Departmental Degree Requirements

Master of Arts and Master of Science   The minimum residence requirement is one session and one full summer at this University, or three full summers. A master's degree candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits of coursework at the graduate level, exclusive of 800-level and 900-level research courses. There is no foreign language requirement for the master's degree.

Doctor of Philosophy   Students who select biology as their major subject, in addition to meeting the regular University requirements, must have a general knowledge of related sciences, such as chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and a comprehensive knowledge of the various aspects of biology, as attested by the completion of prescribed courses and such examinations as may be imposed. The biology department has additional requirements, including the successful completion of a minimum of 20 credits of graduate-level lecture or laboratory course work and involvement by students in a program of seminar courses. These requirements are subject to change from year to year, but a list of the current ones may be obtained from the Biology Department upon request. The completion of residence requirements and class work does not guarantee a degree to any student; the preeminent qualifications are thoroughness in work, resourcefulness, initiative, creative ability, and intellectual drive.

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