Biology, Thesis, MS

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Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering

Graduate Faculty

Acevedo-Gutierrez, Alejandro, PhD, marine vertebrate ecology.
Anderson, Roger A., PhD, vertebrate behavioral and physiological ecology.
Brodhagen, Marion, PhD, chemical ecology, plant-microbe interactions.
Dahlberg, Lina, PhD, molecular and cellular biology.
DeChaine, Eric, PhD, evolution and ecology of alpine and arctic flora.
Donovan, Deborah A., PhD, marine invertebrate physiological ecology.
Hooper, David U., PhD, ecosystem ecology and plant community ecology.
Leaf, David S., PhD, cell and developmental biology.
Lee, Suzanne, PhD, cellular and molecular biology.
Kodner, Robin, PhD, quantitative marine biology.
Miner, Benjamin G., PhD, marine invertebrate ecology and evolution.
Moyer, Craig L., PhD, evolutionary molecular microbiology.
Peterson, Merrill A., PhD, insect ecology and evolutionary biology.
Pillitteri, Lynn, PhD, eukaryotic cell and molecular biology.
Pollard, Daniel, PhD, quantitative genetics.
Schulze, Sandra, PhD, chromatin structure and nuclear organization.
Schwarz, Dietmar, PhD, ecological genetics.
Singh-Cundy, Anu, PhD, plant developmental biology.
Trent, Carol, PhD, molecular and developmental genetics.
Young, Jeff C., PhD, plant genetics.

Program Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Miner

Goals

To offer a first-class research experience for our students that will provide them with the background and skills to enter a variety of professional careers in biology. We aim to provide a stimulating intellectual environment with rigorous scholarship that facilitates multiple opportunities for graduate students.

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree and departmental permission. Deficiencies in undergraduate courses or those subsequently revealed to the Biology Graduate Committee or to the student’s program committee must be corrected prior to advancement to candidacy. Applicants are directed to the current requirements of the basic BS degree in biology for a summary of expected preparation for graduate work. All students should have completed upper-division courses in genetics, cell biology, ecology and biometrics (or equivalent statistics course), and supporting introductory course work in organismal biology.

Application Information

Admit Quarters: Fall quarter only; spring quarter by petition.

Deadline: The deadline for priority consideration is February 1 for fall quarter. See Graduate School deadlines for other quarters.

TA Deadline: The deadline for applying for a teaching assistantship is February 1.

Required Test: Graduate Record Exam General Test.

Supporting Materials: Application with $100 fee; three recent letters of reference; one set of transcripts from every college/university attended; written description of background and research interests, including an indication of potential faculty advisors. Applicants should contact potential faculty advisors to discuss research and position availability in their labs.

Program Requirements

At least 45 total combined credits from the following areas:

Requirements in Specialization

❑ BIOL 501 - Fundamentals of Biological Research Credits: 3 (3 credits)
❑ BIOL 525 - Research Mentorship Credits: 1 (4 credits)
❑ BIOL 598 - Essentials of Biology Graduate Studies Credits: 3 (2 credits)
❑ BIOL 690 - Thesis Research Credits: 1-12 (12-36 credits)

Electives

❑ Courses selected under advisement from 400- and 500-level courses in biology and supporting disciplines. No more than 10 credits may come from 400-level courses. All elective courses must be approved by the student’s program committee (15-24 credits).

Thesis and Examination

Degree candidates will submit a thesis based on independent and original research on a problem approved by the student’s thesis committee. A final oral exam will be conducted by the advisory committee. Degree candidates will present a seminar based on the results of the thesis research.