Biology
GENERAL
The Department of Biology offers both a Master of Arts degree and a Master of Science degree. The MS is intended to give students significant experience in the design and execution of an independent research project whereas the MA program provides for more structured advanced studies in a wider variety of disciplines. Both programs may be pursued on a part-time or full time basis. The Department is committed to course rotation such that most graduate courses will alternate daytime offerings with evenings or weekends over a four year cycle to accommodate the needs of part-time students.
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Graduates from accredited institutions who wish to work toward either the Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Biology should have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of undergraduate biology including genetics. Applicants should also have completed one year of calculus (or one semester of calculus and one semester of statistics) and one year, with laboratory, in the areas of general physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The Department of Biology reserves the right to require certain undergraduate courses that may be deemed necessary.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY (with thesis)
The Master of Science is a thesis degree in which research conducted by the student under the direction of a thesis mentor culminates in the writing of a thesis and a defense of the thesis research. Thesis research may be undertaken in the areas of animal and plant physiology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, ecology, behavior, developmental biology, systematics and evolution, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, virology, immunology, parasitology, and genetics.
Specific requirements for all students in this program are the successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits which may include a maximum of 10 credits for research (BIO 9007, 9008, 9307, 9308, 9309). All students must take the 1 semester, 0 credit Research Prospectus course (BIO 8920), preferably in their first semester of graduate study. There is no language requirement. All full time students in this program are expected to attend the weekly Department of Biology Seminar.
For the first semester of study, each student will be assigned an academic advisor. Preferably before the onset of the second semester of graduate study, the student will have chosen a faculty member willing to serve as the student’s thesis mentor. The thesis mentor and two additional faculty, one of whom may be from outside the Biology Department, chosen by the student and the mentor will form an advisory committee for the student. The committee and the student will determine the plan of study for that student with regard to coursework, taking into account the nature of the thesis research and the long-term goals of the student. The committee will also be involved in evaluating the student’s progress toward successful completion of the degree.
Each student is required to prepare a written proposal of the anticipated thesis research, and to orally present and defend that proposal. Upon completion of the research and of the written thesis, the results of the thesis will be orally presented and defended. These two oral presentations and defenses fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement.
MASTER OF ARTS IN BIOLOGY
The Master of Arts in Biology is a non-thesis degree based on the successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits of graduate coursework at the 7000-level or above. All students pursuing this degree program must take the 1 semester, 0 credit Research Prospectus course (BIO 8920), preferably in their first semester of graduate study, at least one course with a seminar component/presentation (usually a Special Topics, Advanced Topics, or section of BIO 8900:Seminar), and a minimum of 4 courses with laboratory other than Directed Research (BIO 9007, 9008). A maximum of 4 credits of Directed Research can be applied to the MA degree. Students who wish to specialize may concentrate their coursework in one of two areas of academic focus within the department: (1) Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology and (2) Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology. MA students who take a minimum of 24 credits in one of these fields (please see department for lists of courses in each category) will receive a degree with a concentration in either area indicated on their transcript (e.g., “Master of Arts, Biology, with concentration in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology” or “Master of Arts, Biology, with concentration in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology”).
The department also offers certificate programs in these two areas. Each student must pass a comprehensive examination near the end of their studies. There is no language requirement. All full time students are expected to attend the weekly Department of Biology Seminar.
CERTIFICATE AND ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN BIOLOGY
The Graduate Program in the Biology Department offers two certificate programs (Certificate and Advanced Certificate) for students who do not wish to pursue the full Master’s degree, at least initially. Students complete coursework primarily in one of two areas – Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology or Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology. See the departmental website for more information on courses listed in each subject area. The Certificate of Graduate Study in Biology requires a minimum of 16 credit hours of courses and at least three lab courses from the list associated with the subject area. The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Biology requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of courses and at least four lab courses from the list associated with the subject area.
These programs are suitable for either full- or part-time students; matriculated students or students with non-matriculated status may enter the certificate program, the latter at the discretion of the Biology Graduate Committee. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their program courses in order to receive a certificate. Such qualified students may subsequently apply for acceptance to either the MA or the MS degree programs.
BS/MS PROGRAM IN BIOLOGY
A select group of highly qualified students are invited to apply for the combined bachelor/ master degree program. Students should apply directly to the program director in their first or second year of undergraduate study. Students will then be permitted to double-count up to nine credits of graduate study towards both their bachelor and master degrees. Students are eligible for up to six credits of tuition remission in the last semester(s) of their master’s degree. Students will work closely with their advisor to ensure the appropriate graduate coursework is taken while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Students must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.00 and students are not permitted to enroll in more than 16 credits while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Students should refer to the Combined Bachelor Master Programs website for detailed policies and procedure.