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Graduate Degree Programs

The following information is from the 2010-2011 University Catalog:

The graduate degree offered in the Department of Biological Sciences is intended to enrich and enhance education in biological sciences in order to prepare students for leadership roles in industrial, educational and research-oriented careers. The Department of Biological Sciences offers the Master of Science degree with thesis and non-thesis options.

Students should have an undergraduate major in biology in order to gain full admission to the program. Those lacking the desired background will be required to complete appropriate leveling work. The departmental graduate advisor will review the student's transcript and determine the nature and amount of leveling work, and will assist the student in establishing his or her advisory committee.  The committee chair, who will assume duties for the student through the remainder of their graduate program, should be chosen by the end of the first semester of graduate work.  The advisory committee should consist of a minimum of three members.  At least two members will be selected from Biological Sciences graduate faculty.  Remaining members may be selected from the Biological Sciences graduate faculty or from graduate faculty outside the Biological Sciences that have expertise relevant to the student’s area of interest.

Degree Requirements
A.    Thesis Option (32 hours)
The thesis option MS in Biology requires completion of 32 hours of approved graduate credit.  Of these 32 hours, students will complete a minimum of 20 hours of BIOL courses, 6 hours of Thesis (BIOL 588), and up to 6 hours of supporting course work.  The program specifically requires completion of BIOL 598 (Research Design and Analysis), two semesters of BIOL 585 (Seminar) and 6 hours of BIOL 588 (Thesis) for credit toward work on original research.  The thesis, consisting of the written report of the research, must be the student’s original work and must reflect his or her ability to express thoughts accurately and clearly.  Both the thesis proposal and thesis must be written according to guidelines and deadlines established by the College of Graduate Studies and the Department of Biological Sciences.  Students should refer to the Graduate Handbook, Thesis Manual, and the Biological Sciences Graduate Student Handbook for more detailed information.

Thesis students are encouraged to quickly establish and begin working with their advisory committee on a research proposal.  To continue matriculation in the thesis option, students are required to gain approval of their research proposal from their advisory committee and submit the proposal to the College of Graduate Studies by the end of their first year in the program.  Student failing to meet this deadline will be required to meet with their advisory committee to discuss a possible extension of the proposal deadline or switching to the non-thesis option.  Thesis hours (BIOL 588) cannot be taken until the thesis proposal has been approved by the advisory committee and submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Upon completion of the thesis and approval by the advisory committee and College of Graduate Studies, the student is required to schedule a public, oral presentation of his or her research followed by a comprehensive oral examination administered by the advisory committee.  The oral examination will emphasize topics related to the thesis and course work.  Successful completion of the comprehensive oral examination completes the program.  If the attempt at the comprehensive oral examination is unsuccessful, it is at the discretion of the advisory committee to dismiss the student from the program or recommend to the student a plan of action to repeat the comprehensive oral examination.  If a plan to repeat the examination is recommended, the plan may include recommendations to repeat courses in the weak areas, take additional course work, or spend more time in individual preparation prior to rescheduling a second attempt at the exam.

B.    Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)
The non-thesis option MS in Biology requires completion of 36 hours of approved graduate credit.  Of these 36 hours, students generally complete a minimum of 26 hours of BIOL courses and up to 10 hours of supporting course work.  The program specifically requires completion of Biology 598 (Research Design and Analysis) and two semesters of Biology 585 (Seminar).

The non-thesis Master’s candidate, during the final semester of course work, is required to successfully complete a comprehensive written and oral examination.  For the written exam, instructors of degree plan courses are invited to submit questions over course material as the basis of the written exam.  After successful completion of the written exam, students are required to schedule an oral examination with their advisory committee.  Successful completion of the written and oral examination completes the program.  If an attempt at the written or oral exam proves unsuccessful, it is at the discretion of the advisory committee to dismiss the student from the program or recommend a plan of action to the student to repeat the written or oral comprehensive examination.  If a plan to repeat the examination is recommended, the plan may include recommendations to repeat courses in weak areas, take additional course work, or spend more time in individual preparation prior to rescheduling a second attempt at the exam.