The goal of the Biology Department is to train students at the highest level in one of three broad sub-fields within modern biology: cell and molecular biology, neurobiology, and marine biology and ecology. Two programs lead to the MA: a research and a non-research track. In both programs, students are assigned faculty advisors in the area of special interest during the first semester in the program. Upon completion of the master’s program, students should be prepared for further graduate training or to eventually assume teaching and/or research positions in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies. The program accepts post-bachelor’s applicants with degrees in related disciplines where the focus has been on biology or a relevant field. In addition to the requirements listed above, the student must complete a program of research acceptable to his or her thesis committee that leads to the preparation of a thesis. This thesis must be approved by a committee of three faculty members that includes at least two faculty members from the Biology Department.