Master's Program in Biology

The Graduate Program in Biology, with faculty from the Division of Natural Sciences, the Division of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Marine Laboratory, and the Water and Environmental Research Institute, offers a Master of Science degree. The program is designed to serve those students who are pursuing a research-oriented career at the master's level, those using the master's degree as a stepping stone to the doctorate, and biology teachers who have fulfilled requirements for teacher's certification but seek a broader knowledge of biology.

Why study at UOGML?

​In addition to obtaining the Master of Science in Biology, candidates have the opportunity to study in one of the most interesting regions of the biosphere. The Graduate Program in Biology has many facets comparable to mainland programs and provides outstanding opportunities in tropical marine science. The Marine Laboratory, situated at the edge of Pago Bay's diverse coral reef, provides facilities for research and instruction requiring a running seawater system and basic and advanced instrumentation for chemical seawater analyses.

What do I need to apply?

​Applicants should have completed all the pre-requisites for the program; (1) term (semester or quarter) of Calculus, two (2) terms of Physics or Geology, four (4) terms of Chemistry and four (4) terms of Biology, of which at least two (2) are upper division. Students may take these pre-requisites while at UOG; however courses taken to make up any deficiencies shall not be applied to the total credits required for a graduate degree.

Degree Requirements

​The degree program requires a total of 30 hours of graduate credit, at least 18 of which must be at the 500 or 600 level, including six hours of Thesis Research (BI695). A maximum of six credit hours may be accepted in related graduate-level courses. Students must maintain a B average (3.0) and make no more than one grade of C or lower to be admitted to remain in the degree program. Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 has one semester of probation to raise the average before he/she is dismissed from the program.

​The first step is the preparation and defense of a thesis proposal, which must be done within 12 months of entering the Program. Guidelines for the thesis proposal are available on the Program website. Oral defense of the approved proposal is via a public seminar open to the University community. The student must then write and defend a final thesis approved by the thesis committee. The thesis committee, especially the thesis committee chairperson, guides the student throughout the development of the research problem, data acquisition and analysis, and writing the thesis.

​For further information, please refer to the the Graduate School and the Graduate Program in Biology for a current bulletin and application procedures. Prospective students should also maintain contact with Chair of the Graduate Program in Biology, Dr. Bastian Bentlage.

Master of Science in Biology
Master of Science in Evironmental Science