Biology, MS

Purposes

The purposes of the Department of Biological Sciences are to:

1. Provide a broad academic program on both the undergraduate and graduate levels for students of diverse biological interests.
2. Render various services to the community, schools, educational groups, business organizations, and all other interested groups within the geographical locale of Southeastern Louisiana University.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for regular admission to the Master of Science Degree program in Biological Sciences, an applicant must:

1. Meet all University admission requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete at least thirty (30) semester hours of undergraduate biology courses.
3. Submit transcripts documenting a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation, a curriculum vita, and a letter of intent to the Biological Sciences Graduate Coordinator, following procedures outlined on the department’s web page.

Requirements for the Degree (Thesis Option)

1. All thesis students must pass the written biology entrance exam with a score of 70% or higher in the first semester of enrollment. Students have two chances to pass the exam. If a student does not pass the exam in the second attempt, he/she must switch to the non-thesis master’s degree option.
2. All thesis students must have a thesis advisor.
3. All thesis students must choose a thesis committee consisting of the thesis advisor and two graduate faculty members from the department. Additional committee members from other departments or institutions may sit on the committee with the approval of the thesis advisor and/or graduate coordinator.
4. All thesis students must pass an oral exam in front of a committee consisting of the thesis committee and one or more additional faculty members from the department by the end of the second semester. Students have two chances to pass the exam. If the student does not pass the exam in the second try, he/she must switch to the non-thesis master’s degree option or leave the program.
5. All thesis students must complete thirty hours of approved courses in Biological Sciences, including: six hours of Thesis (BIOL 7700 ) and at least 12 hours in courses at the 6000-level, which must include BIOL 6010 : Professional Aspects of Biology (one hour) and two or more hours (up to four) of BIOL 6910 : Graduate Seminar. (NOTE: 50% or greater of the total hours of all course work must be at the 6000-level, excluding hours from BIOL 7700 ); not more than 10 hours of transfer credit; and not more than two hours of Research Problems (BIOL 6600 ). Graduate-level courses at Southeastern outside of the biology department, can be taken with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator. All credit hours earned in the graduate degree program must be completed within six years with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate work pursued and not more than 6 hours with grades of “C” in the degree plan (grades below “C” are not acceptable for graduate credit).
6. All thesis students are encouraged to gain teaching experience while in the program. Biology Teaching Assistants are required to take BIOL 6000  each of their first two semesters (maximum two hours credit). This requirement may only be reduced with the consent of the graduate coordinator and the Department Head.
7. All thesis students are required to present an oral defense of their thesis project that demonstrates independent research and competency in scholarly activity. The thesis must be approved by the student’s thesis committee.
8. Requirements for awarding of the degree include the recommendation of the student’s thesis committee, the Graduate Coordinator, the Department Head, and the Dean of the academic college, and completion of necessary paperwork including, but not limited to, the Degree Plan, the Application for Candidacy, and the Application for Graduation.

More detailed information on all of these requirements is listed on the departmental web page.

Requirements for the Degree (Non-Thesis Option)

1. All non-thesis students must complete thirty-six hours of approved courses in Biological Sciences, including four hours of Non-Thesis Research Problems (BIOL 6610 ) and BIOL 6010 : Professional Aspects of Biology, and one or more hours (up to four) of BIOL 6910 : Graduate Seminar, with grades of “B” or better, at least one-half of total graduate credit in 6000-level courses (i.e., no more than 50% of total course load can be in 5000-level courses), and no more than 10 hours of transfer credit. Students may take up to eight hours of approved courses from other departments at Southeastern. All credits earned in the graduate degree program must be completed within six years. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses and not more than six hours with grades of “C” in the degree plan (grades below “C” are not acceptable for graduate credit). All course work must be approved by the Non-Thesis Coordinator and Graduate Coordinator.
2. All non-thesis students must arrange with a graduate faculty advisor to conduct a research project in conjunction with BIOL 6610  (Non-Thesis Research Problems). The student must submit a brief research proposal for the project and the Non-Thesis Research Agreement form to the Non-Thesis Advisory Committee for approval before beginning the project. The research project must be completed no later than one semester before graduation.
3. All non-thesis students must submit a research paper based on the non-thesis research project conducted in BIOL 6610 . The graduate faculty advisor and the Non-Thesis Advisory Committee must approve the completed project and research paper before the departmental seminar can be scheduled.
4. All non-thesis students must present a seminar to the department describing the non-thesis research project. Students must contact the Non-Thesis Advisory Committee to arrange a seminar date and the seminar must be approved by the Non-Thesis Advisory Committee. Students have one opportunity to repeat the seminar in the event of an unsatisfactory performance prior to dismissal from the program.
5. All non-thesis students must pass a comprehensive oral or written exam based on their graduate course work after completing 30 credit hours or in their last semester. The exam is administered by three to four faculty members from whom the student has taken courses. To pass the exam, students must receive an overall average of ‘satisfactory.’ Students have two chances to pass the exam. Students not passing the exam on the second attempt will be dismissed from the program. Thesis students who have completed the written and oral entrance exams prior to switching degree plans to the non-thesis option are also required to pass the non-thesis comprehensive exam, i.e., prior oral and written exams do not exempt students from taking and passing the non-thesis comprehensive exam.

Requirements for awarding of the degree include the recommendation of the student’s thesis committee, the Graduate Coordinator, the Department Head, and the Dean of the academic college, and completion of necessary paperwork including, but not limited to, the Degree Plan, the Application for Candidacy, and the Application for Graduation.