The M.A.T. and M.S.T. are nonresearch, nonthesis degrees and are designed primarily for updating and upgrading the training of secondary school teachers. The department is housed in a Life Science Building planned particularly to supply the needs of graduate education and research. Equipment is shared with the Department of Botany and includes ultracentrifuges, DNA synthesizer, cell-culture facilities, thermal cyclers, a fluorometer, HPLCs, and other major equipment. There are multiple computer terminals linked to the University's system and a campuswide networking system. Facilities include cold laboratories, darkrooms, animal rooms, and research collections, including local and tropical insects and numerous Vermont vertebrates.
Ecological studies utilize the nearby mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, and other natural areas.
The book and journal collections housed in the Bailey Library and the Dana Medical Library include more than one million volumes and 8,000 periodical subscriptions. In addition, a limited number of graduate research assistantships may become available. Students are encouraged to apply for outside fellowships such as those provided by the National Science Foundation. Teaching fellows received tuition scholarships for up to 10 credit hours per semester. Living and Housing Costs Graduate students generally live in off-campus apartments in the vicinity of the University.