admission to the Masters of Life Sciences program requires an undergraduate degree in biological science, chemistry, biochemistry or science education with acceptable grades; one year minimum teaching experience; letters of recommendation from the school principal and county science supervisor or other appropriate individuals; and successful completion of LFSC 510 - Concepts of Modern Biology or LFSC 520 - Concepts of Modern Chemistry- gateway review classes (or a passing grade of B or better on the admissions exam based on the content of LFSC 510 or LFSC 520).

Students may be admitted to provisional status by the program director if the previous academic record is borderline or prerequisite coursework is insufficient; or the applicant has majored in another field and has not yet clearly demonstrated abilities in the proposed new field; or the applicant has completed the baccalaureate degree but has not yet submitted official verification of the last semester's work and receipt of the degree.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

Applications are accepted continuously only in online format .
.

Applications are accepted continuously only in online format .

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications are accepted continuously only in online format . .	Applications are accepted continuously only in online format .

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Master of Life Sciences (M.L.S.)
The Master of Life Sciences requires 30 credit hours of approved course work and a scholarly paper.

Facilities and Special Resources

Courses will be offered exclusively through distance education as online courses. Students must use computers which are hardware and software compatible with the Web course software, WebCT.

Financial Assistance

There are no assistantships or fellowships available in this program.

Contact Information

For more specific information, contact:

Dr. Paul Mazzocchi, Director
Master of Life Sciences Program
College of Life Sciences
Department of Chemistry
MD 20742
mlfsc@umail.umd.edu

http://www.life.umd.edu/grad/mlfsc/