Contact Information
Biology at NMU
The Biology Department offers three programs of graduate study that lead to a master of science degree. Students in the master of science degree program in Biology or Integrated Biosciences create individual programs of study that are designed to meet specific needs. Students in the master of science in Postsecondary Biology Education train specifically to teach biology at the collegiate level.
Master of Science in Biology
The thesis program in Biology may be broadly based and include course work in several areas of biology, or it may provide for concentration within a specific area of biology. One of the strengths of these master’s degree programs is that they provide the opportunity for students to participate in an in‐depth graduate research project. Many of these projects utilize field-oriented research because of the unique geographical setting of the university. Laboratory research is also supported in such areas as neurobiology, genetics, virology, immunology and physiology. Department facilities include a green house, aquatics laboratory, herbarium, Lake Superior researchboat, the Longyear Forest, confocal microscope, molecular biology labs, a small‐animal colony, and a zoological collection. The members of the Biology Department faculty all have doctoral degrees, and most are actively involved in the department’s graduate program. Thesis advisors for students in this program are drawn from the Biology Department faculty who maintain graduate faculty Level 3 status.
M.S. in Biology Program Mission
The graduate program in Biology provides quality graduate education through student-faculty collaboration in biological research and scholarly activity. Graduates will have a strong understanding of biology and the principles that guide the design and execution of high-quality research. Graduates will have substantial research experience and will be able to successfully communicate scientific information to the public and the scientific community.
M.S. in Biology Program Requirements
Programs must include a minimum of 32 credit hours of graduate courses. A minimum of 16 credit hours must be 500‐level courses in biology. A minimum of 20 credit hours of biology courses are required. Graduate students must carry out a plan of study which includes research and thesis. Candidates must perform original research under the direction of a research adviser from the Biology Department and present a seminar and thesis based on the research at the conclusion of their program. The student's advisory committee must approve a formal research proposal providing a review of literature and clear explanation of methods prior to the start of data collection. The candidate will defend his or her thesis at an oral examination. The thesis must be accepted by the Biology Department and the Office of Graduate Education. Additional guidelines and policies are available in the Master of Science in Biology Student Handbook.
M.S. in Biology Admission Deadlines and Requirements
Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. In addition, students must have either: a) a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, or b) a minimum of 24 credit hours in undergraduate Biology courses, or equivalents, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0. Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Applicants are also expected to have a background in other sciences, with a total of 16 credits of coursework from at least two of the following areas: chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, or biochemistry), geography (geographic information systems), geology (physical geology, soils or hydrology), physics or statistics. At least 12 of these credits are expected to be accompanied by a lab. Other courses may be accepted with the approval of the department.
Applicants and/or their potential advisors may request special consideration for admission of students with backgrounds that do not meet these expectations. Written requests should be directed to the Biology Graduate Committee, which after consideration will make recommendations to the Department for final approval of admission recommendations. The Department may admit students with deficient backgrounds with conditions that need to be met in a defined period of time.
Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education. In addition:
1. All applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the time of admission.
2. Applicants must include an essay indicating their background, career goals and research interests.
3. Student’s entering the biology/biochemistry degree must have completed CH 342 Physical Chemistry II or its equivalent with a grade of “B.” Credit for this course will not count for the degree.
4. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.
5. Students must have a thesis adviser prior to admission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with the thesis adviser early in the application process. To identify the adviser, students should contact a faculty member and establish the willingness of that person to serve as the adviser, as indicated by a memorandum from the faculty member to that effect.
Master of Science in Postsecondary Biology Education
The master of science in Postsecondary Biology Education is tailored to those interested in teaching biology in a college setting, particularly in community colleges. Offered jointly by the Departments of Biology and Education, Leadership & Public Service. This two year program, including summer session, is focused on coursework in both graduate-level biology concepts and educational instruction. It includes both research experience in biology and hands-on instructional practice.
M.S. in Postsecondary Education Program Mission:
The Postsecondary Biology Education program provides a high-quality biology education coupled with focused educational instruction that combines to equip graduates with the scientific and educational skills required to teach biology in the college setting. Graduates will have experience in multiple biological disciplines and an understanding of the scientific research process. Graduates will also understand the concepts of educational instruction at the college level.
Postsecondary Biology Education Admission Deadlines and Requirements
Student seeking admission to this program must meet one of the following standards:
- Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. In addition, students must have either: a) a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, or b) a minimum of 24 credit hours in undergraduate Biology courses, or equivalents, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0. Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Applicants are also expected to have a background in other sciences, with a total of 16 credits of coursework from at least two of the following areas: chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, or biochemistry), geography (geographic information systems), geology (physical geology, soils or hydrology), physics or statistics. At least 12 of these credits are expected to be accompanied by a lab. Other courses may be accepted with the approval of the program advisory committee.
- Applicants who already hold an advanced degree in the biological sciences (e.g. M.S, Ph.D, DVM, etc.) are eligible to be admitted to an accelerated track such that they can transfer 10 credits from their other graduate degree(s), typically in the Biology content area (if courses were completed within the seven-year transfer credit limit). Typically this would remove the requirement for two graduate level Biology courses (e.g. one semester) and BI500, assuming that a proposal was created for the first degree. This option is not available to applicants with advanced degrees in other content areas. Applicants interested in this option should contact the program director for assistance.
Admission Deadlines:
Fall semester program start:
Applications for fall semester admission will be reviewed via rolling admission from March 1 through May 1. After May 1, applications will be accepted for review until all positions are filled.
Winter semester program start:
Applications for winter semester admission will be reviewed via rolling admission from August 1 through October 1. After October 1, applications will be accepted for review until all positions are filled.
Master of Science in Integrated Biosciences
The Master of Science degree program in Integrated Biosciences is designed to meet the needs of students with an interests in the intersection of biology and the other sciences, technology and engineering fields such as chemistry, physics, geology, atmospherics, climatology, mathematics and computer science. Student thesis projects in this program emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of natural sciences and biology, drawing on diverse knowledge bases and skill sets. Projects are developed at the discretion of the student and the student’s interdisciplinary graduate advisory committee. The advisory committee will review the student’s background and determine what training and/or coursework will be required.
M.S. Integrated Biosciences Mission
The Master of Science program in Integrated Biosciences provides quality graduate education through student‐faculty collaboration in interdisciplinary natural science research and scholarly activity with links to biology. Graduates will have a strong understanding of interdisciplinary natural sciences and the principles that guide the design and execution of high‐quality research. Graduates will have substantial research experience and will be able to successfully communicate scientific information to the public and the scientific community.
M.S. in Integrated Biosciences Program Requirements
Programs must include a minimum of 32 credit hours of graduate courses. A minimum of 16 credit hours must be 500‐level courses. A minimum of 7‐8 credit hours of biology courses are required. Students must complete 7‐8 credits in one other natural science or mathematics/computer science departments (denoted by course prefix). Remaining credits may be drawn from listed courses at the discretion of the student and his/her advisory committee. Graduate students must carry out a plan of study which includes research and thesis. Candidates must perform original research under the direction of a research adviser and present a seminar and thesis based on the research at the conclusion of their program. Students in this program may receive primary mentorship by a research advisor in a natural sciences, mathematics or computer science discipline who maintains Level 3 graduate faculty status at NMU. The student's advisory committee must approve a formal research proposal providing a review of literature and clear explanation of methods prior to the start of data collection. The candidate will defend his or her thesis at an oral examination. The thesis must be accepted by the Master of Science in Integrated Biosciences Advisory Board and the Office of Graduate Education.
M.S. Integrated Biosciences Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. In addition, students must have either: a) a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences, mathematics or computer science, or b) a minimum of 24 credit hours in undergraduate natural science courses, or equivalents, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0. Students are expected to have sufficient training at the undergraduate or post‐baccalaureate level, which could include employment‐related experience, to successfully undertake the thesis project and the program. Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis with input from the faculty advisor.
Applicants are also expected to have a background in a breadth sciences, with a total of 16 credits of coursework from at least two natural science, mathematics, or computer science disciplines that are not the area of their primary undergraduate training. Other courses may be accepted with the approval of the program advisory board.
Applicants and/or their potential advisors may request special consideration for admission of students with backgrounds that do not meet these expectations. Written requests should be directed to the Program Advisory Board. The program may admit students with deficient backgrounds with conditions that need to be met in a defined period of time.
Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education. In addition:
1. All applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the time of admission.
2. Applicants must include an essay indicating their background, career goals and research interests.
3. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.
4. Students must have a thesis adviser prior to admission. This advisor can be drawn from any of the natural sciences, engineering, computer science, or mathematics disciplines. Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with the thesis adviser early in the application process. To identify the adviser, students should contact a faculty member and establish the willingness of that person to serve as the adviser, as indicated by a memorandum from the faculty member to the program advisory board. This memorandum should also indicate the general area of research to be conducted by the student and provide a rationale for the fit of this research area with the mission of the M.S. Integrated Biosciences program.
M.S. Biology or M.S. Integrated Biosciences Admission Deadlines and Requirements
Application packets must be complete to be considered for admission. Incomplete application materials will be retained for one year from the initial application date. Applicants wishing to be considered after that time must resubmit all materials. Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the department and only under extreme circumstances.
Fall Semester Program Start:
Applications for fall admission will be reviewed from March 1 through May 1. Applicants interested in being considered for a fall‐awarded teaching assistantship must have all materials submitted by March 1.
Winter Semester Program Start:
Applications for winter admission will be reviewed from September 15 through December 1. Applicants interested in being considered for a winter‐awarded teaching assistantship must have all materials submitted by September 15.
Programs
Bulletin Year: 2017 - 2018 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.