University of Maryland - Office of Professional Studies: Keep Learning

Master of Chemical and Life Sciences

Master's Degree Program

The Master of Chemical and Life Sciences is an online content-based masters program designed primarily for middle and high school science teachers that provides in depth knowledge of current research areas in the biological, biochemical and biomedical sciences. The courses cover subject matter as diverse as genetic engineering and gene therapy to 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, the development of new energy sources, and the ethical and moral issues involved in cloning and the handling of genetic information.

The program also provides a set of laboratory experiences that facilitates 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. Our infrastructure provides a web based asynchronous program.

Individuals 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. In addition to our general program we offer focused Areas of Concentration in Biology and in Chemistry.

For more information visit the College of Chemical and Life Sciences Web site for the Master of Chemical and Life Sciences or contact Single Point of Contact (SPOC) spoc@umd.edu.

Master of Chemical and Life Sciences - Admissions

Qualifications

The Graduate School requires all admitted graduate students to have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in another country. A GPA of 3.0 is required for admission into this program.

Application for the Master of Chemical and Life Sciences Program is a 5-step process:

  1. Submit a completed online application:
    • Click here to apply: Master of Chemical and Life Sciences.
  2. Submit the nonrefundable application fee of $60.
  3. Submit a complete set of transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work elected or in progress. Each transcript must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses taken, grades received, class standing and the degree, certificate or diploma received. If you attended the University of Maryland, College Park the SPOC Office will obtain the records of College Park courses completed.
  4. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by appropriate individuals who can assess the quality of the applicant's professional performance and scholastic potential. Be certain that the applicant's full name is included on each recommendation. Please use the Life Sciences recommendation form as appropriate.
  5. Successful completion of LFSC 510, Concepts of Modern Biology , or LFSC 520, Concepts of Modern Chemistry, a pair of gateway review classes;
    or
    a passing grade of B or better on either the biology or chemistry admission exams that are based on those gateway classes. Exceptional GRE scores may be accepted in lieu of the former. An unacceptable grade on the exam will REQUIRE the student to take LFSC 510, Concepts of Modern Biology or LFSC520, Concepts of Modern Chemistry. If the student does not earn the required grade of B in LFSC 510 or LFSC520 the student may take the admission exam again. The admission exam may be taken only twice. Failure on the second try will preclude admission to the program. Students with a GPA below 3.0 will be required to begin their program with LFSC510 or LFSC520.

Provisional Admission Status:

  • The previous academic record is borderline or prerequisite coursework is insufficient
  • The applicant has majored in another field and has not yet clearly demonstrated abilities in the proposed new field
  • 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.

International students and applicants with foreign credentials must submit academic records in the original language with literal English translations. Allow at least three months for evaluation. TOEFL scores are also required for all international applicants. For information on additional documentation required by International Education Services, click here.

Registration information will be sent upon acceptance into the program.

All materials should be sent to:

By Mail:
SPOC - MCLFS
1130 Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742
By e-mail:
spoc@umd.edu
By Fax:
301-314-7915

Master of Chemical and Life Sciences - Courses

For Course information please click here.

Master of Chemical and Life Sciences - Calendar

For the Academic Calendar please click here.

Master of Chemical and Life Sciences - Tuition & Fees

Current charges (subject to change for 2008-2009)

Application Fee: $60 (nonrefundable)
Admission Exam Fee: $20
Tuition: $379 per credit
Online Studies Fee: $60 per semester

Late Registration Fee:

A late registration fee of $20 is charged to any student who registers for their first class on or after the first day the class meets.

Please visit Billing and Payment for other important financial details.

Please Note: Although changes in tuition and fees are ordinarily announced in advance, the University reserves the right to make such changes without previous announcement.