Master of Science in Biology

Biology students working with a petri dish
Photo by Michael Modecki.
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Our flexible master's program will allow you to develop an individualized degree plan in collaboration with a faculty advisor. You will gain the skills and knowledge to conduct an in-depth exploration of a topic of interest to you. As a biology graduate student, you will participate in interdisciplinary study under the guidance of dedicated faculty mentors, attend seminars featuring nationally recognized scientists and experts, and have the opportunity to publish and present your research at conferences.

As a student pursuing your master's degree in biology, you will have two options.

  1. Thesis — a minimum of 30 semester credit hours, including six semester credit hours for thesis.
  2. Professional paper — 30 semester credit hours, including three semester credit hours for professional paper and six semester credit hours of education or equivalent coursework as approved by an advisory committee.

The final examination for each emphasis consists of an oral defense of the student's thesis or professional paper.

Degree details

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for the M.S. in Biology

Program Contact

Dayna Loyd Averitt, MSCI, Ph.D.
940-898-2708
DAveritt@twu.edu

Application Priority Deadlines

Fall – February 15
Spring – September 15

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree in biology or its equivalent
  • Resume
  • Statement of purpose (1-3 pages) that describes your reasons for pursuing graduate work, background experience, and professional goals, to be uploaded in application
  • Three letters of recommendation.  You will be asked to provide email addresses for three individuals familiar with your academic capabilities, and they will receive an email request to submit the letter directly into the system. 

Applicants who satisfy the Graduate School’s admission standards are forwarded for review to the departmental admissions committee. This committee is responsible for recommending acceptance into biology graduate programs.

How to Apply

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
    • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
      • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
    • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.

  2. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
    • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
    • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
    • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.

  3. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU.  See the International Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.

Need more information?

For questions about our biology master’s program, please contact:

Dayna Loyd Averitt, MSCI, PhD
940-898-2708
DAveritt@twu.edu

Page last updated 10:23 AM, September 6, 2023