A program of study leading to a Master of Science in Biology is offered by the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Technology. This program is designed to develop competency in the field of biology at the graduate level and also competency in research methods essential for pursuing doctoral studies.

The program offers three areas of specialization: Cell and Molecular Biology, Physiology and Ecology. After completing the core courses, the student may choose one of the three curricula and also a topic for thesis research. If the prerequisites for any of the courses have not been completed, the student must make up the deficiencies prior to taking the required courses. The details of the program are given below.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

(Thesis and Non-Thesis Option)

A candidate must meet the university-level admission requirements for graduate school.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

(Thesis and Non-Thesis Option)

The Department of Biological Sciences offers degree programs for three specialty tracks, Molecular and Cell Biology, Physiology, and Ecology. The information contained in this curriculum guide has been especially prepared for students who wish to obtain a MS degree in any of the three tracks.

The program offers a Thesis based degree with emphasis on development of research and a Non-thesis based degree with an emphasis on coursework. All students admitted into the program must declare the thesis or non-thesis option tract by the end of their first semester. A declaration form can be obtained from and submitted to the Biology Graduate Coordinator.

A. General Information (Thesis Option)

i. Master’s degree requirements should be met in four to six semesters.

ii. A student must complete 31 credit hours of graduate credit courses, which consist of the core courses and 15 graduate elective credits in their chosen track.

iii. Graduate courses are designated as 5000-level and above.

iv. At the discretion of a student’s supervisory committee, 4000-level courses (offered in another department) may be considered toward the graduate credit requirement.

v. A thesis student must register each semester in BSC 5971 (Master’s Thesis), for a minimum of one (1) credit hour until the degree is awarded.

vi. A thesis student must take a minimum of 6 semester hours of thesis credit.

vii. A thesis student must enroll in BSC 5935 (Graduate Seminar) each semester of residence.

viii. If the prerequisites for any of the courses have not been completed, the student must make up the deficiencies prior to taking the required courses.

ix. A thesis student must submit a satisfactory master’s prospectus*.

x. Thesis students must complete an acceptable research thesis*.

xi. All students in the program must pass their comprehensive examination*.

xii. Thesis students must conduct a successful oral defense of their thesis*.

xiii. Thesis students are required to demonstrate teaching experience in at least one biology laboratory course recommended by the student’s supervisory committee.

* As determined by the Thesis supervisory committee.

B. General Information (Non-Thesis Option)

i. Master’s degree requirements should be met in four to six semesters.

ii. Non-thesis students are required to successfully complete forty-two (42) semester hours.

iii. Non-thesis students must satisfactorily complete the core courses, at least fifteen (15) credit hours in their respective concentration and twelve (12) elective graduate credit hours in any biological sciences area.

iv. Graduate courses are designated as 5000-level and above.

v. At the discretion of a student’s supervisory committee, 4000-level courses (offered in another department) may be considered toward the graduate credit requirement.

vi. A non-thesis student must enroll in BSC 5935 (Graduate Seminar) each semester of residence.

vii. A non-thesis students must take the comprehensive exam upon completion of their coursework.

viii. If the prerequisites for any of the courses have not been completed, the student must make up the deficiencies prior to taking the required courses.

ix. A non-thesis student must submit and defend a satisfactory special research project.*

x. A non-thesis student is required to demonstrate teaching experience in at least one biology laboratory course recommended by the student’s supervisor committee.

* As determined by the Thesis supervisory committee.

C. Change of Track Between Thesis And Non-Thesis

i. Students who have declared the thesis track must remain in the thesis track unless approved to switch to the non-thesis track. The request to switch must be presented in writing to their supervisory committee through the Biology Graduate Coordinator. The committee will review the request and include their recommendation to the biology graduate committee for final decision, which will be forwarded to the Department Chair.

ii. Students who have declared the non-thesis track may switch to the thesis track by submitting a written request to their supervisory committee through the Biology Graduate Coordinator. The committee will review the request and include their recommendation to the biology graduate committee for final decision, which will be forwarded to the Department Chair.

iii. Track changes must be requested and approved within the first two semesters of residence.