Program Overview
The program is intended for students choosing to gain experience in scientific research with professional goals in biology, such as graduate education; working for a federal or state agency or non-governmental organization; securing employment in industry; or teaching in higher education. The master’s degree offers a general track as well as a specialization in conservation and biodiversity. Research areas include aquatic and terrestrial ecology, conservation biology, sustainability, ecotoxicology, plant and animal physiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, cell biology, genetics and evolution. Learn more at usd.edu/grad-biology.
DELIVERY: On campus
Master of Science, Biology (thesis): Total 30 credit hours
Biology courses 21*-30 credit hours
To include:
Master of Science, Biology with Specialization (thesis): Total 30 credit hours
Biology courses 21*-30 credit hours
To include:
Select a specialization 15-16 credit hours (see curriculum below):
- Conservation and Biodiversity specialization 16 credit hours
- Neuroscience specialization 15 credit hours
* At least 21 of the total 30 cr. required for the degree must be taken with a BIOL prefix.
** NSCI 792/other topics course that will fulfill the two course topics requirement. Courses taken under a different prefix will be considered supporting coursework and will not count toward the required 21-30 credit hours in Biology.
50% of the program of study must be at the 700-level or above.
Courses approved by committee 22-23 hours.
Thesis Research
The area of concentration for this degree may be selected from the various biological specialties (e.g., ecology, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, evolution, neuroscience, physiology). Candidates for the M.S. degree give a departmental seminar and take a final oral examination that addresses the thesis as well as evaluates the student’s knowledge of broader aspects of biology. See http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/biology/graduate.cfm for a description of the advisory committee, the annual progress report, the thesis proposal, and recommended timetable for completion of the degree.
Master of Science, Biology (non-thesis): Total 32 credit hours
Biology courses 20-32 credit hours
To include:
Candidates for the Plan B must pass a subject matter final examination that addresses the principles of biology.
50% of the program of study must be at the 700-level or above.
Courses approved by committee 24-25 hours.
Master of Science, Biology with Specialization (non-thesis): Total 32 credit hours
Biology courses 20-32 credit hours
To include:
Select a specialization 15-16 credit hours (see curriculum below):
- Conservation and Biodiversity specialization 16 credit hours
- Neuroscience specialization 15 credit hours
Courses as approved by committee 24-25 hours.
Conservation and Biodiversity specialization: Total 16 credit hours
Neuroscience specialization: Total 15 credit hours
Accelerated M.S. Program: B.S./M.S. (non-thesis). Total 32 credit hours
Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit.
Accelerated students must complete all the requirements of the above M.S in Biology (non-thesis) or M.S. Biology (non-thesis) with specialization.
The following restrictions apply:
- Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
- The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
- No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
- Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
- Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for dual credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
- Students admitted to the accelerated M.S. Program may be allowed to register for all courses included on his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
General Application Requirements
- Completed application
- $35 application fee
- Official transcripts*
- Letters of recommendation*
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV*
*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog
Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs
This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.
USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.
Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.
Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.
For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.
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