Biology M.S.
Biology Major
The Biology M.S. major is available for students seeking a graduate research and/or coursework experience. Students interested in enrolling in the program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study and should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the Department of Biology for any other application requirements. Applications should include a personal statement indicating students academic interests and goals, one recommendation, and transcripts of undergraduate and graduate credits. Graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at https://admissions.uni.edu/application.
The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required for admission to the program.
This major is available with either a thesis option or a non-thesis option. A minimum of 30 semester hours is required for either option.
The thesis option requires a minimum of 21 hours of normal course work and a maximum of 9 hours of thesis research. A minimum of 18 hours of 6000-level course work is included in the degree requirements. Students are required to pass an oral comprehensive examination in defense of their final thesis.
The non-thesis option requires 30 hours of normal course work. At least 12 of those hours must be 6000-level. Students are required to submit a final project related to their graduate coursework.
Both options are flexible and designed to allow students, working with their advisor, to tailor a program to fit student interests and aspirations in biology.
Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply to a graduate degree, even if the undergraduate course number (4999 or less) is listed. No exceptions
Thesis option:
| Required: | ||
| Biology: | ||
| BIOL 6202 | Graduate Colloquium and Scientific Skills (2 hr. each semester for four semesters) | 8 |
| BIOL 6292 | Research Methods in Biology (1 hr.) | 1 |
| Research: | ||
| BIOL 6299 | Research | 9 |
| Electives: | 12 | |
| BIOL 5000-level or above. | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option:
| Required: | ||
| Biology: | ||
| BIOL 6202 | Graduate Colloquium and Scientific Skills (2 hr. each semester for three semesters) | 6 |
| Electives: | 24 | |
| BIOL 5000-level or above. At least 6 of these hours must be at 6000-level. Maximum of 3 hours of BIOL 6299 may count. | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Learning Outcomes
Biology, M.S.
Goals: Students will gain an advanced understanding of a sub-discipline within biology through advanced biology coursework. Students will develop an understanding of the nature of science and learn critical thinking skills by completing a research project that advances knowledge in their subdiscipline. Students will generate data, analyze and interpret data, and present data in thesis format (thesis track) or complete a portfolio of project-based assignments (non-thesis track). Students will improve communication skills through scientific writing and oral communication in formal settings.
Outcomes:
- Students will show proficiency in content chosen from the student’s area of interest in the fields of ecology, evolution, organismal biology, physiology, development, cellular biology, immunology, and/or genetics.
- Students will communicate effectively on the topic of their research or project based assignments, using discipline-specific vocabulary and standard written and oral scientific communication skills.
- Students will be proficient in discipline-specific research techniques, allowing the student to think critically as needed to solve problems new to science.