Department of Biology

 

Admission Requirements

To enter a degree program with a major in biology, an applicant must normally present 24 semester hours of credit in the biological sciences, including genetics, ecology and molecular/cell biology. Preparation in the supporting sciences must include a course in inorganic or introductory chemistry, a course in organic chemistry or biochemistry, a course in introductory physics and a course in mathematics (college algebra, trigonometry or calculus) or statistics. Students with inadequate backgrounds in biology or the supporting sciences may be admitted provisionally and will be required to complete courses in the named areas.

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, quantiative and analytical) of 1500 on this test is required, if taken prior to October 1, 2002. A minimum combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 1000 and a minimum analytical writing score of 3.5 is required on the General Test, if taken after October 1, 2002. Applicants for whom English is not the language of nurture should have a minimum TOEFL of 550 (213 if computer-based; 79-80 if internet-based). Questions about requirements for admission should be directed to the Department of Biology.

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 petition 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 and a personal statement of goals. Recommendation forms and instructions for a personal statement of goals will be sent by the biology department. Applicants for the Master of Science thesis program are strongly advised to contact a biology faculty member in their area of interest, since available resources within the department may factor into admission decisions.

Applications for admission to a degree program are reviewed by the biology department Graduate Program Committee. The following deadlines have been established to facilitate that review: March 1 for the following summer and fall semesters and October 15 for the following spring semester. If all materials are not received by the deadlines, the applications will be considered for the next term. Submission of all required materials and documentation is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Master of Science (Thesis)

To complete the Master of Science degree with a major in biology the candidate must present 30 credit hours of graduate course work to include six credit hours of Thesis (8990), one credit hour of Graduate Seminar (8010), and at least 23 credit hours of appropriate courses to be determined by the student and his/her graduate advisory committee. At least eight of these 23 credit hours will be taken in 8--0 (graduate only) courses. Graduate students are expected to attend the Graduate Seminar (8010) even when not registered for it. The candidate must pass a final oral examination and present his/her thesis results at an open meeting of the faculty and students.

Master of Science (Non-Thesis)

A student may become a candidate for this degree upon the recommendation of his/her advisory committee. The candidate for this degree must present 36 hours of graduate work, including one credit hour of Graduate Seminar (8010), two to six credit hours in Independent Research in Biology (8020), and other appropriate courses to be determined by the student and his/her graduate advisory committee. At least 18 credit hours of the total 36 credit hours required for the degree will be taken at the 8--0 (graduate only) courses. Graduate students are expected to attend the Graduate Seminar (8010) even when not registered for it. The candidate must pass a final written comprehensive examination and present a biology seminar at an open meeting of the faculty and students.

Financial Support

The Department of Biology annually awards 17 graduate teaching assistantships. New applicants should submit an application by March 1 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester. For information regarding stipend go to Graduate Assistant Policies. The teaching assistantships require 20 hours per week of teaching and/or other assignments. The Test of Spoken English is required for all Graduate Assistant applicants for whom English is not the language of nurture.