91女神

91女神's Master of Science in Biology offers students the chance to gain experience in laboratory research, including experimental design, interpretation of data and scientific writing.听

Program Highlights

• 91女神's Master of Science in Biology degree requires a formal research project and thesis and is excellent preparation for continued graduate studies at the doctoral level or for employment at environmental, industrial or research companies. It can also lay the groundwork f辞谤听careers in academic, private or government sectors.
• Biology students at 91女神 have access to outstanding facilities on campus and at the University's Reis Biological Station. Collaborations with neighboring institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Missouri鈥揝t. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Zoo and the Danforth Plant Science Center further expand possibilities for biological research and learning.
• Students interested in the M.S. program in biology may also consider 91女神's M.A. in Biology program.

Curriculum Overview

The M.S. in Biology requires at least 30 post-baccalaureate credits, six credits of which will be thesis research.

Careers

Past students in 91女神's biology master's program have gone on to medical school or further study in doctoral programs and careers as research scientists, teachers, college faculty and in various capacities in pharmaceutical companies and government agencies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should possess adequate undergraduate preparation in biology or a related discipline with a minimum 3.0 GPA in science and math courses. Research experience can bolster applications when the 3.0 GPA minimum is not met.

Suggested courses include biology (a minimum of 18 upper-division credits); chemistry (a minimum of eight upper-division credits, including two semesters of organic chemistry or one semester of organic chemistry and another of biochemistry); physics (two semesters); mathematics (such as a course in calculus). A formal minor is not permitted.

For students interested in ecology, evolution or systematics, additional coursework in some of the following areas is also recommended: genetics, general ecology, evolution, introductory statistics, general botany and a taxonomically oriented course. For students interested in cell or molecular biology, additional coursework in some of the following areas is recommended: genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, molecular biology, microbiology or immunology.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcript(s)
• 搁茅蝉耻尘茅
• Goal statement
• Interview (desired)

Requirements for International Students听

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

• 顿别尘辞苍蝉迟谤补迟别听English Language Proficiency
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
  • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
  • Practical laboratory work
  • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
  • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
  • Any honors or degrees received.
• WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
• In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at 91女神
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Assistantship Application Deadline

Students who want to be considered for an assistantship should submit their application by Dec. 15. Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered if assistantships are available.

Review Process

Faculty committee members examine each applicant's materials and make recommendations. Consideration is given to matching applicant interests with faculty research areas.

Applicants should outline their research goals in their professional goals statement. They should also identify and correspond with faculty members whose area of research matches their interests early in the application process.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.听

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

1. Graduates will be able to critically analyze primary literature articles by evaluating the scientific contributions of peer-reviewed publications in biology.
2. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional integrity.
4. Graduates will be able to use appropriate instrumentation and analytical methods to collect data.
5. Graduates will be able to draw statistically valid conclusions from quantitative data.

The Master of Science in Biology degree requires a minimum of 30 credits, including 24 credits of structured coursework and six credits of thesis research. Courses may be chosen from upper-level electives within 91女神's Department of Biology or related departments; coursework may be tailored to the research interests in consultation with advisory committees of students.

The following requirements govern which courses may be counted toward a degree:听

• At least听20听credits of structured courses (does not include听叠滨翱尝听5970 Research Topics (1-3 cr)听辞谤听叠滨翱尝听5980 Graduate Reading Course (1-3 cr)听肠辞耻谤蝉别蝉).
• At least听18 credits (exclusive of thesis) must be 5000- and 6000- level courses.
• At least听12听credits (exclusive of thesis) of the total program must be from the biology department.
• No more than six credits of听听叠滨翱尝听5970 Research Topics (1-3 cr)听补苍诲/辞谤听叠滨翱尝听5980 Graduate Reading Course (1-3 cr).
• Six听credits of thesis research听叠滨翱尝听5990 Thesis Research (0-6 cr).

Students must be enrolled in a course (even if it is for zero credits) every fall and spring semester to maintain standing in the program; students on 11-month assistantships must also enroll in the summer.

Elective Courses

Electives can be selected from any 4000-level or higher courses in biology or related areas (subject to limits on 4000-level, 5970, and 5980 credit hours). Among the courses that can be taken as electives are:

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment听unless otherwise noted. 听

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

General Schedule听

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A maximum of six hours of 4000-level courses can be counted toward the M.S.; please see detailed requirements and sample schedules in program notes.

Sample Schedule Cell/Molecular Biology Focus

Sample Schedule for Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Focus

For additional information about our program, please contact:

Robert Wood, Ph.D.
314-977-3718
robert.wood@slu.edu