Program: Life Sciences Major, MS - University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2024)

Jun 17, 2024

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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The program leading to the MS degree with a major in Life Sciences is intercollegiate. Faculty from two organizations Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, serve as advisers. The program is administered jointly. The concentration in Genome Science and Technology is housed in the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, while the concentration in Plant Physiology and Genetics is currently inactive.

Concentrations (Required) and Options Available

Genome Science and Technology(Thesis)

Plant Physiology and Genetics(Thesis)

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

Genome Science and Technology Concentration

Applicants are expected to have a background in the biological, physical, or computational sciences.
Requirements for admission are
- one year of general biology or the equivalent;
- two years of chemistry;
- one year of calculus or equivalent college mathematics;
- one year of physics;
- at least 8 credit hours in cognate sciences related to the program;
a GRE (general) score;
three letters of recommendation; and
a minimum grade point average of 3.00 out of 4.00.
Coursework in genetics, cell biology, and computer sciences is advantageous.
The admissions committee especially values prior research experience.
Superior students, deficient in one or more of the above requirements, may be admitted at the discretion of the program admissions committee.
- Deficiencies will be made up as a part of the courses taken by the individual student.

Plant Physiology and Genetics Concentration

Admission requirements are
- a BA with a major in a biological, behavioral, or physical science;
- GRE (general) score; three letters of recommendation; and
- coursework including a year of calculus (differential and integral), one year of chemistry, and a year of physics.
Specific course deficiencies may be corrected during the first year.

Genome Science and Technology, Thesis

Albrecht von Arnim, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Director

The graduate program in Genome Science and Technology (GST) is a unique and multidisciplinary program for full time graduate study leading to the MS degree. The program trains students around the interface of the biological and computational sciences. Graduates typically pursue careers in biological science in academia, industry, or governmental organizations. The program is designed to take advantage of collaboration between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Students conduct research and develop a deeper understanding in emerging areas of life science, with emphasis on genomics, structural biology, proteomics, computational biology and bioinformatics, and bioanalytical technologies. Faculty with appointments in the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute teach GST courses and guide research projects for GST students.

Credit Hours Required

Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

Completion of the genome science and technology core courses and thesis course:

LFSC 505 - Research Rotation
LFSC 507 - Programming for Biological Data Analysis
LFSC 515 - Introduction to Genome Science and Technology I
LFSC 520 - Genome Science and Technology I
LFSC 541 - Colloquium
BCMB 511 - Advanced Protein Chemistry and Cellular Biology
BCMB 512 - Advanced Molecular Biology
LFSC 500 - Thesis (a minimum of6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

Participation in LFSC 541 - Colloquium theGST Colloquium every spring.

Non-Course Requirements

Preparation of a thesis and its oral defense.

Plant Physiology and Genetics, Thesis

Barry D. Bruce, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology,Interim Director

This program provides the opportunity for intensive training and research experience in areas transcending the usual boundaries of botany, biochemistry, and agricultural plant sciences. Solutions of problems concerning the interactions of physiology and genetics in applied and fundamental aspects of plant science are the focus.