Biology MS

Total Credits - 30

• BIOL 550 - Issues in Origins and Speciation Credits: 3
• BIOL 681 - Research Methods and Biology Seminar I Credits: 2
• BIOL 682 - Research Methods and Biology Seminar II Credits: 2
• BIOL 670 - Comprehensive Exam Credits: 0 (A written comprehensive examination completed before the end of the third semester in residence)
• 8 Credits of  BIOL 699 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 4 (Completion of the MS thesis requires two registrations for BIOL 699 and a final oral examination in defense of the thesis.)

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements under the School of Graduate Studies  , students must meet the following departmental requirements.

• A bachelor’s degree with major in biology or an approved, related discipline, with appropriate upper division courses. The following courses are recommended: cell/molecular biology, organismal physiology, developmental biology, genetics, and ecology.
• A minimum GPA of 3.00 (B) in the undergraduate major.
• GRE scores are required in order to review the application for admission (see School of Graduate Studies  ).
• Cognate sciences, including full-year courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Mathematics through calculus and a course in statistics are strongly recommended.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, students should be able to:

• Have a broad understanding of biology across many sub-disciplines, including population, organismal, cell and molecular, and philosophical biology.
• Ask good biological questions and approach relevant answers through the use of the scientific method in rigorous biological research.
• Exhibit growing comfort and skill in the communication of science to both specialists (scientists) and non-specialists (students and the general public).
• Understand the relationship of science and faith and the critical role that each has in answering life’s most important questions.