Accelerated Master’s Degree (BS Physics + MS BMOL)

Earn a BS Physics + MS BMOL!

Program Description

The accelerated version of the Master of Science degree in Biomolecular Sciences (MS-BMOL) is designed to give selected undergraduate students majoring in Physics the opportunity for early admission into the MS-BMOL program by taking coursework at the graduate level while completing their undergraduate degrees. During their final academic year of undergraduate education, students in the accelerated version of the MS-BMOL may enroll in up to 9 credits of 500-level courses that can be used to satisfy both bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements.

Please note:

The program is selective and limited to Boise State undergraduate students. Undergraduate students at other college and universities are not eligible for admission to an accelerated master’s degree program.
Admission to the accelerated master’s program must not delay students’ earning the undergraduate degree within a nominal four-year schedule.
Admitted students must meet all requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Admitted students must meet all Graduate College academic and administrative requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the accelerated program, students must be Boise State undergraduates enrolled in the biophysics emphasis of the BS in Physics program. Applicants must meet the following criteria by the application due date:

The program is selective and limited to Boise State undergraduate students. Undergraduate students at other college and universities are not eligible for admission to an accelerated master’s degree program.
Admission to the accelerated master’s program must not delay students’ earning the undergraduate degree within a nominal four-year schedule.
Admitted students must meet all requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Admitted students must meet all Graduate College academic and administrative requirements.

Accelerated Master’s Degree in Biomolecular Sciences for Physics Majors

A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A minimum GPA of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate PHYS courses.

Admission is competitive. Meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the accelerated MS-BMOL program. At the same time, denial of admission into the accelerated MS- BMOL program does not preclude admission into the MS-BMOL program on a non-accelerated basis. Acceptance is based upon an evaluation and recommendation provided by the BMOL program and supported by the department to the Dean of the Graduate College, who will make the final admission decision.

Students hoping to participate in this program must contact their undergraduate physics advisor and the BMOL graduate program office for preliminary advising, including a thorough discussion of student goals and academic preparation, prospective faculty advisors, and graduate courses (not to exceed 9 credits) proposed to be taken during the last two semesters of their undergraduate career for application to the master’s degree requirements.

Additional Information

Applications must be received prior to the student’s senior year. The application deadline is May 15 for Fall admission. Interested students must submit application materials by following the steps on the Graduate College website.

Students should select the “accelerated master’s degree program” option. Students selecting the accelerated option will see a statement explaining that admission is only available with prior department and graduate program approval and asking them to verify that they are applying to an existing accelerated program. The student must read the information about accelerated programs and check the “Yes” button to confirm that he or she is applying to an available accelerated program.

Application materials should include the following:

An online application form and application fee.
A one-page essay indicating career objectives, reasons for pursuing the accelerated MS-BMOL degree and for selection of graduate advisor, and a discussion of academic preparation and any special qualification.
A vita or resume.
Three letters of recommendation. At least two must be from people familiar with the student’s academic work. One must be from the BMOL graduate faculty member who will serve as the student’s graduate advisor.

Graduate College staff reviews completed applications for basic eligibility (required number of undergraduate credits, required GPA, and an existing accelerated master’s degree program) and generates a PAR form for review by designated BMOL faculty and staff, in consultation with designated Physics faculty and staff. After department review and written approval from the Physics Department Chair, the BMOL Graduate Coordinator enters an admission recommendation on the PAR form. The Associate Graduate Dean reviews the application, enters the final decision and notifies the applicant and the graduate program via email.

Students accepted into the accelerated master’s program will register for or have completed BIOL 320 Cell Biology and CHEM 301 Survey of Organic Chemistry, and sign up for 1 credit of BMOL 591 Project. During the subsequent Spring semester (before completing their undergraduate degree), students will register for or have completed CHEM 350 Fundamentals of Biochemistry, another 1 credit of BMOL 591, PHYS 499 Physics Senior Seminar, PHYS 507 Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, and BMOL 511 Advanced Cell Biology. Registering for 500-level courses requires a Permit for Seniors to Take Graduate Courses form, available via the Registrar’s Office website.

Before completing the undergraduate degree, students must declare their choice of culminating activity for the MS-BMOL (project or thesis) by following the steps on the Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Programs page.

Once students complete their undergraduate degree requirements and their degree is posted by the Registrar’s Office, they will be classified as MS-BMOL students and proceed to fulfill the requirements for the degree.

Accepted students are subject to all academic performance requirements of the Graduate College, including cumulative GPA, program GPA, and individual course grade requirements. These requirements include maintaining a 3.0 GPA in the graduate-level courses taken during the bachelor’s degree.

After Receiving the Bachelor’s Degree

Students will be admitted to the MS-BMOL program with “conditional” status, pending completion of the undergraduate degree. Once they complete their undergraduate degree requirements and the degree is posted by the Registrar’s Office, admitted students will be classified as BMOL-MS graduate students.

Contact the Program Advisor for More Information

Dr. Daniel Fologea, DanielFologea@boisestate.edu

Accelerated Master’s Degree (BS Physics + MS BMOL)

Additional Information

Department of Physics