MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

Bill Wolfe, Coordinator
E-mail: bill.wolfe@gcsu.edu

MISSION

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences supports the liberal arts mission of Georgia College & State University. The faculty endeavor to provide challenging and rewarding programs for undergraduate Biology and Environmental Sciences majors, core/service students, and graduate students alike. Rigorous course work is intended to instill an appreciation for critical thinking, the scientific method, and the role of science in our technologically oriented society. All M.S. students will receive thorough instruction in the scientific process and interpretation of scientific data along with experimental design and the opportunity to develop experience with modern instrumentation. All candidates will develop proficiency in both oral and written communication. Students will have a sound understanding of cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, evolution, and ecology; they will also have broad exposure to the political, social, and economic aspects of the science. Research opportunities are available at the undergraduate (biology and environmental science majors) and graduate (biology) levels. The faculty view active research as an effective teaching tool. Graduates of the program will be well trained, have a broad perspective on current biological and/or environmental science topics and concerns, and have field and laboratory experience that will make them competitive in the job market or well prepared to continue their education.

REGULAR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following admission standards are required for regular admission to the Master of Science program in Biology:

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. A minimum of 30 hours of undergraduate biological sciences course work.
3. A score of > 2500, computed as follows: (Undergraduate Grade Point Average x 500) + Graduate Record Exam Scores ((Verbal + Quantitative) (minimum 800)) + 200 per published scholarly work in biological science.

The completed application, including all supporting papers, should be filed with the Graduate Admissions Office no later than three weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant proposes to begin the graduate program. Applicants will be given a prompt decision upon the receipt of the necessary materials and the program may be initiated in any semester. The Graduate Admissions Office upon the recommendation of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences processes admission to regular standing that includes admission to candidacy. Prospective applicants should consult with the Graduate Coordinator in person or by mail prior to filing an application.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. A minimum of 20 hours of undergraduate biological sciences course work.
3. A score of > 2000, computed as follows: (Undergraduate Grade Point Average x 500) + Graduate Record Exam Scores (Verbal + Quantitative) + 200 per published scholarly work in biological science.

EXIT FROM PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

Students will exit provisional admission status and achieve regular admission status upon completion of 9 to 12 hours of graduate courses in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, selected by the Graduate Coordinator, with no grade below a B. Receipt of a grade less than B within any of these 9 to 12 hours of regular course work will result in dismissal from the program. The Graduate Coordinator must approve these courses, prior to registration.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

Applicants who apply too late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents for evaluation may be assigned conditional admission status. While in this status a student may register for one semester only, by completing a Georgia College & State University Conditional Registration Agreement for Graduate Students; this form requires the signatures of both the student and the graduate coordinator. Any student who registers under this agreement must be admitted to either regular or provisional status by the end of the first semester of enrollment to continue taking courses in the degree program.

Students may take no more than 12 hours of course work in conditional and provisional status combined.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

The Master of Science degree in Biology is a general degree consisting of 36 hours of graduate work. There are several areas of concentration that the student can pursue. However, any area of concentration must be undertaken within one of the two options available. These are the thesis and non-thesis options. All graduate students (thesis and non-thesis) must successfully complete at least one course each in physiology, ecology, and evolution before receiving a Master's Degree. Questions concerning courses in these areas will be resolved by the Graduate Coordinator or the Department Chairperson. The courses may be taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level. A Program of Study form must be completed within one week of initial registration for classes.

THESIS OPTION

Course work for the thesis option will be determined in consultation with the student's Graduate Advisement Committee. Remedial undergraduate course work in biology may be required in addition to graduate-level course work. The Graduate Advisement Committee will determine remedial work. Excluding BIOL 6940, 6960, and 6970, a minimum of 9 credit hours must be taken at the 6000 level.

Thesis. Students must successfully complete a thesis research project that will be supervised by the student's Graduate Committee. Style and format used will follow the current Georgia College & State University Style Guide for thesis preparation and the American Institute of Biological Science Style Manual. The thesis format should contain the following: 1. General introduction to the thesis that is composed primarily for the benefit of the faculty (this section is optional and may be excluded at the discretion of the major professor); 2. A section or sections presented in a publishable format (as determined by the major professor); and 4. Literature cited. The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must approve the thesis. Upon successful completion of the oral defense the student will submit the required, five signed copies, of the thesis to the library with payment for binding.

Final defense. The oral defense consists of an oral presentation of the thesis research and results as well as a defense of the thesis and an oral examination on general knowledge in the field of biology. The student's Graduate Committee and the members of the Department will administer this examination. The Graduate Committee shall consist of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences of Georgia College & State University. The committee shall include either the Graduate Coordinator or the Department Chairperson. The examination will be administered two or more weeks after the committee receives copies of the thesis. Passing of the defense will be determined by a favorable simple majority vote of the committee members. A second attempt at the defense cannot be scheduled until at least 90 days after the original failure and must occur not later than one calendar year after the initial failure. There will be no third defense possible.

NON-THESIS OPTION

The student will write a library research paper on a topic selected in consultation with the members of the Graduate Advisement Committee. This paper will be organized to conform to the standards of the GCSU research journal. This paper will be submitted and defended not less than two weeks from the time of submission at a time agreeable to the members of the committee.

Course work for the non-thesis option will be determined in consultation with the student's Graduate Advisement Committee. The Graduate Advisement Committee shall consist of at least five members, approved by the Graduate Coordinator or and the Department Chairperson. Remedial undergraduate course work in biology may be required in addition to graduate-level course work. The Graduate Advisement Committee will determine the need for remedial work. Excluding BIOL 6940, 6960, and 6970, a minimum of 9 credit hours mist be taken at the 6000 level.

Final Defense. The defense shall consist of an oral presentation of the independent study research paper, a defense of the ideas and concepts presented within the paper, and an examination of the student's knowledge of the field of biology. Passing of the defense will be determined by a favorable simple majority vote of the members of the Graduate Advisement Committee. A second attempt at the defense cannot be scheduled until at least 90 days after the original failure and must occur not later than one calendar year after the initial failure. There will be no third defense possible.