Biology, M.S.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30 - 36 hours

The Department of Biology offers both the Plan A and the Plan B Master of Science degree. Plan A requires completion of 6 to 9 credit hours in BIO 798 (Thesis), one (1) credit hour in BIO 730 (Seminar), 20 to 23 hours of graduate course work approved by the student's advisor and advisory committee, and an oral defense of the thesis. Plan A is recommended to those students preparing for research-oriented careers or for doctoral study. Plan B requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate-level course work approved by the student's advisor and advisory committee and a written and/or oral comprehensive examination over the course work. 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.

See below for Accelerated Admissions information.

Program Requirements

Select one of the following options:

Biology - Plan A (30 hours)

Required Courses (12-15 hours)

BIO 500	Biological Statistics	3(2-2)
BIO 730	Seminar	1(1-0)
BIO 798	Thesis	1-9(Spec)

Note: At least 6 hours of BIO 798 required. Also requires oral defense of thesis.

Electives I (8-18 hours)

Select graduate course work approved by the student's advisor and advisory committee.

Electives II (0-10 hours)

Additional courses in cognate areas selected in consultation with student's advisor and advisory committee.

Total: 30 Semester Hours

Biology - Plan B (36 hours)

Thirty-six (36) hours of graduate-level coursework approved by the advisory committee. Up to 10 hours may be in one or more cognate areas, subject to approval by the advisory committee. Students must submit an approved Plan B paper demonstrating either research, independent study, or internship. A comprehensive oral and/or written examination over the coursework administered by the advisory committee.

Total: 36 Semester Hours

Accelerated Admissions to the M.S. in Biology

(Currently enrolled CMU undergraduate students only)

• This program (Plan A or B) works best for students with a Biology, Biochemistry, or Neuroscience (Cell & Molecular) major. It could also work for students with any major if the student has also signed a Biology Minor.
• The Accelerated Master of Science in Biology program allows students to double-count a maximum number of credits outlined below towards both the undergraduate degree and the graduate degree. Financial aid may be affected for these courses. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at [e-mail] or (989-774-3674).

Plan A: maximum of 15 double-counted credits
Plan B: maximum of 18 double-counted credits

• Courses eligible for double-counting (see maximums listed above): any 500- or 600-level BIO course.  Other 500- or 600-level courses relevant to the student’s thesis research with other designators (e.g., GEO, MAT, STA, CHM, etc.) with approval of the student’s faculty advisor and committee.
• After completing the undergraduate degree, students will need to take a minimum number of credits to complete the MS in Biology as outlined below.

Plan A: Students will need to take a minimum of 15 credits to complete the MS in Biology. If students do not earn 15 double-counted credits prior to completing the undergraduate degree, they will need more than 15 credits to reach the total 30 credits required for the MS in Biology.

Plan B: Students will need to take a minimum of 18 credits to complete the MS in Biology. If students do not earn 18 double-counted credits prior to completing the undergraduate degree, they will need more than 18 credits to reach the total 36 credits required for the MS in Biology.

• Graduate assistantships are generally not available to Plan B students. Graduate assistantships may be available to Plan A students after completing the undergraduate degree. Contact the Biology Graduate Coordinator or Biology Chair for more information. Apply for a Biology graduate teaching assistantship by Feb 1 of the year the Plan A student will complete their undergraduate degree.

Admission requirements 

1. Application Deadlines: The recommended deadlines for applications are March 15 to begin in Summer or Fall; and October 15 to begin in Spring. The final deadlines to apply are April 1 to begin in Summer or Fall; and November 1 to begin in Spring.
2. Completion of at least 15 credits at CMU with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time they apply.
3. Exceptions to the minimum 3.0 GPA are possible if a student can demonstrate why they are prepared to be successful in graduate coursework.
4. Students must have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits (including transfer and AP credits) before starting coursework in the accelerated MS in Biology program.
5. Completion of at least BIO 111, BIO 112, and BIO 211 or BIO 213
6. Accepted by a Biology faculty research advisor (Plan A only)
7. Additional application materials: statement of purpose, names of 2 biology faculty members as references who can speak to their suitability for the program, and a CV

Admissions process 

1. Apply for admission to the accelerated MS in Biology program
2. Plan A students meet with the Biology faculty advisor who has agreed to mentor the student in thesis research while Plan B students meet with the Biology Chair (or other designated Biology faculty member) to identify courses that will be double-counted on the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program Acknowledgement and Approval form. This form is on the Office of Graduate Studies website
3. Students will also need approval from their research advisor. 
(Plan A only)

Retention and Termination 

1. Students must earn an average of a 3.0 (B) in all double-counted courses that will apply to the graduate degree. Grades are monitored each semester, and students who do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement will be removed from the accelerated MS in Biology program unless the student obtains an exception from Graduate Studies. Exception requests require the approval of the graduate program advisor and a plan for how the student will achieve the minimum 3.0 average in double-counted courses prior to completion of the undergraduate degree.
2. If a student earns an E in a double-counted course, they will be removed from the accelerated MS in Biology program.
3. If a student is removed from the accelerated MS in Biology program, all completed courses may still be used towards the undergraduate degree, but those credits cannot subsequently be used towards a CMU graduate degree. Students dismissed from the AGDP have the option of applying for readmission into the regular graduate program.