Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Quantitative and Systems Biology, M.S.


Program Description


qsb.ucmerced.edu
Graduate Program Chair: David H. Ardell
Graduate Group Coordinator: Paul Roberts
Please direct inquiries to qsb.inquiries@ucmerced.edu

 

The Quantitative and Systems Biology Program takes advantage of advances in techniques and theory that bridge molecular and ecosystems scales and that have greatly enabled the potential for integration across the life sciences. Biologists’ ability to gather and process large amounts of quantitative data in field and laboratory settings is advancing hand-in-hand with theory and modeling that better explain the diversity of life on Earth. The Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program at UC Merced provides individualized, research-based courses of study leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Research projects are available on diverse topics including:

  • biomolecular interactions
  • genomics and proteomics
  • cellular interactions and signal transduction
  • organ systems and whole animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate)
  • comparative ecology, evolution, and organismal biology, and
  • computational biology.

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the program and faculty, research projects often span multiple topics to address more complex questions and linkages across levels of biological scale (e.g. molecules, cells, organisms, communities) typical of systems biology and quantitative biology (e.g. measuring individuals to describe populations). Course work in this graduate program provides a background in the tools of modern biology, including computational biology, genomics and advanced instrumentation. The Quantitative and Systems Biology Program offers particular opportunities for students interested in multidisciplinary projects at the interface of biology, computer science and bioengineering. Career opportunities for graduates include exciting research positions in government and industry, as well as academic positions at colleges and universities.

Prospective applicants can view instructions on how to apply for graduate studies in QSB at the website, qsb.ucmerced.edu.

Program Learning Outcomes


Master’s Program Learning Outcomes (Plan 1 – Thesis)


  1. Quantitative and Systems Biology Skill (QB/SB)–Knowledge and understanding of quantitative (statistical, computational, and model dependent) and high-throughput experimental systems approaches to biological problems.
  2. Ethics–Knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in proposing and executing professional scientific research.
  3. Communication–Ability to effectively engage in effective communication of original and existing scientific inquiry and results orally and in writing.
  4. Scholarship–Ability to demonstrate graduate-level scholarship in specialized areas of biology, including command of relevant literature.
  5. Research Ability–Ability to execute and defend original research that contributes to knowledge in the relevant field of biology.

 

Master’s Program Learning Outcomes (Plan II – Non- Thesis)


  1. Quantitative and Systems Biology Skill (QB/SB)–Knowledge and understanding of quantitative (statistical, computational, and model dependent) and high-throughput experimental systems approaches to biological problems.
  2. Ethics–Knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in proposing and executing professional scientific research.
  3. Communication–Ability to engage in effective communication of original and existing scientific inquiry and results orally and in writing.
  4. Scholarship–Ability to undertake and demonstrate original graduate level scholarship in specialized areas of biology, including command of historical and current literature and broader scientific context, identification of open research problems, and identification of feasible techniques to approach those problems.