West Chester University Masters Degrees in Biological Sciences

The Department of Biology offers a Master of Science Degree that can be tailored to meet the needs of the student. Choices include a Thesis Option and a Non-thesis Option. The programs are designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time students.

Please visit the website to see the curriculum for these programs:

http://bio.wcupa.edu/biology/index.php/graduate-degrees.html

Our Mission

The primary mission of the Department of Biology is to provide a high quality educational experience to graduate students. This is achieved by maintaining small class sizes staffed by full-time faculty. Virtually all courses have a laboratory component, facilitating participatory learning. An integrated core curriculum is intended to strengthen the communication, quantitative and analytical skills of all biology majors. Several focused concentrations within the undergraduate curriculum offer options of either specialising for immediate employment upon graduation, or preparing for postgraduate education. 

Masters students receive training as biological scientists primarily for career advancement. Although most students come from the Delaware Valley region, their educational experience is intended to equip them well for careers anywhere. Biology majors are required to perform independent projects in many courses, and are encouraged to work closely with faculty in collaborative research. The combination of unusually broad course selection and individual attention allows students from very diverse backgrounds to excel within the program. A part of the department's mission is to participate in the process of scientific inquiry.

The department expects its faculty to engage in scholarly activity, and encourages research publication and the acquisition of extramural funding. Scholarship enhances the stature of the Department and University, adds exceptionally current information to lecture material, and has helped to secure technologically up-to-date laboratory equipment. The department's research environment also provides an ongoing framework into which graduate and undergraduate student research projects can beincorporated. A strong record of collaborative faculty-student research is one reason for the successful placement of most Biology Department graduates. 

The Biology Department serves the University by supporting coursework for other disciplines, principally in Nursing, Health, Kinesiology and the Forensic and Toxicological Chemistry program, and is actively involved in maintaining the high quality of the Preprofessional Program. The department is working closely with the School of Education in training Secondary school biology teachers, and is strengthening ties with other departments in environmental science. Department faculty serve the community as consultants to government, non-profit organisations, other schools and industry.

Research Opportunities

The faculty of the Department of Biology are nationally recognised for their research programs and publications in prestigious journals. Faculty research is regularly supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, or similar state and national organisations. Research and teaching facilities are equipped with such state-of-the-art equipment as liquid scintillation and gamma counters, spectrophotometers, and a digitised HPLC system. We also have access to a FEI environmental scanning electron microscope, a FEI transmission electron microscope, and Reichart ultramicrotome.

The Biology Department also manages a USDA certified (NIH approved) animal care facility, the 20,000 specimen William Darlington Herbarium, and 100 acre Robert B. Gordon Natural Area for Environmental Studies.

Research opportunities for graduate students are particularly strong in three areas:

(1) Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology;
(2) Physiology, Development, and Cell Biology; and
(3) Molecular Genetics, Immunology, and Microbiology.

Faculty in each of these programs have ongoing research projects and welcome serious student investigators into their laboratories.

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The Master of Science In Exercise and Sport Physiology is designed for individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities for working in adult fitness, cardiac rehabilitation and other clinical programs and to enrich academic preparation for graduate work beyond the master’s degree. The MS in Exercise and Sport Physiology is a science based program of 33-34 credit hours depending on the student’s choice of a research report or thesis based program and choice of internship. The program curriculum includes basic research preparation (KIN 600 – Research Methods, KIN 601 statistical Design), advanced science based courses (KIN 572 - Advanced Motor Learning, KIN 585 - Biomechanics, etc.), areas of specialization (internship and electives upon advisement) and research (Thesis or Research Report).

Curriculum

Degree core:

EXS 572 Advanced Motor Learning
EXS 585 Biomechanics
EXS 600 Reserch Methods In Health, Phys Ed, Recreation
EXS 698 Research I
EXS 699 Research II
Intro Stat Computing & Data Management (recommended)

Concentration core:

EXS 681 Advanced Exercise Physiology
EXS 687 Applied Muscular Physiology
EXS 688 Applied Cardiovascular Physiology

Electives:

An additional six credit hours are required for the thesis track

KIN 608 Thesis Seminar
KIN 610 Thesis

Internship:

KIN 611 Intern Study I
KIN 612 Intern Study II

Internship experience may be required of students in the research report track who did not have comparable experience as an undergraduate and/or have no work experience in their chosen field of study.

Please visit the website for more detailed information about these modules:

http://catalog.wcupa.edu/graduate/health-sciences/kinesiology/#coursestext

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An MS in Exercise and Sport Physiology with a concentration in Athletic Training is available at West Chester University in a collaboration between the Departments of Kinesiology and Sports Medicine. It is a 40 credit, 2 year degree program that mandates the completion of a Thesis. Coursework includes Cadaver Antomy, Orthopedic Surgical Techniques, Seminars in Sports Medicine, as well as Topics in Sports Medicine.

Curriculum

Degree core:

• EXS 600 Rsrch Methods In Hlth, Phys Ed, Recreat
• EXS 585 Biomechanics
• KIN 608 Thesis Seminar
• EXS 681 Advanced Exercise Physiology
• HEA 526 Biostatistics for Public Health or STA 511 Intro Stat Computing & Data Management
• EXS 698 Research I
• EXS 699 Research II

Concentration core:

• SMD 500 Human Cadaver Anatomy
• SMD 501 Human Cadaver Dissection
• SMD 505 Evidence Based Practice in Sports Medicine
• SMD 592 Seminar in Sports Medicine
• SMD 693 Selected Topics in Sports Medicine

Electives (choose two):

• NTD 503 Human Nutrition
• HEA 550 Evidence-Based Medicine and Public Health
• EXS 572 Advanced Motor Learning
• KIN 603 Professional Literature Seminar
• EXS 681 Advanced Exercise Physiology
• EXS 687 Applied Muscular Physiology
• EXS 688 Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
• EXS 691 Adv Clinical Exercise Testing & Prescrip
• SMD 595 Orthopaedic Surgical Techniques

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This program is currently under revision. The new program will be geared toward physical educators possessing teacher certification.

