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Graduate Program

There are two options in Biological Sciences leading to the Master of Science degree. The purpose of the graduate program is to provide students with the opportunity to gain a solid foundation in Exercise Physiology in preparation for careers as a professional (in allied health fields, industry, government, or education and research organizations) or for further academic training.

OPTION I (thesis required)

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING THE MS DEGREE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Requires the submission and oral defense of a thesis based on original research performed while enrolled as a graduate student at the university. Although there is no specific course work requirement for this option, candidates will be advised under direction of graduate committee to enroll in graduate-level courses deemed appropriate for successful understanding of the research to be undertaken.

All candidates, regardless of the option chosen, are required to obtain a major advisor and an advisory committee. The advisory committee will help formulate a study program, provide counseling, and evaluate student progress. If a student is uncertain of a major field of interest or of an appropriate option, the department graduate committee will assign a temporary advisor who will function in place of an advisory committee until the student selects an option and is accepted by an advisory professor. Enrollment in BIO 702, Introduction to Research, enables the student to choose an advisor.

All candidates, must meet requirements for the Master of Science degree defined in the section Degree Requirements. They must, in addition, meet the specific requirements of the option chosen.

Currently, three programs of specialization are offered:

Master of Science ~ Exercise Physiology

Financial Assistance Several graduate teaching assistantships and a limited number of graduate research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. These appointments include a stipend and also carry a waiver of most tuition and instructional fees for both residents and nonresidents. Appointments are made for the academic year and may be renewed for a second year. Additional assistantship support may be available for the summer quarter. The University also has a program (Tuition Fellowships), administered through the Colleges, for supporting just the tuition and instructional fees, without any stipend support. See the "Financial Assistance, Fees, and Tuition" section of the graduate catalog for details.

Master of Science ~ Cardiac Rehabilitation

Financial Assistance In conjunction with Miami Valley Hospital, an appointment in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation is awarded every two years on a competitive basis. This appointment includes a stipend and a waiver of tuition and instructional fees. The student must carry 12 credit hours in course work  or research every quarter (including summer) and work 20 hours a week at Miami Valley Hospital.

Master of Science ~ Health and Wellness

Financial Assistance In conjunction with Miami Valley Hospital, an appointment in Health and Wellness is awarded every two years on a competitive basis. This appointment includes a stipend and a waiver of tuition and instructional fees. The student must carry 12 credit hours in course work  or research very quarter (including summer) and work 20 hours a week at Miami Valley Hospital.

Financial Assitance In conjucntion with WSU Department of Recreation an appointment in Fitness and Wellness is awarded every two year on a competitive basis.  This appointment includes a stipent and a waiver of tuition and instruction feesl  The student must carry 12 credit hours in course work or research every quarter (including summer) and work 20 hours a week at the WSU Recreation Center.

OPTION II (no thesis required)

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECTS AND FINAL EXAM FOR THE NON-THESIS (OPTION II) MS DEGREE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Students enrolled in Option II, the non-thesis option, in the Wright State Biological Sciences MS program, are required to complete two independent studies. The first, BIO 699, is a laboratory rotation for which we require 4 - 6 credit hours of enrolment. The second, BIO 799, is a library research project for which up to 6 credit hours can count toward the degree. It is usually the case, though not necessary, that these projects are completed during the later quarters of study in the MS program. The final exam, which is also required for Option II, is typically based largely around the subject matters covered in the two independent studies.


BIO 699, Laboratory rotation

The objective of the laboratory rotation is to provide the student with exposure to conducting biological research. We recognize that one quarter of laboratory rotation may be inadequate to complete a very substantial project. However, we still expect that the student will have the opportunity to learn and apply some number of research techniques, and that the student will gather some amount of data. The culmination of this project should be a report of the research experience, essentially a laboratory report. This would typically include an introduction that outlines the project, a description of methods, a summary of data gathered (including charts and tables as appropriate), a conclusion, and a listing of relevant and/or cited literature. A copy of the completed laboratory report should be placed in the student's file (in the office of Laura Buerschen, Assistant to the Department Chair).


BIO 799, Library research project

The objective of BIO 799 is for the student to write a review of a current topic in biology. Oftentimes the BIO 799 paper is written on a topic closely related to the subject of the BIO 699 research. However, this need not be the case; it is acceptable to complete both projects with the same faculty mentor but on separate topics, and some students choose to complete the two projects under the supervision of different faculty mentors.
The review paper should be based on a reading of the primary literature, including a significant number of papers from the most recent year or two. The paper is not meant to be a research proposal offering ideas for new directions in research, but rather an overview of a topic. We expect that this paper will typically be 20 - 30 pages in length, based on a reading of 20 - 50 research articles. A copy of the completed review paper should be placed in the student's file (in the office of Laura Buerschen, Assistant to the Department Chair).


The committee

Each student must form an advisory committee. It is typical that either the graduate program director or one of the Environmental Sciences advisors will serve as advisor during the first quarters of study, helping to choose courses and set a schedule for completing degree requirements. Some time around the completion of 20 - 25 cr hrs of graduate study, typically when the program of study is being completed (as required by the graduate school) or as the student progresses into the independent study projects, the full committee is formulated. This committee usually consists of three members of the graduate faculty, including the advisor(s) of the BIO 699 and 799 projects. The main role of the committee, besides serving as a source of advice on the independent studies, is to serve as the examining group for the final exam.


The final exam

The final exam for Option II is conducted by the advisory committee of the student. Ordinarily the student will begin the exam by presenting an oral overview of the BIO 799 project. The committee is then free to ask questions based on this presentation, on the subject covered in other independent studies such as BIO 699, or on other subjects (such as topics from the student's coursework). The student should feel free to consult with the committee in the weeks or months in advance of the exam as to the likely breadth of subject matter for the exam. The committee will judge as to the acceptability of the student's performance during the exam.

Details

Graduate Admissions Information

International Student Admission Information

Graduate Degree Requirements

Course Work

Required & Elective Courses

Thesis Preparation & Defense

For Additional Information
Please Contact: Roberta L. Pohlman, Ph.D.
Room 263/261 BH
Phone-(937) 775-2858
FAX-(937) 775-3320

Biological Sciences Office

Room 235A BH

Phone (937) 775-2655

For Additional Information on Graduate School
Please Contact: Jim Runkle, Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Wright State University
Dayton, OH 45435

School of Graduate Studies (SOGS)
Candidates may obtain information about the thesis at the School of Graduate Studies website. Information on Format Check, Final Deposit of the completed thesis and other procedures are listed here.

Exercise Biology Laboratory
261 Biological Sciences
Roberta L. Pohlman, Ph.D.
(937) 775-2858

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