Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology

Total Credit Hours (thesis option): 30          Degree Format: Traditional

The Department of Biology and The College of Science and Mathematics offer the Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology. The program provides students who have completed an undergraduate degree in Biology, an opportunity for advanced study in life sciences. The program prepares graduates for careers in biology, education, and biotechnology/medical fields. Graduates of this program are also well-prepared to continue their studies at the doctoral level.

The M.S. curriculum is 30 semester hours and requires a formal thesis for graduation; however, students pursuing the degree who do not plan to transition into a Ph.D. curriculum have the option of developing a program of study, in conjunction with their advisor, that fits their professional and educational goals and interests.

The Biology Department of Valdosta State University expects its graduate students to acquire the following: A breadth of knowledge appropriate to a Master’s level of competence in the biological sub-disciplines of cell and molecular biology, genetics, organismal biology and evolution and ecology; a knowledge base that will permit students to identify significant biological research questions, develop protocols to solve problems, and properly analyze and resolve research questions through the use of the scientific method. The Biology Department’s admission policies, degree offerings, degree options, and course offerings are designed to help all students achieve these goals.

Total Credit Hours (non-thesis option): 30         Degree Format: Traditional

The Department of Biology and The College of Science and Mathematics offer the Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology (non-thesis option).  The program provides students who have completed an undergraduate degree in Biology an opportunity for advanced study in life sciences.  The program prepares graduates for careers in biology, education, and biotechnology/medical fields.

The M.S. non-thesis curriculum is 30 semester hours.  Students pursuing the degree who do not plan to transition into a Ph.D. curriculum have the option of developing a program of study, in conjunction with their advisor, that fits their professional and educational goals and interests.  The Biology Department of Valdosta State University expects its graduate students to acquire the following: A breadth of knowledge appropriate to a Master's level of competence in the biological sub-disciplines of cell and molecular biology, genetics, organismal biology and evolution and ecology; a knowledge base that will permit students to identify significant biological research questions, develop protocols to solve problems, and properly analyze and resolve research questions through the use of the scientific method.  The Biology Department's admission policies, degree offerings, degree options, and course offerings are designed to help all students achieve these goals.

Program Coordinator: Dr. J. Mitchell Lockhart, email: jmlockha@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5767

Biology Department Website

ADMISSION DEADLINES

• Fall Semester: March 15
• Spring Semester: October 15
• Summer Semester: March 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

• Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
• Apply Online

Official transcript from each college/university attended (even for transfer credit) and from any graduate coursework

• Must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a major in Biology or a related field.
• Minimum GPA of 2.80 in the major coursework and an overall GPA of 2.50. The overall GPA will be calculated on all attempted undergraduate coursework in which a letter grade was awarded.
• Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.

One-Page Statement of Interest

• In the written statement describing your interest in the program and reasons for applying to the program.

Two Recommendations

• General Recommendation Form Required
• Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to complete the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the email (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
• Recommendations from professionals familiar with your professional and/or academic background.
• Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitted through the online recommendation system.

Advisor Acknowledgement (MS-Thesis Option)

• Written acknowledgment from one department faculty member who agrees to serve as the student’s major advisor, if the student is accepted.
• Prospective students are encouraged to review faculty web pages to determine faculty research interests and identify who is conducting research of interest to the applicant. Applicants should then contact prospective advisors.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MS-Non-Thesis Option)

• Acknowledgement from the Biology Department Graduate Committee, if the student is accepted

VSU Medical Form

• The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
• This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
• Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to ensure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

ACCELERATED TRACK UNDERGRADUATES

VSU undergraduates who successfully complete the Accelerated M.S. track as part of their Biology bachelor's degree at VSU are only required to submit 1) the online Graduate Application and fee, and 2) official undergraduate transcripts from each college/university attended. 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, however, additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), ELS Language Centers level 109, or completion of level 6 at VSU's English Language Institute – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit one of the above. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the language proficiency requirement.
• Certificate of Finances- The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
• Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

• Regular Status
• Probationary Status
  • Applicants may be considered on a probationary basis with less than the minimum required GPA of 2.80 in major coursework.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

• Call Us: 229-333-5694
• Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
• Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date.

2. A 3.0 cumulative institutional grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation.

3. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.

4. Students must successfully complete a competency exam covering biology, general subject areas, course work, and specific areas of research to achieve candidate status for degree and graduation. Exams may consist of written and oral questions developed and administered by the thesis committee. Students not successfully passing competency exams may, be re-examined after completion of appropriate remedial work as determined by the thesis or advisory committee.

Thesis Option

1. Students are required to design, conduct, write, and defend a formal research thesis in their chosen area of study in order to graduate with the Master of Science degree with a major in biology.

A master’s thesis in biology should be a written work suitable to a relevant, professional sub-discipline of biology demonstrating competent and substantial research coupled with an innovative approach to the subject matter. The thesis will be directed by a faculty member and a committee of at least two other faculty members (at least one of whom must be from outside the Department of Biology). Once the thesis has been submitted, students will have an oral defense covering both the thesis and their coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of coursework and 6 hours of thesis credit.

Non-thesis option

• The non-thesis option is designed for individuals who wish to expand their biological knowledge via coursework.  This option is appropriate for individuals already in a professional setting, such as teachers or people in industry.  
• Students are required to participate in a data or research project in the form of Directed Study or Internship.  Non-Thesis students do not write a thesis. Non-thesis students must secure a faculty member to complete their data or research project or have an advisory committee approved internship.

Graduation Requirements Page - M.S. in Biology Program

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

1. Students must have a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses. 
2. Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted BEFORE Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning.
3. If dismissed from the program, the student must wait a minimum of two semesters before applying for readmission. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed and prior academic performance and conduct in the program will be considered.
4. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements. 
5. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a master’s-level graduate program. This credit must be documented in the form of an official transcript at the time of admission. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.