Master of Science in Environmental and Biological Sciences

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Students should consult the General Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.

Purpose and Goals

The Master of Science Graduate Program in Environmental and Biological Sciences is designed to broaden the student’s perspective and provide skills and knowledge for understanding and solving problems in the environmental and biological sciences. The program teaches students the direct and indirect economic, social, and political contributions of the environmental and biological sciences. The program underscores the interdisciplinary and cooperative nature of environmental and biological issues. The program teaches how to manage conflicts and emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating with the private and public sectors, regulatory agencies, interest groups, and communities. The program objectives are listed below:

To demonstrate the pivotal role of the environmental and biological sciences in understanding and addressing environmental, ecological, medical, agricultural, and policy-related issues;
To promote the professional development of students for entry and advancement in the private and public sectors as scientists, educators, administrators, or managers;
To provide students with the necessary skills for performing research, reviewing and evaluating regulatory guidelines, and writing professional documents;
To foster an understanding and appreciation of the role of values and ethics in research, management, and institutional performance;
To strengthen the academic foundations of students seeking entry into professional schools and into doctoral programs at graduate schools; and
To provide teachers with opportunities for advancement and to broaden and update their knowledge in order to enrich the classroom experience of their students.

Prerequisite Requirements

Candidates for admission must have a baccalaureate degree, preferably in a scientific subject area. Candidates should have completed Ecology (BIO 2229/BIO L229) and one junior/senior level (3000/4000) Biology course. Additionally, General Chemistry I, II (CHM 1142/CHM L142, CHM 1143/CHM L143) and Statistics (STAT 22010) are required.

Note: To remain eligible for Federal Financial Aid, all undergraduate courses MUST be completed before students enroll in any graduate courses. Students receiving Federal Financial Aid may NOT enroll in undergraduate courses after they have begun graduate coursework.

Admission Requirements for Master of Science in Environmental and Biological Sciences

Unconditional Admission

Unconditional admission may be granted to students who fulfill the following requirements:

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours.
Demonstrate an adequate academic background in the sciences that includes natural or biological sciences, general chemistry, and statistics.
Have an acceptable score on the appropriate entrance exam [GRE 290 (850 on the old exam) (verbal plus quantitative)].

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements to the graduate program. See Conditional Admission requirements in the general regulations section of this catalog. Students with a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission.

Students admitted conditionally only because of a low undergraduate grade point average will be cleared of their conditional status if, at the completion of nine semester hours, they have achieved a 3.0 grade point average or greater on all graduate work attempted. Students must clear the conditional admission requirement of a 3.0 average at the completion of nine semester hours, or they will be dropped from the graduate program for one calendar year after which they may petition the Dean of the Graduate School to re-enter.

Students admitted conditionally only because of a low test score will be granted unconditional admission prior to the completion of nine semester hours provided they have maintained a 3.0 grade point average on all graduate work attempted and have retaken the test and received a satisfactory score.

Students with academic deficiencies (coursework, GPA, GRE score) may be required to complete additional course work before being granted unconditional admission to the program.

Thesis-Track Admission

Candidates will not be admitted into a thesis-track unless they have identified a thesis research supervisor and that faculty member has agreed to act as that student’s thesis advisor. Candidates can apply to a non-thesis track concentration and change to a thesis track concentration after a thesis advisor has been identified. Conditionally accepted students cannot be accepted into a thesis track concentration until they have cleared conditional status.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 12 semester hours taken at another regionally accredited institution, each with a “B” grade or better, can be applied toward the degree. These courses must be comparable in catalog description to Troy University courses in the Department’s graduate program and also be approved by the Department Chair. Non-thesis students who transfer a “core” course are still required to take a written comprehensive exam based on the material presented at Troy University.

Degree Requirements

Unconditional Admission
Completion of curriculum listed below. If the student makes a “D” or “F” in a core course, the course must be retaken. If the student makes a “D” or “F” in an elective course, the course may either be retaken or another elective taken in its place
Successful completion of BIO 6691 with a “B” or better
Overall 3.0 GPA
Successful completion of the comprehensive examination for non-thesis students or a thesis, including a presentation of a public seminar, for thesis students

A student who successfully completes the requirements listed above will be awarded the Master’s degree (M.S.) in Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Curriculum for M.S. in Environmental and Biological Sciences

The Master of Science in Environmental and Biological Science degree is offered as a 30 semester hour thesis option, or 36 hour non-thesis option.

Required Core Courses (9 sh)

Select one option below:

Non-Thesis Option :

Required Core Classes	9 sh
Advisor-approved electives	27 sh
Total	36 sh

Comprehensive Examination

After the completion of all core courses in the non-thesis option, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination.The comprehensive exam is given in the semester or term prior to graduation. Students should work closely with their advisor to prepare for their comprehensive exams, which will be prepared, administered, and evaluated by the graduate committee.

Thesis Option: (30 sh minimum)

The Thesis Option includes:

Required Core Classes	9 sh
Thesis hours (BIO 6695)	6 sh
Advisor-approval electives	15 sh
Total	30 sh

Degree Plan

M.S. - Environmental and Biological Sciences Degree Plan/Progress Record