Current Student Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you successfully complete your graduate degree through the Biology Graduate Program. This page provides a guide to the most common steps needed to satisfy the requirements of your degree.
- Degree requirements
- Demonstrating progress towards your degree
- Completing your degree
- Links to required forms
- Guidelines for printing and binding the thesis
- Quality of work and academic honesty: disciplinary and appeals policy
Degree Requirements
The Department of Biology offers both a Thesis based and a Non-Thesis masters degree.
- Master of Science Thesis Option
To complete the Master of Science degree with a major in biology the candidate must present 30 credit hours of graduate course work and complete a thesis based on original research.
Visit the UNO Graduate Catalog to learn more about course requirements.
- Master of Science Non-Thesis Option
A student may become a candidate for this degree upon the recommendation of his/her advisory committee. Requests to pursue the Non-Thesis option are submitted for approval to the Biology Graduate Program Committee using the Program Change Request form. The candidate for this degree must present 36 hours of graduate work and complete a final comprehensive exam.
Visit the UNO Graduate Catalog to learn more about course requirements.
Both Thesis and Non-Thesis students present a research-based seminar and complete BIOL 8010 during their final semester. Graduate students are expected to attend the Graduate Seminar (BIOL 8010) even when not registered for it.
Demonstrating progress towards your degree
The Graduate Studies Office and the Department of Biology document the steps required to complete your degree using a number of required forms. Completing these steps in a timely manner shows you are making progress towards completing your degree.
The exact timing for completing these steps will vary among students. An example timeline for students planning to finish in four semesters is below.
- Semester 1: Choose an advisor (Chair of supervisory committee). All students are required to have an advisor from the Department of Biology
- Semester 2: Working with your advisor, form your supervisory committee (one member must be from outside the Biology Department for thesis students). Submit the Supervisory Committee form to the GPC Chair. Meet with committee and plan coursework and submit the Plan of Study form to the GPC Chair. This Plan of Study represents the official course requirements for your degree.
- Semester 2/summer 1: Write a thesis proposal and present to it to your committee for approval. Your advisor will provide details about the format of the proposal and the approval process. Submit approved Thesis Proposal Form.
- Semester 3: Continue research and coursework
- Semester 4: Write and defend thesis or take written comprehensive exam (non-thesis option). Enroll in BIOL 8010 and present your seminar to the department.
Completing your degree
Plan ahead to finish your degree. The Graduate Program Office publishes deadlines for each requirement. It is important to consult with your supervisory committee to ensure that you are able to complete these steps by the deadlines.
Before your final semester:
- Make sure you have submitted you Supervisory Committee Approval form, Plan of Study form, and Thesis Proposal Form (for the thesis option) or Program Change Request (for the non-thesis option). These forms must be submitted prior to your last semester.
- Check to make sure your Plan of Study is up to date and you are on track to complete all requirements. If necessary, submit a Change in Plan of Study.
- Talk to your Supervisory Committee to schedule a seminar date and reserve the date with the Graduate Program Chair.
During your final semester:
- Sign up for BIOL 8010 and present your seminar.
- Apply to graduate – the deadline is usually mid-semester (see Graduate Studies for current dates).
- Talk to your Supervisory Committee to arrange a date to defend your thesis or to complete your Non-Thesis Comprehensive Exam.
- Submit Results of Comprehensive Exam form and Report on Completion of Degree form to GPC Chair. Submit your completed thesis to Graduate College online.
- Thesis students are also required to provide two printed and bound copies to the Biology Department (see guidelines).
All requirements must be completed, forms and thesis submitted by the deadlines set by the Graduate Studies Office. This deadline is typically a week before the last day of class for the semester, so plan ahead.
Required Forms
Submit all completed forms to the Biology Graduate Program Chair, Roxi Kellar at rkellar@unomaha.edu.
- Supervisory Committee Form
- Plan of Study Form
- Change in Plan of Study (to add, delete, or change courses on a previously approved plan of study)
- Thesis Proposal Approval Form
- Thesis Comprehensive Exam Form
- Program Change Request (To request a change in degree program from Thesis to Non-Thesis)
- Non-Thesis Comprehensive Exam
- Completion of Degree Form
All of the forms are available on the “UNO Biology Graduate Students” Canvas page.
You'll also find common forms at the Office of Graduate Studies website.
Guidelines for printing and binding the thesis
The Biology Department requires two paper copies of the thesis. You should consult with your advisor to see if additional copies are required. Guidelines are available here.
Quality of work and academic honesty: disciplinary and appeals policy
Graduate Students are expected to meet the quality of work guidelines for UNO’s graduate studies office and abide by UNO’s Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity policies. In addition, graduate students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards of practice in conducting and reporting research in the biological sciences. Failure to abide by any of these standards may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal from the Biology Graduate Program.
Students and faculty are directed to the Office Graduate Studies webpages for the most recent versions of the:
Graduate students in Biology are students as well as researchers. In addition, many graduate students act in other professional capacities as part of their graduate career; as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs), employees, etc. Our department expects students to adhere to the standards outlined above in all activities associated with the Department of Biology and UNO. The department has adopted a set of procedures for Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions, as well as student’s right to appeal. These policies are available here. (Link to Pdf).
Applying for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship
Each year the Department of Biology awards a limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs). GTAs cover the cost of tuition (but not fees) and provide a stipend.
Students applying for admission to the Biology Graduate Program can apply for a GTA by indicating their interest on the online application for admission form and by submitting a resume or CV that includes employment history and references.
Current Biology Graduate Students who were not awarded a GTA upon admission may apply for a GTA by submitting a cover letter and a current resume or CV that includes employment history and references. Current students may also choose to provide an updated letter of support from the chair of their supervisory committee. Requests are due to the Graduate Program Chair by 15 September (for Spring GTAs) or 15 January (for Fall GTAs).
The Department of Biology also offers a limited number of summer teaching positions for graduate students. These are administered by the Chair of the Biology Department.
Other considerations: Present at Biology Graduate Student Research Forum each year, apply for funding from Department, University, and outside sources.
Finishing up (see deadlines)- Sign up for BIOL 8010
- Apply to graduate by 24 October
- Schedule and present seminar
Submit Results of Comprehensive Exam form and Report on Completion of Degree form to GPC Chair, submit thesis to Graduate College (online). Thesis students are also required to provide two printed and bound copies to the Biology Department (see guidelines). All requirements must be completed, forms and thesis submitted by 4 December for fall and 23 April for spring.
There are two categories of admission to the Biology Graduate Program: Unconditional Admission and Provisional Admission.
Unconditional Admission
This status may be granted to students considered fully qualified to undertake a program toward a graduate certificate/degree for which they were admitted. A student must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and must satisfy a set of minimum requirements.
The minimum requirements for unconditional admission into the Biology Graduate Program are:
Master of Science Thesis Option
To complete the Master of Science degree with a major in biology the candidate must present 30 credit hours of graduate course work and complete a thesis based on original research.
Visit the UNO Graduate Catalog to learn more about course requirements.
Master of Science Non-Thesis Option
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 and complete a final comprehensive exam.
Visit the UNO Graduate Catalog to learn more about course requirements.
If you have questions about the online application process, please contact:
Graduate Studies Office
Email: graduate@unomaha.edu