University of Maryland online Master of Life Science

Hello all, I am new here. I recently have graduated from Touro University International with double master's degrees in health education and public health. During my studies, I realised I need a greater understanding of the biological sciences in order to better understand health conditions amongst populations whether they be environmental, behavioral, infectious disease, or chronic. During my search I found the following program at the University of Maryland, College Park. This Master of Life Science is what I had been searching. It is a program meant for school teachers. One can either have a concentration in biology or chemistry. However, one does not have to be an educator to enroll in the program (Thank god for me).
It should also be noted one also DOES NOT need an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences to enroll. One can take a course called LFSC 510:Concepts of Modern Biology. If passed with a grade B or better, one is fully admittted to the program If one wants to be admitted to the chemistry section, he or she can take LFSC 520: Concepts of Modern Chemistry. Another way to enroll is to take an admission exam on either biology or chemistry based on the forementioned courses. One must pass this exam with a grade of B or better.
It should also be noted one can complete this program online with absolutely no campus attendance. Which is a benefit of working persons across the country. I should also not this program is not easy at all. This is an intense program and one can see on the website from the student comments in the classes.
This is a chance to earn a life science degree from a reputable university via distance learning for working adults. For more info one can go to http://www.life.umd.edu/grad/mlfsc/ .
I do wish to state one thing about this program. It is not meant for person whom wish to continue their education for doctoral study. It is a terminal master's (or professional, which term ever floats your boat) degree. However, such a program can open many doors for persons wanting to enter professions such as conservation, waste management, public health, etc. I also wish to add this program DOES NOT lead to teacher certification nor is it meant for people to work in a lab. Despite these limitations, it is still a good program to increase an individual's knowledge of biology and chemistry.

 

I am a research biologist in my "day job."

I think this program would be useful to a science teacher.

I don't think it will open doors for people wanting to be professional biologists.

But it may be useful to someone in a profession where biology is ancillary.

The St Joseph College program looks a little stronger to me: http://ww2.sjc.edu/curriculum/bioweb/Distancelearning2.htm

Anyone interested in a DL science degree should also check out John Ryan's "ASAP" page: http://www.freewebs.com/dlasap/sciences.htm

 

I'm not comfortable with the growing trend for masters degrees becoming first-degrees lite.

Boasting a masters degree historically suggests that an individual has progressed beyond an undergraduate preparation. Bachelors degrees shouldn't represent more sophisticated accomplishment than "graduate" degrees in the same subject.

 

You raise a good point, Bill.

This is a point that Peter French has often remarked on (with regard to certain Master's programs in Australia that do not admit people who have an undergraduate qualification in the same field).

I think this is fairly common.

Perhaps there should be different a designation for a Master's degree for someone without a full undergraduate foundation in the same field.

But I think it's too late for that.

This is why I advocate paying attention to the details of what someone did to earn a degree, rather than being impressed with the degree itself.

That being said, I admire people (such as Robert_555) who are seeking to expand their education.

I have an MSc Lite myself -- from University of London (Birkbeck). I pursued the degree to learn more about a field tangential to my own. But I don't list it on my professional CV (indeed, I don't list any of my involvement with DL, except for graduate-level teaching activities).

 

I do agree this degree wouldn't be train a person for position as a professiona biologist. However, it does does qualify a person for such jobs as a sanitarian (depending on the state), a career changer for a person to become a middle or secondary school teacher (after obtaining certification), an environmental educator,
as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, these are just a sampling of the jobs a person can qualify for with this degree. But as a research biologist? Far from it, this program is not designed for such a career. I will also say a degree is only partial in getting a good career. The quality of the applicant has to be taken into account. However, that is another thread in itself. Therefore, I am just wishing to say I am not expecting to working as a professional research biologist in the near or far term future!!!