Within this degree, major areas of concentration include molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, ecology and conservation biology, genetics, physiology, neuroscience and behavior, aquatic ecology, and plant science. Interdisciplinary research programs in the fields of chemistry, geology, and psychology are also available.
Students may pursue the M.S. degree under one of two plans. Plan I is a thesis option recommended for students who intend to continue on to a Ph.D. program as well as students who want to pursue careers involving biological research. Plan II is a non-thesis plan designed to meet the needs of students whose career goals do not require a research-oriented course of study.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.S. degree, all students in the Biological Sciences program are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a command of fundamental principles of biology
- Evaluate and critique biology-oriented science, social and ethical issues
- Effectively relate scientific concepts in both oral and written formats
Upon completion of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree, research (Plan I) students in the Biological Sciences program are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the research literature in their area of expertise
- Integrate research methodologies and experimental strategies to develop a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation
- Doctoral students will also develop a manuscript suitable for peer-reviewed publication in a professional journal
Admission Requirements
- Submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Three Letters of Recommendation - Identify three professional references (usually academic) who will write a letter of support for your application to our program. Letters of recommendation should:
1. Describe interactions with the applicant and in what context (e.g., advisor, course instructor)
2. Address applicant’s preparedness to contribute to and succeed in a diverse academic research community
3. Include a description of the applicant’s “hands on research experience” and any other predictors of academic success.
- Statement of Purpose: should be limited to 500 words or less and include:
1. Description of your general research interests
2. Summary of experiences relevant to your research interests and a brief description of your academic and professional goals.
3. Identification of three potential advisors whose research programs are consistent with with your research interests (consult Biology webpage faculty list: https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/biological-sciences/faculty-and-staff.html for further information). Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty in whose labs they have potential interest. For each potential research program you identify, provide a short explanation of how you would contribute to that research and how the program’s research can positively contribute to your academic and professional development.
- Resume: Document should include:
1. Identification of each research project in which you have participated and identify the advisor of that project
2. For each project identified, describe your role, the objective, the methods and the outcome
3. Citations and an abstract for any publication that includes you as an author
4. Professional presentations in which you participated (talks, poster sessions etc.) For each presentation identified, provide the abstract
5. Relevant academic scholarships and awards that you have received
6. Academic workshops in which you have participated (either in person or electronically)
7. Relevant teaching experience
8. Additional experiences relevant to your academic development
9. Doctoral applicants should include the abstract from their MS thesis. If the MS degree has not been finalized by the time of submission, a working abstract (identified as a draft) is acceptable.
Application Requirements
Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements
International Application Information
Degree Requirements
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