Graduate Catalog 2025-2026

Jul 08, 2025

Graduate Catalog 2025-2026

Biology, M.S.

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The M.S. in Biology program (30 credit hours) offers two distinct tracks, allowing students to pursue their career aspirations. The thesis track prepares students for research-oriented careers and Ph.D. programs. The non-thesis track is designed for students seeking to expand their biological knowledge, primarily through coursework in preparation for careers in education, healthcare, laboratories, environmental consulting, biotechnology, and preparation for professional degree programs such as medical and veterinary schools. In either track, students take an active role in crafting their course of study, receiving personalized guidance from their advisor to ensure alignment with their specific career goals.

An academic option for students pursuing the non-thesis track includes a concentration in biomedical sciences. This concentration is ideal for students bridging the gap between undergraduate and professional school and provides additional preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science, physical therapy, allied health, biotechnology, and biomedicine.

The University of West Georgia offers a path for students to concurrently earn their M.S. in Biology (Non-Thesis Track) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degrees in 45 credit hours. This option develops the proficiencies students need to succeed in today’s competitive job market. A combined M.S. in Biology and M.B.A. provides interdisciplinary training for students interested in careers spanning science and business, such as biotechnology, biomedical sciences, and environmental consulting. Applicants to the combined MS Biology-MBA must be admitted into both programs.

A student entering the M.S. in Biology program is expected to have an undergraduate degree in biology. Students without a degree in biology or lacking specific background courses in biology and related sciences may need to complete undergraduate courses to compensate for deficiencies. Along with the graduate school requirements, applicants must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative G.P.A. of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale and submit the following:

1. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from reviewers familiar with the applicant’s academic performance.

2. Resume detailing academic, work, and volunteer experience.

3. A one-page narrative statement including three components: 1) reason(s) for pursuing an M.S. in Biology; 2) the specific biological sub-disciplines of interest; and 3) the desired degree track (thesis or non-thesis). If the non-thesis track is desired, indicate if you are pursuing the biomedical sciences concentration or combined M.S./M.B.A.

Thesis-track applicants should ideally secure a thesis advisor from the biology faculty before applying. Prospective students can identify potential advisors by reviewing faculty web pages and contacting faculty with aligned research interests.

Thesis Track for the M.S. Degree in Biology

BIOL 6984 - Graduate Biology Seminar 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour per course - 2 credit hours required)
BIOL 6983 - Graduate Research 1.0 - 12.0 Credit Hours (1-12 credit hours per course - 12 credit hours required)
BIOL 6999 - Thesis 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour required)

Electives

Graduate courses in Biology (9 credit hours required).

Graduate courses in any of the following subjects (6 credit hours required). Note that some courses may require prerequisites. Other courses may be accepted with approval of the graduate program coordinator.

• Any 5000/6000 Biology course
• Any 5000/6000 Geography course

Notes:

At least 15 credit hours within the degree program must be completed at the 6000 level. Thesis-track students typically fulfill this requirement through a combination of seminar, research, and thesis courses. A thesis proposal should be submitted to the advisory committee by the end of the first semester or no later than the second semester. In the final semester of the program, the advisory committee will supervise a thesis defense, which includes both a written thesis and an oral presentation.

Non-Thesis Track for the M.S. Degree in Biology

BIOL 6984 - Graduate Biology Seminar 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour per course - 2 credit hours required)
BIOL 6995 - Comprehensive Exam 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour required)

Electives

Graduate courses in Biology (18 credit hours required).

Graduate courses in any of the following subjects and courses (9 credit hours required). Note that some courses may require prerequisites. Other courses may be accepted with approval of the graduate program coordinator.

• Any 5000/6000 Biology course
• Any 5000/6000 Community Wellness course
• Any 5000/6000 Geography course
• POLS 5209 Environmental Policy

Note:

At least 15 credit hours within the degree program must be completed at the 6000 level. The advisory committee will administer the comprehensive exam during the last semester of the degree program.

Non-Thesis Track for the M.S. Degree in Biology, Concentration in Biomedical Sciences

BIOL 6984 - Graduate Biology Seminar 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour per course - 2 credit hours required)
BIOL 6995 - Comprehensive Exam 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour required)

Biomedical Sciences Concentration (12 credit hours)

A minimum of 12 credit hours across 4 courses are required for the Biomedical Sciences Concentration. Two courses each (minimum 6 credit hours) must be taken in Core Area 1 and Core Area 2.

Core Area 1: Physiology & Biochemistry

Take two courses (minimum 6 credit hours) from the courses below.

