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Biology Program

Biology Masters Program

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a thesis program (Program A) and a non-thesis program (Program B), both of which may lead to the Master of Science degree.

Master students

 

The objectives of the program are:

  1. To provide advanced training in biology for individuals who wish to pursue careers in industry, government, and education.
  2. To provide advanced training in biology for individuals who wish to pursue studies at the doctoral level.
  3. To provide advanced training in biology for individuals who wish to strengthen their background in the life sciences.

 Note: A limited number of Teaching and Research Assistantships (TAs) are available for qualified full-time students in the program.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Have a minimum cumulative 2.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Submit three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a faculty advisor.
  4. Submit a brief description of career plans.
  5. Have a combined GRE score (General Test) of 800 or higher.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

  1. Complete Graduation Application
  2. Complete course of study (located under the "Documents and Forms" menu)
  • Program A (thesis). Completion of a program of 24 hours of course work (16 hours in biology must be at or above the 500 level), plus an additional 6 hours of thesis research (i.e., 30 hours tota of course work plus research), and a successful defense of thesis..
  • Program B (non-thesis). Completion of a program of 30 hours of course work (24 hours in biology must be at or above the 500 level), plus an additional 6 hours of research (i.e., 36 hours total of course work plus research), and a written research project report.
  1. A composite passing score on the departmental Comprehensive Examination.

    Please note that in order to graduate:

  • The student has NO MORE THAN two (2) grades below “B” on the official transcript.
  • The student DOES NOT have a grade of “D” or “F” in any coursework completed that may be used to satisfy degree requirements and has a minimum of 3.0 grade point average on all graduate course work.

 

Among other requirements, the following forms must be completed in advance of graduation:

  1. Request for Comprehensive Examination (note that both thesis and non-thesis students need to take and pass the Comprehensive exam in order to graduate from the program).
  2. Registration of Thesis or Research Project (for non-thesis).

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