ASU SoLS - Integrative Graduate Education in the Life Sciences

The program of each student is prepared in consultation with the supervisory committee, consisting of a major professor and two additional faculty members. A minimum of 30 semester hours is required. The program of study must include exactly six hours of BIO 599 Thesis and one hour of seminar. The remainder of the program of study usually consists of (1) a mixture of course work, readings and conference, and seminars in the student's primary field and related fields and (2) research credits. Courses and research credits can be distributed in any combination appropriate to the student's individual educational goals. A typical program of study consists of six semester hours of thesis, one semester hour of seminar, nine to 15 hours of course work and additional seminars, and eight to 14 semester hours of research credit. A final oral examination covering the thesis and related subject matter is administered by the supervisory committee.

Concentrations in "Ecology" and "Biology and Society" are available.

Joint Bachelor and Master of Science in Biology

This program allows students to pursue a joint M.S. degree and B.S. degree in Biology (including those students in the biology and society concentration). Students admitted to the program are concurrently enrolled in both the undergraduate and graduate classes and seminars. The students are not eligible for graduate perquisites, including teaching and research assistantships, related health insurance, financial aid, or graduate award programs until the B.S. degree is complete. The graduate program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours above the 120 required for the undergraduate degree. Consistent with Graduate College guidelines, no more than six semester hours of 400-level courses may be applied to the M.S. degree.

Students follow the guidelines provided in the M.S. in Biology summary. A thesis and final oral examination are required at the same level as students in the regular M.S. program. Students must be in the B.S. program in Biology with a GPA of 3.40 or greater at time of admission and should have completed 90 semester hours toward the B.S., including at least 16 semester hours in BIO courses, three semester hours of calculus, and 11 semester hours of physical sciences (chemistry or physics preferred).

It is recommended that, by the time of admission, students complete a 300- or 400-level course in the area of the proposed thesis, a biometry or equivalent statistics course, and an upper-division chemistry course.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Microbiology

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit approved by a student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College is required. The 30 hours on the program of study should include course work, research, and exactly six hours must be MIC 599 Thesis credit. The program is planned by the student in consultation with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee is responsible for the guidance and direction of the student's graduate program. The committee is composed of a minimum of three members, including a chair (at least 2 committee members should be School of Life Sciences faculty).

Students are expected to achieve, through 18 semester hours of course work, a fundamental understanding of the following subdisciplines: bacterial genetics, immunology, molecular biology, physiology and metabolism, and virology. Alternatively, the student may demonstrate this fundamental understanding through the combination of a comprehensive examination, prepared by the student's supervisory committee, and 12 semester hours of formal course work.

A thesis is required along with a final oral examination covering the thesis and related subject matter is required.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Molecular and Cellular Biology

The MS degree program in Molecular and Cellular Biology consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work approved by a student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College is required. The 30 hours on the program of study should include a minimum of 10 designated semester hours of MCB courses, MCB 592 Research credits, and exactly six MCB 599 Thesis hours. The remaining courses are selected by the student in consultation with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee is responsible for the guidance and direction of the student's graduate program. The committee is composed of a minimum of three members, including a chair. A minimum of 2 committee members must be core MCB faculty members.

A written thesis based on original research is required along with a final oral examination in defense of the thesis.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Plant Biology

Applicants should have completed the requirements for an undergraduate major in the plant sciences, biology, or related discipline, with an adequate background in related courses in chemistry, mathematical, and physical sciences.

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit is required. The program of study must include course work, PLB 592 Research credits, exactly six semester hours of PLB 599 Thesis, and one hour of participatory seminar (PLB 591). The program is planned by the student in consultation with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee is responsible for the guidance and direction of the student's graduate program. The committee is composed of a minimum of three members, including a chair (at least 2 committee members should be School of Life Sciences faculty).

A written thesis based on original research is required, along with a final oral exam in defense of the thesis.