Biology

Guide to the Master's Degree Programs
Biology Department
University of Nevada, Reno

I. ADMISSION TO GRADUATE STUDY

A. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Prospective students must apply to both the UNR Graduate School (http://www.unr.edu/grad) and the Department of Biology (http://www.unr.edu/artsci/biology/). Admission to the Graduate School follows the procedures outlined in the University General Catalog. Since these steps are similar to procedures within the Biology Department, the student is advised to consult the UNR catalog as well as the following information.

To be considered for admission to graduate study in the Department of Biology (Graduate Standing) a student must submit all necessary materials for admission prior to February 1 for the following Fall semester or prior to August 15 for the following Spring semester. Note that some of the required materials are to be sent to both the Graduate School and to the Biology Department.

Necessary Materials

Apply to the Graduate School:
Instructions and application at Graduate School Website.
Send to:
Biology Department-314
Graduate Admissions
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
1. A completed application for admission to the Biology Department Graduate Program UNR (available at GradApp1.pdf)
2. Photocopies of transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended
3. Photocopies of GRE results for general aptitude (and advanced tests if taken)
4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic record
5. International Students: Copies of TOEFL test results

The Biology Special Programs Committee will review all completed files. Applicants will be notified of admittance, denial, or placement on a waiting list within two months of the application deadline. Admitted students will have one month to indicate acceptance. All students on the waiting list will be notified of final disposition as soon as possible after acceptances have been received. Applications completed prior to the application review date will receive first and full consideration.

B. ADMISSION STANDARDS FOR MASTER'S DEGREE

The Biology Department offers two Master Degree Programs, Plan A (research-thesis program) and Plan B (non-thesis program), described in Section II below. The academic requirements for admission are the same for both programs:

See the UNR general catalog for minimum requirements for graduate admission.
To compete successfully for admission applicants should have:
1. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00
2. Combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of at least 1100 with a minimum of 400 in each test; an advanced test is recommended.
3. Course work in physical sciences (3 credits), mathematics (6 credits), biology (18 credits), and chemistry (6 credits), or equivalent
4. For international students: a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper exam) or 250 (computer exam).
Before admission into the Plan A Masters Degree Program, a full time faculty member of the Biology Department, must be identified and agree to serve as Faculty Advisor. Potential advisors can be identified by reviewing faculty research interests listed on the department web page (staff.htm) or the “Peterson Guide”. If a mutually satisfactory match of student and faculty interests and field of study cannot be obtained, admission into the research thesis program (Plan A) cannot be granted. If interested, the student may apply to the Plan B (non-thesis) Masters Program, or undertake advanced studies as a Graduate Special Student. Students accepted into the Plan B Masters Program will be advised by the Special Programs Committee during the first semester of study or until an Advisory Committee is formed.

C. FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Acceptance into the Master's Degree program does not obligate the Biology Department or University to provide financial support. It is the responsibility of the students to provide for the expense of their studies. However, there are a number of research and teaching assistantships in the Biology Department for which students may apply. A typical teaching assistantship includes a stipend of $14,000.00, non-resident tuition ($8,487.00), the allowable portion of course fees ($110.25 of $126.50 per credit for 9-12 credits per fall and spring semester), and medical insurance coverage ($913.00), bringing the financial package for each recipient to more than $25,000.00. In addition, the University administers an extensive program of financial aid services. Potential students are advised to check the Graduate School web page (http://www.unr.edu/grad) and discuss options for support with their prospective advisors. The Biology Department does not guarantee financial support.

II. GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR MASTER'S DEGREES

A. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Program Description: The Biology Department offers two Master's Degree Programs. Plan A is a program culminating in a research thesis for students interested in pursuing further advanced degrees or employment in biological research. Plan B is a program leading to a non-thesis Masters Degree, and is intended as the terminal degree for students seeking careers in industry, education, agencies, or other areas. Students may select one of three areas in which to concentrate their study: (1) Cell and Molecular Biology, (2) Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, or (3) General Biology.
Degree Requirements, Plan A: A minimum of 30 semester graduate credits in biology or related fields must be completed with a grade of B or better, 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, including six thesis credits. Course selection will be determined in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee. The student is required to complete an independent research project and a written thesis suitable for publication in a peer reviewed scientific journal. At the end of the student's research program and following acceptance of the written thesis by the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee, the student will make a public presentation of the thesis research. Following the public presentation, the student's Advisory Committee will administer and judge a final oral examination that serves as defense of the candidate's thesis, and an examination of the student's general knowledge.
Degree Requirements, Plan B: A minimum of 32 semester graduate credits in Biology or a related discipline must be completed with a grade of B or better, with not less than 23 of these to be earned in residence at UNR. At least 15 credits must be in courses at the 700 level. A research thesis is not required, but a scholarly paper must be prepared and presented orally in a public forum. The paper may be in the form of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or of a grant proposal in a format appropriate to a funding agency. Following acceptance of the written paper, the student's Advisory Committee will administer an oral examination which covers both general knowledge of the candidate's field and in depth analysis of the topic of the candidate's study. Passing the oral examination is determined by the Advisory Committee, and is necessary to complete the degree requirements.

