Biology Masters Program Requirements

MS in Biology (Traditional & 3+2)

• Students must complete at least 30 hours of biology graduate coursework, including the thesis. A maximum of 9 credit hours may be earned for the thesis.
• Candidates for the MS degree must register for and participate in Graduate Seminar (seminar will be 1 credit hour per semester) each semester, except the thesis semester, while they are actively enrolled in the graduate program. No more than 3 credit hours of seminar may be used to complete the 30 credit hour requirement.
• Students must complete 14 credit hours in graded graduate biology courses including BIO510 Graduate Research Skills.
• Students may take up to 9 credit hours of “Independent Study” per semester. However, no more than 4 credit hours in “Independent Study” may be used to complete the 30 credit hour requirement. Moreover, these Independent Study credits may only be applied beyond the required 14 credit hours in graded biology graduate courses.
• Successful completion of the graduate program in biology requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and no more than 6 credit hours of “C” grades may be applied to the total hours for graduation. Upon completion of course requirements and the thesis, MS candidates must pass an oral thesis defense.

View the course curriculum guides:

• Download the MS Sequence of Courses Guide.
• Download the MS in Biology, Traditional Curriculum Guide.
• Download the MS in Biology, 3 + 2 Curriculum Guide.

MA in Biology

• Students who select the MA option must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework. MA students must take Graduate Seminar (1 credit per semester) during each semester they are actively enrolled in the program. No more than 4 credit hours of the seminar may be used to complete the 30 MA in Biology credit hour requirement.
• MA students must complete a minimum of 26 credit hours of graded biology graduate coursework. No more than 6 credit hours of “C” grades may be applied to the total hours for graduation.
• MA candidates do not conduct thesis research.
• Successful completion of the graduate program in biology requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a comprehensive examination score of 75% or higher. Students may take the comprehensive examination a total of two times to achieve or surpass the minimum score.

View the course curriculum guide:

• Download the MA in Biology, Tradition Curriculum Guide.

MA in Zoo Science

• Students who select the Master of Arts option must complete a designated 30 credit hours of graduate coursework including the 19 credit hour Zoo Science core curriculum.  All credit hours are graded biology graduate courses.
• No more than 6 credit hours of “C” grades may be applied to the total hours for graduation.
• MA candidates do not conduct thesis research.
• Successful completion of the MA in Biology Zoo Science option requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a comprehensive examination score of 75% or higher.  Students may take the comprehensive examination a total of two times to achieve or surpass the minimum score.

Learn more about the MA in Biology Zoo Science Program

MS in Zoo Science

• Students must complete at least 30 credit hours of biology graduate coursework, including the thesis. A maximum of 9 credit hours may be earned for the thesis.
• Candidates for the MS degree in Biology (Zoo Science) must successfully complete, grade of “C” or higher, the 19 credit hour Zoo Science core curriculum.
• Students may take up to 9 credit hours of “Independent Study” per semester. However, no more than 2 credit hours in “Independent Study” may be used to complete the 30-hour requirement.
• Successful completion of the graduate program in biology requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and no more than 6 credit hours of “C” grades may be applied to the total hours for graduation. Upon completion of course requirements and the thesis, MS candidates must pass an oral thesis defense.

Learn more about the MS in Biology Zoo Science program

WV School of Osteopathic Medicine Bridge Program

• Students must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher with a science GPA of 2.8 or higher.
• Taken the MCAT and scored above a 485.

Learn more about the WVSOM Bridge program