East Tennessee State University
Biological Sciences/Health Sciences

Biology

Master of Science in Biology with concentrations in Biology and Microbiology

Department of Biological Sciences/Health Sciences in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Public and Allied Health

The Biology master of science degree program is designed to provide a broad-based education in biology while developing research skills. Areas of particular interest to the faculty include anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, conservation biology, developmental biology, ecology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, natural history, physiology, and systematics. Students successfully completing the M.S. program are encouraged to seek doctoral degrees. The program has some financial support available in the form of Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships. Decisions on offers of support are initiated at the end of March for the following academic year. In order to receive full consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by mid-March although support is sometimes available for students who apply after that date.

Program Admission Requirements

Students applying for admission to graduate study:

1. Must submit a general GRE score
2. Must have a 3.0 overall grade point average (4.0 system) in mathematics and science courses
3. Must have an undergraduate major in a biological science discipline, with supporting courses in general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry (microbiology concentration will accept one semester of organic and one semester of biochemistry), and one year of physics
4. A course in calculus and/or a course in probability and statistics is recommended.
5. Must have 2-3 letters of recommendation submitted on their behalf.

Core Course Requirements

The core requirements are as follows:

1. All students must take Bibliographic Research (5600) their first fall semester.
2. MDED 5010 Biometry and Biomedical Computing I is required.
3. Two semesters of Seminar (5700) are required. (All students are expected to attend departmental seminars regularly.)
4. Students will take at least two of the Topics courses (5100, 5200, 5300, 5400). Selection of the appropriate courses will be made in consultation with the student's advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator.
5. BIOL 5960 Thesis is required.

The student will choose a major professor as early as possible, at least by the end of the first semester. To facilitate this selection, during their first semester students will interview faculty members to determine their research interests and explore the potential for student participation in ongoing research programs. The major professor, in consultation with the student, recommends at least two additional members of the student's advisory committee. Persons from outside the program may also be added. The advisory committee will meet with the student to set up the plan of study based on the student's background and interests. The program must be approved by one of the program coordinators. The student's advisory committee will meet with the student a minimum of once per semester to assess progress, check the plan of study being followed, make suggestions and provide supervision as needed. The advisory committee's composition is not binding, and it may be changed upon written justification. It is the student's responsibility to maintain acceptable progress toward the completion of all degree requirements.

All students pursuing an M.S. in Biology are required to complete a thesis. A minimum of 30 semester credits are required for the degree. The thesis (writing) comprises three of the 30 credits. BIOL 5900 and/or 5910 may be taken for a total of nine credits.

Before admission to candidacy, the student must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and the student's advisory committee. Before graduation the student must satisfactorily complete a written qualifying examination preferably near the end of the third semester. One reevaluation is allowed. Failure to complete the evaluation satisfactorily will result in removal from the program. The evaluation will include emphasis on interrelationships, problem solving, and analysis.

Final evaluation involves an oral presentation of the thesis and an oral examination in the area of specialization.

Concentration in Biology

Hugh A. Miller, Ph.D.
Interim Department Chair & Graduate Coordinator
125 Brown Hall
Box 70703
(423) 439-4329
e-mail: millerh@etsu.edu

Graduate Faculty:
Fred Alsop; Arun Goyal; Karl Joplin; Istvan Karsai; Dhirendra Kumar; Thomas Laughlin; Foster Levy; Timothy McDowell; Cecilia McIntosh; Hugh A. Miller, III; Darrell Moore; Lee Pike; Rebecca Pyles; Leonard Robertson; Lev Yampolsky.

Concentration in Microbiology

Eric Mustain, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
249 Lamb Hall
Box 70673
(423) 439-4571
e-mail: mustain@etsu.edu

Michael Gallagher, Ph.D., Department Chair
249 Lamb Hall
Box 70673
(423) 439-4563
e-mail: gallaghe@etsu.edu

Graduate Faculty:
Ranjan Chakraborty; Allan Forsman; Michael Gallagher; Bert Lampson; Eric Mustain; John Osborne;  Laraine Powers.