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The Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University provides opportunities for graduate studies leading to the Master of Science degree in Biology. Thesis and non-thesis programs of study are available, and the requirements are detailed on this page. Working with nearly 20 graduate faculty in our department, students engaged in thesis work may conduct research in such areas as aquatic biology, animal behavior and ecology, plant systematics and ecology, wildlife and conservation biology, physiological and molecular ecology and biomedical sciences including cellular and molecular biology and microbiology.
Many of our graduate students are employed as graduate assistants or part-time instructors, helping to teach our non-science-major labs under the direction of our Ph.D. faculty. Prospective students should also visit Graduate Education and Research, where an online application link is available. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Luke Dodd, the Graduate Program Coordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences (email luke.dodd@eku.edu, phone: 859-622-2523.
Thesis Track
Graduate students on the thesis track must complete a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours for the M.S. degree. The program of study must include:
- Six hours of ‘Biology core’ courses: Biology and Ethics (BIO 800; 1 hour), Scientific Literature and Writing (BIO 801; 2 hours) and a course in statistics (either BIO 810 or STA 700; 3 hours);
- Six hours of thesis research (BIO 891);
- 18 additional hours in biology or related subject areas. Students completing a 30 hour program must have at least 12 hours of 800-level course credit. Students may complete more than 30 hours of coursework, but at least 50% of non-thesis coursework must be at the 800-level.
All students must also:
- Demonstrate their knowledge of biology and preparation for carrying out their thesis research by successfully passing an oral defense of their written thesis proposal (GRD 857A; exam administered by the student’s graduate committee);
- Pass an oral examination in defense of their thesis (GRD 858A).
Non-Thesis Track
Graduate students on the non-thesis track must complete a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours for the M.S. degree. The program of study must include:
- Six hours of ‘Biology core’ courses: Biology and Ethics (BIO 800; 1 hour), Scientific Literature and Writing (BIO 801; 2 hours) and a course in statistics (either BIO 810 or STA 700; 3 hours);
- Completion of 9-10 hours consisting of: Current Review of Biology (BIO 880; 3 hours) and two courses from BIO 727, 728, 731(4), 821, 831, 848, or 849;
- Completion of 20-21 hours of approved electives.
All students must also:
- Demonstrate their knowledge of biology and preparation for completing their research paper by successfully passing an oral defense of their written BIO 880 proposal (GRD 857A; exam administered by the student’s graduate committee);
- Pass an oral examination in defense of the review written for BIO 880 (Current Review of Biology).
For a detailed curriculum, please visit the Graduate Catalog.