Biology Major (M.S.)

In addition to the general University and College requirements for the degree, the Department of Biological Sciences requires the candidate to complete the following:

Plan A – With Research Thesis

  1. Complete a total of 31 credits, as follows:
    • 11 credits:
    • (Two thesis courses are required for the degree. However, the student may register for more than two, as needed.)
    • 20 credits in graduate biology courses*; at least half of these must have a laboratory component.
  2. Make an oral presentation of thesis at the Graduate Biology Seminar
  3. Submit an acceptable thesis based on laboratory research three months before the expected degree completion date with an oral defense two weeks before the expected degree completion date.

Plan B – With Library Thesis

  1. Complete a total of 34 credits, as follows:
    • 5 credits:
    • 1 credit from any Selected Topics course
    • 28 credits in graduate biology courses*; at least half of these must have a laboratory component.
  2. Prepare a library research paper in conjunction with a Selected Topics course. Selected Topics must be taken two semesters before expected completion of degree. Oral presentation of research results is to be made during the last semester in the Graduate Biology Seminar.
  3. Make an oral presentation of the library research results at the Graduate Biology Seminar. 

 Plan C – With Library Thesis (Minor in Business Administration)

  1. Complete a total of 41 credits, as follows:
    • 5 credits:
    • 1 credit from any Selected Topics course
    • 19 credits in graduate biology courses*; at least half of these must have a laboratory component.
    • 16 credits of additional coursework from the Stillman School of Business.
    • The courses should be from the following areas: information technology, management, accounting, finance, marketing social responsibility, and international business. The student should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies to identify acceptable courses offered by the Stillman School of Business. In addition, consistent with the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program policy, to enroll in specific core courses students must either complete the required Pre-Qualification (PQ) courses or obtain a waiver of specific courses based on prior business coursework, or by examination. Biology students would be waived from the requirement to take the Statistics PQ upon successful completion of BIOL 6113 Biostatistics.
  2. Prepare a library research paper in conjunction with a Selected Topics course.
  3. Make an oral presentation of the library research results at the Graduate Biology Seminar.

*Graduate biology courses may be taken from the biology or microbiology course list. 

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