Prerequisites for acceptance into a master's degree program in biology 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 east 3.0, a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination general score, and 3 supportive letters of recommendation are among the criteria evaluated for regular admission.
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, including 2 hours of the graduate seminar in biology.