Mar 18, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Master of Science in Biology - General (BIOG)


This program provides students with the opportunity to design a master of science program that meets their unique needs. As such, it is able to accommodate students with a wide range of backgrounds and career goals. It may be particularly suitable in providing additional background in biology for secondary teachers, preparing a broad background for students interested in community college teaching or intent on entering or in other professional careers.

Admission Requirements:


  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
  2. At least 20 hours in biology, with a course in genetics;
  3. One year of general chemistry;
  4. One year of organic chemistry, or one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry;
  5. One semester of physics, including electricity and light;
  6. One semester of calculus or statistics;
  7. An academic record of B (3.0) or better during the junior and senior years;
  8. Submission to the Office of Graduate Admissions of a completed departmental admission form, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement;
  9. Submission to the Office of Graduate Admissions scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test (subject test not required); and
  10. Meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School.

Conditional Admission
Students deficient in a requirement for admission to any of the programs may be granted conditional admission, subject to removal of the deficiency, while beginning graduate study. Hours earned in making up deficiencies are in addition to those normally required for the degree.

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Degree Requirements:


At least 30 hours of approved graduate-level work is required, including a minimum of 24 hours within the Department of Biology. To ensure scheduling of appropriate research experiences, internships and specialized course work, students must, by the end of their first semester, formulate a specific program of study in consultation with their faculty guidance committee. After approval, this program is kept on file by the graduate coordinator and may not be changed without written approval of the guidance committee.

In addition to the common requirements, students must opt for one of two alternative degree plans: thesis or non-thesis.

Thesis: This plan is most appropriate for students intending on a research career in biology. A candidate completes an original investigation under the supervision of a guidance (thesis) committee. This research must be suitable for publication, written in a form acceptable to the Graduate School and defended in an oral examination. The plan requires a minimum of 30 credit hours including a minimum of six credit hours and a maximum of 10 credit hours in research (thesis and independent study). A maximum of six hours may be earned in BIO 690 /691 /692 - Thesis  for thesis research.

Non-thesis: This plan is most appropriate for students intending on a professional career that does not emphasize research or for those interested in obtaining a broader understanding of biological theory. All students in this plan must complete 34 credit hours of course work. All candidates are encouraged to include research or practical experiences by enrolling for three hours in either BIO 587 - Cooperative Education in Biology , BIO 686 /687 /688 - Practicum in Biology  or BIO 697 /698 /699 - Independent Study .

Department Information:


Biology - College of Arts & Sciences

Marianne Laporte, Ph.D.
Department Head

316 Mark Jefferson
(734) 487-4242
mlaporte@emich.edu

Department Website

Advisor Information:


David Kass, Ph.D.

Biology Department
441 Mark Jefferson Science Complex
(734) 487-4242
dkass@emich.edu

Upon admission to the biology program, students will receive initial advising from the graduate coordinator, the principal advisor in their selected concentration, or the departmental graduate committee. Students are responsible for forming a permanent guidance committee and developing a program of study approved by that committee before registering for their second semester. After the first semester, if no program of study is on file, the guidance committee is not obligated to include any unapproved courses taken as part of the student’s final program. The guidance committee for Thesis students will include at least three faculty members from the Department of Biology. The student usually selects the chair of the committee, and the other two members are chosen by the chair in consultation with the student. Additional members of the committee may be added from inside or outside the department by agreement between the chair and the student.

The guidance committee for Non-thesis students will consist of the principal graduate advisor for the selected concentration and the graduate coordinator. The graduate advisor, in consultation with the student, will prepare the student’s program, which must be approved by the graduate coordinator. The student may select a third member of the guidance committee from faculty within the Department of Biology.

Course Requirements:


This concentration in general biology requires a minimum of 30 credit hours for thesis students and 34 credit hours for non-thesis students. As many as six hours may be taken outside of the Department of Biology as cognates. All courses in the program of study must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.

Master of Science in Biology - General


Thesis students must select a minimum of six hours of research:


Restricted Elective Course: 19-29 Hours


19 to 29 credit hours selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Cognate Courses: 0-6 hours


Up to six hours selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Program Total: 30-34 hours