Master of Science with a Major in Biology
The mission of the M.S. Degree Program in the Department of Biology at the University of West Georgia is to provide graduate students the knowledge and training necessary to pursue advanced graduate education, professional studies, or employment. In pursuit of this mission, the Department of Biology offers a M.S. Degree Program via either a thesis and non-thesis track.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
The Department of Biology at the University of West Georgia will provide opportunities for personal and professional development to students, faculty, staff, and the broader university community through excellence in teaching, research, and service. Teaching: The Department of Biology will implement and maintain a rigorous curriculum which facilitates an understanding of the major principles and concepts in the biological sciences, promotes critical-thinking and communication skills, and fosters a continuous interest in learning. Research: The Department of Biology will provide and maintain student-oriented research opportunities which will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of biology and the scientific process, enhance the quality of instruction, promote professional development, and further the state-of-knowledge in the biological sciences.
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Biology
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Courses are 100% face-to-face.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Maximum Hours Transferable into program: 6
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
A combination of 5000-level and 6000-level courses may be used to complete graduate degree requirements, but a substantial portion of the degree program should be at the 6000 level. A topic for thesis research should be identified before the end of the first semester of the degree program. The degree candidate should submit a brief thesis proposal to the advisory committee at this time and should schedule qualifying exams before the end of the third semester. The advising committee may approve up to two course substitutions from departments other than biology if such substitutions are appropriate to the research interests or career goals of the student.
These are not all required courses. For Thesis, 15 hours of BIOL courses must be taken at the 5000/6000 level. BIOL 6984 (2 hours), 6983 (12 hours), and 6999 (1 hour) are always required as well.
For Non-Thesis, BIOL 6984 (2 hours) and 6995 (1 hour) are required on top of 27 hours of 5000/6000 level courses.
General
The study of insects. This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of insect taxonomy, morphology, physiology, behavior, and evolution. The relationships between insects and humans, other animals, and plants will be examined. The influences of insects on culture, religion, art, history, and colonization will be discussed. The laboratory will be devoted primarily to developing an understanding of insect identification.
This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and evolution of the more common invertebrate phyla. The distribution and interspecific relationships among invertebrates and other forms of life will be presented and discussed. The laboratory will be devoted primarily to developing an understanding of insect identification.
The biology, systematics and taxonomy of fishes with an emphasis on the biodiversity/biogeography of fishes in the state of Georgia.
This course examines the use of molecular genetic data to the understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes in natural populations such as genetic diversity, dispersal, gene flow and phylogeography. This course will also examine how molecular genetic data is utilized to study behavioral mechanism such as mate selection and foraging. Application of molecular ecology principles to conservation will also be explored.
Bacterial Genetics is an advanced microbiology course which focuses on the molecular genetics of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Topics addressed include the nature of the bacterial chromosome, the multi-step process of DNA replication, DNA damaging agents and mutations, DNA repair systems, mechanisms of gene transfer and antibiotic resistance, and the regulation of gene expression. The laboratory component reinforces concepts learned in lecture and familiarizes students with modern techniques used in genetic engineering and biotechnology.
The applied and environmental microbiology course is designed to expose students to the importance of microorganisms in industry and in the environment.
Advanced medical microbiology is designed to inform students of current developments in the areas of clinical and medical microbiology. The course will focus on mechanisms of pathogenesis and host defense. Discussion of new and emerging infectious agents will be addressed.
This course is designed to familiarize biology graduate students with the ecology and management of terrestrial wildlife habitats. Ecological concepts and principles relevant to wildlife habitat structure and function will be evaluated from the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and landscape levels of organization. Management practices that affect the structure and function of wildlife habitats will be evaluated for agriculture and forest ecosystems. Concepts will be synthesized and reinforced by investigating the habitat requirements for a variety of wildlife species in the southwestern United States.
A study of biological, chemical, and physical components and interactions in freshwater systems. Field labs include a study of reservoirs and streams in west Georgia. A three-day field trip to the Georgia coast or the Okefenokee Swamp is required.
A study of the mechanisms and adaptive functions of behaviors. The genetics, development, physiology, and ecology of behaviors are investigated with an evolutionary approach.
The biology, systematics and taxonomy of marine organisms with an emphasis on the ecological principles that influence their biogeography and distribution.
Terrestrial ecology is designed to give the student an overview of the structures and functions of populations, communities, and ecosystems in the major terrestrial biomes on Earth. Emphasis will be placed on ecological analyses and disturbance impact assessments in the dominant terrestrial ecosystems of the southeastern United States.
A course combining the fundamentals of embryology with the genetic and molecular analysis of embryonic development.
This course is designed to study the similarities and differences in how various animals have solved a wide variety of physiological problems imposed by the natural world in which they exist. The student will investigate the functions of the different organ systems in invertebrates and vertebrates. The main goal of this class is to focus on the observation of how problems in nature are solved by various organisms. A complete understanding of the physiology of the human is an absolute prerequisite for this course as this will be the point of reference for most discussions.
Plant Physiology is intended to give students an overview of the processes which allow plants to function as living organisms. Emphasis will be placed on how plants interact with their environments.
The major emphasis of this course is the study of both basic and advanced genetic principles and genetic analysis methods that can be applied to all eukaryotic organisms. The secondary emphasis of this course will be the study of human medical genetics.
This course covers the techniques by which genome sequences and genome functions are analyzed. This course also examines topics in evolutionary genomics such as comparative genomics, evolution or duplicate genes, evolution of genome structure and organization, evolution of protein function, and evolution of gene expression.
