Biology (M.S.)

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 toward program of study)
• BIOL 792 - Topics in Biology (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.

Master of Science, Biology with Conservation and Biodiversity Specialization 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)  2+ credit hours (minimum of 2 different 1 credit hour topics courses)**
• BIOL 798 - Thesis Research in Biology (M.S.) (C)  6 credit hours
• Advisor approved electives in BIOL prefix (BIOL 798-3 additional hours allowed) 0-3 credit hours
• Supporting courses, subject to approval of student’s thesis advisory committee 0-4 credit hours
• Conservation and Biodiversity specialization 16 credit hours (see below)

*  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 Science, 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+ credits (no more than 3 hours will count toward program of study)
• Supporting courses, subject to approval of student’s thesis advisory committee 0-12 credit hours

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.

Accelerated M.S. Program: B.S./M.S. Plan B Total 32 credit hours

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit. 

The following restrictions apply:

1. 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.
2. The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

Master of Science, Biology with Conservation and Biodiversity Specialization Plan B (non-thesis): Total 32 credit hours

Biology courses 20-32 credit hours
To include:

• BIOL 790 - Graduate Seminar in Biology (C)  2+ credits (no more than 3 hours will count towards program of study)
• Advisor approved electives in BIOL prefix (BIOL 798-3 additional hours allowed) 2-14 credit hours
• Supporting courses, subject to approval of student’s thesis advisory committee 0-12 credit hours
• Conservation and Biodiversity specialization 16 credit hours (see below)

Conservation and Biodiversity specialization: Total 16 credit hours

• BIOL 711 - Foundations of Ecology and Conservation 3 cr hrs
• BIOL 720 - Biostatistics 3 cr hrs
• BIOL 720L - Biostatistics 1 cr hrs
• BIOL 787 - Professional Development in Biology 3 cr hrs
• Advisory committee approved elective in Biodiversity or Conservation/Ecology 6 cr hrs

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate their understanding and ability to evaluate background knowledge of the field.
2. Students will demonstrate competency in designing, conducting, and interpreting research.
3. Students will demonstrate competency in scientific writing.
4. Students will demonstrate competency in presentation of scientific information.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization