Biology (M.S.)
M.S. Biology
Program Overview
The Biology Department 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 plant, animal and paleobotanical collections.
Course Work
Students can pursue a master of science (M.S.) in biology (thesis or non-thesis). Students who pursue this degree are usually preparing for professional careers, advanced graduate work, or advanced training for technology-related industries. The non-thesis M.S. degree requires a minimum of 45 semester hours, including at least one semester of a supervised research course.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Degree
M.S.
|
Hours
45–46
|
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
|
Minor Option
Minor required
|
|
Degree
M.S.
|
Hours
30–31
|
Thesis Option
Thesis
|
Minor Option
Science or Geography minor required
|
|
Degree
M.S.
|
Hours
30–31
|
Thesis Option
Thesis
|
Minor Option
No minor
|
|
Degree
M.S.
|
Hours
45–46
|
Thesis Option
Non-thesis
|
Minor Option
No minor
|
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 The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.
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.
|
|
Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
|
|
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.
-
Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
-
Application Fee
- $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
-
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
- minimum 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.
-
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.
-
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 The Graduate College at gradcollege@txstate.edu. 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.