The combined B.S./M.S. degree program in MCDB is designed to allow exceptional students with a strong interest in biological and biomedical research to accelerate their professional education. This program is to be completed in eight terms of enrollment. Entry to this program must be applied by November 15 (or at least 2 weeks before the last day of classes for the 5th term of enrollment)
- Candidates must satisfy the Yale College requirements for the B.S. degree. Students in the program must complete the core courses for the major and choose their 4 electives from graduate-level courses. One of the electives must be a graduate seminar selected with the approval of the DUS. Grades below B– in graduate courses are not accepted.
- In addition to the courses specified above, students must complete three terms of graduate research courses for six course credits: (1) MCDB 585, a two-credit course taken in the second term of the junior year. At the start of the course, each student forms a committee comprised of the faculty adviser and two faculty members that meets to discuss the research project. Two of the members of this committee must be members of the MCDB faculty. At the end of the course, the student completes a detailed prospectus describing the thesis project and the work completed to date. The committee evaluates an oral and written presentation of the prospectus and determines whether the student may continue in the combined program; (2) MCDB 595, 596, a four-credit, yearlong course that is similar to MCDB 495, 496 and is taken during the senior year. During the course, the student gives an oral presentation describing the work. At the end of the course, the student is expected to present his or her work to the department in the form of a poster presentation. In addition, the student is expected to give an oral thesis defense, followed by a comprehensive examination of the thesis conducted by the thesis committee. Upon successful completion of this examination, as well as all other requirements, the student is awarded the combined B.S./M.S. degree.
Students must also satisfy the requirements of Yale College for the simultaneous award of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, including the following:
- To be considered for admission to the program, by the end of their fifth term of enrollment students must have achieved at least two-thirds A or A– grades in all of their courses as well as in all of the courses directly relating to the major, including prerequisites.
- Students must apply in writing to the DUS and obtain departmental approval no later than the last day of classes in their fifth term of enrollment in Yale College.
- Students must have the approval of both the DUS and the director of graduate studies to receive graduate credit for the graduate courses they select.
- Graduate work must not be entirely concentrated in the final two terms, and students in the program must take at least six term courses outside the department during their last four terms at Yale and at least two undergraduate courses during their last two terms.
- Students must earn grades of A in at least two of their graduate-level term courses (or in one yearlong course) and have at least a B average in the remaining ones.
For more information, see Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.”