The specific degree requirements include:
A. Course Work:
Note: All courses for graduate credit must be taken at the
5000-level or higher.
M.S. Degree: 30 total hours with a GPA of 3.0 or
better.
Note: two grades of C are acceptable, but a third C will lead to termination. A
grade of U will lead to termination.
5000 level: as needed to acquire 30 total hours
6000 level:
-
Special Topics (6000) -- at least 2 courses, one of which must be
BIOL
6000 Hypothesis Testing
-
Tutorial (6800) -- not to exceed 4 hours
-
Research & Thesis (6900) -- up to 8 hours; at least 1 hour
M.A. Degree: 32 total hours with a GPA of 3.0 or
better.
Note: two grades of C are acceptable, but a third C will lead to termination. A
grade of U will lead to termination.
5000 level: as needed to acquire 32 total hours
6000 level:
-
*Special Topics (6000) -- at least 2 courses, one of which must be
BIOL
6000 Hypothesis Testing
-
Tutorial (6800) -- not to exceed 4 hours
-
Research and Thesis (6900) -- up to
4 hours; at least 1 hour
Three courses of the 32 hours must include formal laboratory for the M.A.
Amount of Transfer Credit Accepted: All transfer
credit must be approved by the Student's Supervisory Committee and the Graduate
Coordinator. Only courses with grades of A or B may be accepted for transfer credit.
Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a previously completed degree can not be
counted toward the Masters degree. Typically, no more than 6 hours of transfer
credit or 6 hours of postbaccalaureate courses taken at UNC Charlotte may
be applied toward the Masters degree.
Non-Biology Courses Accepted:
Up to 8 non-Biology Department course credits can be applied towards the M.A. or
M.S. degree with approval of the Thesis Committee. More than 8 hours can be
applied with approval of the Graduate Committee.
B. Thesis Proposal:
Each degree candidate must prepare and present a proposal for thesis work which is
acceptable to the Supervisory Committee. The thesis proposal must be accompanied by a Topic
Approval Form, and both the cover page of the proposal and the Topic Approval Form must
be signed by all
Supervisory Committee members.
C. Oral Candidacy
Exam:
Both degree programs require this exam which evaluates the student's knowledge in
his/her specialty area, as well as general knowledge of basic biological concepts. In the
event the student's performance is judged not satisfactory, the Supervisory Committee may
recommend a retake. Failing the retake exam results in termination from the
program; successful completion of the Candidacy Exam is required for
continuation in the program.
D. Thesis:
M.S. Degree: A thesis is required based upon original laboratory or field
results. While a "traditional" thesis may be submitted, a format styled after a
manuscript prepared for submission to a journal in the specialty area is acceptable and
encouraged.
M.A. Degree: A thesis is required based upon library research and must
include a review of the literature plus a synthesis and interpretation of material, with
conclusions.
E. Thesis Defense Seminar:
Each degree candidate must present a seminar acceptable to the Supervisory Committee
and the Department in defense of the thesis work. The seminar will be open to the public.
Notice of each defense must be publicized at least one week prior to the
defense.
F. Workshop:
Each student must complete a "Departmental Equipment Use
Workshop"
to satisfy the requirements for graduation. This
single afternoon session
workshop is offered
every year; it provides an
overview of the proper use of equipment available to all graduate students.
G. Departmental Seminars
Graduate students are expected to attend all seminars
sponsored by the Department of Biology.
