Biology (M.S.)

Don C. Dailey, Department Chair
SSC D125
PO Box 4718
931-221-7781 or email at daileyd@apsu.edu

Joseph R. Schiller, Graduate Coordinator
SSC C103
PO Box 4718
931-221-7249 or email at schillerj@apsu.edu

The mission of the Department of Biology is to educate students to become competent, confident, and compassionate individuals within their chosen careers. The Department of Biology faculty is committed to providing instructional and research experiences for students to develop skills of inquiry, abstract and logical thinking and critical analysis of natural science phenomena. The Department is also committed to meeting the needs of students by providing an array of professional and academic tracks.

The graduate program in the Department of Biology offers courses that can be used to fulfill requirements for the Master of Science degree. Graduate students in the program have options to focus their studies in either field or laboratory areas of specialization.

Biology, M.S.

(34-44 semester hours) Graduate students in Biology may choose among two degree plans; however, Plan III: Thesis, is encouraged.

Required Core:

All students seeking a master’s degree must register for the appropriate research foundation courses (BIOL 5000 ) the first time it is offered after they are admitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Select One Plan

Requirements:

Graduate instruction assumes on the part of the student professional interest and ability to do independent study of satisfactory quality. In meeting the requirements for the degree, the candidate must maintain a minimum scholastic average of “B” (3.0) on all graduate courses completed. For more information about general regulations see the Austin Peay State University Graduate Bulletin.
All plans require presenting a seminar and passing an oral exam assessing competency in fundamental biological principles and biological research for completion of the Biology Department Master of Science degree.
A minimum of 75% elective hours must come from Biology courses.

Plan I: Coursework

Required Core as listed above: 8 Hours
Electives: 36 Hours

Total: 44 Hours

Plan III: Thesis

Students selecting Plan III will submit a thesis based on an original, scientific investigation conducted under the supervision of the student’s graduate committee chair. This research will refer specifically to research performed in connection with MTEC 5990 . After the thesis is approved by the student’s graduate committee, it must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies where it will be reviewed and approved.

Required Core (8 hours)
BIOL 5990 Thesis (6 hours)
Electives (20 hours)

Total: 34 Hours