The MS in General Physical Education is designed to enrich academic preparation for teaching in the school setting, for graduate work beyond the master’s degree or for obtaining employment in the various professions related to physical education. This program is currently under revision. The title of this degree is expected to change and the degree will be designed for those already certified as teachers in HPE. Currently students who are enroll in this program are provided advisement to select graduate courses with a personal approach to the degree along with core program requirements.

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The master of public administration with a graduate certificate in sport management and athletics is a professional degree that focuses on the comprehensive career preparation of practicing athletic and sport managers. It is designed for individuals aspiring to leadership and management roles in the complex world of interscholastic, intercollegiate, recreational, and professional sports, as well as corporate fitness.

The program is built on acquiring an experiential understanding of administrative and management practices in athletic settings. It will prepare candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply theory, research and experience to solve academic, athletic, sport and event management challenged. Students will be encouraged to make an ongoing commitment to professional development, and they will likely encounter connecting values between personal and professional experiences.

The Curriculum

The M.P.A. with a graduate certificate in sport management and athletics requires a total of 39 semester hours.

Public Administrative Core and Capstone Requirement (21 Semester Hours):

• PPA 500 Foundations of Public Service
• PPA 501 Research Methods in Public Administration
• PPA 502 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
• PPA 503 Public Budgeting and Finance
• PPA 504 Public Human Resources Management
• PPA 505 Public Sector Organisation Theory and Behaviour
• PPA 600 Capstone Seminar in Public Administration

Certificate Requirements - Sport and Athletic Core (18 Semester Hours):

• KIN 513 Theories and Principles of Sport Management
• KIN 514 Problems and Issues in Sport Management
• KIN 553 Facility, Event, and Risk Management
• KIN 554 Gender Enquiry and Sport Law
• KIN 611-612 Intern Study (must complete both)

Career Opportunities

Candidates may find sport management career opportunities on several levels: interscholastic (middle and high school), intercollegiate (NCAA Division I, II, or III), professional (major and minor league), club/recreational (YMCA and other youth sport organisations), and corporate fitness. Course work is designed to meet students' individual interests. Consequently, candidates will be prepared to work on the level that meets their personal target.

Internship Experience

Internship field experiences are offered in a variety of institutional settings, including secondary and higher education, professional, recreational, and corporate fitness levels. The internship experience will give students an opportunity to gain expertise from professional mentors in a setting that is consistent with their career goals. During the internship, students will have the chance to learn from professionals currently working in the field experience the responsibilities required in their chosen area, and make many important contacts that may help further their career. Candidates are required to discuss their career goals with their adviser early in the program to facilitate appropriate internship placement.

Flexible Scheduling

The program is designed for individuals wanting to earn a master's degree part-time whilst working full-time. Students who want to pursue the degree on a full-time basis may complete the program on a faster track. Most courses are held in the late afternoon or early evening. Courses are typically offered during four semesters throughout the calendar year - spring, first and second summer sessions, and fall.

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The Graduate Certificate in Adapted Physical Education (18 credit) is designed to meet the Adapted Physical Education National Standards for Competency in Teaching Adapted Physical Education in the public schools. Six 3 credit courses make up the program:

• KIN 579 Inclusive Practices in P.E. (also a core requirement in the new MS in PE proposal)
• KIN 582 Assessment & Development of Individualized Programs
• KIN 583 Medical & Pathological Issues
• KIN 584 Disability Sport & Adapted Aquatics
• KIN 586 Professional Issues in Adapted P.E.
• KIN 587 Physical Activity for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

The coursework is based on the 12 Adapted Physical Education National Standards for Competency in Teaching Adapted Physical Education and the application of these standards to practice in the field of physical education. The coursework prepares students with the minimum background, skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to sit for the APENS national exam.

The certificate program is 100% web based instruction and will consist of formation of online presentations, webinars, web based lectures, collaborative and curricular integration activities, and alternative activities designed to enhance professional development in the field of adapted physical education.

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The master of public administration with a graduate certificate in sport management and athletics is a professional degree that focuses on the comprehensive career preparation of practicing athletic and sport managers. It is designed for individuals aspiring to leadership and management roles in the complex world of interscholastic, intercollegiate, recreational, and professional sports, as well as corporate fitness.

The program is built on acquiring an experiential understanding of administrative and management practices in athletic settings. It will prepare candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply theory, research, and experience to solve academic, athletic, sport, and event management challenges. Students will be encouraged to make an ongoing commitment to professional development, and they will likely encounter connecting values between personal and professional experiences.

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The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is designed to prepare students to become athletic trainers. The program is designed for students with minimal or no knowledge and experience in athletic training.

There are two entry options for this program:

Option 1

(Post-Bacalaureate): Master of Science in Athletic Training

Two-year program. This program is only for those students who have already completed a bachelor's degree (in any major other than athletic training) and have met the admission requirements for the professional phase of the MS in Athletic Training program. This two-year program is intended for college graduates who have completed their bachelor's degree and who may want to change careers, individuals who didn't have time during their undergraduate years to major in athletic training and international students who want a career in athletic training.

Option 2

(Prospective Freshman): Accelerated 3+2 Master of Science in Athletic Training

Accelerated five year program (3+2) in which students earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Sports Medicine Studies concentration and a Master of Science in Athletic Training.

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