Population and Conservation Biology (M.S.)
M.S. Population and Conservation Biology
Program Overview
The program introduces students to contemporary issues in population and conservation biology through population biology seminars. The seminars allow small groups of students to study closely with faculty members with similar research interests and create a scholarly cohort that becomes an integral component of the scientific community at Texas State.
Course Work
The Master of Science (M.S.) with a major in Population and Conservation Biology is a research degree requiring at least two years of full-time course work and the completion of a thesis. The program combines principles of population biology with training in measurement and analysis of biological systems. First-year students complete a two-semester core-course sequence in principles of population biology as well as statistics and experimental design.
The second year includes a two-semester seminar sequence in population biology and elective courses. The seminar courses pair small groups of students with faculty who conduct research in current topics, including theoretical advances, contemporary research and methodological issues. Students specialize in sub-disciplines of the field with their electives.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
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Degree M.S. | Hours 30–32 hours | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Program Details
Students are successful at receiving competitive grants and publishing their research in top-tier journals. Graduates are positioned to pursue professional careers and are exceptional candidates for entering Ph.D. programs.
Program Mission
The objectives of the M.S. degree in population and conservation biology are to:
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offer students a high quality, quantitatively rigorous program with an emphasis on population and conservation biology
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provide students with knowledge and skills to enter a highly competitive, but growing job market in natural resource management and ecology
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prepare students for advanced studies in ecology, behavioral ecology, conservation biology, population, and evolutionary biology, systematics, and biodiversity studies
Student creativity and independence are valued by all faculty.
Career Options
Graduates of this high-quality, rigorous program have the knowledge and skills to enter a highly competitive and growing job market in natural resource management and ecology. Graduates with master’s degrees in population and conservation biology are also prepared for advanced doctoral studies in ecology, behavioral ecology, conservation biology, population and evolutionary biology, systematics and biodiversity studies.
Program Faculty
Population and conservation biology faculty are internationally known researchers in the field. They are widely published in top-tier journals including Science, Molecular Ecology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Evolution, Behavioral Ecology, The American Naturalist, and Conservation Biology. They have received extensive external grant funding from a variety of sources including the National Science Foundation and serve as officers, board members, and editorial staff members for professional societies. In addition, they are engaged and award-winning teachers.
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. Noland Martin
nm14@txstate.edu
512.245.3317
Supple Science (SUPP), Room 260
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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.
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree in biology or 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
- 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.
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose describing your professional aspirations and rationale for pursuing graduate study
- three letters of recommendation addressing the substance and quality of your preparation for graduate study
Review important information about documents.
- 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.