2022-23 Academic Catalog

Biological Sciences

This is an archived copy of the 2022-23 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.msstate.edu.

Department Head: Dr. Angus Dawe
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Justin Thornton
General Biology Coordinator: Dr. Donna M. Gordon
219 Harned Hall, 295 Lee Blvd
Box GY
Mississippi State, MS  39762
Telephone: 662-325-3120
E-mail: grad_studies@biology.msstate.edu, msgb@biology.msstate.edu

Graduate study leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees is offered in Biological Sciences. Major areas of emphasis include molecular, developmental, cellular and organismal biology. An emphasis in biological sciences will be interdisciplinary, drawing from courses in and out of the department relating to a single unifying field, such as cell biology, evolutionary biology/ecology, or microbiology. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available.

A Master of Science degree in General Biology (GBIO) is offered through distance learning. This degree program is designed for practicing K-12 teachers who need graduate-level comprehensive instruction in biology. This web-based degree program culminates with a capstone hands-on learning experience in lab and field settings.

Accelerated Program

Highly qualified undergraduates at Mississippi State are encouraged to consider applying to the Accelerated Program. This program permits enrollment in up to 9 hours of graduate-level courses in Biological Sciences during the student’s final year of undergraduate studies. Upon completion of graduate courses, undergraduate credit is also awarded. Students would need to consult with potential graduate advisors to ensure graduate credit could be applied to a program of study for the M.S. degree. Application to this program may be made as early as the end of the sophomore year (i.e., after completion of 60 or more hours of graded undergraduate courses). This option is only available for students pursuing a thesis-based Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences. For more information see Accelerated Programs.

Admission Criteria

Requirements for entrance into the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in the Department of Biological Sciences include the following:

  1. A GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 system for all undergraduate work and a GPA of 3.00 for all coursework in the biological sciences
  2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic performance
  3. Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
  4. A statement of professional interests and goals from the applicant

Requirements for admission to the Master of Science in General Biology include the following:

  1. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 system on the last 60 hours of the undergraduate degree and a GPA of 3.00 for all coursework in the biological sciences
  2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic performance
  3. A statement of purpose, professional goals and interests, and work experience

Requirements for entrance into the combined B.S./M.S. program in the Department of Biological Sciences include the following:

  1. A GPA of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 system for all undergraduate work (no fewer than 60 hours)
  2. Submission of a standard application for graduate studies in the Department of Biological Sciences, along with application fee
  3. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic performance
  4. Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test prior to enrolling in graduate courses
  5. A statement of professional interests and goals from the applicant, including specification of one or more potential major professors

Contingent Admission

In some cases, a student can be accepted pending a particular condition, such as completion of a B.S. or M.S. degree or other conditions such as determined by the faculty and/or the Graduate School. Graduate students accepted on a contingent basis may receive an assistantship.

Provisional Admission

An applicant who has not fully met the GPA requirement stipulated by the University may be admitted on a provisional basis. The provisionally-admitted student is eligible for a change to regular status after receiving a 3.00 GPA on the first 9 hours of graduate courses at Mississippi State University (with no grade lower than a C). The first 9 hours of graduate courses must be within the student's program of study. Courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student shall be dismissed from the graduate program. Academic departments may set higher standards for students to fulfill provisional requirements; a student admitted with provisional status should contact the graduate coordinator for the program’s specific requirements. A student will not be retained on provisional status for more than two semesters. While in the provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship. This option is not available for students pursuing the combined B.S./M.S. program.

Academic Performance

The graduate student must maintain an average of B (3.00) or higher for all courses after admission to the program. Only grades of C or higher will be accepted for credit. One course of the approved graduate program can be repeated; the two grades will be averaged. All grades earned will be employed in overall GPA calculations. Failure to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements, including earning two or more Cs or earning a grade of D or F, may be considered by the Graduate Committee in consultation with the student’s advisory committee to be sufficient cause for dismissal from the graduate program. If the student’s GPA falls below 3.00, he/she will have a one-semester grace period in which to retain a teaching assistantship. By the end of this grace period, the student must have achieved an overall 3.00 GPA. This 3.00 GPA must be maintained for the duration of the graduate program, or the student will be recommended for dismissal from the graduate program. The student may retain a teaching assistantship during this probationary semester. During the probationary semester, the student must be enrolled in approved program requirements or, if the program has not yet been approved, in courses appropriate for the program.