Biology (M.S.)
M.S. Biology
Program Overview
The Department of Biology offers students opportunities to study in the field or in modern facilities with up-to-date instrumentation and resources, including a DNA-sequencing unit, an integrated microscopy facility, high-speed digital networks and computing centers, a GIS lab, greenhouses, wet labs, and extensive collections of plant and animal specimens.
Course Work
Students can pursue either a 30 semester credit hour thesis-based master of science (M.S.) degree in biology or a 36 credit hour non-thesis degree. Students who choose the thesis-based program, which requires the completion of a substantial research project spanning multiple semesters, are usually preparing for advanced graduate study, for professional careers with governmental or non-governmental agencies, or for advanced training in technology-related fields. Students preferring to receive broad training across the field of biology without a formal research experience, such as secondary science teachers or those preparing for entrance to professional programs in the health sciences, often choose the 36 hour non-thesis M.S. degree, which requires the completion of both coursework and a one-semester research experience.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.S. | Hours 36–37 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option Minor required | Location San Marcos |
Degree M.S. | Hours 36–37 | Thesis Option Non-thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location San Marcos |
Degree M.S. | Hours 30–31 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option Science or Geography minor required | Location San Marcos |
Degree M.S. | Hours 30–31 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
Current students are widely recognized for their research and scholarship accomplishments at both the national and state levels. Graduates have been very successful in pursuing professional careers or further education.
Program Mission
The goal of the Department of Biology is to attain national and international prominence through the integration of graduate and undergraduate education with a variety of basic and applied multidisciplinary research programs.
Career Options
The master’s degrees in biology help to prepare students for:
- professional training in medicine, dentistry, and other health-related fields
- Ph.D. level training in biological research
- careers in teaching at the secondary or community college level
- management and advanced technical positions in bioscience industries
- participation in society as biologically literate professionals in non-biological careers
Program Faculty
The Department of Biology faculty consistently has been recognized with the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Service, the most prestigious awards offered by Texas State. Under close faculty guidance, graduate students execute their research projects and are encouraged to publish and present their work at professional conferences. Research opportunities are available in many different areas of specialization, including aquatic biology, conservation biology, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, population biology and genetics, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, plant biology, science education, and wildlife ecology.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. David Lemke
dl10@txstate.edu
512.245.2178
Supple Science (SUPP), Room 334
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall - Priority | U.S. Citizen February 1 | International February 1 |
Deadlines Fall - Standard | U.S. Citizen June 15 (*Flexible) | International June 1 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen October 15 (*Flexible) | International October 1 |
Deadlines Summer I | U.S. Citizen April 15 (*Flexible) | International No Admission |
*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree in biology or a related field from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
Documents
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose describing your professional aspirations and rationale for pursuing graduate study in biology
- three letters of recommendation addressing the substance and quality of your preparation for graduate study
- thesis students only: mentor recommendation letter from a current Texas State faculty member in the Department of Biology. Visit the faculty list for current faculty and their research interests and contact information. Your mentor must email their letter of support directly to Graduate Admissions. This letter must be on file before the program's deadline.
- Since admission to this thesis-/dissertation-based program requires an intent to mentor letter (an agreement from one of our faculty members to supervise your research project) as part of the application process, we strongly recommend that applicants contact potential mentors by sending their CV and research interests and securing that agreement prior to submitting an admission application. The department cannot guarantee that a suitable mentor will always be available.
Review important information about documents.