Master of Science in Genetics & Developmental
Biology
The Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences
The Master of Science in Genetics & Developmental Biology is an interdisciplinary program involving the faculty and facilities of a number of departments in the various colleges and schools of West Virginia University. Students may major in Genetics or in Developmental Biology. Areas offered for emphasis are: Genetics-biochemical and molecular genetics, cytogenetics, developmental genetics, immunogenetics, mutagenesis, toxicology, human genetics, plant genetics, population and quantitative genetics, and animal breeding. Developmental Biology- molecular aspects of development, experimental morphogenesis teratology, regeneration, oncology, descriptive embryology, and life cycles of animals and plants.
Students may also minor in one or more other scientific fields. The objective of this program is an increased level of understanding of modern concepts and methodologies employed in genetic and developmental biological work and to prepare students to pursue a career in teaching and/or research.
Contact the Chair of the Faculty of Genetics & Developmental Biology, Dr. Joginder Nath at jnath@wvu.edu
(304)293-6256 ext. 4333
The Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences
The Davis College is WVU’s oldest academic unit. The West Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, established in 1888, conducts more than $9 million of research each year. Outstanding faculty and extensive facilities offer students a wide variety of opportunities and hand-on experiences. Students gain knowledge and skills outside the classroom using 3,425 acres of farmland and 8,134 acres of forest for teaching and research. Nationally respected faculty members are honored for their efforts in teaching, research, and service. Recent awards have included Benedum Distinguished Professorships, a WVU Award for Outstanding Teaching, and a Heebink award for service.
Division of Plant and Soil Sciences
The main office for this division is located in the Agricultural Sciences building, however faculty are housed in this building as well as on the 4th and 5th floors of Brooks Hall on the downtown campus and at the Kearneysville Research and Education center in the eastern part of the state. The division has greenhouse facilities for teaching and research, located on the Evansdale Campus. Faculty are actively involved in research dealing with organic crops and livestock production, disease prevention, insect control, forage/livestock systems, soil and water quality, plant genetics, and other environmental topics. Courses are offered in the disciplines of agronomy, entomology, environmental microbiology, horticulture, and plant pathology. Students are also invited to join the Plant and Soil Sciences Club, which holds annual plant sales and sponsors educational lectures. Internships are encouraged.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, students must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, an overall grade-point average of at least 2.75, or an average of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credit hours, or an average of 3.0 or higher in all courses in sciences and mathematics. Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in all courses offered in fulfillment of this degree program. Applicants must submit scores from GRE or the New MCAT, as well as provide three letters of reference from persons acquainted with the applicants’ professional work, experiences, or academic work. Students are also asked to submit a written statement of 500 words or more indicating the applicants’ goals and objectives relative to receiving a graduate degree. Basic training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology is required for admission. Students lacking necessary prerequisites may be admitted on provisional status, until requirements are met for regular status.
Curriculum
Responsibility for a student’s program is vested in the graduate committee charged with arranging the student’s course work, conducting examinations, and supervising research. Students may emphasize many different areas of advanced study in the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences and in the departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biology. Students may take classes in embryology, anatomy, biology, cellular growth, plant physiology, medical genetics, cytogenetics, population genetics, and crop breeding.