Biology (M.A., M.S.)

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Admissions Information

Master of Science, Biology Plan A (thesis): Total 30 credit hours

Biology courses 21*-30 credit hours
To include:
BIOL 790 - GRADUATE SEMINAR IN BIOLOGY (C)  2-3 credit hours (no more than 3 hours will count towards program of study)
BIOL 792 - TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (C)  or NSCI 792 - TOPICS (C)  2+ credit hours (minimum of 2 different 1 credit hour topics courses)**
BIOL 798 - THESIS RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY (M.S.) (C)  6-12 credit hours
Supporting courses, subject to approval of student’s thesis advisory committee 0-9 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.

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 Arts, Biology Plan B (non-thesis): Total 32 credit hours

Biology courses 20*-32 credit hours
To include:
BIOL 790 - GRADUATE SEMINAR IN BIOLOGY (C) 2 credit hours (no more than 2 credit hours will count towards program of study)
Supporting courses 0-12 credit hours

*At least 20 of the total 32 credits required for the degree must be taken with a BIOL prefix.

50% of the program of study must be at the 700-level or above.

Final Examination

Candidates for the M.A. in Biology pass a subject matter final examination that addresses the principles of biology. See http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/biology/ma for the recommended timetable for completion of the degree.