Program for the Masters Degree

***ADMISSIONS TO THE MS PROGRAM ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED, PENDING PROGRAM REVIEW***

Our graduate program is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to graduate level topics in diverse areas of biology. We have designed a set of four courses exclusively for graduate students. These courses are intended to broaden and deepen your thinking in biological concepts, research, quantitative hypothesis testing and pedagogy.

Students can also participate in other courses as well as independent study with individual faculty. Since most course requirements are usually completed in the first year, you then have time to engage fully in individual research projects by the second year.

Click here for the link to the current version of the Graduate Handbook.

Course Requirements

* Biology 501: Foundations in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
* Biology 502: Foundations in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology * Biology 503: Introduction to Biostatistics
* Biology 504: Teaching Biology: Pedagogy and Practice

Other courses as deemed appropriate based on strengths, weaknesses, and interests of the individual. At least 24 course credits are required, of which 13 credits are met by Biology 501-504.  Please see the Graduate Catalog for detailed course descriptions.

Other Requirements

* Minimum of two semesters and one-summer of residency.
* Teaching experience as a Teaching Fellow for at least 4 semesters.
* Passing grade on the M.S. Comprehensive Examination at the end of the first full year. (This is the similar to the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is based on knowledge obtained in 501 and 502 and requires students to demonstrate both breadth of knowledge in biology and ability to critically examine the biological literature.)
* M.S. thesis and defense with a departmental thesis seminar.

Stipends

Master’s students do not receive stipends nor tuition waivers in most cases.