Degrees & Majors
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The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
Biology, B.S.
Biology, B.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Program Information The Department of Biology at Georgia State University offers undergraduate and graduate training programs, and runs research programs coordinated around four main disciplines: applied and environmental microbiology, cellular molecular biology and physiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry, as well as neurobiology and behavior. The department seminar series and journal clubs highlight current research, and feature distinguished speakers from all areas of biology and the medical sciences. Department internship courses help bring biological research and its applications to the general community. Specialized research centers and advanced research facilities make Georgia State University a major life sciences research institution. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Biology, view the Department of Biology website.
Program Information
The Department of Biology at Georgia State University offers undergraduate and graduate training programs, and runs research programs coordinated around four main disciplines: applied and environmental microbiology, cellular molecular biology and physiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry, as well as neurobiology and behavior. The department seminar series and journal clubs highlight current research, and feature distinguished speakers from all areas of biology and the medical sciences. Department internship courses help bring biological research and its applications to the general community. Specialized research centers and advanced research facilities make Georgia State University a major life sciences research institution. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Biology, view the Department of Biology website.Biology, B.S./M.S.
Biology, B.S./M.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Dual-degree opportunities enable qualified students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs. That can mean saving a year or more in time and tuition dollars. Students must be formally accepted into the dual-degree program by the department and College of Arts and Sciences to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Acceptance into the dual program does not constitute admission to the master’s program. Students must fulfill regular graduate admissions requirements and apply for the master’s program following college processes. Information about the dual program, including application instructions and program requirements, can be found at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.
Dual-degree opportunities enable qualified students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs. That can mean saving a year or more in time and tuition dollars. Students must be formally accepted into the dual-degree program by the department and College of Arts and Sciences to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Acceptance into the dual program does not constitute admission to the master’s program. Students must fulfill regular graduate admissions requirements and apply for the master’s program following college processes. Information about the dual program, including application instructions and program requirements, can be found at cas.gsu.edu/dual-degrees/.Biology, M.S.
Biology, M.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Earning an M.S. degree in biology can be a stepping stone to a career in the biosciences or in preparation for a professional degree. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Biology offers a flexible curriculum that can incorporate courses from other departments and colleges at Georgia State. Students must complete at least 40 credit hours of approved coursework. Students may apply under a specific area/concentration, though a concentration is not required. Upon admission, a master’s student is assumed to be non-thesis until acceptance into the thesis option. The non-thesis program emphasizes coursework, and a capstone paper or project is required. The capstone can either be literature-based or laboratory-based. The thesis option emphasizes research. Acceptance into the thesis option requires approval of a thesis proposal. Completion of the thesis option requires an approved thesis as well as a successful defense of the thesis. The thesis option is only recommended for students who are planning to pursue a Ph.D.
Earning an M.S. degree in biology can be a stepping stone to a career in the biosciences or in preparation for a professional degree. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Biology offers a flexible curriculum that can incorporate courses from other departments and colleges at Georgia State. Students must complete at least 40 credit hours of approved coursework. Students may apply under a specific area/concentration, though a concentration is not required. Upon admission, a master’s student is assumed to be non-thesis until acceptance into the thesis option. The non-thesis program emphasizes coursework, and a capstone paper or project is required. The capstone can either be literature-based or laboratory-based. The thesis option emphasizes research. Acceptance into the thesis option requires approval of a thesis proposal. Completion of the thesis option requires an approved thesis as well as a successful defense of the thesis. The thesis option is only recommended for students who are planning to pursue a Ph.D.Biology, Ph.D.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. are interested in advanced biological research, usually leading to a research and/or teaching career at a university or in industry. Faculty research interests are organized into four areas of research, each corresponding to one of the four different Ph.D. disciplines within the department. Students can choose among any of these programs of research based upon their own interests. For the latest information about required courses, view the Biology website.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. are interested in advanced biological research, usually leading to a research and/or teaching career at a university or in industry. Faculty research interests are organized into four areas of research, each corresponding to one of the four different Ph.D. disciplines within the department. Students can choose among any of these programs of research based upon their own interests. For the latest information about required courses, view the Biology website.Chemistry, B.S.
Chemistry, B.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Program Information Chemistry deals with the nature of all substances and the changes that occur therein. It ranges from the study of the structure of atoms and molecules to that of the reactions occurring in living organisms. The study of chemistry can provide knowledge that will give students a greater understanding and appreciation of the world in which they live. In addition, a knowledge of chemistry is a great asset in areas such as biology, physics, and health-related fields. It is a logical basis for premedical training. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Chemistry, visit the Department of Chemistry website.
Program Information
Chemistry deals with the nature of all substances and the changes that occur therein. It ranges from the study of the structure of atoms and molecules to that of the reactions occurring in living organisms. The study of chemistry can provide knowledge that will give students a greater understanding and appreciation of the world in which they live. In addition, a knowledge of chemistry is a great asset in areas such as biology, physics, and health-related fields. It is a logical basis for premedical training. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Chemistry, visit the Department of Chemistry website.Chemistry, M.S.
