The Biology Scholars Plan combines the B.S. degree plan in Biology with M.S. degree plans in Biology or Biotechnology with the intention of allowing highly motivated and qualified students to complete both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology in a time- and cost-efficient manner.
These graduate credit hours may be applied toward either the B.S. or M.S. degree, but not both. Additionally, students in the Scholars Plan are expected to begin a graduate research project early in their studies. After admission to the Scholars Plan and successful completion of the B.S. degree in Biology, the Biology Program Graduate Admissions committee will consider waiving the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement for admission into the Biology Graduate Program.
Biology Scholars Plan application requirements:
- Applicants may apply for admission to the program during their sophomore, junior or senior year in college.
- Applicants must declare themselves to be Biology majors immediately upon admission.
- Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in mathematics/science coursework at the lower level, including a minimum of eight credit hours in biology and have a cumulative mathematics/science GPA of 3.5.
- Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from a science faculty adviser familiar with the student’s coursework.
- Applicants must interview with the Scholars Plan Admissions Committee.
After admission, successful continuation in the Scholars Plan will require students to:
- Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and a Mathematics/Science GPA of 3.0. Failure to maintain these averages will result in a one-semester probation period during which the student must improve his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0, and their Mathematics/Science GPA to 3.0.
- Participate in a research project as an Independent Study course under the supervision of a graduate faculty adviser during the senior undergraduate year.
- Enroll in the Biology or Biotechnology Graduate Program upon completion of the requirements for the B.S. degree.
- Successfully complete a research project as an independent study or graduate thesis under the supervision of a graduate faculty adviser as part of their MS degree coursework.
Students who fail to meet any of these requirements will be dropped from the Scholars Plan but may continue to pursue the B.S. or M.S. degree. Students who are dropped from the Scholars Program, but who wish to continue to pursue the M.S. degree must meet the standard application requirements for admission to the Biology or Biotechnology Graduate Program.
At the completion of the requirements for each degree, the student will be awarded the B.S. and M.S. degrees. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating they have completed the Biology Scholars Plan.
In the event a student is unable to complete the entire program of study, they are assured the B.S. degree in Biology upon completion of the requirements for that degree. In the event a student fails to complete the M.S. degree requirements, graduate-level classes taken while in the program may be applied toward the B.S. degree.
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