MA Biological Sciences Timeline

Year 1

  • (Usually first semester) Assemble MA Advisory committee consisting of the major advisor and, at least, one additional members. The additional members must have appropriate academic credentials or expertise (usually a Ph.D.).  The role of the committee is to help guide the research effort to approve the final thesis or project generated from that research.
  • (Usually first semester) Work with Major advisor to create a 2 yr academic plan for completion of required coursework. Students and faculty are encouraged to use the MA Candidacy Worksheet to help plan the appropriate coursework.
  • Each semester, submit a Graduate Advising Worksheet [pdf] to the Department Graduate Coordinator to indicate the courses you will be taking.
  • If enrolled in Option 2, Work with Major advisor and MA Advisory committee to develop a project plan.
  • (Usually first semester) Complete BIOL 202 with a grade of “B” or better within the first year. This course meets the Competency in Written English requirements specified by the university.
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • If you have been accepted conditionally, complete the conditional requirements specified on the Faculty Acceptance form and file the Change of Classification Form [pdf] to change your status to Classified.

Year 2

  • File for Candidacy in the first semester of your second year(by Oct 1)
  • Each semester, submit a Graduate Advising Worksheet to the Department Graduate Coordinator to indicate the courses you will be taking.
    • You should enroll in BIOL 201 and BIOL 284 each semester.
    • See 2 Year Plan [pdf]
    • In the year that you are completing your coursework, you must enroll in BIOL 284.
  • Complete coursework with a GPA of 3.0.
    • You should enroll in BIOL 201 and BIOL 284 each semester.
    • In the year that you are completing your coursework, you must enroll in BIOL 284.
  • Culminating Experience
    • Option 1: Complete written and oral exams
      • See your Major advisor to arrange examination dates
    • Option 2: Successfully complete written report of project and an oral presentation of your findings to your committee.
      • See your major advisor to schedule the presentation.
    • After successfully completing the culminating experience, the Major advisor will notify the department Graduate Coordinator who will submit a Completion of Culminating Experience form to GAPE.
  • File for Graduation with the Application for Award of Master’s Degree [pdf] (by Feb 1). Please send a copy to the Department Graduate Coordinator.

If you have NOT completed your culminating experience in the same semester in which you have completed your coursework