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.

Study Plan Approval: A study plan must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and filed with the graduate coordinator prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit.