Biological Sciences, M.S.

Requirements

Program Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences offers the Master of Science degree in biological sciences. Students choose between a thesis or non-thesis option, which each require 30 hours of credit. The nonthesis option requires 30 hours of course work and a comprehensive exam, and the thesis option requires 24 hours of course work, a thesis (that includes 6 hours of research), and a comprehensive exam. At least two credit hours in either option would be in seminar (discussion) courses. The nonthesis option is considered a terminal degree; therefore, students wishing to pursue higher degrees should take the thesis option. Comprehensive exams will be oral, written, or both at the discretion of the advisor.

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to the program must satisfy the general admission requirements for graduate programs and must have a GRE score of 290 (or 900 on the old scale) or above, with the score being less than five years old when submitted.

Graduation Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to continue in the program. Any grade below a ‘B’ will not count towards graduation. Both thesis and nonthesis option stu-dents must form an advisory committee before the end of their first trimester. Committees must consist of at least three members (no more than five) and two of these members must be faculty at WCU. The advisory committee will approve the program of study, grade the comprehensive exam, and approve the thesis (when the thesis option is selected). Students pursuing the thesis option should seek out a faculty member to act as their advisor by the end of the first trimester (preferably before enrolling). No more than six hours of credit may be transferred from another institution.