Admission Requirements
- Comply with the regular admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
- have either:
a) a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, or
b) a minimum of 24 credit hours in undergraduate Biology courses, or equivalents, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0. Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Applicants are also expected to have a background in other sciences, with a total of 16 credits of coursework from at least two of the following areas: chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, or biochemistry), geography (geographic information systems), geology (physical geology, soils or hydrology), physics or statistics. At least 12 of these credits are expected to be accompanied by a lab. Other courses may be accepted with the approval of the program advisory committee.
Accelerated Track - Applicants who already hold an advanced degree in the biological sciences (e.g. M.S, Ph.D, DVM, etc.) are eligible to be admitted to an accelerated track such that they can transfer 10 credits from their other graduate degree(s), typically in the Biology content area (if courses were completed within the seven-year transfer credit limit). Typically this would remove the requirement for two graduate level Biology courses (e.g. one semester) and BI500, assuming that a proposal was created for the first degree. This option is not available to applicants with advanced degrees in other content areas. Applicants interested in this option should contact the program director for assistance.
All Applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and fee.
- Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
- An essay indicating their background, career goals and research interests.
Application Due Dates
Fall Semester Program Start - Applications for fall semester admission will be reviewed via rolling admission from March 1 through May 1. After May 1, applications will be accepted for review until all positions are filled.
Winter Semester Program Start - Applications for winter semester admission will be reviewed via rolling admission from August 1 through October 1. After October 1, applications will be accepted for review until all positions are filled.
MS in Postsecondary Biology Education Curriculum
For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Biology department page.
| Total Credits Required | 36-38 |
| Core Courses | 24 |
| BI 500 Planning and Proposing Scientific Research | 2 |
| BI 594 Methods in Biological Research | 6 |
| ED 504 Psychology of Education | 2 |
| ED 505 Measurement and Evaluation | 2 |
| ED 506 Cultural Foundations of Education I: Historical and Philosophical Dimensions (3 cr.) or | 3 |
| ED 507 Cultural Foundations of Education II: Social Justice and American Schools (3 cr.) | |
| ED 522 Curriculum Development | 3 |
| ED 541A Improvement of Instruction | 3 |
| ED 548A Internship in College Teaching | 3 |
| Advanced Biology courses | 10-12 |
| 400 or 500 graduate level biology electives. A minimum of one course must be at the 500 level. | |
| Capstone | 2 |
| ED 574 Seminar in Educational Research | 2 |
ED 574 will serve as the capstone graduate seminar in research that gives the student experience with the kinds of research they may expect to encounter throughout a professional career. A file paper characterized by excellence in Biology content and pedagogy in a format appropriate to graduate level scholarship is required for the course. The capstone topic will be mutually agreed upon by the student and adviser.
Graduation Requirements
Graduates must meet the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:
- Complete the minimum number of credits for the degree
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Successfully complete their capstone course ED 574
Bulletin Year:
2023 - 2024 Graduate Bulletin