Core Requirements: 8 Credit Hours

• BIOL 7530 - Biometry (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7531 - Research Methods (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7610 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour) ¹

Specialty Requirements: 3 Credit Hours

Select one of the following:

• BIOL 7133 - Molecular Biology (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7233 - Applied Biology (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7333 - Evolutionary Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

Electives: 13 Credit Hours

Select 13 credit hours from Electives courses at 5000G level or above. ² 

Other Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

• BIOL 7895 - Research (1-3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7999 - Thesis (1-3 Credit Hours)

Core Requirements: 8 Credit Hours

• BIOL 5000G-level
• BIOL 5000G-level and fulfills scientific process category

Specialty Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

Select two of the following:

• BIOL 7133 - Molecular Biology (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7233 - Applied Biology (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7333 - Evolutionary Ecology (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 7530 - Biometry (3 Credit Hours)

Electives: 17 Credit Hours

Select 17 credit hours of courses at the 5000G level or above.^{​​​​​​​2}

Other Requirements: 5 Credit Hours

• BIOL 7610 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• BIOL 7890 - Directed Individual Study (1-4 Credit Hours)

• or  BIOL 7893 - Biological Problems (1-4 Credit Hours)  

  Note: “Non-Thesis” must be part of the course title

Total Credit Hours: 36

¹ This course Graduate Seminar (BIOL 7610) must be taken a minimum of two times.

² Note that a limit of six (6) credits of any combination of Directed Individual Study (BIOL 7890) and Biological Problems (BIOL 7893), and a limit of four (4) credits of Graduate Seminar (BIOL 7610) can be used toward the 30 credit degree requirement.

Other Program Requirements (Thesis Option)

1. Each candidate for the Master of Science Thesis option in Biology must have accomplished the following by the end of their second term to earn or maintain their eligibility for a graduate assistantship:
   1. Identified an adviser within the Biology Department
   2. Formed a Steering Committee of the adviser and two other Biology Department Faculty
   3. Written a thesis proposal and submitted any necessary IACUC / IBC / IRB applications
   4. Met with the Steering Committee formally, submitted and received approval for their thesis proposal (i.e., prospectus) and Program of Study with appropriate signatures.
2. Each candidate must receive approval from their Steering Committee and the Director of the Biology Graduate Program to take courses that do not apply to the MS Thesis Degree in Biology, or are taught outside of the Department of Biology.
3. Each candidate for the Master of Science degree in Biology must complete a thesis on a subject approved by their steering committee.
   1. This thesis must be presented at a public exit seminar and, within 2 weeks following the seminar, defended before the thesis committee.
   2. The thesis defense is a comprehensive examination that may include questions on the thesis, and subject matter related to the thesis, and course work.
   3. In addition to the thesis, the student must provide the adviser with all forms of the data that were collected, including electronic files, and a written document detailing the contents of the data files (or other forms).
   4. The degree is conferred at the end of the semester, after the student has passed the thesis defense and the final written version of the thesis has been approved by the committee.
4. Students entering the Master of Science Thesis option in Biology can apply to switch to the Non-Thesis option within their first two academic semesters by completing the appropriate change of degree paperwork assuming that they are in good standing (See the Graduate Program Director for the required paperwork). After their second academic semester, applications to switch to the Non-Thesis degree can occur, but a student cannot transfer more than twelve (12) credits of coursework from the thesis option to the non-thesis option. Additional criteria required to switch programs after the second semester are:
   1. Email the Biology Graduate Committee via the graduate program director a request to switch programs. This email should include an explanation and justification for the request. The request must receive approval for the switch from the Biology Graduate Committee. Approval to switch degree programs is not guaranteed.
   2. Complete the Department of Biology Change of Degree Plan checklist, including all signatures.
   3. If any thesis-related and/or grant-related research has been undertaken, providing the faculty mentor with the following (all in hard copy and electronic format whenever possible and relevant):
      • A written one page document detailing the objectives of the initiated research
      • A complete description of the methods used to collect data
      • All forms of data that were collected
      • A written document detailing the contents of all the data files (or other forms)
   4. If data were gathered to meet the obligation of a grant (completely or in part), then the student must waive all rights and ownership over the data and any publications forthcoming from the use of the data.
   5. With the College of Graduate Studies file
      • a new Program of Study form, and
      • a Change of Major or Study Concentration form.

Note the Directed Individual Study (BIOL 7890)/Biological Problems (BIOL 7893) course, and course title, requirements described under the non-thesis program.

Other Program Requirements (Non-Thesis Option)

1. To continue with the second year, each candidate for the Master of Science Non-Thesis degree in Biology in conjunction with the Graduate Committee must complete a Program of Study and identify an advisor who will oversee the Directed Individual Study (BIOL 7890 ) and/or Biological Problems (BIOL 7893 ) , with an extensive scientific writing component requirement. Note: “Non-Thesis” must be part of the course title.
2. Each candidate must receive Graduate Committee and Director of the Biology Graduate Program approval to take courses that do not apply to the MS Degree.
3. Students entering the Master of Science Non-Thesis option in Biology can switch to the Thesis option within their first two academic semesters assuming that they are in good standing. They can apply to switch programs by completing the Department of Biology Change of Degree Plan checklist and completing steps 4a. through 4e. under the “Other Program Requirements” of the Thesis option by the end of the second semester. After the second academic semester, students may switch to the Thesis option by completing the required change of option paperwork and completing steps 4a. through 4e. under the “Other Program Requirements” of the Thesis option in the term the change of option is requested. If the change of option is approved, all guidelines for the Thesis option apply.

Advisement

Graduate students are advised by their program. Graduate students should reach out to their graduate program director for information regarding the structures in place to facilitate advisement. For more information visit the Graduate Academic Advisement  catalog page.

Graduate students can also contact the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies for more information about their program director.

Phone: 912-478-COGS (2647)
Email: gradschool@georgiasouthern.edu