It is strongly recommended that the required course work for either Plan A or Plan B degree be completed within the first two years of residency. Under appropriate circumstances, it is possible to transfer from one of these programs into the other. All requirements for either degree must be satisfied within the period of 4 calendar years immediately proceeding the granting of the degree.

III. SUGGESTED SCHEDULE OF CLASSES FOR Plan B MASTER'S PROGRAMS

A. Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)

Year 1: 18 credits

Semester 1
BCH 705 (4) Molecular Genetics
BIOL 606 (3) Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIOL 695 (1) Seminar

Semester 2
CMB 710 (4) Molecular Cell Biology
BIOL 691 (2) Independent Study (Lab in Genetics and Cell Biology)
BIOL 695 (1) Seminar

Summer 1
BIOL792 (3) Special Problems (directed study or research). An independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a grant proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.

Year 2: 14 credits:

BIOL 792 (3) A continuation of an independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a Grant Proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.
BIOL or BCH electives (11) with at least 1 credit at 700 level.

Available Biology and Biochemistry Electives
BIOL 605 (3) Molecular Biology
BIOL 608 (3) Cytogenetics
BIOL 660 (3) Immunobiology
BIOL 675 (4) Neurobiology
BIOL 680 (3) Developmental Biology
BIOL 705 (3) Current Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 708 (2) Molecular Biology of the Chromosome
BIOL 711 (3) Advances in Cell Biology
BIOL 764 (3) Current Research in Developmental Biology
BCH 612 (3) Plant Biochemistry
BCH 613 (3) Molecular Biophysics
BCH 617 (4) Metabolic Regulation
BCH 701 (3) Experimental Biochemistry
BCH 722 (3) Advanced Metabolism
BCH 731 (3) Physical Biochemistry
BCH 740 (3) Enzymology
CMB 790 (1) Graduate Seminar
CMB 794 (1) Colloquium

Upon agreement of the Faculty Advisor and individual Advisory and Examining Committee, prepared students may substitute specialized electives for certain required courses. The course work can and should be completed in 2 calendar years.

B. Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology (EECB)

Year 1: 18 credits

Semester 1
BIOL 750 (3) Research Design in Ecology
BIOL 695/EECB 794 (1) Seminar or Colloquium
BIOL (3) electives

Semester 2
BIOL 615 (4) Evolution
BIOL 695/EECB 794 (1) Seminar or Colloquium
BIOL (3) electives

Summer 1
BIOL792 ( 3) Special Problems (directed study or research). An independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a Grant Proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.

Year 2: 14 credits:

EECB 752 (3) Topics in Evolution or EECB 753 (3) Topics in Conservation Biology

BIOL 792 (3) –A continuation of an independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a Grant Proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.

EECB and BIOL (8) electives, with at least 3 credits at 700 level

Available Biology and EECB Electives
BIOL 604 (3) Population Genetics
BIOL 615 (4) Evolution
BIOL 634 (3) Biogeography
BIOL 646 (3) Desert and Montane Ecosytems
BIOL 681 (3) Principles of Animal Behavior
BIOL 682 (1) Animal Behavior Lab
BIOL 683 (3) Animal Communication
BIOL 685 (3) Population and Community Ecology
BIOL 712 (3) Mathematical Modeling in Ecology
BIOL 717 (3) Seminar in Arid Lands Ecology
BIOL 730 (3) Molecular Evolutionary Genetics
EECB 734 (4) Molecular Techniques in Ecology and Evolution
EECB 751 (2 or 3) Topics in Ecology
EECB 752 (2 or 3) Topics in Evolution

C. General Biology

Year 1: 18 credits

Semester 1
BCH/BIOL 605 (4) Molecular Biology
BIOL 615 (4) Evolution
BIOL 695 (1) Seminar

Semester 2
CMB 710 (4) Molecular Cell Biology
BIOL 685 (3) Population and Community Ecology
BIOL 695 (1) Seminar

Summer 1
BIOL792 (3) Special Problems (directed study or research). An independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a Grant Proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.

Year 2: 14 credits:

BIOL 792 (3) A continuation of an independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a Grant Proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.
BIOL, EECB, BCH, or CMB electives (11) at least 5 credits at 700 level

Available Electives
See Electives for CMB and EECB programs