Biology (Master of Science)

Requirements.

1. Graduate core (8 credits).  At least two from:
   BIO 501 - Current Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology. 
   BIO 502 - Current Topics in Organismal Biology. 
   BIO 503 - Current Topics in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.  
2. Completion of one of the options below.

Thesis Option

1. BIO 598 - Graduate Thesis.  (1 credit).  An original research project report (thesis) designed and completed in cooperation with the student’s advisor, including an oral defense of the thesis. Thesis design must be approved by the student’s individual thesis committee.
2. BIO 599 - Thesis Research.  (5 credits). 
3. Additional graduate-level courses in biology  to complete a minimum total of 30 credit hours.  With permission of the Biology Graduate Committee, any core curriculum course may be reelected once for credit, and up to two graduate-level courses (8 credits maximum) in non-biological science may be applied toward the degree.

Non-Thesis Option

1. BIO 596 - Seminar.  (1 credit).
2. Additional graduate-level courses in biology  to complete a minimum total of 32 credits, which may include up to two credits in  BIO 597 - Non-Thesis Research. .  With permission of the Biology Graduate Committee, any core curriculum course may be reelected once for credit, and up to two graduate-level courses (8 credits maximum) in non-biological science may be applied toward the degree.

Transfer or Lifelong Learning Course Credit

All students, with approval of the graduate committee, may transfer in or take as a Lifelong Learner up to two graduate level courses (8 maximum credits) in biological sciences. No more than two courses (8 maximum credits) of cognate, transfer, or Lifelong Learning credits may be applied toward completion of this degree.