The Graduate Degree Program in Department of Biology offers comprehensive programs with several pathways toward the M.S. (thesis or non-thesis) and the Ph.D. degrees in the Biological Sciences. The programs are directed towards understanding biological systems in such diverse areas as Cell and Developmental Biology, Neurobiology & Neuromechanical  Systems, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

The flexible programs of study are arranged in consultation with faculty members to meet the specific need of each student, taking into account previous training and current research interest.  Students engage in research early in their graduate programs and acquire detailed knowledge and training through faculty-student relationships, teaching assistantships, graduate student associations, and mentoring.  The Department provides weekly seminar series which enable students and faculty to attend presentations by visiting scientists and faculty keeping them abreast of advances in diverse areas of the biological sciences.

The Department of Biology offers both thesis and non-thesis Master of Science degree programs. Both programs require a minimum of 30 semester hours of courses at the 300 level or higher. A minimum of 18 semester hours of formal course work is required for the thesis degree, and a minimum of 24 semester hours of formal course work for the non-thesis degree. The remaining credits may be research credits (BIOL 601 Research and BIOL 651 Thesis M.S.).