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Academic Regulations - Advanced Degrees

The BA/MA Program in the Sciences—A five-year plan

Wesleyan’s five-year BA/MA is a formal curricular option for students interested in an intensive research experience that a fifth year of study can provide. The program has a strong research orientation and includes course work, seminars, and, in some cases, teaching. Completion of both BA and MA requirements in five years requires careful planning of courses and research for the last two years of the program.  Students in this program are expected to submit an MA thesis describing the research that they have carried out in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements.  Tuition remission for the fifth year of study is provided.  Students enrolled in this program receive the BA degree after four years and the MA degree at the end of the fifth year.  Further information on the BA/MA program is available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/grad/AcademicResource/bama.html.

MA and PhD Programs in Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Music

The University offers work leading to the MA degree in astronomy, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, and music composition, and to the PhD in biology, chemistry, ethnomusicology, mathematics, molecular biology and biochemistry, and physics. Theses and dissertations are required for these degrees. An interdepartmental program leading to the PhD is offered jointly by the chemistry and physics departments. An interdepartmental program in molecular biophysics leading to the PhD is offered by the departments of molecular biology and biochemistry and chemistry.

Graduate instruction is scheduled within an academic year consisting of two academic semesters from September to June. Summer work consisting of independent study or research is expected. No evening courses or summer school courses are available. Tuition remission and service as a teaching assistant are parts of the financial aid package offered to MA and PhD students. Information on the graduate programs is available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/grad/.

The MALS and MPhil in Graduate Liberal Studies

Graduate Liberal Studies offers courses in the arts, humanities, mathematics, sciences, and social sciences leading to the master of arts in liberal studies (MALS) or the master of philosophy in liberal arts (MPhil). Fall- and spring-term courses meet evenings, once weekly, for two and a half to three hours. Weekend and one-week immersion classes also may be offered. The summer term offers an intensive schedule. Students generally study part time and are expected to complete all graduation requirements within six years.

For more information, visit www.wesleyan.edu/masters, send e-mail to masters@wesleyan.edu, or visit the office at 74 Wyllys.