Essentials of immunology is designed as an introduction to the immune response. The student will obtain a broad, comprehensive understanding of the principles of immunology. The course will focus on a detailed study of antigen-antibody interactions, humoral immunity, and cell-mediated immunity. Medically important syndromes, including AIDS, will be discussed to reinforce the principles of immunology. A laboratory component is included for the exploration of clinical immuno-diagnostic techniques.
Medical virology is designed as an introduction to viruses that are involved in human disease. The student will obtain a broad, comprehensive understanding of the principles of virology using specific medical examples. The course will focus on a detailed study of the viral structure, replication, gene expression, pathogenesis, and host defense. A laboratory component is included for the exploration of clinical techniques.
The emerging pathogen course is designed to inform students of the dramatic changes and current developments in the area of infectious disease. The course will focus on the evolving microorganisms and the reasons that the pathogens emerged. Also the course will include discussions on the mechanisms of pathogenesis and the host defense.
The primary objective of the course is to present students with the concepts and practical applications of the science of toxicology. This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the principles of toxicology, focusing on the biochemical, physiological, and ecological effects of various toxicants. The use of toxicology in biomedical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and environmental research will be examined and discussed.
Course will focus on some of the ideas about aging put forward by early alchemists to modern molecular biologists. Will discuss the biological principles behind anti-aging and aging intervention agents, as well as life-style options.
A course designed to inform students of the ethical and professional obligations of scientific investigation and communication. Students will be instructed in proper methods for record keeping and for reporting scientific discoveries. Topics such as scientific integrity, authorship, peer review, ethical use of animals in research, conflict of interest, ownership of data, and intellectual property will also be addressed. Case studies will be used heavily as teaching tools. This course is recommended for all graduate students conducting research in the department, and is required for all students who are supported from federal funds for their research or degree program.
This course is intended to introduce graduate students to the complexity and diversity of procaryotic organisms, including the eubacteria and archaea. The course will involve both lecture and laboratory learning, will engage problem solving skills, and will require extensive written and oral communication components.
This course is designed to study the interactions of biochemical pathways and the control systems that function to regulate cell and whole body metabolism. This course emphasizes the regulation of biochemical pathways as opposed to the mechanisms involved in each enzymatic step within a given pathway.
A survey of the mechanisms involved in the function of the human body. Study is approached from the organ system level to address muscular, neural, hormonal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, renal, and reproductive functions. Correlation will be made to the similarity between the demands placed on living systems regardless of whether the organism is multicellular or a single cell.
A microanatomical study of cell and tissue structure. Emphasis is on the complex nature of tissues and how the cellular associations within the tissue contribute to the overall functions of the tissues. Laboratory is devoted to preparation and interpretation of tissue samples.
Independent study of topics not offered in the current term. Independent study is only available for topics addressed by current courses if the topical course will not be offered during the academic year, or if the scheduling of the topical course is such that it will require a delay in timely completion of the degree for the student.
Directed readings are available for graduate students who need to conduct an independent review of the literature in a topic not addressed by the curriculum of the department. Students must complete a statement of understanding and expectation and must have the topic approved by their major professor and either the graduate coordinator or the department chair. Selected readings are appropriate for topics related to thesis research or for topics that provide a foundation for comprehensive examinations for non-thesis track students.
The research course is designed to teach students methods for biological research. Student will conduct research under the supervision of a faculty mentor and will learn proper methods for record keeping and report writing. Each student will work on a unique research project to be selected by the faculty mentor and the student. The research conducted is expected to provide the basis for the thesis for students in a thesis track degree program.
Graduate seminar will meet each term. Each offering will have a different topical focus, to be determined by the faculty discussion leader. All students will select an area to present that is consistent with the topic for the term. Students are also expected to fully participate in the discussions generated by student presentations.
Specific titles will be announced for each term in class schedules and will be entered on transcripts.
A capstone experience consisting of a graduate student writing and presenting their original research. Successful completion is contingent upon the quality of the written thesis and its defense as assessed by the faculty committee
Heidi Banford, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Andrew Edelman, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, Graduate Program Coordinator, & Co-director of Wildlife Ecology Certificate Program
Frank Fontanella, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Janet Genz, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Joe Hendricks, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of the Wildlife Ecology Certificate Program
Melissa Johnson (Cavallin), Ph.D.
Professor & Undergraduate Program Coordinator
William J. Kenyon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
Mautusi Mitra, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Sara Molesworth-Kenyon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
David Morgan, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Nancy Pencoe, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Satyanarayana Swamy-Mruthinti, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Christopher Tabit, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Henry Zot, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
A student entering the M.S. in Biology program is expected to have an undergraduate degree in biology. Students without a degree in biology or lacking specific background courses in biology and related sciences may need to complete undergraduate courses to compensate for deficiencies.
- Minimum GPA - 2.8 or higher
- Resume detailing academic, work, and volunteer experience.
- 2 letters of recommendation, preferably from reviewers familiar with the applicant’s academic performance.
- A one-page narrative statement including three components:
- 1) reason(s) for pursuing an M.S. in Biology;
- 2) the specific biological sub-disciplines of interest; and
- 3) the desired degree track (thesis or non-thesis). If the non-thesis track is desired, indicate if you are pursuing the biomedical sciences concentration.
Thesis-track applicants should ideally secure a thesis advisor from the biology faculty before applying. Prospective students can identify potential advisors by reviewing faculty web pages and contacting faculty with aligned research interests.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Program Questions
biology@westga.edu
678-839-6547
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
- Students will communicate scientific information through the acquisition, organization, and presentation of scientific information in written and/or oral form.