Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants are expected to have attained a level of scholarship in the baccalaureate program equal to a grade point average of 3.0 or better, including adequate preparation in biological sciences and supporting courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics. Normally, the entering student will be expected to have fulfilled the equivalent of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree at Wayne State University and to satisfy any deficiencies by course work before becoming a candidate for the advanced degree. The general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to the Master of Science program. Admission is granted for the Fall Semester only.

Program Requirements

The Department offers the Master of Science degree under the Plan A option.

Requirements include the following:

Plan A: Twenty-three credits in course work, plus a thesis (eight credits) based on completion of a research program.

Under Plan A, the eight credits of thesis work must be in original laboratory or field research under the direction of the student’s major advisor. At least twenty-four of the total credits must be from the Department of Biological Sciences. A final oral examination is required, based on the candidate’s course work and research.

Students must complete one semester of two laboratory rotations before choosing an advisor. Students must elect courses according to departmental requirements, including a core curriculum and electives determined by the student’s graduate advisor with review and approval by the Graduate Committee Chairperson and the Department Graduate Officer, Dr. Edward Golenberg.

Candidacy: Applicants become degree candidates after completing twelve credit hours of course work and filing a Plan of Work which must be approved and signed by the Departmental Graduate Officer.

Academic Scholarship: All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.