Biology

In the first semester of course work, each student will have many opportunities to hear and experience the research that is happening in various laboratories in the department. Based on your interests faculty with similar interests will often work with those students to determine if their research might be appropriate for a masters thesis project. Students are encouraged to seek out opportunities to get to know faculty through their classes, seminars and many informal gatherings within the department.

Admission Requirements

An entering student must have an undergraduate degree with a major in biology or equivalent training. In addition, entering students must have/provide the following: 1. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 (4.00=A) overall and a 3.00 average in biology (minimum 32 semester hours or equivalent). 2. Competence in chemistry and mathematics is expected. 3. Scores from any one or more of the following standardized tests: General GRE, the biology-specific GRE, or the MCAT. Students are expected to score above the 25th percentile to be competitive for admission (provisional or full). Full admission is required for a teaching assistantship and tuition waiver. 4. A letter of interest indicating the proposed area of specialization and possible advisers in the biology department is required. 5. Foreign students, in addition to the above requirements, must have a score of 220 or more on the TOEFL and one of the following a) 23 on the “S” portion of the TOEFL b) 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or c) a passing score on the U-Adept test.

Akron Advantage

- Two year Masters degree - Numerous research opportunities available from molecular, organismal to ecology (Faculty research supported by NIH, NSF, AHA, NOAA) - Department that values integration across many biological disciplines - Great teaching in a small interactive classroom setting - A good record of job and doctoral placement upon completion of degree - Continued financial support throughout your program - Apply your skills and learn new ones! - Attend and present at scientific meetings

Additional Information

The M.S. degree is obtained upon completion of required coursework and a research thesis. Each student, in conjunction with a graduate committee, plans coursework, seminars and research based upon the student's background and interests*. A total of 24 credits of coursework, 12 credits of research/thesis and 4 credits of seminar are required for the degree.  A non-thesis option is available for individuals with a current teaching certificate or co-registration with the College of Education toward obtaining teaching certification.