Requirements

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The Master of Science in Biology is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge of both plant and animal biology and microbiology.  The program requires a minimum of 30 credits. These must include at least one 3-credit course in four of the following six areas:

• Cell Biology /Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology
• Ecology
• Plant Biology
• Computational/Mathematical Biology

In order to complete the degree requirements, students must either complete a thesis on an experimental laboratory or field project; or a comprehensive examination and written scientific paper.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are expected to have an accredited undergraduate degree in biology from an accredited institution. Candidates with other appropriate backgrounds will be considered. The following cognate undergraduate courses are required: general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is expected.

In addition to the application form, three letters of recommendation, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General test scores are required for admission. Scores in the 50th percentile or better on each section of the general examination are required. The subject test in Biology is recommended. All applicants who received an undergraduate degree from a school outside of the United states are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Bridge Program: To ensure academic success in their graduate studies, students may be required to take additional undergraduate or graduate courses before beginning program curricula. Such courses are not counted toward degree requirements. The graduate courses will count in the calculation of the graduate grade point average (GPA).

Degree Requirements

Thesis: A minimum of 24 credits of course work, 6 credits of research, completion of a thesis and an oral defense of the submitted thesis. The thesis must be a scholarly paper demonstrating the ability to write clearly and scientifically; and based on experimental laboratory and/or field project research. Upon completion of the written thesis, it must be defended publicly.

A thesis committee, approved by the Director of the Division of Biological Sciences, must be formed. The thesis committee must be comprised of the primary advisor and at least one other faculty reader. All members of the committee must be members of the graduate faculty.   

Comprehensive Exam: Completion of 30 credits of course work, pass a written comprehensive examination and complete a paper illustrating the ability to write a scientific data in a clear scholarly manner. A list of six completed courses must be submitted to the Director, who will obtain questions for the exam. The six questions are presented on a specific date. Two weeks (including three weekends) are provided to answer the six questions. Each question must be typewritten, double spaced, and 4-7 pages long, with a separate page for citations. The answers should satisfy high standards of scientific writing and should use primary scientific literature. The questions are graded on a PASS/FAIL basis by the faculty member who submitted the question. Five of the six questions must be answered correctly. The identity of the student will be anonymous to the faculty grader. Only one of the five questions can be retaken. In this instance, a new question is provided.

A student who submits a paper to a member of the Biology graduate faculty as part of a course may resubmit the same paper at a later date for re-evaluation by that faculty member.  The faculty member will re-grade the paper indicating that it is acceptable to be used as an MS research paper. The paper must demonstrate the ability to use and cite primary scientific literature and be written in a clear and scientific manner. The comprehensive exam is given twice a year, following the completion of the fall and spring semesters.

Program Requirements: Students who are unable to pass the thesis defense or the written comprehensive examination or who do not receive a passing grade of B or better on the writing requirement by the second try will be dismissed from the program.

Contact Information:

Email: biology@njit.edu