Biology M.S. Degree Plan
Thesis Option
Typically, if you plan to pursue a doctoral degree, choose the Thesis Option. You must complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of graduate work, including:
- 18-24 semester credit hours in biology graduate courses, including Biology 6301 and 6302, and two hours of Biology 6181
- Up to 6 semester credit hours in supporting graduate (non-biology) electives (Must have advisor approval. If these hours are not used for electives, they must be made up in Biology courses.)
- a thesis in biology (6 semester credit hours in biology will be
awarded for successful completion of the thesis.).
Thesis research is available in:
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Organismal Biology
- Parasitology
- Physiology
- Science Education
- Systematics
- Virology
Those interested in admission as a thesis student to the biology graduate program should first contact a biology graduate faculty member conducting research in an area of interest to the student.
Non-Thesis Option
If you have chosen the Non-Thesis Option or have not yet been accepted into a graduate faculty member’s research program, you will be required to complete 30 credit hours of biology graduate work, including:
- 18-24 semester credit hours in biology graduate courses, including Biology 5480 or 6301, and two hours of Biology 6181
- Biology 6302
- 3 semester credit hours in independent research (6391)
- Up to 6 semester credit hours in supporting graduate (non-biology) electives (Must have advisor approval. If these hours are not used for electives, they must be made up in Biology courses.)