A program of study leading to the Master of Science degree in Biology designed for students who:
- Have a strong desire to increase their understanding of the life sciences.
- Plan additional education at the master’s level for increased proficiency in teaching and/or research.
- Plan to continue study toward the PhD.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 50 |
| Total hours required | 50 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Apply biology knowledge to design a scientific study to test an original hypothesis.
- Distinguish among the diversity of fields and approaches within Biology.
- Critically analyze and evaluate the validity of scientific findings.
- Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral form.
- Conduct a novel research study using the scientific method with qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis and explain its relevance and contribution to science.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
50 hours of graduate credit including:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 402 | INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE STUDIES | 2 |
| BIO 403 | DEVELOPMENT OF TOPICS FOR RESEARCH | 4 |
| BIO 494 | COMMUNICATING SCIENCE | 4 |
| BIO 499 | THESIS RESEARCH (20 quarter hours) | 20 |
| Select at least one course from the Ecology, Evolution, and Population biology core area | 4 | |
| Select at least one course from the Genetics, Cell and Molecular biology core area | 4 | |
| Select at least one course from the Physiology and Neurobiology core area | 4 | |
| Select two additional courses from any of the core areas | 8 | |
Graduate students are also required to attend all of the seminars presented in the department’s Seminar Series.
Core Areas of Study
Ecology, Evolution, and Population Biology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TOPICS IN ECOLOGY | ||
| AQUATIC BIOLOGY | ||
| TOPICS IN BEHAVIORAL PARASITOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | ||
| POPULATION ECOLOGY | ||
| CONCEPTS IN EVOLUTION | ||
| TOPICS IN PALEOBIOLOGY | ||
| RESEARCH IN FIELD BIOLOGY |
Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | ||
| CELLULAR EVENTS IN THE IMMUNE RESPONSE | ||
| DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY | ||
| CELLULAR NEUROBIOLOGY | ||
| TOPICS IN MEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY | ||
| THE BIOLOGY OF INFECTION | ||
| TOPICS IN MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY | ||
| GENETIC TOXICOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| TOPICS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED GENETIC ANALYSIS | ||
| IMMUNOBIOLOGY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY | ||
| CANCER BIOLOGY | ||
| TOPICS IN CANCER | ||
| ENDOCRINOLOGY |
Physiology and Neurobiology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| TOPICS IN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| CELLULAR NEUROBIOLOGY | ||
| BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| TOPICS IN NEUROBIOLOGY | ||
| COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| ADVANCED COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY | ||
| MAMMALIAN REPRODUCTION | ||
| ENDOCRINOLOGY | ||
| RESEARCH IN FIELD BIOLOGY |
BIO 490, as appropriate, may also be approved in one of the three core areas.
BIO 406 can be taken as an elective.
Advancement to Candidacy
Based upon the results of a qualifying examination taken near the end of the third quarter of the student’s first full year and earning grades of B or better on graduate courses taken during the first year. Participation in undergraduate laboratory instruction is strongly encouraged.
Thesis Requirement
Results based upon an independent laboratory investigation.
Final Examination Requirement
An oral examination, including presentation of a seminar based on the MS thesis research, and a period of questioning on the thesis, the area of research which the thesis addresses, and basic biology as it relates to the thesis area.
Program Graduate Academic Student Handbook
Academic Probation
Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below this minimum the student will be put on academic probation and will have one quarter of coursework to raise their cumulative GPA up to at least a 3.00 or face dismissal from the program. If the student’s cumulative GPA falls below the minimum a second time, they will be dismissed from the program.
Academic Dismissal
Students may be dismissed for breaches of academic integrity, breaches of the code of student responsibility, or violations of satisfactory progress, including but not limited to, failing a retake of the oral qualifying exam, not maintaining at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA, or lack of progress towards degree completion. Students who have completed their coursework, but who are still working on their thesis (MS) must be enrolled in candidacy continuation during the three quarters of the academic school year. Failure to enroll in candidacy continuation will result in dismissal from the program.
Readmission
If a student leaves the program for any reason they must reapply to the program unless prior agreement for readmission has been granted by the Director of Graduate Studies in Biology (hereafter, Program Director). A specific timeline for readmission must be specified and agreed to by the Program Director prior to the student leaving the program.
Transfer Credit
Two semester courses or three quarter courses from another institution or program may be accepted as transfer credit upon approval of the Program Director and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Credit will only be transferred for courses that have equivalents in the DePaul curriculum as determined by the Program Director. Transfer credit can only be awarded for graduate level coursework which has not counted toward the completion of a degree at DePaul or any other institution.
Undergraduate Courses
No undergraduate courses will be counted towards the graduate degree.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate, students must satisfy the degree requirements as specified in the course catalog for MS degrees, including but not limited to maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Graduation with Distinction
This program does not offer the "With Distinction" designation at the time of graduation.
Time Limitation
Students pursuing a master's degree must complete all requirements for the master's degree within a maximum of six years from their first term of enrollment in the program.