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Dec 04, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog
Biology, MS
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 Return to: Programs of Study
The Master of Science program has a thesis and a non-thesis track. The thesis track is recommended for students interested in pursuing additional graduate training and careers in research. The non-thesis track is recommended for students seeking a terminal graduate degree for a career that does not require research experience and for those interested in future study at a professional school. Students admitted under one track may switch to the other with approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.
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Prerequisites
Prerequisites for acceptance into a master’s degree program in biology typically include 32 semester hours of basic courses in biology. A student who is deficient in one or more areas of biology may, at the discretion of the advisory committee, be required to make up the deficiency. An undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 and three supportive letters of recommendation are among the criteria evaluated for regular admission.
Thesis Track
The Thesis Track requires a minimum of 30 hours of courses approved for graduate credit, including not more than 6 hours devoted to thesis. Of the 24 non-thesis hours, at least 18 must be from courses in the Department of Biology. At least 12 of the non-thesis hours must be in courses at the 500 level or above, including 2 hours of the Graduate Seminar in biology. Students will also take 1 hour of Colloquium in Biological Science each semester they are in residence; this course does not count toward the credit hours required for the degree. A research thesis is required of all students and a final examination in defense of the thesis is conducted by the student’s Advisory Committee. Non-Thesis Track
The Non-Thesis Track requires a minimum of 36 hours of courses approved for graduate credit, including not more than 3 hours devoted to Advanced Problems (BIOL 560 , BIOL 561 , or BIOL 564 ). Thesis hours (BIOL 599 ) cannot be applied to this requirement. At least 30 hours must be from courses in the Department of Biology. At least 18 hours must be in courses at the 500 level or above, including 2 hours of the Graduate Seminar in biology. Students will also take 1 hour of Colloquium in Biological Science each semester they are in residence; this course does not count toward the credit hours required for the degree. At least 3 hours of graduate course work must be completed in a science other than biology. Students are required to pass written and oral comprehensive examinations conducted by the student’s Examination Committee. |
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