The M.A.T. Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant individually and holistically, taking into account the applicant's statement of purpose, writing samples, academic record, letters of recommendation, and test scores. In addition to a bachelor of arts degree or significant preparation in the discipline, and a passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Test or a state-approved exemption, applicants should achieve the following benchmarks:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 in the major, and an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. The degree must be complete at the time of admission.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores above the 50th percentile in one of the three areas.
Additional requirements for the biology program
A completed major in biology, or a related discipline, that incorporates the following coursework:
(a) Fundamental concepts, principles and laboratory experiences in biology must include the following: (Agnes Scott courses meeting these requirements are listed.)
- Cell biology - Cell structure, synthesis and breakdown of molecules, energy storage, DNA, gene activation and regulation, cell growth, cell division, photosynthesis, differentiation of cells in development. (BIO 191, BIO 192, at upper level 309)
- Molecular basis of inheritance - Structure and function, replication of DNA. Chromosomes, transmission of genetic information to offspring, mutations, variations, effects on offspring. (BIO 191, 192, at upper level BIO 315)
- Biological evolution - Process and mechanisms of evolution, natural selection, diversity of life, relation of organisms to common ancestors, biological classification (BIO 194, selective diversity in Bio 220, 240, 270)
- Interdependence of organisms - Energy flow and chemical cycling, cooperation and competition among organisms, tension between reproductive capacity and finite resources of environment, human impacts on environment (BIO 108, BIO 194, BIO 308)
- Matter, energy, and organization in living systems - Energy required for life, primarily derived from the sun, food energy, ATP, organization of organisms that support their lives, conversions of molecules in living systems and relation to nonliving systems, storage and dissipation of energy (Bio 191-194, at upper level parts of BIO 302, BIO 305, BIO 308)
- Behavior of organisms - Nervous systems, cells and function, sensory systems, behavior, evolution of behavior, implications of animal behavior for human biology and links to psychology (BIO 193, BIO 280, BIO 305)
(b) Biology electives to give a strong and relevant undergraduate major:
A student should complete at least two of the following with lab, either as course work in the undergraduate degree, or taken during the summer or fall at Agnes Scott as electives.
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Biochemistry (BIO 300)
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Molecular Biology (BIO 316)
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Vertebrate Biology (Bio 240) or Invertebrate Zoology (BIO 270) or Field Botany and Systematics (Bio 220)
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Microbiology (BIO 301)
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Physiology (BIO 305)
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Developmental biology (BIO 318)
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Neurobiology
(c) Supporting background and competencies:
- An introductory two semester sequence in chemistry with lab; (CHE 101 and 102)
- Organic chemistry with lab; (CHE 201)
- At least two of the following:
- A course in elementary statistics; (MAT 115 or PSY 206)
- An earth science course with lab; (PHY 160)
- A physics course with lab; (PHY 102 or 110)
- A course in the history and/or philosophy of science. (PHI 230)
For candidates missing some coursework
A particular course may meet more than one requirement. To accommodate deficiencies, the M.A.T. program also includes two opportunities to take an undergraduate elective course.