Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2013 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-2013 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences


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Program Mission: The Master of Science in Biological Sciences offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced training in many areas of modern biology. The size of the program facilitates close contact between the student and graduate faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences.  Experiences provided by the graduate faculty in formal courses, research laboratories, and in diverse field situations are the basis not only for degree requirements but also for continuation of their postgraduate education and placement in a career in the biological sciences.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  In addition, applicants must file the following with the Biological Sciences Graduate Program Committee: a Biological Sciences Program Application, a statement of personal goals, and three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic ability.  Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in the biological sciences or a related field, at least a 2.75 GPA during the last two years of undergraduate study, and one year of inorganic chemistry.  At least one course each in calculus, organic chemistry, physics, and statistics is strongly recommended.  A minimum score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative part of the GRE (General) is recommended for admission.  Undergraduate course work will be used by the Biological Sciences Graduate Program Committee to diagnose academic deficiencies.  Students may be required to remedy undergraduate deficiencies by taking courses which do not count toward the graduate degree.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Degree Requirements


Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”).  The department offers a thesis option (30 semester hours), a non-thesis option (32 semester hours), and an internship option (32 semester hours).

Students are initially assigned to the Coordinator, Biological Sciences Graduate Program Committee for academic advisement.  A permanent advisor should be selected during the first term of residence.  In consultation with the advisor, the student will select at least two additional graduate faculty to serve as his or her advisory committee.  Each student’s program of study is designed to fit individual student needs and interests within the framework of degree requirements of the Graduate School.

All students are required to enroll in BIO 5150 Seminar during their tenure in the graduate program.  All students are required to successfully complete an oral comprehensive examination prior to the completion of the graduate degree.

Depending on the degree option pursued by the student, the following courses may be required:

Graduate Assistantships


Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Biological Sciences, 2070 Life Science Building, EIU.

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