The Master of Science program in biology is designed for those interested in biological research as a profession, as a preliminary step in pursuing a Ph.D. in biology, or for students who simply wish to advance their knowledge of biology

The primary objectives of the Master of Science program in biology are to: 

• Train professional biologists. 
• Prepare individuals for leadership roles in environmental, educational and laboratory-oriented science. 
• Prepare biologists for research-oriented careers. 
• Prepare individuals for further graduate work. 

Biological Sciences Concentration

Thesis option:  This option is designed for students whose career goals include research or graduate study in the biological sciences.

Non-Thesis option: This option is designed for prospective medical students, elementary and high school teachers, and others who wish to further their knowledge of biology at an advanced level but do not desire careers in research. 

Environmental Science Concentration

Thesis option: This option is designed for students whose career goals include research or graduate study in environmental science. This interdisciplinary option is a cooperative effort between the Department of Biology and the Department of Anthropology, Geography and Earth Science. 

Non-Thesis option: This option is designed for returning environmental professionals who desire advanced training to enhance their career potential, elementary and high school teachers who wish to enhance their background in content areas, and others who wish to further their knowledge of environmental science but do not anticipate a career in research. 

Detailed information about the Master's Program in Biology Admission Requirements Degree Requirements Current Graduate Students Graduate Program Alumni Graduate Faculty Application for Graduate Assistantship (PDF) Information Request EEEB Newsletter M.S. Environmental Science (PDF file) Contact Information

Applicants who have a bachelorâs degree in a field within the natural sciences and a 2.75 overall quality-point average (QPA) on a 4.0 scale are eligible for full admission.  The natural sciences are defined here as including Anthropology Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Biology, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics, Wildlife Biology, and related fields. Provisional admission status may be granted to applicants who have an overall QPA less than 2.75 and/or a bachelorâs degree in a major outside the natural sciences.  An applicant admitted to provisional status may be admitted to full status after completing nine semester hours of graduate study with an A or B grade in each course. Applicants must submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores. 

Students admitted into the program will be assigned a biology faculty member who agrees to serve as his/her major advisor.  It is strongly recommended students visit the campus and interview with potential advisors early in the application process.  Any programmatic deficiencies of students admitted into the program will be identified by their graduate committee and remedied by the student through appropriate coursework. 

Back to Top of Page 

Biological Sciences Concentration:
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis Option

Environmental Science Concentration:
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis Option

M.S. in Biology: Biological Sciences Concentration

Thesis option: 

• Complete a total of 30 semester hours including at least 24 hours in upper-level/graduate courses and seminars and at least 6 hours of Research and Thesis (BIOL 700). Two Graduate Seminars (BIOL 500) must be completed, one of which must be outside of the studentâs research emphasis.

• Conduct an original research project; submit and defend a thesis. Before beginning the research, the student must present and defend the proposed project in a seminar open to the University community.

Non-thesis option:

• Complete a total of 30 semester hours including at least 24 hours in upper-level/graduate courses. Complete at least 2 hours of Graduate Seminar (BIOL 500). 

• Complete an independent study or complete and report on an internship for at least 2 hours. 

Thesis option:

• Complete a total of 30 semester hours including at least 24 hours in courses and seminars in required areas and at least 6 hours of Research and Thesis. Required course areas include:

• Natural and Physical Sciences: complete at least 12 hours of approved courses in anthropology, biology, earth science, geography, chemistry, or physics, 3 hr of which must be a field experience. 

• Quantitative Methods: complete at least 6 hours of approved courses in statistics, mathematics, remote sensing or geographic information systems.

• Policy, Planning, Communication, and Social Sciences: complete at least 3 hours of approved courses.

• Graduate Seminar: Complete 1-2 seminars for at least 2 hours. 

• Conduct an original research project; submit and defend a thesis. Before beginning the research, the student must present and defend the proposed project in a seminar open to the University community.

Non-thesis option: 

• Complete a total of 30 semester hours of courses, seminars, and independent study or internship. Courses must cover the required content areas prescribed for the Environmental Science thesis option, including at least 3 hr of a field experience.

• Complete an independent study or complete and report on an internship for at least 2 hours. 

Back to Top of Page