BIOSC Online - Non-thesis Master's

The Department of Biological Sciences is proud to offer an online, non-thesis Master of Biological Sciences designed specifically for K-12 teachers and others interested in biological sciences! This program is fully in a distance-learning format and lectures are available 24/7. 

Students enrolling in our course must first be admitted to the graduate school as a degree (the program number is 813) or non-degree seeking student. Online applications for graduate degree programs are on the Graduate Admissions website (http://www.grad.clemson.edu/Welcome.php). 

Registration for all courses requires that you complete the course application form(s) at the bottom of this page.  Please do not use the online web registration system.

For the Spring Semester 2012, we are offering two courses:

  • BIOSC 847 Understanding Microbiology – This online course is designed for teachers and for those who want to increase their knowledge about microorganisms.  It introduces the basic and applied aspects of the science of microbiology including prokaryotic cell structure and function, microbial growth and growth control, food microbiology, bacterial genetics, immunology, virology, microbial diseases, and epidemiology.  Laboratory concepts will be emphasized. Instructor: Dr. Krista Rudolph
  • BIOSC 842 Understanding Cellular Processes – This online course will explore the field of cellular processes including morphology and physiology of cell membranes, cytoplasm and organelles. Topics will include techniques in cell biology, cell fine structure, motility, cell division, organelle functions, cell-cell interactions, signal transduction, and protein and membrane trafficking. Instructor: Dr. Susan Chapman
  • BIOSC 848 Understanding Scientific Research (This course replaces BIOSC 848 Scientific Exploration and Discovery in the M.S. curriculum) – Research problems for teachers in selected areas of biological sciences to provide an introduction to research planning and techniques. Teachers will undertake either an instructor approved, individual project or participate in a group project involving their classroom during the academic year. Both are assisted by and under the supervision of the instructor. BIOSC 840 Understanding Biological Inquiry and BIOSC 849 are recommended before enrolling in BIOSC 848. Instructor: Dr. Robert Ballard 

These three online courses run January 11 – May 9. If you apply to more than one of our courses, you will be notified about your acceptance under separate email. Each course will provide you with three hours of graduate credit from the Clemson University Department of Biological Sciences.  All courses are open to degree and non-degree seeking students.

If you would like additional information about these courses or this program, email Terrie Jarrett (tjarret@clemson.edu). 

Application Forms and Program Details for Spring 2012 Courses

For Summer 2012, we are offering three courses:

  • BIOSC 843 Understanding Genetics and Evolutionary Biology – This online course is designed for teachers who want to increase their content knowledge in the areas of genetics and evolution.  The course will focus on Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, gene expression and regulation, population genetics, forces of evolutionary change, and the role of evolutionary change in the origin of new species and the diversity of life. Instructor: Dr. Margaret Ptacek
  • BIOSC 844 Understanding the Human Body – This online course is designed for teachers and for those who want to increase their content knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the 11 organ systems in humans. Studies will include food processing and nutrient allocation, circulation and respiration, excretion, communication via hormones and nervous transmission, reproduction, behavior, locomotion and support. Instructor: Dr. William Baldwin
  • BIOSC 848 Understanding Scientific Research (This course replaces BIOSC 848 Scientific Exploration and Discovery in the M.S. curriculum) – Research problems for teachers in selected areas of biological sciences to provide an introduction to research planning and techniques. Teachers will undertake either an instructor approved, individual project or participate in a group project involving their classroom during the academic year. Both are assisted by and under the supervision of the instructor. BIOSC 840 Understanding Biological Inquiry and BIOSC 849 are recommended before enrolling in BIOSC 848. Instructor: Dr. Robert Ballard

Please Read: Last year CU changed the structure of summer school and we can no longer offer courses that do not fit into the new summer school academic calendar. Therefore, these three online courses are offered during the new Long Summer Session that runs from May 16 – August 9. However, our classes will not meet for the entire session. The courses will not begin until June and will be completed before the end of July. The exact date will be posted on this site as soon as possible. Even though the courses begin after the start of the Long Summer Session, CU will bill you at the beginning of this session. You must pay your tuition at this time or CU will drop you from the course(s).

If you apply to more than one of our courses, you will be notified about your acceptance under separate email. Each course will provide you with three hours of graduate credit from the Clemson University Department of Biological Sciences.  All courses are open to degree and non-degree seeking students

If you would like additional information about these courses or this program, email Terrie Jarrett (tjarret@clemson.edu).

Application Forms and Program Details for Summer 2012 Courses