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
- 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.
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
Application Deadlines
Admission and funding decisions are made competitively.
- Fall Applications: Applications for fall semester are reviewed on a rolling basis and consideration for funding begins February 1 and continues until complete. Decisions about assistantships are usually finalized by June 1. Applications must be complete by June 15 for admission for Fall semester.
- Spring Applications: Applications for Spring semester are discouraged because students cannot take courses in the preferred sequence and funding is not available (except in unusual circumstances). Applications must be complete by November 30 for admission for Spring semester.
- Summer Applications: The Biology Department does not accept new students in the Summer semester.
International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement.
Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.
Application Requirements
Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements
International Application Information
Degree Requirements
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