Option 1

• Candidates must complete at least four graduate seminars (BIO 800). Three of the four graduate seminars must be offered by the Department of Biological Sciences faculty.
  
• The College of Science and Mathematics requires a Program of Study to be filed with the School of Graduate Studies by the start of the third quarter of enrollment for full-time students, and by the time 18 hours have been taken for part-time students.
  
• Candidates must submit an approved thesis proposal with the Graduate Committee by the end of the second quarter. This proposal should be prepared in consultation with the student's Advisory Committee. Students who have not done so will not be permitted to continue enrollment in BIO 899 (Graduate Research). Upon acceptance of the thesis proposal by the Advisory Committee, one copy is filed in the graduate student's file. Research may deviate from the original proposal; however, suitable supplementary information must be submitted to the Advisory Committee.
  
• Candidates must submit and orally defend a thesis based on original research performed while enrolled as a graduate student at the university.

Option 2

• Candidates must complete 45 credit hours of graduate course work. A maximum of 12 credits can be earned in departments other than life science departments.
  
• Four seminar credits are required, two of which must be taken in the Department of Biological Sciences.
  
• Candidates must form an Advisory Committee and file a Program of Study before the end of their third quarter (or 25 credit hours).
  
• Candidates must complete 4-6 credit hours of BIO 699 (Special Problems in Biology). A copy of their written report must be put in the student's department file.
  
• Candidates must write a critical review and pass an oral exam administered by the Advisory Committee upon completion of course work.