University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Colorado Denver

Applied Science Option

The Applied Science option focuses on the natural and physical sciences: biology, chemistry, geology and physics.

Degree Requirements

30 semester hours total: 18 hours must be at the graduate level (5000 and above); 12 hours can be at the 4000 level.

Science Requirement:

Minimum 15 hours of approved coursework at 4000+ level in biology, chemistry, geology and physics.  You must include at least two of these subject areas.  These courses may include Applied Focus Courses with advisor approval.

Mathematics/Computer Science Requirement:

Minimum 6 hours of approved coursework at 4000+ level in mathematics or computer science.  These courses may include Applied Focus Courses with advisor approval.

The degree plan may include 3 semester hours of approved courses or seminars at the 4000+ level in secondary school mathematics teaching, history of mathematics or science, or philosophy of mathematics or science.

Research Requirement: 

All candidates for the MIS must complete a research project.  You may select a thesis option (4-6 semester hours) or a project option (1-4 semester hours).

Sample 1: Applied Science Degree Plan

Science Coursework

BIOL 5124 Molecular Biology
BIOL 5125 Molecular Biology Lab
BIOL 5144 Medical Microbiology
BIOL 5550 Cell Signaling
CHEM 5810 General Biochemistry I
CHEM 5820 General Biochemistry II
CHEM 4828 Biochemistry Lab

Credit Hours

3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Total Science Hours

20

Math/Computer Science Coursework

HBSC 7340 Risk Assessment *
MATH 4810 Probability
MATH 4820 Statistics

Credit Hours

3
3
3
Total Math/Computer Science Hours

9

Master’s Project: Using statistical methods to analyze a DNA database

2

Synopsis of Sample 1 Plan Above:

20    Science hours
  9     Math/CS hours
  2     Project hours
31     Total hours (30 minimum)

11     4000-level hours (12 hours maximum)
20     5000+ hours (18 minimum)

Sample 2: Applied Science Degree Plan

Science Coursework

BIOL 5474 Ecological Methods
BIOL 5416 Aquatic Ecology
CHEM 4511 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 4521 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 5500 Chemical Dynamics
CHEM 5250 Chemometrics: Data Analysis
ENVS 5403 Unsaturated Zone Hydrology*

Credit Hours

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Total Science Hours

21

Math/Computer Science Coursework

MATH 4810 Probability
MATH 4820 Statistics

Credit Hours

3
3

Total Math/Computer Science Hours

6

Master’s Project: Analysis of ground water in the Pike National Forest for fire retardant contamination.

3

* Requires special approval

Synopsis of Sample 2 Plan Above:

21    Science hours
  6     Math/CS hours
  3     Project hours
30     Total hours (30 minimum)

12     4000-level hours (12 hours maximum)
18     5000+ hours (18 minimum)