Biology, Thesis, MS

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College of Sciences and Technology

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.
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.
Miner, Benjamin G., PhD, marine invertebrate ecology and evolution.
Moyer, Craig L., PhD, evolutionary molecular microbiology.
Otto, Joann J., PhD, cell biology.
Peterson, Merrill A., PhD, insect ecology and evolutionary biology.
Pillitteri, Lynn, PhD, eukaryotic cell and molecular biology.
Schulze, Sandra, PhD, chromatin structure and nuclear organization.
Schwarz, Dietmar, PhD, ecological genetics.
Serrano-Moreno, José, PhD, cellular physiology.
Singh-Cundy, Anu, PhD, plant developmental biology.
Sulkin, Stephen D., PhD, invertebrate larval biology.
Trent, Carol, PhD, molecular and developmental genetics.
Van Epps, Heather, PhD, neuronal development.
Young, Jeff C., PhD, plant genetics.

Program Advisor: Dr. Merrill Peterson, Biology Building 312

Goals

To provide 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 removed 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, 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 or REVISED General Test beginning August 2011.

Supporting Materials: Application with $60 fee; three recent letters of reference; one set of official transcripts from every college/university attended; written description of background and research interests, including an indication of potential faculty advisors.

Program Requirements

At least 45 total combined credits from the following areas:

Requirements in Specialization

❑ BIOL 501 - FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (3 credits)
❑ BIOL 525 - RESEARCH MENTORSHIP (4 credits)
❑ BIOL 598 - ESSENTIALS OF BIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDIES (2 credits)
❑ BIOL 690 - THESIS RESEARCH (12-36 credits)
❑ Courses offered through the biology department, selected under advisement (2)

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 (13-22).

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.