Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30

Required Courses:

¹

One 3-credit 8000-level seminar may be replaced with three 1-credit 8000-level seminars. Also, one 5000-level course that emphasizes writing and communication may be substituted for one 3-credit 8000-level seminar. The 5000-level course need not be a Biology course, but approval from the student's advisor and the Graduate Chair is required.

²

With approval from the student’s advisor and the Graduate Chair, relevant courses from departments other than Biology may be taken.

Additional Requirements:
All graduate-level courses, including Biochemistry, must be passed with a "B-" or better.

Attendance at scheduled departmental colloquia is required.

Culminating Event:
Thesis:
The master's thesis is an original empirical study that demonstrates the student's knowledge of research methods and mastery of their primary area of interest. The thesis should be limited to a specific problem in the biological sciences and investigated under the direct supervision of a major advisor.

A student preparing to defend a master's thesis should confirm a date and time with their committee, composed of both the major advisor and another member of the Graduate Faculty. The student should then register with the department. After the date, time and room are approved, the Biology Department posts flyers announcing the defense.

The student's committee is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its oral defense in a public presentation. The committee votes to pass or fail the thesis and defense at the end of the public presentation. If revisions are required, the committee must approve the changes.