Master of Science in Biology

All the students in the program have to complete:

1) Comprehensive examination

2) Option 1: Thesis or Option 2: Library or laboratory research project

A Master of Science in Biology student must complete 32-34 credit hours of approved graduate work. This will include 26-30 credit hours of coursework and two credit hours of BIOL 595 Colloquium. Two options are available to complete the M.S. degree requirements: a thesis option and a non-thesis option.

Thesis Option

The thesis option is designed for individuals planning careers as experimental biologists, including those who may wish to pursue a Ph.D degree in the future. This option is available on a competitive basis. Students choosing the thesis option must complete six credit hours of thesis research (BIOL 591). This option requires the students to write a thesis based on their laboratory research.

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option is intended to meet the needs of teachers, science administrators, policy makers in the life sciences, patent attorneys, and others.

Students who elect the non-thesis option must complete a research project in one of the following courses:

Capstone (3)
BIOL 581Capstone3
Laboratory Research Project (6)
BIOL 522
& BIOL 523		Research Techniques in the Biological Sciences I
and Research Techniques in Biological Sciences II		6

Curriculum

Required Courses (15)
BIOL 501Graduate Laboratory Techniques2
BIOL 504Biochemistry3
BIOL 515Molecular Biology3
BIOL 533Advanced Graduate Laboratory Techniques3
BIOL 544Molecular Biology of Cells3
BIOL 595Biology Colloquium1
Research Course Requirements (6)
Select one of the following options:6
Option 1
BIOL 581
Capstone3
Select one additional elective
3
Option 2
BIOL 522
& BIOL 523
Research Techniques in the Biological Sciences I
and Research Techniques in Biological Sciences II		6
Option 3
BIOL 591
Research and Thesis M.S.6
Elective Courses (9)
Select 9 credit hours9
Any 500-level biology course
3
BIOL 410
Medical Microbiology3
BIOL 426
Concepts of Cancer Biology3
BIOL 430
Human Physiology3
BIOL 440
Neurobiology3
BIOL 597
Special Problems 11-3
Total Credit Hours30
1

Student may be approved for special problems as appropriate.