Learn how to:

• Examine structure, function, and biological processes of macromolecules in complex biological systems

Why earn a master’s degree?

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 18% of all jobs will require a master’s degree by 2022. A master’s degree can make it easier to transition into senior management and leadership positions and boost potential earnings. Over time, people with a master’s degree earn 35% more than those with a just a bachelor’s degree. 

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this program can continue their careers as PhD candidates and focus their careers on research activity, as specialists or scientists in biomedical laboratories, as research and design scientists, as well as in marketing and sales in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. 

Admission requirements and process

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Applied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry program, submit or prepare for the following:  

• Coppin State University online admission application and application fee

• 2.8 minimum grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate courses, including but not limited to: 

  • General Physics (4 credits) 

  • General Chemistry (4 credits) 

  • Organic Chemistry (4 credits) 

  • Cell Biology (4 credits) 

  • Biochemistry (3-4 credits) 

  • Molecular Biology (4 credits) 

  • Calculus (3-4 credits) 

  • Statistics (3 credits) 

• 2-page personal statement detailing your academic and professional qualifications, as well as your short and long term academic goals and professional careers goals for your chosen field of study 

• Official transcripts from each college or university attended 

• 3 letters of recommendation from a current employer, instructor, or other person who can speak to your character, integrity, and academic potential.  

• Official English equivalency scores (for International Student applicants only) 

• Curriculum vitae or resume (optional) 

• Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (optional) 

We still encourage you to submit your application and transcripts even if you haven’t taken all of the courses listed above. Some courses may be eligible for transfer credit, per University policies. 

Graduate program requirements

To graduate with a Master of Science in Applied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (AMBB), students must complete 34 credit hours. These credit hours split between: 

• Core courses (28 credits) 

• Thesis (6 credits) 

Scholarly research proposal 

All program students must conduct an independent, original, scholarly research investigation to be eligible for graduation. Before conducting research, each student must submit a proposal to the program coordinator. The proposal must follow the research template specified by the CSU Graduate School Guidelines for Thesis/Dissertation. The student’s potential research advisor(s) review the proposal along with an additional faculty reader. Ultimately, the Department Graduate Committee approves each thesis proposal. 

Core Courses (24 credits + 6 thesis credits of BIOL 510)

Electives (4 credits)

Why earn a master’s degree?

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 18% of all jobs will require a master’s degree by 2022. A master’s degree can make it easier to transition into senior management and leadership positions and boost potential earnings. Over time, people with a master’s degree earn 35% more than those with a just a bachelor’s degree. 

Career Possibilities

Program graduates stand ready to fill critical needs for trained labor by government agencies and manufacturing companies including Lockheed Martin, Under Armour, Berry Plastics, NGK-Locke, Inc., Solvey, among others. 

Admission requirements and process

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Sciences, submit or prepare for the following:  

• Coppin State University online admission application and application fee 

• 2-page personal statement detailing your academic and professional qualifications, as well as your short and long term academic goals and professional careers goals for your chosen field of study. 

• Official transcripts from each college or university attended 

• 3 letters of recommendation from a current employer, instructor, or other person who can speak to your character, integrity, and academic potential.  

• Official English equivalency scores (for International Student applicants only) 

• Curriculum vitae or resume (optional) 

Admission Consideration for Students with Non-Science Degrees

Students who have earned bachelors’ degrees outside of the natural sciences may be considered for admission. However, we do expect students who hold a degree in biology or chemistry to have successfully completed these undergraduate courses: 

• Calculus I 

• Organic Chemistry I and II 

• Physics I and II 

Graduate program requirements

To graduate with a Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Sciences, students must participate in and attend seminar-type discussions and complete 36 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

• Core courses (20 credits)

• Electives (10 credits)

• Thesis (6 credits) 

Core Courses

Electives (10 credits)

Thesis Requirements

In addition to completing all coursework, all program students must submit a thesis to fulfill degree requirements. This first step is to write and submit a pre-thesis proposal to your advisor and thesis reader at the end of the spring semester of your first year. 

The final written thesis should be a scholarly investigation that reflects your advanced understanding of materials and/or polymer science principles learned in all previous program coursework and specialized research readings. 

Learn how to: 

• Demonstrate mastery of computational chemistry foundations and applications 

• Effectively communicate data and information to the scientific community through written and oral formats 

• Demonstrate and share ethical values of scientific research, as well as chemistry’s impact on the environment and society 

• Apply program knowledge to  real world questions and issues 

• Recognize interdisciplinary relationships between chemistry and other basic sciences including biology, physics, biophysics, material sciences, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and mathematics 

• Think critically and analytically on investigation and interpretation of experimental results 

• Solve problems of a chemical nature through application of knowledge of experimental approaches 

• Apply knowledge to connect solutions and approaches to new problems 

In the computational chemistry concentration, you’ll learn how to integrate chemical theory and modeling with experimental observations through use of statistics, mathematical algorithms, and large databases. You’ll also gain skills to create models and simulations of physical and chemical processes. 

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Chemistry major, students must be enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!  

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

• General Education Requirements, or GERs  

• Core major courses  

• Supporting major courses

• Electives 

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs. 

• MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)  

• BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology) and  

• CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131) 

Learn more about the program courses you may take as part of the Computational Chemistry concentration.

