Graduate degree

The Biological Sciences Department offers both a thesis and a non-thesis degree track for a Master of Science in Biology. A graduate degree in Biological Sciences allows students to enhance their career marketability and further their education. Our program has the unique advantage of being part of a rich history of scientific application that includes patent development, deep connections with the leading scientific and technological industries, and innovative solutions to challenging global problems.

Graduate students in the Department work closely with faculty advisors and other students to design, execute, and interpret experiments that answer basic and applied scientific questions. We encourage interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations, external partnerships, and participation in regional and national conferences. Competitively awarded graduate teaching assistantships are available for excellent applicants with an identified faculty mentor.

Research interest areas include:

Biomaterials
Cell biology
Energetics
Freshwater ecology
Microbiology
Plant evolution
Sleep
Stem cell biology
Toxicology

While courses of study are individualized, they include seminars, laboratory rotations and specialized courses in multiple disciplines. Please review our Graduate Handbook-December 2020 for a broad overview of our program. Everything from admission requirements, program objectives, financial assistantships, etc. are covered in the handbook.

Applicants who wish to be considered for financial support as a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) must submit the application package by the last weekend in October for the GTA position in the following spring, or by the last weekend in March for the GTA position in the following fall.

Master of Science with Thesis

Specific requirements of the Master of Science Degree with Thesis in Biology include a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit, which must include 24 hours of biological sciences coursework to include:

BIO SCI 6202 Problems in Applied and Environmental Biology (2.0 LEC)
BIO SCI 5020 Data Analysis and Presentation (1.0 LEC)
BIO SCI 6223 Research Proposal Writing (3.0 LEC)
BIO SCI 5099 Graduate Research (6.0 RES)
Out of Department Courses (6.0 hours max)

A minimum grade of B is required for each Biological Science course used to fulfill the M.S. degree requirements.

Candidates for the Master's Degree with Thesis will conduct original research, write a thesis on the research conducted, and provide a satisfactory defense of the thesis in a final oral examination.

Learn More

Non-thesis Master of Science Degree

Specific requirements for the Master of Science Degree with Thesis in Biology include a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit, which must include 24 hours of biological sciences course work to include:

BIO SCI 6202 Problems in Applied and Environmental Biology (2.0 LEC)
BIO SCI 5020 Data Analysis (1.0 LEC)

No credit hours of graduate research may be applied toward the plan of study. Students in this program are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Learn More

Graduate Track Pathway

The GTP will offer early admission to a Non-thesis Master of Science degree program to exceptional undergraduate students. These students will be able to earn credit toward their master's degree in Biological Sciences while completing their bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. Nine credit hours of 5000 or 6000 level courses will be applied towards both the bachelor's degree and the non-thesis master's degree. Students in Biological Sciences can apply and be provisionally accepted to the Grad Track Program between completion of the core classes until 30 days prior to graduation from the bachelor's program. Applicants will complete their enrollment in the GTP upon meeting the undergraduate requirements and earning their bachelor's degree. A GRE score is not required for admission into the non-thesis master's degree through the GTP.

Learn More