MS
Biology
Application Deadline
Contact Information
Admission Requirements
Additional Requirements
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent
Program Requirements
The MS degree in biology is designed to give students an opportunity to develop research projects within a hypothesis-testing framework, with a conceptual focus on some aspect of ecological or evolutionary theory. Projects might include, but are not limited to, studies in population, community, or ecosystem ecology, population or conservation genetics, phylogeography, molecular evolution, bioinformatics, or phylogenetic systematics. Students in any of these areas will present and defend a thesis based on original work. Because all such research is expected to be suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals, thesis manuscripts are expected to be prepared for immediate submission to an appropriate journal.
Requirements for MS Degree Program in Biology:
Requirements for MS Degree Program in Biology:
- Credit hours (30): Minimum 24 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours; 20 hours must be in the 500-level series and above (can include Bio 691R, Bio 699R, etc.).
- Required courses: Bio 503 (Graduate Orientation, 1.0 credit) or equivalent; Bio 691R (Graduate Seminar, 1.0 credit, 2 semesters). Additional courses as determined by student's advisory committee and approved by department graduate coordinator.
- Annual progress reviews by advisory committee and graduate committee.
- Presentation of research prospectus to advisory committee.
- Thesis: Standard university thesis or journal publication format.
- Examinations: (A) Comprehensive oral examination, (B) oral defense of research, and (C) oral defense of thesis.
Program Outcomes
Area Specialization
Students will describe the current state of the discipline in their area of specialization (e.g., key theories and research practices in ecology, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics) as well as use advanced biological concepts to interpret, analyze, and solve biological problems. (BYU AIMS 2, 4)
Research Skills and Tools
Students will conduct research using appropriate tools and techniques within their focused area of graduate study (e.g., ecology, evolutionary biology). (BYU AIMS 2, 4)
Teaching Skills
Students will be able to teach in the biological sciences by demonstrating an expert understanding of basic biological concepts, foundational theories, and key relationships from the molecular to ecosystem level. (BYU AIMS 4)
Students will describe the current state of the discipline in their area of specialization (e.g., key theories and research practices in ecology, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics) as well as use advanced biological concepts to interpret, analyze, and solve biological problems. (BYU AIMS 2, 4)
Research Skills and Tools
Students will conduct research using appropriate tools and techniques within their focused area of graduate study (e.g., ecology, evolutionary biology). (BYU AIMS 2, 4)
Teaching Skills
Students will be able to teach in the biological sciences by demonstrating an expert understanding of basic biological concepts, foundational theories, and key relationships from the molecular to ecosystem level. (BYU AIMS 4)
Program Stats
Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students
23.0
International
1.0
Male
12.0
Female
11.0
LDS
20.0
BYU Undergraduate
7.0
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree
1.89
Graduated Per Year
18.6
GMAT Quantitative Percentile
67.5
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year
9.2
Admitted Per Year
6.0
Percent Admitted
65.22
Average GPA
3.42
Courses and Faculty