Dec 03, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology - General Biology Concentration, MS


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Program Code: MS_207C
CIP Code: 26.0101

Learn more about the Department of Biology .

Program of Study for the Master of Science in Biology


Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE exam scores, unless waived; letter of intent; commitment from a Biology faculty member to chair the applicant’s thesis committee.

Additional Admission Requirements: Recommendations for the application should be written by persons familiar with the applicant’s academic performance. At least one letter must be from a faculty member at the applicant’s undergraduate degree-granting institution. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program director as early as possible regarding thesis research interests. 

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE) requirement may be waived for applicants who earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and who complete an interview (on-campus preferred, although video interview is acceptable) with the potential faculty adviser(s) and the graduate program director.

Location: On Campus

Additional Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility Information


Standardized exam (GRE, GMAT, MAT) waiver eligibility for graduate degree programs at Appalachian State varies by program. No exam waiver is automatic and an approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. More complete information about standardized exam waivers can be found in the Admissions Requirements section of this Bulletin .

Accelerated Master’s Program


This program offers an Accelerated Master’s  option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.

Course Requirements for the Master of Science in Biology


Total Required (Minimum 33 Hours)


Concentration Requirements (21 or 25 Hours)


Other Requirements for the MS in Biology


  • Thesis: Required
  • Proficiency: Not required
  • Candidacy: Required; awarded upon approval of thesis committee and prospectus
  • Comprehensive: A written comprehensive examination and an oral defense of the thesis
  • Product of Learning: Not required

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