Master of Science in Biology

Format: In person (Online, Non-Thesis Program is starting Spring 2026)

Options: Thesis or Non-Thesis and 4+1 Accelerated Program

Credit Hours: 30

ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ, Department of Biology, offers the option of thesis or non-thesis Master of Science Degree in Biology. While both degrees require 30 credit hours of study, the thesis option requires students to conduct original research, write a comprehensive thesis paper, and defend it before the faculty. The non-thesis option focuses on coursework and practical skills, including either directed research or an internship.

The thesis Master's Degree is intended for students who will pursue a doctoral degree or a career in academia or research. The non-thesis Maters's degree is best for professionals seeking to advance their current careers or for individuals who want to enhance their academic record before applying to certain professional prgrams. The non-thesis option is often chosen by students who completed undergraduate students in biological/STEM sciences and would like to become high school biology teachers or for current teachers wishing to enhance their credentials. 

Graduate assistantships are available. Students who are eligible for stipends receive financial support and tuition waivers as payment for teaching undergraduate laboratories, assisting in undergraduate lectures on a part time basis, and completing research projects. As a result, students also gain valuable professional experience in teaching that furthers their professional development and credentials towards future academic careers.

Department Information

The Department of Biology has approximately 20 faculty members whose training and research interests cover the full spectrum of biological sub-disciplines, ranging from cellular/molecular to ecology/conservation biology. Many of the faculty members are cross-disciplinary. Numerous and diverse opportunities for graduate student research are offered by the faculty.

ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ has one of the most sophisticated science facilities in southern Georgia.  The Biology Department boasts state of the art computer facilities, 24  well equipped research laboratory modules, one of the very few  BSL3 level biohazard laboratory suites in southern Georgia, live animal care facilities that meet National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines, an aquatic wet  lab with an environmental chamber capabilities, a microscopy suite with electron microscopy capabilities, an herbarium specializing on Coastal Plain flora, 3 modern greenhouse units, and 3 environmentally controlled research labs.

Field research facilities include the Lake Louise Field Station, which is owned by the ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ Foundation.  This 144-acre natural area in south Lowndes County is only 20 minutes from the main campus.  This unique area consists of mixed deciduous forest, uplands pine forest, extensive wetlands, and a 14-acre sinkhole lake. 

Students

Program Details

Accelerated Track

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Additional Requirements

Evaluation Form and Procedures

  • Evaluation Form (This form is optional)
  • A Graduate Committee Representative and Direct Supervisor/or Instructor for Record, with the option of Thesis Advisor will give the evaluation.

Comprehensive Exam
A Comprehensive Exam is to be given before 27 hours in graduate course work is completed. The Standardized Comprehensive Exam will also include oral follow up.

Annual Research Symposium
Symposium to be held in fall. New fall enrollees would not be required to present. Students in their first year (admitted in Spring of that year or the previous Fall) would be required to present a poster; older students would be required to give a 15 minute oral presentation.

Future Enhancements
To facilitate continuous planning, we hope to have this page available for on-going online revisions of our program goals and initiatives during this academic calendar year. 

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track

Admission to Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track form

Students wishing to pursue a Master of Science in Biology at ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ may take up to 9 semester hours of graduate-level coursework (courses numbered 5000 or above) that will count toward Biology electives or general electives for the undergraduate degree.

Acceptance in to the Accelerated track requires:

  1. written notification by a Biology faculty member to the Biology Graduate Program Coordinator of her/his willingness to serve as the student's program advisor;
  2. completion of 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, at least 18 hours of which is in Biology; and
  3. an overall GPA in undergraduate coursework of at least 3.0.

Once accepted, a specific course of study will be developed with the student's program advisor. Successful completion of the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track requires a grade of B or better in all graduate coursework. 

Students interested in continuing their graduate education may apply for admission to the M.S. in Biology  program in their senior year or upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Full admission to the Graduate School requires completion of the bachelor's degree.. Students in the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate track will not be required to take additional admission tests but must meet all other graduate admission requirements. See the Graduate School for admission requirements. Students who have completed 9 hours of graduate level coursework to complete their bachelor's degree will be required to complete an additional 21 hours of graduate courses to meet the M.S. in Biology degree requirements.