Program Description
Master of Science in Biology
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a wide variety of programs for students pursuing a Master of Science degree in Biology. Examples include: ecology and environmental biology, cellular and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, genetics, and anatomy and physiology.
The Department of Biological Sciences offers two master of science options: a thesis
and non-thesis option. The requirements for each of these programs are different and
are described fully in the Degree Requirements link.
In general, the thesis option degree is for students who are research oriented and
wish to pursue a Ph.D. or work in a research oriented field upon completion of a Masters
degree. Thesis students usually require 2-3 years to complete the degree. The minimum
number of credit hours to earn the thesis option degree is 30. Letters of recommendations
for Ph.D. programs will only be provided to Thesis option Masters degree students.
Students pursuing the Non-thesis option are required to complete 36 credit hours for
the degree. Thesis research hours are not required for the non-thesis option.
Available for use by graduate students is cutting-edge teaching and research equipment
located in the Biology Building, including molecular biology laboratories, a roof-top
greenhouse, plant and animal collections, a vivarium, and a comprehensive electron
microscopy center. The Department also maintains a separate Horticulture Center and
actively utilizes the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station located on an island
in Pass Manchac between Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain.