Overview
The Biology Department offers a Master of Science degree with a Major in
Biology. Typically, the degree is obtained within two years of matriculation.
Individual master's programs are developed by the student in consultation with
her or his advisor and a graduate committee. Areas of study depend on the
research interests of individual faculty. Visit the Faculty Web Page for a list of faculty, areas of interest, and contact information.
The Specialist in Education degree with
biology as the major teaching field for secondary and community
college teachers is offered by the Department of Special Services
and Leadership Studies (see program web site) in cooperation with the
Biology Department.
Admission to Graduate Studies in Biology
Admission to the department is contingent
upon: (1) admission to the PSU Graduate School and (2) admission
to the department. Admission to the department requires an advisor's
acceptance of a prospective master's student. Students must contact
individual faculty to discuss
degree programs and admission. You must also go the the web
page of the PSU Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies for admission information
and application forms and obtain the Dept. of Biology
graduate admission information and forms. You will
need the Acrobat
Reader to use this PDF document.
Assistantships
Teaching
A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships
become available each year in the Department. These provide a
small stipend and valuable teaching experience. Assignments are
usually made into the laboratory sections of General Biology,
General Zoology, General Botany, Anatomy and Physiology, and
Environmental Life Science. You will receive an application for
an assistantship with your admission packet of information.
Research
Additionally, sponsored research is conducted
by various faculty in which there are funded graduate research
assistantships. This research may be ongoing or may result from
a grant proposal initiated considering the student's interests.
Contact individual faculty for
information about their research programs.
Degree Options
Option I: Thesis
A minimum of 30 hours including BIOL 801
Introduction to Research, at least one hour in BIOL 800 Seminar
and BIOL 890 Research and Thesis (4-6 hours) are required. With
the approval of the advisor and chairman, up to nine hours may
be taken outside the Department of Biology.
Option II: Problem
A minimum of 32 hours including BIOL 801
Introduction to Research, at least one hour of BIOL 800 Seminar
and BIOL 891 Research Problem (3 hours) is required. With the
approval of the advisor and chairman, up to 15 hours may be taken
outside the Department of Biology. This option is primarily recommended
for science teachers at the secondary school level.
General Entrance Requirements
acceptance by the PSU Graduate School and
acceptance by the Biology Department (see section on Admission to Graduate Studies in
Biology, below)
for unconditional admittance:
-
an undergraduate degree in biology (BS, BS.Ed., BMT)
-
an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater
-
10 hours of chemistry (GPA of 2.0)
-
an advisor willing to accept the student
-
no identified deficiencies
for conditional admittance:
additionally:
-
deficiency requirements, including
the coursework composition of the nonmajor, is the responsibility
of the major advisor
-
no student will be admitted
with an overall undergraduate GPA less than 2.5 or without an advisor
-
deficiencies must be made up prior to admission to candidacy
Degree and Academic Requirements
Graduate Core Requirements (Option I and II)
-
Each student will take BIOL
801, Introduction to Research with a grade of B or better.
-
Each student will take BIOL 800 Seminar with a grade of B or better.
General Academic Requirements
-
Students admitted conditionally,
achieving grades of "B" or better, and removing deficiencies,
will be considered a regular graduate student.
-
If students admitted conditionally fail to meet the probationary
academic requirement in their first nine hours, they will be
dismissed from the program unless their advisor wishes to carry
them on probation for following semester. If the requirement
is not met during the second probationary semester, the student
will be dismissed from the program.
-
All graduate students must maintain
a 3.0 grade point average in all courses taken. If the grade
point average falls below 3.0, the student will meet the probationary
academic requirement during the next 9 hours. If this requirement
is not met, the student will be dismissed.
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