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Master of Science with a Major in Biology
Students who begin work in biology for the degree of Master of Science must have completed a minimum of 25 hours of acceptable undergraduate courses in biology. These should include fundamental courses in botany, ecology, zoology, genetics, microbiology, and physiology. A cumulative total of 13 hours of chemistry, including organic chemistry is required. However, a student may apply certain senior-graduate or graduate level chemistry on the degree requirements upon the recommendation of the advisor. In addition, it is advisable that a student have work in physics and geology. While a knowledge of a foreign language and of computing is not required, it is strongly advised.
Three options are available in biology:
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) is required. All full-time graduate students are required to attend seminar. 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. All full-time graduate students are required to attend seminar. 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.
Option III: Seminar. A minimum of 36 hours is required. Instead of writing a thesis or a scholarly paper on a problem, the student must complete the two grant writing seminar courses and submit a grant for external funding. With the approval of the advisor and chairman, up to 15 hours may be taken outside the Department of Biology with a maximum of six hours of courses in education. This option is primarily recommended for science teachers at the secondary school level. At least 15 hours should be in courses numbered 800-899, and 30 hours must be in courses numbered 700 -899.
Specialist in Education - Biology
The degree of Specialist in Education with biology as the major teaching field for secondary and community college teachers is offered by the Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies in cooperation with the Department of Biology. Details concerning this degree are available from the Department of Biology. |
