Graduate Home

Admission Requirements

Program Requirements

Graduate Assitantships

Application Procedure

Cooperative Programs

Recent Theses Titles

Current Students

Graduate Program Request Form

Requirements for the degree ensure that students will gain greater depth of knowledge while retaining a broadly based perspective. All M.S. candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 35 credits of course work and pass an oral/written competency exam in biology. Required Core Courses include Biometry, Biology Seminar I and II, and one course in each of three areas: Cell/Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, and Ecology/Evolution. The thesis option requires the student to complete 6 cr. of Thesis, which involves original research leading to a written thesis, an oral defense, and a public seminar. Thesis students are expected to publish results of their research efforts. The thesis option is necessary for students who expect to continue their graduate education. A non-thesis option is available for students who are seeking a terminal degree. The non-thesis option entails a research program scheduled as 3 cr. of Independent Study, culminating in a written project report. Elective courses round out the program for both options.