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 to the MS in Biology

Program Contact

Dayna Loyd Averitt, MSCI, PhD
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.

How to Apply

  1. Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School and submit official transcripts to the Office of Admission Processing at OAP@twu.edu. An official transcript is needed from each institution previously attended. Transcripts may be printed or electronic but must be sent to the Office of Admissions Processing directly from the institution to be considered an official transcript.
  2. Submit a statement of purpose (one-two pages) that describes your reasons for pursuing graduate work, background experience and professional goals via email directly to DAveritt@twu.edu.
  3. Submit a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) to DAveritt@twu.edu.
  4. Arrange for three letters of recommendation, from persons familiar with your academic capabilities, to be submitted on letterhead stationery directly to DAveritt@twu.edu.

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.

International students wishing to apply for teaching assistantships must demonstrate English speaking proficiency by one of the following unless the student is an American citizen or is an international student from a country that is exempt from TOELF requirements:

  • a score of 26 or higher on the TOEFL iBT speaking section
  • a score of 50 or higher on the Test of Spoken English
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic score of 53 or above
  • a score of 7.5 or higher on the IELTS Speaking test
  • a score of 4 or higher on the MELAB Speaking test

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 8:25 AM, March 27, 2023