The Department of Biology currently offers courses of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Master of Science. The graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree is flexible, and can meet the needs of: (1) students seeking additional training and/or research experience in order to obtain employment that requires post-baccalaureate training, (2) current high-school teachers and other professionals who seek advancement in their careers or who want to stay current in the field, and (3) students interested in completing an M.S. before going on to a doctoral program. Areas of study include genetics, molecular biology, morphology/taxonomy, physiology, and ecology. Dr. Mary Kimble is the Graduate Student Advisor.
Requirements for Admission to the Program:
Students must fulfill the requirements for admission to the Graduate College. In addition, they must:
1. Meet specific biology area prerequisites: a minimum of 15 undergraduate credit hours representing upper-level course work (lecture and laboratory/field work) in genetics, molecular biology, morphology/taxonomy, physiology, and ecology. Students must have at least one botanical and one zoological course.
2. Have completed a minimum of 26 credit hours as follows
a. at least eight credit hours of laboratory chemistry, including one course in organic chemistry;
b. at least four credit hours of laboratory physics;
c. at least six credit hours of mathematics including precalculus mathematics, college algebra, or statistics.
d. The balance of credits may have been earned in any combination of chemistry, physics, earth science and mathematics.
Requirements for the Degree:
For students admitted to Master’s Programs for the Fall 1997 semester and thereafter, all graduate credits must be at the 400-level, except for a limited number of 300-level courses specifically approved for graduate degree credits. Biology graduate students may apply up to three of these 300-level courses, to a maximum of ten credit hours, to fulfill program requirements. The courses that can be applied to the graduate degree are preceded by an asterisk in the listing of courses.
Program Options
Graduate students in biology may choose from one of three options in completing their degree. The option is chosen after the student has applied for and been granted candidacy (after the completion of 12 credits hours in the program).
Option I: subject to the approval of the Department, the student may complete a research thesis.
Option II: complete a library thesis, or
Option III: select the non-thesis program.
The research-thesis option is recommended for individuals who desire a research-oriented program. The research experience is particularly suitable for those students who plan to do further graduate study and for those who are working in applied fields in biology.
The Library Thesis and Non-Thesis Options are recommended for those students who desire a more flexible approach to graduate training in biology.
Required Course Work (33-36 credit hours)
1. All students must complete: (a) BIO 405: Biological Literature, 3 cr.; (b) a minimum of five courses from one of the following three concentration areas: Molecular/Cellular, Morphological/Physiological, or Ecological/Environmental Biology.
2. Students in Option I (Research Thesis) must earn a minimum total of 33 credit hours (including BIO 405 and BIO 499 Research Thesis), and present an oral defense of their thesis.
3. Students in Options II and III (Library Thesis and Non-thesis) must earn a minimum total of 36 credit hours, including BIO 405, BIO 491 Seminars in Biology, and in Option II only, BIO 497 Thesis Seminar. Students in these options must also pass a graduate comprehensive exam to complete the program.
The graduate program is to be planned with the guidance of the graduate advisor in biology.
In accordance with the rules of the Graduate College, a maximum of nine credit hours of transfer credit may be accepted with the approval of the Department and the Graduate College.