Biological Sciences Graduate Programs.

Program Mission: The Master of Science in Biological Sciences offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced training in many areas of modern biology. The size of the program facilitates close contact between the student and graduate faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences.  Experiences provided by the graduate faculty in formal courses, research laboratories, and in diverse field situations are the basis not only for degree requirements but also for continuation of their postgraduate education and placement in a career in the biological sciences.

Facilities: In addition to laboratory and computer facilities, the department houses a tissue culture laboratory; a GIS facility; a biotechnology center; insect, fish, and mammal collections; vascular plant, fungi, and lichen herbarium; and a multi-room greenhouse used for teaching and research. Our location offers easy access to a number of outdoor areas useful for teaching and research. These include state parks, nature preserves, local streams, rivers, reservoirs, and water sheds.

Faculty Research Interests:

Prospective students are encouraged to contact members of the faculty to explore mutual research interests.  Students wishing to begin graduate studies in the Biological Sciences are strongly encouraged to contact the Biological Sciences Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Charles Costa.

Go to the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program web site for additional information regarding the Biological Sciences Graduate Program.

Master of Sciences in Biological Sciences Graduate Program

Program Requirements

A student earns the Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences by completing requirements in one of three degree options. The department offers a thesis option (21 hours of course work and a research-based thesis), an internship option (23 hours of course work and an extensive internship), and a non-thesis option (32 hours of course work). The specific requirements for each option can be found in the graduate catalog.  Degree requirements include those outlined for the master's degree by the Graduate School (see "Requirements for the Master's Degree").

Admission Requirements: Applicants who have a baccalaureate degree in biological sciences or related field from an accredited institution and a minimum grade point average of 2.75 (A = 4.0) are eligible for admission to the program. In addition, students are required to have taken one year of inorganic and a semester of organic chemistry. Undergraduate courses in calculus, physics, statistics, and biochemistry are also recommended preparation. Applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (general test only) scores at the time of application.

The Graduate Catalog and application for admission to the Graduate School are available at the following web site: www.eiu.edu/~graduate.

To apply, a student should send the following materials to the Graduate School: Undergraduate transcripts, application and application fee, and GRE scores. In addition, the following materials should be sent to the Coordinator of the Biological Sciences Graduate Program: BSGP application, statement of personal goals, three letters of recommendation, and a completed assistantship application. Application materials should be received before February 15 for those planning to apply for graduate assistantships. Applications from prospective students not applying for assistantships are accepted at any time.
 

Students are initially assigned to the Coordinator, Biological Sciences Graduate Program Committee for academic advisement.  A permanent advisor should be selected during the first term of residence.  In consultation with the advisor, the student will select at least two additional graduate faculty to serve as his or her advisory committee.  Each student's program of study is designed to fit individual student needs and interests within the framework of degree requirements of the Graduate School.  Prospective students are encouraged to contact members of the faculty to explore mutual research interests.

Study Plan Approval: A study plan must be approved by the student's advisory committee and filed with the graduate coordinator prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit.

All students are required to enroll in BIO 5150 Seminar during their tenure in the graduate program.  All students are required to successfully complete an oral comprehensive examination prior to the completion of the graduate degree.

Financial Assistance: The Biological Sciences Graduate Program offers graduate teaching assistantships to qualified applicants on a competitive basis. Preference is given to students choosing the thesis option. Graduate assistants receive a stipend and graduate tuition waiver scholarship. Assistantships are granted for a nine-month academic year and are renewable for a second academic year if instructional service and progress toward completion of the degree program are satisfactory. A number of summer research assistantships are also available on a competitive basis for thesis option students.

Graduate School Application Forms:

  - Graduate School Application for Admission (online)

       CollegeNET - Create an account from the account creation page first, then access the application menu and choose which application to fill out (Graduate School).  Graduate International applicants should use the International application.  International students will be able to choose which level and subject they want to pursue and that information will be sent directly to the International Programs Office.

  - Biological Sciences Graduate Program Application (PDF)

  - Graduate Assistantship Application (online)

The Biological Sciences Graduate Program website has information about the Biological Sciences Graduate Program.

Master of Sciences in Natural Sciences Program (MSNS)

The MSNS program is designed for elementary, middle and high school science teachers, stressing content and the processes of natural sciences as well as the integration of computers and other technologies into classroom curriculum.  The program is a cooperative effort between the Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography and Physics Departments.  Teachers in all concentrations take a number of core courses together, providing an opportunity for interaction between disciplines, then complete course work in their selected concentration.

The program includes courses that will refresh and expand the teacher's useful knowledge of the content and process of science as well as practical applications to science education.  Students in consultation with their advisor select a combination of courses to fulfill degree requirements and to match their own professional goals.

All courses specific to the program offered by the College and participating departments are available only during the summer term.