Mar 28, 2024  
2009-2011 Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2011 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Science M.A.S.


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The Master of Arts in Science (M.A.S.) is a nonthesis degree designed to allow students to increase their knowledge base in two different fields of science. Traditional and nontraditional students interested in pursuing or advancing science-related careers will discover a host of new opportunities after completing the program. Secondary science teachers who enroll in the program will be better prepared to face classroom challenges with a broad science background.

Program Director

Bhatnagar, Satish C. (1974). Professor; Ph.D., University of Indiana, Bloomington.

This program includes the current graduate faculty, course work and facilities from the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geoscience, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics. Any graduate courses offered by these departments can be considered for inclusion in this degree program. In addition, graduate courses from Environmental Studies can be used to satisfy the second field.

Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree in any of the sciences, mathematical sciences or secondary education with at least nine upperdivision science/math courses.
  2. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for all undergraduate work.
  3. Submission of official transcripts of all undergraduate work documenting the above record.
  4. A completed admission application submitted to the Graduate College.
  5. Three letters of recommendation prepared by persons familiar with the applicant’s academic or professional record.
  6. A letter of intent.

Degree Requirements


  1. Completion of a total of 30 credits of regular course work of which 50% must be at 700 level. Students accepted into the Master of Arts in Science (MAS) program will be required to take at least twelve credits in one major area of one department and at least six credits each in two minor fields of science, mathematics and/or statistics from two different departments in the College.
  2. At most six 700 credits outside the College but related with the major/minor may be earned after two semesters with a prior approval of the faculty advisor.
  3. No grade below B- can be included in the degree program.
  4. Choose either Option A, or Option B

Option A: Course Work. In addition to 30 credits completed in requirements 1 and 2, six credits must be finished at 700 level to make a total of at least 36.
Option B: Project/Paper. It covers for a maximum of six credits in a major area to make a total of at least 33 credits. It requires a project in a major area under the direction of the student’s advisor or another member of the student’s supervisory Committee. A written proposal must be submitted to the student’s committee before the project can be initiated. This proposal should normally be submitted at the end of the second semester of study. Credit for the project will require a research paper (minimum length 30 pages).
By way of example, the project could involve working with a UNLV science researcher to learn a new technique or to contribute to a field study, or library research on an aspect of science that is new, or the design of a computer program that incorporates recent developments in graphics and software.
Upon completion of the program, the candidate will be required to pass a comprehensive oral exam administered by the supervisory committee. At the time of the oral exam, the student will present the final research paper. The committee will question the student on the project as well as on a broad base of knowledge of major area. The committee will report the result of this exam to the Deans of the Graduate College and College of Sciences.

  1. Also, not more than six credits can be earned through independent studies. Graduate credits (minimum acceptable grade of B (3.00) may be transferred into the program from another accredited institution. However, at least two-thirds of the minimum number of credits required or the graduate degree must be taken at UNLV (not including credits for project/paper).

A student will be placed on academic probation if a minimum 3.00 grade point average is not maintained in all work taken in the degree program.

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