Biology (M.S.)

Bulletin/Catalog Year 2017-2018

College of Science and Mathematics

Department of Biology

Dr. Don C. Dailey,
Chair, Department of Biology
Professor of Biology
Location: Sundquist Science Complex, Room D125
P.O. Box 4718
Phone: 931-221-7781
Email: daileyd@apsu.edu

Dr. Rebecca Johansen
Graduate Coordinator
Professor of Biology
Location: Sundquist Science Complex, Room D116
Phone: 931-221-7774
Email: johansenr@apsu.edu

Description of Major

The graduate program in the Department of Biology offers courses that can be used to fulfill requirements for the Master of Science degree. 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 professional and academic tracks for degree completion.

Admission Requirements

Plan 1 (Literacy Paper: non-thesis track)

Bachelor’s degree or minor in Biology from an accredited college or university
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher
Combined verbal and math GRE Score of 300 or higher. The review committee may waive the GRE requirement for students that have exceptional academic credentials evidenced by their GPA, success in past biology courses, letters of support, or other documents deemed appropriate by the committee.
A one-page statement of your area(s) of interest in biology and purpose for seeking an M.S. degree in Biology
Three letters of recommendation.

Plan 3 (thesis track)

Bachelor’s degree or minor in Biology from an accredited college or university
Support of a faculty research mentor. Candidates should review biology faculty research interests and are encouraged to contact faculty with whom they would like to collaborate on a graduate thesis project. Faculty must agree to serve as the thesis advisor prior to admission under this plan.
Preference for admission and assistantship support will be given to those students with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and a combined verbal and math GRE Score of 300 or higher. Students with cumulative GPA below 2.5 will not be accepted.
A one-page statement of research interests you wish to pursue, past research experiences, and the name(s) of the faculty member with whom you wish to work.
Three letters of recommendation.

Tracks/Options/Plans

Students may pursue this degree following one of two tracks: Plan 1 (Literacy paper – non-thesis) or Plan 3 (thesis).

Plan I (Literacy Paper - non-thesis track)

Plan 1: Research Literacy Paper

Students selecting Plan 1 will demonstrate literacy in research, scientific writing, and oral communication by successfully completing core course requirements targeted at these goals. Students must demonstrate mastery of basic scientific and biological principles by successfully completing 28 hours of elective courses and passing an oral exam administered by an exam committee consisting of three graduate faculty.

Required Courses

Total Hours 8

Electives

Select twenty-eight (28) credit hours from electives listed below

Total hours for degree completion 36

Plan III (thesis track)

Plan 3: Thesis

Students selecting Plan 3 will demonstrate literacy in research, scientific writing, and oral communication by successfully completing core course requirements targeted at these goals. Additionally students must submit a thesis based on an original, scientific investigation conducted under supervision of the student’s graduate committee chair and committee members. This research will refer specifically to research performed in connection with BIOL 5990. The graduate committee must approve the thesis prior to submission to the College of Graduate Studies. Students must demonstrate mastery of scientific and biological concepts by successfully completing 18 hours of elective courses, presenting and defending their thesis research in a public seminar, and passing an oral exam administered by the thesis committee.

Required Courses

Total Hours 14

Electives

Select eighteen (18) credit hours from electives listed below

Total hours for degree completion 32

Plan 1 and Plan 3 Elective Courses

Special rules or conditions needed for graduation (written/oral exams, practicum, etc.)

All candidates must maintain a minimum scholastic average of “B” (3.0) on all graduate courses completed. All plans require giving an oral presentation and passing an oral exam to assess competency in fundamental biological principles and biological research for completion of the Biology Department Master of Science degree. Those on Plan 1 may accomplish the presentation requirement through presentations in BIOL 5000, BIOL 5735 or other avenue deemed appropriate by the faculty advisor. Those pursing Plan 3 must give a public, oral seminar and defense of their completed thesis research. A minimum of 75% of elective hours must come from Biology courses.