Master of Science in Biology

The Department of Biological Sciences offers the Master of Science degree. The M.S. program is designed to prepare the student to assume an active career in teaching, research, or to pursue further graduate studies. Students can choose either the thesis option (recommended for students considering future research or graduate activities) or the non-thesis option (recommended for students considering a career in teaching or industry). The thesis option requires the student to find a faculty member who agrees to mentor the student and guide their thesis research project. The graduate studies coordinator will mentor the non-thesis students.

Graduate Programs Tuition and Fees

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities

To apply to the Master’s program in Biological Sciences:

1. Complete the application process on the graduate admissions webpage (domestic students; international students).

2. Send a letter of intent to the biology graduate program coordinator. Instructions for the letter can be Biological Sciences Graduate Program Letter of Application.

3. Contact potential mentors. You must meet all program requirements listed below (academic and language) and also must be accepted by a faculty mentor who will be your advisor. Finding a graduate mentor is typically the limiting factor for the Biology graduate program. Find the expertise and contact information for potential mentors.

Summary of Biological Sciences Graduate Program Admission Requirements:

1. GRE: You must have GRE scores to be admitted. We require a score of ~300 (50th percentile Verbal and 50th percentile Quantitative) on the GRE for unconditional acceptance. For conditional acceptance, your scores in both Verbal and Quantitative sections must be above the 25th percentile. If your scores are below this level, you will not be admitted.

2. Minimum GPA requirement: 3.0 for unconditional acceptance, if lower than 3.0, you can be accepted conditionally and must maintain GPA of 3.0 for the first 9 credit hours.

3. Students can be accepted as ESL conditional:

Minimum score requirements for unconditional acceptance

• • IELTS: 6.0

  • Paper Based TOEFL: 527

  • Institutional Based TOEFL: 71

These scores are the same minimum requirements for the International Graduate Language admission requirements.

In addition to the requirements listed above, all students will be required to take the ETS Major Field Exam for Biology during their first semester at Murray State. Students will be tested in four areas:

1. Population Biology, Evolution and Ecology

2. Organismal

3. Cellular Biology

4. Molecular Biology

Students will be required to score no lower than ½ of 1 standard deviation from the national mean in a minimum of three areas determined by your advisor/committee. Scores recorded below the minimum in these three areas will require students to take remedial courses in the deficient area before completion of their degree. Applications will be reviewed prior to taking the test. Learn more about the ETS Major Field Exam for Biology.