Degree Requirements for M.S. in Biology

Academic Degree Requirements:

• A minimum of 32 hours of graduate course credit (courses taken "credit/no credit" may not be used) and an approved research report are required for the degree. To satisfy degree requirements: at least 12 hours of credit must be taken at the 500-level (graduate) including 4 hours, but no more than 8 hours of "590" or "599" graduate research course credit. The remainder may be taken at the 400-level (advanced undergraduate/graduate).

• A 3.0 GPA (4.0=A) in academic (not including graduate research) coursework is required for graduation.

• At least 75% of the total credit submitted for the degree will normally be earned in courses offered by the School of Integrative Biology (SIB) or the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (SMCB). Courses taken outside of these Schools must be approved in advance by the Program Director.

Research Requirements:

• To fulfill graduation requirements, an M.S. Biology student must complete a research project, either in the laboratory or the field, under the direction of a faculty member or affiliate experienced in conducting scientific research. Graduate research course credit (590 or 599) will be awarded for project activity. Completion of the project involves writing either a research report subject to review and acceptance by the Director of the M.S. Biology Program, or a thesis, deemed acceptable by the Graduate College. (Information regarding initiation of a research project should be obtained from the M.S. Biology Academic Advisor prior to discussing the matter with a potential research supervisor. The decision of a 590 or 599 project will be made by the student in consultation with his/her research advisor.)

• Any person holding a full, joint, or affiliate appointment in SIB or SMCB may supervise M.S. research. See listing of faculty who are interested in working with Masters degree students. With prior permission of the Director of the M.S. Biology Program, a student may do a project with faculty outside of these schools. See information about Research Projects.

Course Load:

• To maintain full-time graduate status the Graduate College recommends that a student carry a minimum semester load of 12 hours unless s/he holds a university appointment. Because of the significant laboratory and/or field component required for the degree, many M.S. students may take a minimum of two 400- or 500-level life sciences courses per semester. The minimum is not reduced when a teaching appointment of up to 50% is held, but may be negotiated with the M.S. Biology Academic Advisor in cases in which the appointment is greater than 50%.

Transfer of Graduate Credit:

• Transfer of graduate course credit from other institutions can be negotiated with the Program Director. Such courses must have been graded A or B, and if approved, will only be accorded 400-level status. No more than 12 hours of coursework will be approved for transfer. All approved courses must be accepted by petition to the Graduate College. The student must have completed 8 hours of graded graduate work on the Urbana-Champaign campus before a request can be made to the Graduate College.