BSU Catalog Home | Graduate Biology Course Descriptions

Biology

Department of Biology

Sattgast Hall 218-755-2920

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Graduate Faculty

Dr. Elizabeth Rave (Chair; erave@bemidjistate.edu), Dr. Debbie Guelda (Graduate Coordinator; dguelda@bemidjistate.edu), Dr. Don Cloutman, Dr. Mark Fulton, Dr. Michael Hamann, Dr. Richard Koch, Dr. Kerry Openshaw

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Degree Offered

• Master of Science - Biology

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Master Of Science - Biology

The Master of Science is the highest degree awarded by the Biology Department. It reflects the range and depth of biology sub-disciplines and broadens students' horizons through both course work and original scientific research. The research culminates in an original thesis or completion of an exhaustive work of a scholarly nature. Students must consult with their graduate academic advisor in biology before developing their program.

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Preparation Requirements

Undergraduate major in biology.
Minimum 24 undergraduate semester credits in biology.
Minimum GPA of 3.00 in the sciences and mathematics strongly recommended.
GRE general exam required.

University Requirements

See Section II, Graduate Study for degree requirements.
A one-page letter of intent stating research interests and future career goals is required of all applicants.

Course Work Requirements

I. Required Core

BIOL 6920 Directed Group Study (Seminar) (1,1) (2 credits)
SCI 6350 Computer Applications in Statistics (3 credits)
or STAT 5631 Probability and Statistics I (4 credits)

Subtotal 5-6 Credits

II. Required Electives

1. Select with the consent of the advisor a minimum of 13 semester credits of graduate level course work in biology. A minimum of 6 semester credits must be courses numbered at the 6000 level.
2. Select with the consent of the advisor a minimum of 6 semester credits of graduate level course work in a discipline related to biology.

Subtotal 19 Credits

III. Required Research

Select one of the following:

A. Thesis Option (take a total of 6 credits from one set of three courses below)

BIOL 6894 Advanced Graduate Laboratory Thesis Projects I (2-4 credits)
BIOL 6895 Advanced Graduate Laboratory Thesis Projects II (2-4 credits)
BIOL 6990 Thesis (0-2 credits)

OR

BIOL 6896 Advanced Graduate Field Thesis Projects I (2-4 credits)
BIOL 6897 Advanced Graduate Field Thesis Projects II (2-4 credits)
BIOL 6990 Thesis (0-2 credits)

B. Research Paper Option

BIOL 6980 Graduate Research Paper (2 credits)
Select with the consent of the advisor an additional 4 semester credits of graduate-level course work numbered 6000 and above in Biology. (4 credits)

Subtotal 6 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Degree 30-31 Credits

Competency Requirement

Statistics: A working knowledge of applied statistics. This requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing SCI 6350 Advanced Computer Applications in Statistics, or STAT 5631 Probability and Statistics I (4 credits).