Graduate Catalog 2017-2018
Graduate Catalog 2017-2018 > College of Arts and Sciences > Biology M.S.
Alfred J. Mead, Ph.D. Coordinator
E-mail: al.mead@gcsu.edu Phone: 478-445-1091
Introduction
The Master of Science degree in Biology consists of 36 hours of graduate work. There are a variety of concentrations that a student can pursue within either the thesis or non-thesis option. All graduate students (thesis and non-thesis) must successfully complete as an undergraduate or graduate student at least one course each in cellular/molecular, ecology/evolution, and organismal biology before receiving a Master's Degree. The Department Chairperson and/or Graduate Coordinator will resolve questions concerning courses in these areas.
Requirements and Conditions
In order to apply for admission to the graduate program of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences Department you must meet the following criteria.
USEFUL INFORMATION - A variety of information is provided at the sites below:
For a variety of general information: http://www.gcsu.edu/
For online application: https://secure.gacollege411.org/applications/GCSU_Graduate/apply.html
For online international application download: http://gcsu.edu/sites/files/template-1/international-graduate-application-2015.pdf
For costs and other financial information: http://www.gcsu.edu/businessoffice/tuition-and-fees
For graduate assistant application: http://www.gcsu.edu/financialaid/graduate-assistantships
For information on our department: http://www.gcsu.edu/artsandsciences/biology
Application Procedure
In order to complete your application you should:
Admission
Admission to our program is currently based on an overall admission score calculated from several factors. The minimum required admission score is 820 and the minimum GRE score is 286.
Currently, our score is generated from:
The overall admission score is computed as follows:
If admitted to the program, you will have regular, provisional, transient, or enrichment status.
Regular Status
The following admission standards are required for regular admission to the Master of Science program in Biology.
Students with regular status are eligible for a Graduate Assistantship.
Provisional Status
Transient Status
GC graduate students with regular status may take courses as transient students at other institutions that will count toward their degree at Georgia College. Graduate students in good standing and who have been enrolled within the last five years are eligible for transient status. You must petition the program coordinator and obtain the approval of your faculty advisor for the specific courses prior to enrolling at the other institution. Finally, you must have the other college/university send a transcript of the courses to the GC Office of the Registrar. Ordinarily, students are permitted to be transient students away from the University for only one semester and up to 9 credits. See the discussion of provisional status for complete explanation.
Enrichment Status
There are no specific admission score requirements. A student with a baccalaureate degree can enroll in graduate courses for purposes of self-improvement or enjoyment as an enrichment student. Should the student later decide to transfer to a degree seeking category, no more than 12 semester hours of credit earned while in this category may be applied toward a graduate degree program and then only if approved by the Graduate Coordinator (minimum GRE and admission scores will be required. See the discussion of conditional status for a complete explanation.)
Academic Dismissal Policy
If the overall graduate GPA of a graduate student falls below 3.00, the student is placed on academic probation. The student has one academic semester (Fall or Spring) to raise the overall GPA back to 3.00; failure to do so will result in academic dismissal and, if applicable, the loss of graduate assistantship. Students can reapply after one semester. Readmission is not guaranteed. If readmitted, students have two contiguous academic semesters (Fall & Spring/Spring&Fall) to attain an overall 3.00 GPA.
Graduate Committee
A graduate committee is formed for thesis students in regular and/or provisional status.
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis Option
Additional Program Information.
Summary Table of Requirements
SUMMARY – NONTHESIS vs. THESIS
Non-Thesis
Thesis
Mentoring by advisor by end of second semester
3 Committee Members
at least 12 credits 6000-level courses (excluding 6940, 6960, and 6970)
Mentoring by advisor and committee by end of second semester
2 hour Graduate Seminar (BIOL 5915) taken first Fall student is enrolled
BIOL 6970 (6 hrs) Thesis hours
22 credits other 5000-level courses
at least 9 credits 6000-level courses (excluding 6940, 6960, and 6970)
19 credits other 5000-level courses
Thesis defense
Total - 36 hours
Graduate Assistantships
The Biology Graduate Program usually has about 30 to 40 graduate students enrolled and about 15 Graduate Assistantships (varies somewhat from year to year).
If a student's grade point average falls below 3.0 (academic warning), the student will have one semester to improve and return to academic good standing before termination of the assistantship. Should a student fail to return to good standing after one semester, or should a student receive academic exclusion and be dismissed from the degree program, the assistantship will be terminated at once. If a student regains good standing and then falls below a 3.0 a second time, the assistantship will be terminated. Students with an assistantship will receive a stipend and be required to work between 15 and 19 hours per week while enrolled in at least six graduate hours per semester.
For international students: The following are minimum language scores required for eligibility for a GA (TOEFL/IELTS scores MAY be waived if all four years of undergraduate school were completed in USA):
Graduate Assistant Application Process.
Hours and schedule:
Evaluations:
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
All graduate students are eligible for the outstanding graduate student award during the first 2.5 calendar years of enrollment. The award is derived from the following point system:
Georgia Academy of Science (or comparable meeting) – 2 points
Regional or National meetings – 3 points
Georgia Academy of Science (or comparable) – 3 points
Regional or National journal – 5 points
Students with 7 total points are eligible for the award. A maximum of three awards can be given each year. If there are ties (e.g. five students with the same score) priority will be given to papers and articles in regional and/or national meetings/journals.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for a graduate degree at Georgia College you must:
3
4
2
1 - 4
1 - 15
1 - 6
Total Credit Hours: 36