COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi is a 30-credit-hour graduate program that requires students to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for both program completion and graduation, with at least 18 hours of coursework completed at the 600 level or higher, in accordance with Graduate School policies. The program is structured around research training and thesis completion, emphasizing independent scientific investigation under faculty supervision. Students are expected to begin the program by contacting potential faculty advisors early in the application process and, by the end of their second semester, formally establish a graduate committee and submit an approved degree plan outlining their coursework and research direction. By the end of the third semester, students must develop and secure approval for a written research prospectus from a three-member thesis committee, demonstrating readiness to conduct original research. By the fourth semester, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination, which may include both written and oral components, to evaluate their mastery of their field of study. The program culminates in the preparation and defense of a written thesis, which must be publicly presented in an advertised seminar and successfully defended before the graduate committee by the end of the third year of study. Continuous enrollment is required throughout the program, ensuring consistent academic and research progress. The degree includes 27 hours of elective coursework selected in consultation with faculty advisors to support the student’s research focus, along with 3 credit hours of BSC 698 Thesis, which serves as the formal research and writing component of the program. Overall, the curriculum is designed to produce highly trained biological scientists with strong research skills, critical thinking abilities, and expertise suitable for doctoral study, academic careers, or professional scientific roles in research institutions, government agencies, and industry.