BIOL 5520 - Developmental Biology and Embryology 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 5539 - Comparative Physiology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 5731 - Introduction to Toxicology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 5732 - Biology of Aging 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 5733 - Animal Nutrition 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 5735 - Parasitology 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6503 - Biological Perspectives: Biochemistry 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 6513 - Human Physiology 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6526 - Vertebrate Histology 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6530 - Medical Physiology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 6750 - Clinical Neuroscience 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 6981 - Graduate Independent Study 3 Credit Hours *
BIOL 6982 - Directed Readings 1.0 - 3.0 Credit Hours *
BIOL 6985 - Graduate Special Topics in Biology 3 Credit Hours *
Note: *Subject to approval by the graduate program coordinator.

Core Area 2: Genetics & Microbiology

Take two courses (minimum 6 credit hours) from the courses below.

BIOL 5315 - Bacterial Genetics 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 5325 - Advanced Medical Microbiology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 5631 - Genetics and Medical Genetics 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 5727 - Essentials of Immunology 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 5728 - Bacterial Pathogenesis 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 5729 - Medical Virology 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 5730 - Emerging Pathogens 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6325 - Procaryotic Biology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 6981 - Graduate Independent Study 3 Credit Hours *
BIOL 6982 - Directed Readings 1.0 - 3.0 Credit Hours *
BIOL 6985 - Graduate Special Topics in Biology 3 Credit Hours *
Note: *Subject to approval by the graduate program coordinator.

Electives

Graduate courses in Biology (6 credit hours required).

Graduate courses in any of the following subjects and courses (9 credit hours required). Note that some courses may require prerequisites. Other courses may be accepted with approval of the graduate program coordinator.

• Any 5000/6000 Biology course
• Any 5000/6000 Community Wellness course

Notes:

At least 15 credit hours within the degree program must be completed at the 6000 level. The advisory committee will administer the comprehensive exam during the last semester of the degree program.

Combined Master of Science in Biology, M.S. (Non-thesis Track) and Master of Business Administration, M.B.A.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the combined MS Biology-MBA must be admitted into both the non-thesis MS Biology and MBA programs. Applicants should review the admission requirements for both programs prior to applying.

Course Requirements

The combined MS in Biology (Non-thesis Track)/MBA requires successful completion of 45 graduate course hours. Each degree requires 30 credit hours separately (60 credit hours total). However, students in the combined program can reduce the total number of credit hours for both degrees to 45 (6 semesters, including summer). The MS in Biology (Non-thesis Track) accepts up to 9 credit hours from the MBA toward electives, and the MBA accepts up to 6 credit hours from the MS in Biology toward electives.

Business Foundation Knowledge

All incoming students will receive access to MBA Math to build or refresh their foundational business knowledge prior to beginning the MBA program.

Required MS in Biology Courses (Non-thesis Track)

BIOL 6984 - Graduate Biology Seminar 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour per course - 2 credit hours required)
BIOL 6995 - Comprehensive Exam 1 Credit Hours (1 credit hour required)

Electives

Graduate courses in Biology (18 credit hours required).

Graduate courses in MBA (9 credit hours required). Note that some courses may require prerequisites.

• Any 5000/6000 Accounting course
• Any 5000/6000 Economics course
• Any 5000/6000 Finance course
• Any 5000/6000 Management course
• Any 5000/6000 Marketing course

Notes:

At least 15 credit hours within the degree program must be completed at the 6000 level. The advisory committee will administer the comprehensive exam during the last semester of the degree program. The biomedical sciences concentration can be pursued as part of the combined MS Biology/MBA. See the concentration description for course requirements.

Required MBA Courses

MKTG 6815 - Marketing Strategy 3 Credit Hours
ACCT 6232 - Managerial Accounting 3 Credit Hours
ECON 6450 - Managerial Economics 3 Credit Hours
FINC 6532 - Finance 3 Credit Hours
MGNT 6670 - Organizational Theory and Behavior 3 Credit Hours
MGNT 6681 - Strategic, Ethical, and Global Management 3 Credit Hours

Electives

(Select two from the following options (6 credit hours required). Note that some courses may require prerequisites or be program-specific.)

Any 5000/6000 Accounting course
Any 5000/6000 Economics course
Any 5000/6000 Finance course
Any 5000/6000 Management course
Any 5000/6000 Marketing course
Graduate courses in Biology (6 credit hours required).

Additional Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 is required for all combined MS Biology-MBA students. All program-specific policies apply to courses counting toward a program. If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below a 3.0, the University’s policies on academic probation, suspension, and dismissal apply (see Academic Standards in the General Academic Policies section of the catalog). All requirements must be completed within six (6) years from the date of matriculation as a graduate student. Any combined MS in Biology-MBA student earning a grade of “F” or “WF” during the course of his or her program of study will be subject to dismissal from the program.