Biology and Marine Biology MS

Research Thesis plan

The Research Thesis course of study is designed primarily for individuals pursuing biology as a profession. It requires:

1. Thirty (30) credits of course work and research credits, divided as follows:
   
   15 credits (minimum) of graduate courses numbered 500 or above. Three credits of Independent Study unrelated to thesis research may be allowed if approved by all members of the thesis committee.
   
   1 credit (required) of BIO 525, Graduate Student Seminar. This course may be repeated, but a maximum of two credits will be accepted for the degree requirements.
   
   6 credits (maximum) of undergraduate courses numbered 400 or above, if approved by all members of the thesis committee.
   
   10 credits (maximum) thesis-related research credits (as Independent Study, Graduate Research, Graduate Thesis).
    
2. Approval of curriculum by all members of the thesis committee.
3. Approval of a research thesis proposal by all members of the thesis committee.
4. Oral presentation of research thesis results.
5. Defense of research thesis and approval by all members of the thesis committee; preparation of the thesis for placement in the permanent library collection, with required department, college, and university approvals.

Library Thesis plan

The Library Thesis course of study is designed primarily for individuals pursuing a career in secondary education, and not planning further graduate study in biology. It requires:

1. Thirty-five (35) credits of course work, divided as follows:
   
   24 credits (minimum) of graduate courses number 500 or above. Three credits of Directed Study unrelated to the library problem may be allowed if approved by all members of the thesis committee.
   
   1 credit (required) of BIO 525, Graduate Student Seminar. This course may be repeated, but a maximum of two credits will be accepted for the degree requirements.
   
   6 credits (maximum) of undergraduate courses numbered 400 or above, if approved by all members of the thesis committee.
   
   5 credits (maximum) Directed Study related to the library problem.
    
2. Approval of curriculum by all members of the thesis committee.
3. Approval of the library thesis proposal by all members of the thesis committee.
4. Comprehensive examination, which may be written and/or oral at the discretion of the examining committee. The student shall demonstrate to all members of the committee satisfactory knowledge of General Biology and three of the following: Botany, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Physiology, Statistics, Zoology.
5. Defense of library thesis and approval by all members of the thesis committee; preparation of the thesis for placement in the permanent library collection, with required department, college, and university approvals.

The requirements for the degree must be completed within four years of matriculation for a full-time student and six years for a part-time student. A student must be registered for two consecutive semesters prior to graduation.

Repeating of Courses

A student may repeat a graduate course only with permission of the thesis committee.