The Department of Biology offers the M.S. degree program with two areas of specialization. The first is traditional Biology which requires a research thesis and the second is the Coastal Zone Studies area for which a thesis is optional. The department also offers a program leading to the M.S.T. degree.

Course descriptions are listed alphabetically by prefix in the back of this catalog.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the general University requirements, students seeking the M.S. degree in biology must submit the following materials and meet departmental requirements:

1. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the student's academic ability.
   
2. Successful completion of the five biology core courses (or the equivalents) required of UWF biology undergraduates.
   
3. Official scores from the academic section of the GRE in the student's discipline, if one exists. These scores will be used, in part, for diagnostic purposes.
   
4. A letter describing the student's area of interest within biology and/or coastal zone studies, relevant past experience, and future objectives.

The completed application will be reviewed by the graduate program committee and by the faculty member(s) whose research interests most closely coincide with those of the applicant. Upon admission, the student will be assigned an advisor. Conditional admission may require the student to complete the appropriate foundation courses with grades of "B" or better.

BIOLOGY, M.S.
THESIS SPECIALIZATION

The thesis program is designed for students seeking advanced studies in areas of modern biology and biotechnology with training in the fields of aquaculture, ecology, environmental studies, fisheries biology, genetics, immunology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, plant science, and physiology.

In addition to the general university academic requirements, students seeking the M.S. degree in biology must meet the following departmental requirements:

1. Select a thesis advisory committee composed of a chairperson and at least two additional faculty members.
   
2. Meet with the thesis advisory committee and complete a written plan of study that specifies courses and other work necessary for the program.
   
3. Submit a written research proposal acceptable to the thesis supervisory committee and demonstrate by oral examination that the proposed research is feasible.
   
4. Complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of credit approved by the thesis committee. Fifteen of these hours must be at the 6000 level and these may include 6 semester hours of thesis. 8 semester hours of credit in undergraduate courses outside of biology may be approved as part of the program.
   
5. Submit an acceptable thesis and successfully defend it in an oral public presentation.

BIOLOGY, M.S.
COASTAL ZONE STUDIES SPECIALIZATION

A student will learn methods to identify and solve problems, management practices, and procedures for policy-making as they pertain to a coastal zone. Students with bachelor's degrees in the physical sciences, geography, and resource management are encouraged to apply. Departmental requirements are as follows:

1. Prior to registration and in consultation with the department chairperson, select a faculty advisor and help form a supervisory committee.
   
2. Meet with the committee and complete a plan of study that specifies courses and practical experience necessary for the program. The plan must be approved by the supervisory committee.
   
3. Complete 36 semester hours composed of the required selections from the course groups specified below and from graduate electives in biology.

   BSC 6329	Coastal Studies Seminar	1
   PCB 6446	Wetlands Ecology	4
   Choose two courses:
   GEO 4131	Photo Interpretation & Remote Sensing	4
   GEO 4151	Geographic Information Systems	3
   GEO 5225	Coastal Morphology & Processes	3
   Choose one course:
   EVR 4023	Coastal & Marine Environment	3
   EVR 4035	Environmental Law	3

4. Complete a practical experience at the end of the program. The design and scope of the practicum must receive prior approval of the supervisory committee. The student must submit an acceptable written report summarizing the experience and must successfully defend it in an oral public presentation.
   
5. A biology CZS student has the option of pursuing original research and producing a traditional thesis in lieu of a practical experience. Under such a circumstance, the student is expected to submit a written thesis proposal which must be approved by the advisory committee, chaired by the major professor. The student must then submit an acceptable thesis and successfully defend it in an oral presentation.

BIOLOGY, M.S.T.

This non-thesis M.S.T. program allows competent teachers to carry out advanced studies in the many exciting areas of the biological sciences. Applicants should hold Florida teacher certification and have received a bachelor's degree in some subdiscipline of biological science from an accredited institution. Applicants holding the bachelor's degree in some other discipline will be considered using criteria appropriate to their backgrounds. Admission to the program may be granted to individuals who lack Florida teacher certification. However, completion of the teacher certification is an exit requirement for the M.S.T. program.

Departmental Degree Requirements

1. Form and meet with a supervisory committee within one semester after matriculation in the M.S.T. program. The committee must consist of a major advisor, a biology education coordinator, and a College of Education representative.
   
2. Complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit approved by the supervisory committee. Fifteen of these hours must be at the 6000 level. The student must complete at least 19 semester hours of biology graduate credit in formal courses, including at least 8 semester hours in each of two broad areas. Completion of a formal college-level course in evolution is required. Up to 8 semester hours of credit in undergraduate courses outside of biology may be approved as part of the program. A committee-approved 2 semester hours directed study must be taken, involving exposure to experimental or sampling design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of results.
   
3. Complete the Professional Education Common Core (must be taken in sequence):

   EDF 6602	Trends and Issues in Education: Social, Multicultural, Historical, & Philosophical Analysis	3
   EDF 6218	Current Issues in Student Development & Learning	3
   EDF 6481	Educational Research	3

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