Program Admission

1. Application should be made online through The University of Memphis Graduate School portal https://apply.memphis.edu/portal/graduate_application. Information on the application process can be obtained by emailing the department Graduate Studies Coordinator (grad_studies_coordinator@memphis.edu).
2. Official transcripts of all previous academic coursework must be sent directly from the issuing institution to The University of Memphis Graduate Admissions. Prospective MS students must hold a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. An overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) at the undergraduate level is usually competitive. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). If the applicant has a degree or coursework from a foreign institution, they must have credentials evaluated by an agency listed on the Association of International Credential Evaluation Services website (https://aice-eval.org) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services web site (www.naces.org). Please check the website of the specific program to determine if this evaluation is required.by any credentialing agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services’ website. The course-by-course report is required.  See https://www.memphis.edu/graduateadmissions/future/admproc.php for more information.
3. To be competitive, applicants should have majored in a STEM or STEM education discipline or have completed upper division coursework in one of these disciplines.
4. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission into our MS program.
5. Applicants for the thesis Master’s degree require a faculty advisor for acceptance into the program, non-thesis Master’s degree applicants do not require a faculty mentor. Applicants must contact a potential faculty research advisor in the department’s graduate program. The faculty advisor will send the student and the Graduate Studies Coordinator (grad_studies_coordinator@memphis.edu) a letter stating that (1) they are willing to mentor the applicant and (2) how the student will be funded while in the program.
6. Two letters of recommendation from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s suitability for graduate work in biology must be submitted to the Graduate School application site.
7. For all applicants who do not have a degree or citizenship for an approved English speaking county (https://www.memphis.edu/graduateadmissions/future/admission-requirements.php), and English proficiency exam is required. Current minimum scores accepted can be found https://www.memphis.edu/graduateadmissions/future/admission-requirements.php.
   

Program Requirements (Thesis)

1. A minimum of 30 credit hours is required beyond the baccalaureate degree. For a full-time student, the typical time to complete the program is 2-3 years.
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained. A student whose grade point average drops below 3.0 will have one semester to raise their GPA to 3.0 or better. Continuation of a student who fails to reach a 3.0 overall GPA during two consecutive semesters while in the graduate may be dismissed.
3. Mandatory courses include BIOL 7002 (Science Teaching and Communication), BIOL 7102 (Thesis Proposal), 3 credit hours of BIOL 7200 (Seminar in Biology), 6 credit hours of BIOL 7092 (Research), 6 credit hours of BIOL 7996 (Thesis Research) and  BIOL 7600 (MS Thesis Defense Seminar). Attendance at departmental seminars is mandatory. BIOL 7002 must be completed during the first year of residence and BIOL 7600 in the last semester.
4. Full-time students should become candidates usually no later than the end of their fourth semester in residence after they have: (1) successfully passed and BIOL 7092  (2) successfully taken the Research Prospectus/Proposal (BIOL 7102  that includes a written research proposal, a seminar on the research proposal and an examination of the proposal by the student’s thesis committee.
5. At least 6 credit hours of post-candidacy thesis research (BIOL 7996  must be completed after the student becomes a candidate (no more than 6 credit hours of BIOL 7996 will be counted toward the degree).
6. A written thesis detailing the results of the student research. The thesis must demonstrate mastery of the techniques and intellectual process of scientific research.
7. An MS thesis defense seminar and final examination (BIOL 7600). The final examination will be conducted by the student advisory committee. The thesis committee will consist, insofar as possible, of the same graduate faculties involved in the Comprehensive Examination. The final examination will be an oral defense of the thesis and will be announced and open to the public. Upon successful completion of the examination and all degree requirements, the committee will recommend awarding the MS with Thesis degree.

Program Requirements (Non-Thesis)

1. A minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate courses is required. Credit hours counting toward the degree must be in STEM or STEM education courses.
2. Mandatory courses include BIOL 7002 (Science Teaching and Communication). BIOL 7002 must be completed during the first year of residence. 
3. 33 credits of elective courses are required to complete the degree and now more that 3 credits can be from BIOL 7092.
4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained. A student whose grade point average drops below 3.0 will have one semester to raise their GPA to 3.0 or better. Continuation of a student who fails to reach a 3.0 overall GPA during two consecutive semesters while in the graduate may be dismissed.

MS Non-thesis students are to consult with the graduate coordinator to discuss course offerings.