Description

Master of Science in Biology Graduate Program Director: Robert E. Ratzlaff, MGB 202G, 757.683.4361, rratzlaf@odu.edu

The curriculum for the Master of Science program is developed around one’s interests such as: botany, ecology, immunology, infectious diseases, marine biology, microbiology, systematic biology, and zoology. In addition, there are two specially designed concentration areas in biotechnology and wetland ecology. Facilities in the Department of Biological Sciences include: electron microscopy, terrestrial and aquatic animal care facilities; biomechanics, environmental pollution, marine benthic ecology, biotechnology, spectroscopy, cell culture, protein separation, DNA sequencing, GIS (Geographic Information System), digital imaging, a greenhouse, herbarium, zoological museum, animal facilities, and field science wet laboratories. In addition, excellent opportunities exist for research and instruction off-campus at field research sites including: Blackwater Ecological Preserve, Virginia Coast Reserve-Long Term Ecological Research Site, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences Eastern Shore Marine Laboratory, and other regional agencies and facilities.

Classes & Requirements

Specific degree completion requirements are provided in detail in the MS Biology Program Handbook.  The following descriptions offer a general overview and guide to give students a sense of the program offerings.  A list of all graduate classes is available in the University Graduate Catalog .
The Biology Master’s Program offers two degree options — thesis and non-thesis with a choice of three concentration areas. A minimum of 31 semester hours of graduate credit is required of thesis students and 37 of non-thesis students; three-fifths of these credits must be structured at 500-level or above, and three-fifths of all credits must be at the 600-level or above. The Masters curriculum includes Research (BIOL 698, three credits) and Responsible Conduct of Research (BIOL 672, two credits. Additionally, all students take traditional, structure graduate courses; thesis students take least 19 structured hours and non-thesis students take 22 structured hours.

Master of Science – Biology

Many pertinent graduate courses are offered for the Master of Science in Biology programs that can be applied toward the degree requirements. A program of study is developed by the student with approval of advisory committee and the Graduate Program Director.

Master of Science – Biotechnology Concentration

Biotechnology students are required to take five core courses in addition to the research and presentation requirements; Molecular and Immunological Techniques (BIOL 507), Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOL 523), Introductory Biochemistry (CHEM 541), Intermediate Biochemistry (CHEM 543), and Molecular Genetics (BIOL 755). The remaining coursework is selected according to the interest of the student, with the guidance and approval of the student’s faculty advisory committee.

Master of Science – Wetland Biology Concentration

The wetland biology concentration has been structured to contain essential clusters in the following disciplines: plant identification, wetland and aquatic ecology, soils and hydrology, regulation, technical application, topical seminars, internships, and research and/or thesis. Recommended course are: Wetland Plants (BIOL 519), Principles of Plant Ecology (BIOL 550), Introductory Soils (OEAS 508), Wetland Hydrology (OEAS 622).

Other requirements:

  1. Comprehensive Examination. All students will complete a comprehensive exam (written and/or oral) that covers the student’s program of study.
  2. A Master’s Prospectus is required of all students and defines the research to be completed for the degree.  The non-thesis research project does not differ qualitatively compared to the thesis option; however, non-thesis research objectives will generally require a smaller data set.  For non-thesis students, the BIOL 698 (Research) requirement will be graded once the proposed work is completed and the thesis requirement is waived.
  3. Scientific Presentation. An oral presentation at a scientific meeting is a graduation requirement although no academic credit is recorded.
  4. Thesis. The Master’s thesis documents the research results of a biological study as set forth in the Master’s Prospectus. For thesis students BIOL 698 (Research) and BIOL 699 (Thesis) requirements will be fulfilled with a successful defense of the thesis.

Admission

MS Biology Applicant Information

Application deadlines

Applications are submitted or apply online to the Office of Admissions (applicants from USA schools) or the Office of International Admissions at Old Dominion University (applicants from foreign schools).

  1. February 1st for summer and fall semester admission.  Students who want to be considered for financial aid from the Department of Biological Sciences should apply by February 1st to be considered for financial aid for the following academic year (fall-spring semester).
  2. June 1st – fall semester admission
  3. October 1st – spring semester admission
  4. All applicants will be notified of their status within six weeks of the admissions deadlines.
  5. We do not offer conditional admission. We do not offer early admission.

 Admission Requirements—Regular status (We do not offer conditional admission.)

  1. Bachelor’s degree in biology or its equivalent with an overall grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
    Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):
  2. GRE General Test; 300 minimum combined score on the verbal and quantitative sections. OR 24 Minimum MCAT cumulative score (PS+VR+BS) may substitute for all GRE scores.
  3. Official transcripts for all college-level courses.
  4. Applicant’s statement of interest
  5. Two letters of recommendation.
  6. A written acknowledgement from one (or more) of our Faculty who agrees to place the student in their lab and serve as the student’s major advisor, if the student is accepted. The applicant does not submit anything to ODU Admissions Office about the advisor—the Faculty member will notify the Graduate Program Director of their willingness to be your advisor.
  7. English Proficiency Requirement for Non-Native Speakers of English: 550 paper-based test, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). On the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) we require a 6.5 overall.
  8. Application form and application fee.

Submission of application materials

Submit all materials to the Office of Admissions (applicants from USA schools) or the Office of International Admissions at Old Dominion University.

Forms for Current Graduate Students