Biological Sciences, MS

Location(s): Main Campus

The MS degree allows students to expand their background in a specific area of the biological sciences and to gain experience in research. Entering students must affiliate with a professor, form a three-member supervisory committee and begin research in the first semester. Soon after formation, the committee meets with the student to establish the nature and scope of the research. The committee meets regularly to assess the student’s progress.

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences or a related field is required for admission into the program.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

A minimum of 30 credits are required for the MS in Biological Sciences, which includes:

20 credits of courses numbered 500 or above*
- The above requirement may include up to eight elective courses outside of the biological sciences department. Approval of the supervisory committee is required.
- A maximum of 12 credits of BIOL 597 Independent Study is allowed.
Four credits of BIOL 580 seminar courses (or equivalent).
Six credits of BIOL 599 Investigations in Biology - Thesis is required.

*This requirement can not be fulfilled with BIOL 591, 595, 599, 696, 699, and any MAT/MSEd courses.

Exam Requirement

Students are required to pass a final oral examination on the subject matter of the thesis and related biological knowledge.

Seminar Requirement

Students are required to present a formal seminar to the department based on the thesis research.

Thesis Requirement

Students are required to complete a thesis acceptable to the supervisory committee.

Additional Information About the Program

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average in all graduate credit courses to be awarded the degree.

For more information on the Biological Sciences MS program, please refer to the Biological Sciences website for more information. To apply to the Biological Sciences MS program, please visit the University Admissions website.