This program is administered by the Office of Graduate Studies through the faculty of Biology, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences.
The Master of Science program in Biology includes advanced education in experimental molecular, cellular, and organismal biology. The program is designed primarily to prepare students for a professional career in an advanced field of biology. The program is used by students who want to gain additional background for teaching, as well by those who are preparing to go on to Ph.D. programs or professional schools.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Status
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university. Either a Bachelor's degree in life science or a related discipline or a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated discipline and 12 upper-level credit hours in biology. A life science is biology or field within the discipline of biology, such as microbiology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, or physiology. A related discipline is an interdisciplinary field that requires a substantial amount of biology coursework, such as biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or biotechnology. The determination of whether an applicant's degree is in a related or unrelated discipline will be made by the graduate admissions committee at the time of application and will be based on coursework listed in the transcript and the, descriptions of those courses, if available.
- A 3.0 cumulative GPA
- In addition to a completed application for Graduate Studies, prospective students must also submit the following:
- Students must submit GRE scores (no minimum scores), which will be considered in combination with other components of the application.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Written statement of intent explaining the reasons the applicant is applying for the biology program.
Conditional Admission Status
- Applicants who do not meet the criteria for regular admission may be admitted conditionally. An applicant who meets one of the following criteria may be admitted with conditional status.
- An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75-2.99 and either a Bachelor's degree in a life science or a related discipline or a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated discipline and 12 upper-level credit hours in biology from an accredited college or university.
- An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better and a Bachelor's degree In an unrelated discipline and less than 12 upper-level credit hours in biology.
- In addition to a completed application for Graduate Studies, prospective students must also submit the following:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Written statement of intent explaining the reasons the applicant Is applying for the biology program.
- Students must submit GRE scores (no minimum scores unless it is needed for "other evidence" Indicated below), which will be considered in combination with other components of the application.
- To be eligible for conditional admission, applicants must also show other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study in biology. This OTHER EVIDENCE must be at least one of the following:
- One (1) year of positive undergraduate or postgraduate research experience. This research experience must be documented in one of the letters of recommendation.
- A combined GRE score on Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning of 310.
- A GPA of 3.0 or above in upper level (3000-level or above) biology and chemistry classes.
- Students who are admitted with conditional status may be required by their faculty advisor to complete undergraduate leveling courses in biology, chemistry, or math in addition to graduate courses needed for completion of their graduate degree.
- The student will need to maintain a B or better In the first 12 hours of classes.
M.S. in Biology Degree Requirements - Thesis Option
- Students are required to complete 30 semester credit hours.
- Students must take 15-18 hours in Biology, 6 to 9 hours may be in supporting areas of study.
- The remaining 6 hours must be earned in independent study leading to an original thesis.
M.S. in Biology Degree Requirements - Non-Thesis Option
- Students are required to complete 30 semester credit hours.
- Students must complete 6 to 9 hours of BIOL 6392 Research in Biology to obtain experience in biological research.
- In the final semester, students must present a seminar covering the results of their work to the Biology Department and their committee.
M.S. in Biology Degree Requirements - Non-Thesis and Non-Research Option
- Students are required to complete 30 hours of classes which do not include research hours, contract study hours, or thesis hours.
- Up to 6 hours may be 4000 level Chemistry or Biology classes that have not been taken as an undergraduate.
- The program is designed for students who would like additional coursework in Biology, but are not interested in having a research project.
- The coursework is designed to be completed in 1.5 academic years.
M.S. in Biology - Biomedical Emphasis
The MS with a Biomedical Emphasis is designed to provide students who desire terminal degrees in the health professions or in graduate school with additional academic and research experience which may help them be more successful in being admitted to these programs. The requirements are generally the same as those for an M.S. in Biology, except that the research project will be in the biomedical sciences, and at least 9 hours of coursework not involving research must be in topics that are biomedical in nature.
M.S. Biomedical Emphasis - Thesis Option
BIOL 6392: 3 hours in biomedical related research.
BIOL 6399: 6 hours in biomedical related research.
Must take 9 hrs from the following courses:
BIOL 6389: Selected Topics that have a biomedical emphasis approved by the Program Chair.
M.S. Biomedical Emphasis - Non-Thesis Option
BIOL 6392: 6 to 9 hours in biomedical research.
Must take 9 hrs from the following courses:
BIOL 6389: Selected Topics that have a biomedical emphasis approved by the Program Chair.
In the final semester, students must present a seminar covering the results of their work to the Biology Department and their committee.
Special Program Features
Where appropriate, individualized instruction is used in each student's program so not all courses require regular attendance. Laboratory facilities are ideally suited for individualized instruction. Students will also be given an opportunity to gain experience in teaching by assisting in one or more undergraduate laboratory courses under the supervision of a faculty member.
Program Recommendation
If they have not already done so, students must complete Organic Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and II, and Physics before admission to regular graduate status. Students lacking specific upper-level Biology background such as Biochemistry, Genetics, Animal Physiology, or Evolution may be approved by the advisory committee to take these undergraduate courses for 4000-level graduate credit (see list below).
Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)
The goal of this program is to allow highly motivated Biology majors and Chemistry majors on the Biochemistry track to complete their bachelor's and master's degree in five years. This will better prepare those graduates for health professions school or graduate school in Biology or Biochemistry. For their graduate research project, students can either conduct research in a Chemistry lab on a project with a biological emphasis, or in a Biology lab. In this plan the student would begin taking graduate classes in their junior year of college. The student would still need to be admitted to graduate school at the appropriate time and meet the same admission requirements as for the thesis option. The student would be required to complete a thesis during their 5th year of college. For details concerning this plan, see the Graduate Program Head for Biology.
Biology AMP Requirements
(In addition to general AMP requirements)
- Ninety (90) undergraduate credit hours must be completed, including 15 hours in Biology and 16 hours in Chemistry, before a student may apply. Included in the 15 hours of Biology are either Microbiology or Cell Biology and in the 16 hours of Chemistry is Organic Chemistry I and II.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and 3.25 in undergraduate major
- A minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for continuation in the program.
- Students can choose to conduct their research for their thesis project in Chemistry research lab on a project with a biological emphasis or in a Biology research lab. The final decision on which courses to take and how many hours to complete each semester will be determined with the student's academic advisors based on factors like transfer credit, academic history, courses offered, etc.
Biology AMP Withdrawal and Dismissal Policies
(In addition to general AMP withdrawal and dismissal policies)
- A student may withdraw from the program at any time by informing the graduate program head, office of graduate studies, and registrar in writing.
- AMP students who earn less than a B in a graduate course will be put on probation for one semester. If they earn less than a B for a second time, they will be dismissed from the program. If they earn less than a C in a graduate course they will be dismissed from the program.