阿肯色大学小石城校区

The Department of Biology offers a Master’s degree with two possible tracks: the thesis option leading to the M.S. and the non-thesis/course work option leading to the M.A. This program is designed to serve a wide variety of post-baccalaureate educational needs in central Arkansas and serves students with diverse backgrounds and goals. The program provides students with core skills desired by potential and current employers, specific knowledge and techniques relevant to specialized fields within biology, and the opportunity to work independently on a thesis or suite of course work suitable to each student’s aspirations.

The Department of Biology is composed of faculty with access to excellent laboratory and computer facilities. The Department holds affiliations with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Biloxi, Mississippi, which expand student’s opportunities for study. For more information, visit the program’s website.

Course Work (M.A.) Option Courses

This option includes the core curriculum and 23 additional hours, including at least nine credit hours at the 7000 level or above. Students may not receive credit for thesis research hours under this option.

Cell and Molecular Biology Track

This track is designed to complement the Ph.D. in Applied Science (Applied Biosciences). Admissions requirements remain the same as those already existing for the biology M.S./M.A. Writing skills must be demonstrated either through a graduate technical writing course (see existing core) or through the writing proficiency requirements in place for the Applied Science Ph.D. program. An English Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) will be offered to all thesis track students each Fall term by the Applied Science program.

Course Work Only Option

The Course Work (M.A.) Option includes 36 semester hours to include core requirements listed above, three hours of seminar, and the remaining courses to be electives.

Graduation Requirements

• Successful completion of an approved program of study with a minimum GPA of 3.0;
• Successful completion of comprehensive exit examinations;
• Successful completion of the thesis and oral defense (thesis option); and
• Successful completion of the writing and seminar requirements.

Student Progress

Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward their degree. Satisfactory progress includes appropriate grades in all courses and steady progress toward research goals as determined by the student’s advisory committee. Should progress be deemed unsatisfactory, the student will be informed in writing by the program coordinator with copies to the Graduate School Disputes regarding satisfactory progress will be handled by the Biology Graduate Committee.