Postsecondary Biology Education, MS (discontinued Fall 2023)

Admission Requirements

• Comply with the regular Admission Requirements  of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
• have either:
  1. a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences, or
  2. a minimum of 24 credit hours in undergraduate Biology courses, or equivalents, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0. Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Applicants are also expected to have a background in other sciences, with a total of 16 credits of coursework from at least two of the following areas: chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, or biochemistry), geography (geographic information systems), geology (physical geology, soils or hydrology), physics or statistics. At least 12 of these credits are expected to be accompanied by a lab. Other courses may be accepted with the approval of the program advisory committee.

Accelerated Track - Applicants who already hold an advanced degree in the biological sciences (e.g. M.S, Ph.D, DVM, etc.) are eligible to be admitted to an accelerated track such that they can transfer 10 credits from their other graduate degree(s), typically in the Biology content area (if courses were completed within the seven-year transfer credit limit). Typically this would remove the requirement for two graduate level Biology courses (e.g. one semester) and BI500, assuming that a proposal was created for the first degree. This option is not available to applicants with advanced degrees in other content areas. Applicants interested in this option should contact the program director for assistance.

All Applicants must submit:

1. Graduate admission application and fee.  
2. Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
3. An essay indicating their background, career goals and research interests.

Application Due Dates

Fall Semester Program Start - Applications for fall semester admission will be reviewed via rolling admission from March 1 through May 1. After May 1, applications will be accepted for review until all positions are filled.

Winter Semester Program Start - Applications for winter semester admission will be reviewed via rolling admission from August 1 through October 1. After October 1, applications will be accepted for review until all positions are filled.