Biology Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Biology
The Master of Science in Biology offers educational and research activities in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, and microbiology. Graduate education in biology is available on either a full- or part-time basis. Masters degree programs are designed so that they may be completed by part-time students. Each new graduate student is assigned an adviser and must obtain the approval of the adviser each semester before registering for any graduate classes.
Specializations
Students must choose one of the following areas of specialization:
Master of Science in Biology with specialization in Biochemistry
Master of Science in Biology with specialization in Biotechnology
Master of Science in Biology with specialization in Cell & Molecular Biology
Master of Science in Biology with specialization in Microbiology
Degree Requirements
A Master of Science student must complete 34 credit hours of approved graduate work in one of the areas of specialization described above. This will include 26-30 credit hours of coursework and one credit hour of BIOL 595 Colloquium. Two options are available to complete the M.S. degree requirements: a thesis option and a non-thesis option.
Students must pass the written M.S. comprehensive examination in their respective areas of specialization. Students in biotechnology may choose any of the three examinations.
Thesis Option
The thesis option is designed for individuals planning careers as experimental biologists, including those who may wish to pursue a Ph.D. Students choosing the thesis option must complete six credit hours of thesis research (BIOL 591). Students must also prepare a written thesis based on laboratory research.
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option is intended as a terminal degree to meet the needs of teachers, science administrators, policymakers in the life sciences, patent attorneys and others.
Students who elect the non-thesis option must complete a library research project in one of the following courses: BIOL 572 (Literature in Biochemistry), BIOL 574 (Literature in Biotechnology), BIOL 576 (Literature in Cell and Molecular Biology), or BIOL 578 (Literature in Microbiology).
Admission Requirements:
Cumulative undergraduate GPA minimum of 3.0/4.0
Minimum GRE score:
Professional Master's: 1000 (quantitative + verbal), 3.0 (analytical writing)
Master of Science: 1000 (quantitative + verbal), 3.0 (analytical writing)
PhD: 1200 (quantitative + verbal), 3.0 (analytical writing)
* Applicants for Professional Master's programs who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution may not be required to submit GRE scores.
** Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in that same discipline, or a closely allied major with additional coursework that prepares the student for graduate study in his or her chosen program. Students who have not completed all required courses may be accepted for general admission and can begin coursework, but must remove any deficiencies before the M.S. comprehensive/Ph.D. qualifying examination.