Biology (M.S.)

Degree Requirements

Thesis and non-thesis students are required to complete 30 units of course work. You may take no more than two courses at the 500 level and no more than two courses in disciplines outside of biology (with the exception of ENVS 604), and only with the approval of your advisory committee.

Students in the thesis track must concentrate course work and research efforts in one of two areas: 1.) Molecular, Cellular and Microbiology, or 2.) Organismal Biology and Ecology. Thesis students must take a minimum of 9 units of course work in one of these two areas. A list of appropriate courses is available from the program director. All course work must be approved by your thesis advisory committee. Appropriate course work will be based on your undergraduate background, area of research and career objectives. A minimum of 16 of the 24 non-thesis units must come from courses at the 600-700 level. Thesis students may count no more than 3 combined units from BIOL 701 and 703 toward a degree. All thesis students must take BIOL 796 Professional Aspects of Biology and BIOL 797 Graduate Seminar. Thesis students earn 6 units (as BIOL 897 Thesis ) upon completion and successful defense of the thesis. All thesis track students must complete and successfully defend a thesis before the degree is awarded.

Students in the non-thesis track are not required to concentrate course work in a specific subdiscipline. However, non-thesis students will select course work with assistance and approval of an adviser from the Biology graduate faculty. Course selections will be based on the non-thesis student’s undergraduate background, purpose for pursuing the M.S. degree, and current or planned career. A minimum of 22 of the 30 required units must come from courses at the 600-700 levels. All students must take BIOL 797 Graduate Seminar. Non-thesis students may count no more than 6 combined units from BIOL 701 and 703 toward a degree.

For information on all matters related to admissions, fees, or registration, please contact the Graduate School at 410-704-2501.