MS in Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences offers an MS degree. Students can directly apply to a thesis-based MS degree. Acceptance to the MS degree program requires commitment from a mentor.
The MS degree can also be offered to students who are initially accepted with the intent of fulfilling a PhD but due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, a change in academic interest, or other personal reasons, request transfer to the MS degree. In these cases, and depending on the unique circumstances of each student, the MS can be offered with or without a written thesis.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. Fifteen of the 30-hour minimum must be selected from courses numbered at 8000 or 9000 level. No more than 40 percent (12 credit hours) of the 30-hour credit requirement can be satisfied by research courses; i.e., BIO_SC 8090.
| Required Courses | ||
| BIO_SC 8050 | Professional Survival Skills (Year 1) | 2 |
| BIO_SC 8060 | Ethical Conduct of Research (Year 1) | 1 |
| BIO_SC 8087 | Seminar (Continuous enrollment; 1 credit/semester) | 1 |
| BIO_SC 8187 | Seminar in Areas of Specialization (4 semesters; 1 credit/semester) | 1 |
| BIO_SC 8090 | Research in Biological Sciences | 1-99 |
A student’s thesis committee must approve all coursework used to satisfy the credit-hour requirement and may require additional course work beyond these minimums. The Division of Biological Sciences requires a research-based thesis for degree completion. The thesis must be the student’s own work and must demonstrate a capacity for research and independent thought.
Admission Eligibility & Criteria
Our goal is to foster a community in which excellence in research, teaching and community engagement are recognized as synergistic activities of equal importance. Therefore, we have moved away from a metric-based approach and instead use a holistic evaluation of candidates. At the forefront of this process is the recognition that inclusion and equity are the foundations of a community in which diverse ideas and perspectives are likely to flourish. As such, the Division of Biological Sciences prioritizes evidence of attributes such as drive, diligence, passion for sharing scientific knowledge, and a willingness to take scientific risks over metrics such as GPA, standardized test scores, and other similar qualifications.
Required Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit all the materials through the Graduate School application process. Please note that your application will not be considered until all the materials are received.
Admission Contact Information
Division of Biological Sciences
573-884-4144
https://biology.missouri.edu