Biology, M.S.

Contacts

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Jenna Messick

Email: jmessick1@uco.edu

Office: HOH 301E

Phone: 405 - 974 - 5776

Admission Requirements

• BS/BA in Biology or related field

Submit the following items to:

                                 Jackson College of Graduate Studies 

                                 100 N. University Drive, NUC 404 

                                 Edmond, OK 73034

• Written statement of a graduate faculty member’s commitment to serve as Major Advisor.

• Online application for admission (www.uco.edu/graduate/).

• Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each institution attended with all degrees posted. All transcripts must be from accredited institutions. Undergraduate transcripts must show a minimal 2.50 GPA overall with a preferred minimal 3.00 GPA in the last 60 hours attempted.

• Three letters of recommendation, one of which may be from the faculty member who will serve as Major Advisor. Letters of recommendation are requested through the online application portal.

• Students with a native language other than English must submit evidence of English language proficiency. See Admission to Graduate Studies - English Language Proficiency  .

Note: Students must meet with faculty mentor/advisor in a group or individual advisement session before enrolling.

Other Requirements

• Advisory Committee. Form an Advisory Committee and meet with it at least once per academic year.

• Plan of Study. Each student, under the guidance of the Major Advisor, must file a Plan of Study with the Graduate Program Advisor and the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) by the end of the first semester of graduate work. The Plan of Study must be signed and dated by the student and the Graduate Program Advisor before it can be considered official.

• Academic Standards. Meet the following course work standards:

• Overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• No more than six hours of “C”.
• No more than six advisor-approved hours from traditional correspondence courses.

•Thesis Option. Complete a thesis, present it to the public, and defend it successfully before the Advisory Committee. The defense will include an oral comprehensive examination administered by the Advisory Committee. Submit two paper copies of the thesis and one electronic copy to the library through Proquest and the thesis’ Title Page, original Signature Page, Thesis Summary Document, and Abstract Page to the JCGS.

• Non-thesis Option. Complete the Graduate Capstone which will include submission of a written document and an exit exam administered by the Advisory Committee.

• Final Requirements. Apply for graduation through the JCGS by advertised deadline.

Graduation Requirements

NOTE: Each student must complete 32 hours of 5000 level coursework, which includes Thesis or Graduate Capstone hours. A Plan of Study should be designed based on the student’s academic record and recommendations of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee may require completion of lower-level course deficiencies or prerequisites.