The Department of Chemistry has research programs in each of the five traditional areas of chemistry, with a bioinformatics option available in each: Analytical Biochemistry Biophysical Chemical Education Organic/Medicinal Our students have the opportunity to conduct research at the interface of chemistry and biology under the guidance of our dynamic research faculty, many of whom are distinguished and noted scholars. The department’s goal is to deliver high quality instructional programs at the graduate level to prepare students for productive careers in academia, industry and government.
The Department of Chemistry has research programs in each of the five traditional areas of chemistry, with a bioinformatics option available in each:- Analytical
- Biochemistry
- Biophysical
- Chemical Education
- Organic/Medicinal
Chemistry, Ph.D.
The Department of Chemistry has research programs in each of the five traditional areas of chemistry, with a bioinformatics option available in each: Analytical Biochemistry Biophysical Chemical Education Organic/Medicinal Our students have the opportunity to conduct research at the interface of chemistry and biology under the guidance of our dynamic research faculty, many of whom are distinguished and noted scholars. The department’s goal is to deliver high-quality instructional programs at the graduate level to prepare students for productive careers in academia, industry and government. The emphasis of the graduate program is the training of scientists.
The Department of Chemistry has research programs in each of the five traditional areas of chemistry, with a bioinformatics option available in each:- Analytical
- Biochemistry
- Biophysical
- Chemical Education
- Organic/Medicinal
Communication, M.A.
The Masters in Human Communication and Social Influence fosters the advanced study of Rhetoric and Interpersonal Communication. Our faculty in Interpersonal Communication are interested in media portrayals of interpersonal relationships, particularly those involving older Americans. Our faculty in Rhetoric are interested in the intersection of public persuasion and issues of national identity. The M.A. in Human Communication and Social Influence can be pursued as an end in itself and is also a stepping stone for pursuing the doctorate. For the latest information about required courses, view the Department of Communication website.
The Masters in Human Communication and Social Influence fosters the advanced study of Rhetoric and Interpersonal Communication. Our faculty in Interpersonal Communication are interested in media portrayals of interpersonal relationships, particularly those involving older Americans. Our faculty in Rhetoric are interested in the intersection of public persuasion and issues of national identity. The M.A. in Human Communication and Social Influence can be pursued as an end in itself and is also a stepping stone for pursuing the doctorate. For the latest information about required courses, view the Department of Communication website.Communication, Ph.D.
The doctoral program in Media and Society is part of a program in the Dept of Communication. It is specifically designed to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools to study the mass media and its relations with audiences. Faculty in this area specialize in international communication, media effects and stereotypes, health communication, gender and the media, journalism law and ethics, and journalism history. The doctorate in Media and Society is designed to give students a solid foundation in media theories and history, along with innovative and often interdisciplinary approaches to the study of mediated phenomena. Our program encourages theoretically rigorous, historically grounded work on the intersections of media and society. For the latest information about required courses, view the Department of Communication website.
The doctoral program in Media and Society is part of a program in the Dept of Communication. It is specifically designed to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools to study the mass media and its relations with audiences. Faculty in this area specialize in international communication, media effects and stereotypes, health communication, gender and the media, journalism law and ethics, and journalism history. The doctorate in Media and Society is designed to give students a solid foundation in media theories and history, along with innovative and often interdisciplinary approaches to the study of mediated phenomena. Our program encourages theoretically rigorous, historically grounded work on the intersections of media and society. For the latest information about required courses, view the Department of Communication website.Computer Science, B.S.
Computer Science, B.S.
Eligible for the Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Program
Program Information Computer science is the systematic exploration of all aspects of computation. Computer science as a discipline seeks to build a scientific foundation for topics such as computer design, computer programming and software, information processing, algorithmic solutions to problems, and the algorithmic process itself. Computer science provides underpinnings for today’s applications in industry, science, government, and business and prepares the foundation for tomorrow’s applications in ubiquitous computing, medical cures for diseases, and instant access to information by everyone. The B.S. degree program in computer science provides preparation in the fundamental principles and processes of computation and training in applying these principles in application areas in industry, science, government, and business. The student completes a basic group of required courses in the early stages and chooses courses from several concentrations in the later stages to provide for appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline. A B.S. degree in computer science provides a good foundation for advanced studies at the M.S. or Ph.D. level as well as for careers in industry, science, government, and business. To plan the major according to particular goals, students are encouraged to consult with an adviser in the department. Majors who are interested in having a paid work experience related to their area of study should contact the university’s Office of Cooperative Education, which coordinates the university’s cooperative education programs. For the latest information about required courses, view the Undergraduate Catalog. For more information about the Minor in Computer Science, visit the Department of Computer Science website.