Core Courses (44 credits)

Supporting Courses (28 credits)

Electives (9 credits)

Minor Requirements

To graduate with a minor in chemistry, students must complete 18 credit hours with a grade of “C’ or better in each minor course:  

• CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 

• CHEM 307 Organic Chemistry I 

• CHEM 308 Organic Chemistry II 

• 4 elective chemistry credits 

Learn how to: 

• Demonstrate mastery of biochemistry foundations and applications 

• Apply program knowledge to real world questions and issues 

• Recognize interdisciplinary relationships between chemistry and other basic sciences including biology, physics, biophysics, material sciences, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and mathematics 

• Think critically and analytically on investigation and interpretation of experimental results 

• Solve problems of a chemical nature through application of knowledge of experimental approaches 

• Apply knowledge to connect solutions and approaches to new problems 

• Effectively communicate data and information to the scientific community through written and oral formats 

• Demonstrate and share ethical values of scientific research, as well as chemistry’s impact on the environment and society 

In the biochemistry concentration, you will learn the chemistry of life sciences at an advanced level. Instruction in advanced biochemistry, forensic chemistry and toxicology prepares students for graduate studies in biochemistry, forensic science, pharmaceutical and toxicological sciences, as well as professional careers in pharmacy and medicine.  

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Chemistry major, students must be enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!  

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

• General Education Requirements, or GERs  

• Core major courses  

• Supporting major courses 

• Electives

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs. 

• MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)  

• BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology) and  

• CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131) 

Learn more about the program courses you may take as part of the Biochemistry concentration.

Core Courses (43 credits)

Supporting Courses (28 credits)

Electives (9 credits)

Learn how to: 

• Demonstrate and share ethical values of scientific research, as well as chemistry’s impact on the environment and society 

• Recognize interdisciplinary relationships between chemistry and other basic sciences including biology, physics, biophysics, polymers, material sciences, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and mathematics 

• Think critically and analytically on investigation and interpretation of experimental results 

• Solve problems of a chemical nature through application of knowledge of experimental and theoretical approaches 

• Apply knowledge to connect solutions and approaches to new problems 

• Effectively communicate data and information to the scientific community through written and oral formats 

• Demonstrate mastery of chemistry foundations and applications 

• Apply program knowledge to real world questions and issues 

Our renowned faculty design the curriculum to prepare students for careers and pursuits in scientific, professional, and research positions. We welcome students with a passion for science and its applications, who see chemistry as a way to solve the world’s most pressing problems through scientific inquiry. 

Learn about the basics of chemical elements, organic and inorganic compounds, concepts and mechanism of chemical reactions, chemical structure and analysis, thermodynamics, as well as instrumentation, experiments, and technologies. Courses in general chemistry, organic and inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and polymer chemistry provide in-depth instruction in fundamentals concepts and theories, principles, and techniques. 

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Chemistry major, students must be enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!  

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Life Sciences, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

• General Education Requirements, or GERs  

• Core major courses  

• Supporting major courses 

• Electives 

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs. 

• MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)  

• BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology) and  

• CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131) 

Learn more about the program courses you may take as part of the Chemistry major.

Core Courses (40 credits)

Supporting Courses (24 credits)

Electives (any courses totaling 15 credits )

Why become a Physician Assistant (PA)?

Just as there is a growing need for doctors and nurses, there is a critical need for PAs as well. This career has the potential to be personally fulfilling, financially lucrative, and offer better work/life balance than other fields in the medical profession. As practitioners who deliver patient care, PAs also have more space to nurture patient relationships, truly getting to know the unique stories of individual patients.  

Similarly to medical schools and nursing programs, PA programs are subject to accreditation and strict industry standards. However, where doctor and nurse training can require multiple advanced degrees and years of study, most PA programs can be completed in roughly 2 years. Graduates are able to put that education to work almost immediately, showing a clear return on investment for this well-respected career choice. 

Still undecided about pursuing a career as a PA? The AAPA highlights some other benefits to becoming a PA.  

Biology students can also choose from 2 other concentrations to learn the foundational skills that prepare you for advanced study, or any medical career with research or analytical responsibilities:

• Pre-Medicine
• Pre-Pharmacy 

Learn how to: 

• Apply core biological science concepts to real world scenarios

• Master the scientific method and scientific primary literature, experiment design and application, as well as data evaluation

• Apply biological knowledge to individual, community, and global issues

• Master basic laboratory skills and techniques across multiple biology disciplines

• Think critically to formulate problems, gather and analyze data, as well as interpret results

• Effectively communicate biological information to the scientific community through written and oral formats

• Translate and apply skills to graduate or professional studies and/or career goals 

• Demonstrate scientifically ethical conduct, as well as an awareness of legal and ethical implications of scientific issues in society

The Pre-Physician Assistant focus of this program is designed to help students apply biological science theories, principles, and techniques to careers and professional programs related to medicine, pharmacy, and physician assistantships.  

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Biology and Life Sciences program, students must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!  

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Life Sciences, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

• General Education Requirements, or GERs  

• Core major courses  

• Supporting major courses

• Electives 

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs:

• MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)  

• BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology)

• CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131) 

Learn more about the program courses you may take as part of the Pre-Physician Assistant track within the Applied Sciences concentration of the Biology major.

Core Courses (38 credits)

Supporting Courses (33 credits)

Electives (9 credits)