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Dec 04, 2024
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Biological Sciences, MS
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 Return to: College of Science
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Program Description
The MS and PhD degree programs in Biological Sciences encompass a wide variety of disciplines in both plant and animal biology with three major emphasis areas: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Comparative Organismal Biology.
Applicants to the graduate degree programs in Biological Sciences must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and a background of training in biology. All students are expected to have completed inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, calculus, biology, organismal diversity, genetics, and evolutionary biology.
Both a thesis and a non-thesis option are offered. For more information, please visit https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/academics/grad-overview.html.
The non-thesis option of the MS is designed specifically for teachers and other science educators who want to improve their science-content knowledge in biological sciences. Ninety-five percent of our students are employed teachers at all levels, as well as scientists from museums, field stations, and research laboratories. Applicants do not need an undergraduate degree in biology to be considered for admission. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 is recommended by the Graduate School. GRE scores are not required for teachers with one or more years teaching experience. For more information specifically about the non-thesis option, please visit: https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/academics/online-masters/index.html.
Summary of Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
The Biological Sciences MS thesis option requires 30 credits after the undergraduate degree, with six hours of thesis research and 24 hours of coursework, half of which must be at the 8000 level. In addition to coursework, the student must perform original research, prepare and present a written research proposal and defend their thesis.
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis program consists of ten three credit-hour courses. Seven of the ten required courses are science content courses. The other three courses cover how to design an experiment and statistically analyze data, how to write publications and grant proposals, and how to conduct research. Students may take the courses in any sequence; however, it is recommended that students complete a few biology-content courses before enrolling in BIOL 8400, and that you complete BIOL 8400 before enrolling in BIOL 8480 and BIOL 8490. Lectures and assignments are available via Clemson’s online student information platform, Canvas, and are available 24/7.
Coursework
Thesis Option
Required coursework includes:
Highly recommended coursework includes:
Non-Thesis Option
Required core coursework includes:
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