Biology -- Graduate Program

Graduate Program Information

Here is general administrative information regarding post graduate study in the Biology Department. The Department offers a program for a Masters of Biology. Interdisciplinary programs the Department participates in are Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology (EECB), Cell Molecular Biology (CMB), Biochemistry.

Biology Masters Degree

The Department offers two Master Degree Programs, a Plan A and Plan B.

Under Plan A, a minimum of 30 semester graduate credits in Biology or related fields is required with not less than 21 of these to be earned in residence at UNR. At least 18 credits must be in courses at the 700 level. Six of the 30 credits must be thesis credits. The student is required to complete an independent research project and a written thesis. The student's Advisory Committee administers a final oral examination at the end of the students program which covers both general knowledge of the candidate's field and specific defense of the candidate's thesis.

Under Plan B, a minimum of 32 semester graduate credits in Biology or a related discipline is required with not less than 21 of these to be earned in residence at UNR. At least 15 credits must be in courses at the 700 level. A thesis is not required. Students may select one of three areas in which to concentrate their study and course work: General Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, or Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology. Towards the end of the candidate's work, the Department's GPC administers the written portion of the Comprehensive Examination over the candidate's general knowledge of the field and area of study. Upon successful completion of the written portion of the Comprehensive Examination, the candidate must then pass an oral examination administered by the candidate's Advisory and Examining Committee.

All requirements for either degree must be satisfied within the period of 6 calendar years immediately preceding the granting of the degree.

The Plan B Master's written portion of the Comprehensive Examination is determined by the area of study the student has chosen. For general Biology, the student will be given 20 study questions at the beginning of the semester in which the written comprehensive examination is to be taken. Ten of those 20 questions will be randomly selected and represent the written examination. Eight must be answered with a passing grade C or better. Students specializing in either Cell and Molecular Biology or Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, will be given 10 General Biology questions and 10 area questions, from which 5 General Biology and 5 area questions will be randomly selected. Eight must be answered with a passing grade C or better. All questions will be written by and graded by faculty of the Life Sciences graduate programs. Students not passing the written portion of the Comprehensive Examination will meet with their Advisory and Examining Committee to determine the subsequent course of action for the student. Second attempts to pass the written examination are possible in a subsequent semester.

Upon successful completion of the written examination, the student will meet with his/her Advisory and Examining Committee for the oral portion of the Comprehensive examination. Passing the oral portions of the Comprehensive examination is determined by the Advisory and Examining Committee.