M.S. in Biology

Program Overview

This graduate program in Biology offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The non-thesis option requires 24 credits of coursework, including core courses in graduate seminar, experimental design, and research methods. The thesis option requires 21 credits of coursework and a thesis. Both options provide opportunities for electives and research experience.

Program Outline

Outline:

Course List (Non-Thesis Option)

Code

|

• --|---|---
BIO 510 | Graduate Seminar in Biology | 3 BIO 511 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 BIO 520 | Topics and Research Methods in Cellular, Microbial, and Molecular Biology | 3 BIO 521 | Topics and Research Methods in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology | 3 (Electives) | Any other 500-level biology course. Up to six credits of 400-level biology courses, where no 500-level course is available. Up to six credits of graduate course work from another department or university, pending prior departmental approval. Electives may not be repeats of courses unless the course topic changed significantly. | 15

Course List (Thesis Option)

Code

|

• --|---|---
BIO 510 | Graduate Seminar in Biology | 3 BIO 511 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 BIO 520 | Topics and Research Methods in Cellular, Microbial, and Molecular Biology | 3 BIO 521 | Topics and Research Methods in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology | 3 (Electives) | Any other 500-level biology course, with the exception of BIO 591. Up to six credits of 400-level biology courses, where no 500-level course is available. Up to six credits of graduate course work from another department or university, pending prior departmental approval. Electives may not be repeats of courses unless the course topic changed significantly. | 9

Research and Capstone (Non-Thesis Option)

Code

|

• --|---|---
BIO 591 | Directed Research in Biology | 3

Research and Capstone (Thesis Option)

Code

|

• --|---|---
BIO 608 | Thesis Proposal | 2 BIO 609 | Thesis Research | 3 BIO 610 | Thesis and Defense | 4