Bulletin/Catalog Year 2021-2022
College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Department of Biology
Dr. Amy Thompson
Chair, Department of Biology
Professor
Location: Sundquist Science Complex, Room D125
P.O. Box 4718
Phone: 931-221-7781
Email: thompsona@apsu.edu
Dr. Rebecca Johansen
Graduate Coordinator
Professor
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)
Applications are due by March 1 for Fall admission and October 15 for Spring admission. Unofficial GRE scores and transcripts may be used for the admission evaluation process, but if admitted, official documents are required before starting classes.
Listed below are the required application materials and the associated scores (if necessary) for each. The Biology Graduate Committee will evaluate all applicants and provide its admission decision (admit/deny) to the graduate school to complete the required admission process.
- Application for admission
- Application Fee: $45 domestic or $55 international
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Verification of lawful presence in the United States (i.e. submit a license or other approved document)
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a minor in Biology, from a regionally accredited institution showing a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75
- Curriculum vitae
- General Exam GRE scores with a combined verbal and math GRE Score of 300 or higher. The review committee may waive the GRE requirement or consider scores below 300 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
- Military documents (if applicable)
Plan 3 (thesis track)
Applications are due by March 1 for Fall admission and October 15 for Spring admission. Unofficial GRE scores and transcripts may be used for the admission evaluation process, but if admitted, official documents are required before starting classes.
Listed below are the required application materials and the associated scores (if necessary) for each. The Biology Graduate Committee will evaluate all applicants and provide its admission decision (admit/deny) to the graduate school to complete the required admission process.
- Application for admission
- Application Fee: $45 domestic or $55 international
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Verification of lawful presence in the United States (i.e. submit a license or other approved document)
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a minor in Biology, from a regionally accredited institution showing a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75
- Curriculum vitae
- 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. Applicants must have support of a faculty member that agrees to serve as the thesis advisor prior to admission under this plan.
- GRE General Exam score - 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.
- 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
- Military documents (if applicable)
Tracks/Options/Plans
Students may pursue this degree following one of two tracks: Plan 1 (Literacy paper – non-thesis) or Plan 3 (thesis).
For more information about the application process, please visit apsu.edu/grad-studies
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.