Requirements

Thesis Track

A candidate for the degree of Master of Science must present acceptable grades for a minimum of 30 hours of courses approved for graduate credit, including not more than 6 hours devoted to thesis credits.  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 and have stipend support from the department; this course does not count toward the credit hours required for the degree.  A research thesis is required of all students in this track. Students must also take a final examination in defense of the thesis, conducted by the student's Advisory Committee.

Non-Thesis Track

A candidate for the degree of Master of Science must present acceptable grades for a minimum of 36 hours of courses approved for graduate credit, including not more than 3 hours devoted to Advanced Problems (BIOL 560, 561, and 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 ofColloquium in Biological Science (BIOL 500) each semester they are in residence and have stipend support from the department; this course does not count toward the credit hours required for the degree.  At least 3 hours of graduate course work must be in an area of a physical science or mathematics outside of biology. Students are required to pass written and oral comprehensive examinations conducted by the student's Advisory Committee.