Degree Programs

The Department of Biology offers graduate study leading toward the following advanced degrees:

1. Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)

2. Master of Science in Environmental Science (M.S.)

3. Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.)

The M.S. is research-oriented; the M.S.T. is generally a course-oriented degree. All are designed to satisfy academic requirements for those students intending eventually to seek degree(s) beyond master's or specialist's level.

 

Programs Objectives

1. To provide academic and practical training of high quality at the master's degree level.

2. To contribute to the pool of biologists qualified to undertake doctoral degree programs, and to obtain employment in industry, government and academic institutions.

3. To offer a program that will enable environmental science majors to obtain the necessary classroom, laboratory and field experiences required for entering areas in and related to environmental science directly upon graduation.

Admissions Requirements  

All applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science program in Biology must meet the following minimum admission requirements:

1. Applicants must meet all the requirements as set forth by the Graduate School (refer to the Division of Graduate Studies’ Graduate Admission section, JSU Graduate Catalog).

2. An undergraduate degree in biology or related field. For Environmental Science M.S. program applicants, at least 16 credit hours of biology courses are required,

3. A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher as evidenced by an official transcript.

4. Three letters of recommendation (sent directly to the department), at least 2 from academic professors who can assess the applicant’s: a) academic qualifications; b) written and oral communication skills; c)capacity for critical and analytical thinking; and d) overall potential for graduate studies.

5. A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) composite (verbal plus quantitative) score of 800 is required. For applicants with score below 800, partial credit will be assigned for score of 390 in quantitative or verbal sections. The GRE score must be sent directly to the department.

6. A minimum Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 520 (required for foreign students).

7. A career goal essay (maximum of 800 - 1200 words),

8. Incomplete and late applications (received after the deadlines: March 1 for Fall semester; March 15 for Summer; and October 15 for Spring semester) will not be evaluated.

Transfer of Credits

Course for which transfer credits are sought must have been completed with a grade of "B" or better. Approval is required by the Chair of the Department.

 

Time Limit

No student will be granted an MS degree unless all requirements are completed within a period of eight (8) consecutive calendar years from the time of admission to the program.

 

Residence

Students are required to spend one academic year in resident study on the campus. One academic year may include two adjacent regular semesters or one regular semester and one adjacent summer session. To satisfy the continuous residence requirement, the student must complete a minimum of eighteen (18) hours for the required period.