University of Dayton Biology Department

 

The B.S./M.S in Biology is an accelerated, highly structured program designed for students who show an early interest in, and a strong potential for, research in the biological sciences. The combined program provides an undergraduate liberal arts education, a broad, basic background in the biological sciences, the development of expertise in a biological subfield, and thorough introduction to research instrumentation and techniques. Graduates from the program are prepared for either direct entry into the job market or for continuation toward the Ph.D. degree. 

The combined B.S./M.S. Program in Biology is open only to students pursuing a B.S. degree in Biology or Environmental Biology at the University of Dayton. Interested students should apply by October 15 of their Junior Year (or credit hour equivalent) of undergraduate education. Qualified students will have a minimum of a 3.5 science GPA (BCMP). The general GRE is required for admission to the program. Applicants are conditionally admitted to the program until completion of their B.S. degree, after which they will be officially admitted into the program. Students will be expected to begin Honors undergraduate thesis research in the summer prior to their fourth year of undergraduate education. The undergraduate B.S. degree in Biology or Environmental Biology will be awarded at the completion of the fourth year. The fifth year is devoted to graduate coursework and thesis research. Students are expected to maintain a graduate GPA of 3.5. Students will be expected to conduct research during the summer between the third and fourth, fourth and fifth year, and the summer after their fifth year with defense of the M.S. thesis anticipated for August of that summer. The master’s degree in Biology is awarded upon the successful defense of the M.S. thesis. No tuition waivers or financial support exists for the fifth year of this program, though summer research fellowship support is available on a competitive basis. Applications can be submitted through the online UD Graduate School application site: http://gradadmission.udayton.edu/. Please indicate the B.S./M.S. option on your application.