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.