Biology: Conservation Concentration, M.S.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30 hours
The concentration in Conservation Biology is designed to prepare students for career opportunities with state and federal agencies and conservation organizations. Fifteen credit hours (seminar and thesis or research in biology included) must be earned at the 600-level or above. Students enrolled in the M.S. conservation concentration program may pursue a Plan A (thesis) option only.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirements Snapshot
GPA: 3.0 (and 3.0 in major)
Commitment of faculty advisor
See Admission Requirement Details Below
To be eligible for Regular Admission to the graduate program in biology, applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in a biological science with a 3.0 or better grade point average in their major and a 3.0 GPA overall. Applicants must submit statement of interests, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation as specified in the Biology Department Web page (https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cst/biology/Pages/Graduate-Programs.aspx). In addition, chemistry is required while mathematics and physics are highly recommended. Admission to the program is contingent upon advisor acceptance. An applicant who does not meet the foregoing requirements may be granted Admission with stipulations by the department graduate committee.
Fifteen credit hours (seminar and thesis or research in biology included) must be earned at the 600-level or above.
Program Requirements
Biology: Conservation Concentration
Required Courses (12-15 hours)
Note: At least 6 hours of BIO 798 required. Also requires oral defense of thesis.
Required Courses II (9-10 hours)
Conservation Concentration
| BIO 650 | Population and Community Ecology | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 680 | Conservation Biology | 3(3-0) |
Note: A course in community ecology is also required.
Electives (5-9 hours)
Select course work approved by the student's advisor and advisory committee
Total: 30 Semester Hours
Accelerated Admissions to the M.S. in Biology: Conservation Concentration
CMU Undergraduate students can pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biology or an M.S. in Biology: Conservation Concentration while still fulfilling the requirements for their Bachelor's degree. Accelerated admission is available for the Plan A option (thesis, 30 credits) in either the M.S. in Biology or the M.S. in Biology: Conservation Concentration. Accelerated admission for the Plan B option (non-thesis, 36 credits) is an option for the M.S. in Biology only.
The Biology Plan A Accelerated MS Degree Program allows students to reduce the total number of credits to complete their undergraduate and graduate level degrees by applying up to 15 credits (500 or 600 level courses) towards graduate requirements on both degree programs.
The Biology Plan B Accelerated MS Degree Program allows students to reduce the total number of credits to complete their undergraduate and graduate level degrees by applying up to 18 credits (500 or 600 level courses) towards graduate requirements on both degree programs.
Students admitted to the Accelerated MS Degree Program may be eligible for a Graduate Assistantship upon completion of their Bachelor’s degree.
If you are admitted to an AMDP, your financial aid may be affected. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for information (989-774-3674) or cmuosfa@cmich.edu.
Admission Criteria:
Students must have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 overall and 3.0 in BIO courses, have completed at least BIO 111, BIO 112, and BIO 211 or BIO 213, and have completed a minimum of 36 credits toward a Bachelor's degree the semester that they apply for admission to the Accelerated MS program in Biology. Students will typically apply for the Accelerated MS program in their sophomore (2nd) or junior (3rd) year, prior to enrolling in 500-level or higher BIO courses. To be eligible for the accelerated program, students must meet the admission requirements for the MS program in Biology. Students applying to the MS program must have a CMU Biology graduate faculty member agree to support and advise them in their MS degree prior to acceptance.