*NEW – Non-Thesis Master’s Degree

国产AV, Department of Biology, is pleased to announce a new non-thesis Master’s of Science Degree in Biology option , starting summer 2023.  The degree requires 30 credit hours of study beyond the baccalaureate level.  Generally students completing a non-thesis M.S. program are able to secure higher level positions within their current employment. This option is frequently chosen by students who hold full-time positions elsewhere.  This program is an excellent option for students who completed undergraduate studies in biological/STEM sciences and would like to become high school biology teachers or for current teachers wishing to enhance their credentials.  The non-thesis M.S. degree in Biology also prepares students for the rigors of professional programs and produces students with better sophistication in their understanding of Biology.  These students can benefit from the intensive coursework and this program can demonstrate the ability to withstand the rigors associated with professional degree programs.

Students

Program Details


Accelerated Track

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Graduate Program Information

The Master of Science degree in Biology is a program that requires 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.  Two options exist; the traditional thesis option requires a formal thesis for graduation and a new non-thesis option.  The program is designed to be completed in 2 years if a student so desires.  The degree provides students with advanced training in the life sciences and will prepare them to enter expanding job markets in biology, education, and biotechnology/medical fields or to continue study towards a doctoral degree. A key aspect of the program is its flexibility for those students seeking to enhance their training and career options in the life sciences.

The master's degree with a major in biology thesis option is formally a non-terminal degree with a research-based thesis. The program emphasizes the development of technical and scientific writing skills and the development of student research publications. The program’s emphasis on publication of student research in peer reviewed journals greatly enhances professional development and career opportunities. 

While the non-terminal Masters program thesis option prepares students to continue their education towards a Ph.D. degree, those students not wishing to pursue the Ph.D. have the option of designing specific technical programs of study and research experiences that will well qualify them for immediate employment opportunities in numerous medical, agricultural, life science and biotechnology related fields upon graduation. Students gain a real understanding of the nature of science and technical competence as they are actively involved in the design, completion and presentation of original primary research.

Students completing a non-thesis M.S. program have been able to secure higher level positions within their current employment. This option is frequently chosen by students who hold full-time positions elsewhere.  This program is an excellent option for students who completed undergraduate studies in biological sciences and would like to become high school biology teachers or for current teachers wishing to enhance their credentials.  The non-thesis M.S. degree in Biology also prepares students for the rigors of professional programs and produces students with better sophistication in their understanding of Biology.  These students can benefit from the intensive coursework and this program can demonstrate the ability to withstand the rigors associated with professional degree programs.

Substantial student teaching assistantship stipends are available. Students who are eligible for stipends receive full financial support and tuition waivers as payment for teaching undergraduate laboratories and assisting in undergraduate lectures on a part time basis. As a result, students also gain valuable professional experience in teaching that furthers their professional development and credentials towards future academic careers.

The Department of Biology has 23 faculty members whose training and research interests cover the full spectrum of biological sub-disciplines, ranging from cellular/molecular to ecology/conservation biology. Many of the faculty members are cross-disciplinary. Numerous and diverse opportunities for graduate student research are offered by the faculty.

国产AV has one of the most sophisticated science facilities in southern Georgia.  The Biology Department boasts state of the art computer facilities, 24  well equipped research laboratory modules, one of the very few  BSL3 level biohazard laboratory suites in southern Georgia, live animal care facilities that meet National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines, an aquatic wet  lab with an environmental chamber capabilities, a microscopy suite with electron microscopy capabilities, an herbarium specializing on Coastal Plain flora, 3 modern greenhouse units, and 3 environmentally controlled research labs.

Field research facilities include the Lake Louise Field Station, which is owned by the 国产AV Foundation.  This 144-acre natural area in south Lowndes County is only 20 minutes from the main campus.  This unique area consists of mixed deciduous forest, uplands pine forest, extensive wetlands, and a 14-acre sinkhole lake. 

 Additional Requirements

Evaluation Form and Procedures

  • Evaluation Form (This form is optional)
  • A Graduate Committee Representative and Direct Supervisor/or Instructor for Record, with the option of Thesis Advisor will give the evaluation.

Comprehensive Exam
A Comprehensive Exam is to be given before 27 hours in graduate course work is completed. The Standardized Comprehensive Exam will also include oral follow up.

Annual Research Symposium
Symposium to be held in fall. New fall enrollees would not be required to present. Students in their first year (admitted in Spring of that year or the previous Fall) would be required to present a poster; older students would be required to give a 15 minute oral presentation.

Future Enhancements
To facilitate continuous planning, we hope to have this page available for on-going online revisions of our program goals and initiatives during this academic calendar year. 

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track

Admission to Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track form

Students wishing to pursue a Master of Science in Biology at 国产AV may take up to 9 semester hours of graduate-level coursework (courses numbered 5000 or above) that will count toward Biology electives or general electives for the undergraduate degree.

Acceptance in to the Accelerated track requires:

  1. written notification by a Biology faculty member to the Biology Graduate Program Coordinator of her/his willingness to serve as the student's program advisor;
  2. completion of 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, at least 18 hours of which is in Biology; and
  3. an overall GPA in undergraduate coursework of at least 3.0.

Once accepted, a specific course of study will be developed with the student's program advisor. Successful completion of the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track requires a grade of B or better in all graduate coursework. 

Students interested in continuing their graduate education may apply for admission to the M.S. in Biology  program in their senior year or upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Full admission to the Graduate School requires completion of the bachelor's degree.. Students in the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate track will not be required to take additional admission tests but must meet all other graduate admission requirements. See the Graduate School for admission requirements. Students who have completed 9 hours of graduate level coursework to complete their bachelor's degree will be required to complete an additional 21 hours of graduate courses to meet the M.S. in Biology degree requirements.