Master of Science in Biology
Comprehensive examination
Option 1: Thesis
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. This option is available on a competitive basis. Students choosing the thesis option must complete six credit hours of thesis research (BIOL 591). Students must also prepare a written thesis based on laboratory research.
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option is intended as a degree 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:
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | (16) | |
| BIOL 501 | Graduate Laboratory Techniques | 2 |
| BIOL 504 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 515 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 533 | Adv Graduate Lab Techniques | 3 |
| BIOL 544 | Molecular Biology of Cells | 3 |
| BIOL 595 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| BIOL 595 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| Research Course Requirements | (6) | |
| Select one of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option 1 | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
Select one additional elective | 3 | |
| Option 2 | ||
| Resrch Tech in Biol Sciences I and Resrch Techniqs in Biol Sci II | 6 | |
| Option 3 | ||
| Research and Thesis M.S. | 6 | |
| Elective Courses | (10-12) | |
| Select 10-12 credit hours | 10-12 | |
Any 500-level biology course | 3 | |
| Medical Microbiology | 3 | |
| Concepts of Cancer Biology | 3 | |
| Human Physiology | 3 | |
| Neurobiology | 3 | |
| Special Problems 1 | 1-3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32-34 | |
| 1 | Student may be approved for special problems as appropriate. |
