Masters Degree Requirements

Thesis M.S.	Total Course Work Credit hrs.	BIOL 698	Thesis Defense	Time Limit
Microbiology or Ecology	21 B or higher	9 Satisfactory	An acceptable thesis is required. Oral defense of the thesis is also required unless waived by the Convener of the Graduate Studies Committee upon recommendation of the Advisory Committee.	3 yrs from entry date
General Biology	21 at least 15 must be in Life Sciences B or higher	9 Satisfactory

Obtaining two Unsatisfactory grades for thesis research is grounds for dismissal from the graduate program.

Support Limit: Academic year – guaranteed two years. Additional year and summer sessions on a case–by-case basis. It is possible to take classes with tuition waived under certain conditions.

BIOL 66200 & 66300 (formerly 2008-09 695F & 695Y): Are required the first year; however, these courses are pass/fail and do not count toward the 30 total credit hours required for a Theses Masters.

Using guidelines established for their specific area of biology, courses are arranged on an individual basis for each student by the student's Advisory Committee. At least one-half of the total credit hours used to satisfy the Master degree requirements must be earned in residence on the West Lafayette campus.

Thesis M.S.	Total Course Work Credit hrs.	BIOL 698	Thesis Defense	Time Limit
Non-Thesis M.S.	22 B or higher	8 BIOL 59500 BIOL 69500 Satisfactory	Not Required	3 yrs from entry date

BIOL 59500: Maximum number of credits allowed per the guidelines of the area of your non-thesis M.S.  Cluster-specific guidelines may supersede these general guidelines.

Support Limit: Academic year – guaranteed two years.  Additional year and summer sessions on a case-by-case basis.  It is possible to take classes with tuition waived under certain conditions.

BIOL 66200 & 66300 (formerly 2008-09 695F & 695Y): Are required the first year, they do not count toward the 30 total credit hours required for a Non-Theses Masters.