2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Master of Arts in Biology

Designed to strengthen the student’s background in biological sciences and related disciplines through coursework at the graduate level.  Students must fulfill a research requirement, but completion of a thesis is not required. Prepares students for jobs in biomedical laboratories, natural resource management agencies, scientific supply firms, environmental consulting firms, and scientific publishing firms, as well as for further education.  At least 60% of course credits must be at the 600-level.

30 credits

Required courses, 5 credits

BIO 629Seminar in Biology

1-10

BIO 630Scientific Communications

3

or

BIOT 696Research Design and Presentation

3

Students will take BIO 629 for 2 credits.

Two courses from, 6-8 credits

BIO 552Advanced Genetics

3

BIO 616Population-Community Ecology

4

BIO 636Immunology

4

BIO 648Biostatistics

3

BIO 654Development and Evolution of Genomes: Genomics and Proteomics

3

BIO 655Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology

4

BIO 656Ecosystem Ecology

3

BIO 657Multivariate Analysis of Environmental Data

3

0-16 credits from ANAT, BIO, BIOT, BOT, PHYS, or ZOOL courses

Research Requirement (choose one), 3-6 credits

CRPR 698Creative Project

3 OR 6

or

RES 697Research Paper

1 TO 3

or

BIOT 590Introduction to Recombinant DNA and RNA Techniques

3

and

BIOT 696Research Design and Presentation

3

0-14 credits from minors and electives

Minors are optional, but if taken must include at least 8 credits of courses approved by a designated advisor from the minor area and the biology department. 

Total Credit Hours: 30

Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)

Undergraduate students accepted to the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) most commonly take BIOT 590, BIOT 695, BIOT 591, BIOT 594, and/or a Directed Elective.  The AMP is intended for students with an interest in biotechnology.