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Biology

MS Biology Program

Master of Science (MS) in Biology - Curriculum

There are two tracks in the program - a Thesis Track and a non-Thesis Track. Students pursuing the degree should consult with their thesis advisor and declare for one of the two tracks at the time of application. Of the 30-36 SCH to fulfill the coursework required to graduate, students declaring the Thesis Track will have a minimum of 6 SCH allotted for a research thesis, whereas those in the Non-Thesis Track will have a maximum of 6 SCH (minimum 3 SCH) credited for independent study.

Thesis Track: Submission of a thesis based on the in-depth analysis of a research study. The thesis should conform to the format required by the Biology program and must be approved by a Research (Advisory) Committee.

Non-Thesis Track: Submission of a literature review or research report based on a topical study. The report will also need to conform to the required format. The research report must be approved by the academic advisor, and at least one other TAMUSA graduate faculty member.

MS Biology Course Curriculum (see also suggested Degree Plans)

Thesis Track Curriculum
Prefix and NumberRequired (Thesis)SCH
BIOL 5105Graduate Seminar1 (x4)
BIOL 5310Graduate Scientific Scholarship3
BIOL 5XXXGraduate Biostatistics I3
BIOL 5306Thesis6-12
BIOL 5XXXBiology Electives or Independent Study6-14
Total SCH30
Non-Thesis Track Curriculum
Prefix and NumberRequired (Non-Thesis)SCH
BIOL 5105Graduate Seminar1 (x4)
BIOL 5310Graduate Scientific Scholarship3
BIOL 5XXXGraduate Biostatistics I3
BIOL 5X01Independent Study3-6
BIOL 5XXXBiology Electives20-26
Total SCH36
Graduate-Level Biology Electives
Biology Electives
Prefix and NumberCourseSCH
BIOL 5101, 5201, 5301, 5401Independent Study1-4
BIOL 5305Population and Community Ecology4
BIOL 5311Molecular Ecology3
BIOL 5303Ecosystems Ecology3
BIOL 5404Biotechnology4
BIOL 5309Biology of Disease3
BIOL 5405Cellular Mechanisms4
BIOL 5XXXGraduate Biostatistics II3
BIOL 5XXXSpecial Topics in Biology3-4