University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Students may pursue broad, individually-designed training in biology leading to a Master of Science degree. Most students are enrolled in the M.S. (thesis option) degree program comprising 30 credit hours of work in biology beyond the baccalaureate, including research and thesis. The M.S. (non-thesis option) degree, requires 36 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate, including an independent research course.
There are 20 faculty members in the department who teach nearly 50 graduate level courses and guide graduate students' research. Training and research interests of the faculty are broad, including ecology, physiology, genetics, molecular biology, taxonomy, behavior, and developmental biology of a wide variety of organisms. For more information about the graduate program, please call or e-mail Dr. Alan Kolok (402) 554-3545 (akolok@mail.unomaha.edu). Forms for Graduate Admission and Graduate Assistantship are available through the link below. For hardcopies of these forms and additional application materials, please contact Ms. Jennifer Mullin by email (jmullin@mail.unomaha.edu) or phone (402) 554-2833. Additonal information can be obtained from the UNOmaha Graduate College. Click here.
Besides GRE scores, the applicant's GPA in undergraduate biology courses will be determined and must be 3.0 or above. Applicants not meeting the criteria in terms of their GPA and GRE scores may provide written evidence of experience or potential to perform outstanding graduate work and petitition the department for admission.
In addition to the application for admission, transcripts, and GRE scores, the biology department also requires submission of three letters of recommendation (click here for PDF file) and a personal statement of goals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact appropriate faculty some time during the application process in order to assess whether their needs can be met by our department. A list of faculty and their research interests may be found on the department’s web site.
Application deadlines are March 1, for the next Fall semester, and October 15, for the Spring and Summer semesters. All applicants must take the General Test of the GRE, and the scores must be submitted before an applicant will be admitted to the program. A minimum combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 1000 and a minimum analytical writing score of 3.5 is required on the General Test. Applicants for whom English is not their language of nurture should have a minimum TOEFL of 550 (or 213 on the computer-based; 79-80 if internet-based). The IELTS exam may be substituted for the TOEFL exam. A minimum score of 7 is required. International students should review Financial Support policy for appropriate exam. Questions about requirements for admission should be directed to the department of Biology.
Seventeen graduate teaching assistantships are available for the academic year with stipends of at least $11,430 (paid equally over ten months). Click here for an application (PDF) to apply for a Graduate Assistanship. Additional summer stipends may be available. Appointments may be (and usually are) renewed for a second year. Exemption from non-resident tuition is available for non-resident students. Resident graduate assistants are exempt from tuition payment for nine credit hours per semester. For information regarding the stipend, see Graduate Assistant policies. The teaching assistantships require 20 hours per week of teaching adn/or other assignments. The internet-based TOEFL or the IELTS is required for all Graduate Assistant applicants for whom English is not the language of nurture. The Other forms of financial aid such as scholarships and loans are also available for graduate students. In addition, departmental research funds may be available for students. Applications for these funds usually are available in October and March. Application forms and instructions are available on line (click here). Hardcopies are available from Ms. Jennifer Mullin.