COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (MS) in Biological Sciences at Wichita State University offers students the flexibility to pursue either a thesis or nonthesis pathway depending on their academic interests and career goals. All graduate students must complete core departmental requirements, including earning at least 16 credit hours within the Department of Biological Sciences. Students may transfer up to 6 graduate credit hours from other institutions, while a maximum of 9 credit hours may be taken from departments outside biological sciences. In addition, all students are required to enroll in Departmental Seminar (BIOL 797) and deliver professional presentations during two semesters. Attendance at departmental seminars is expected throughout the program, even when students are not enrolled in the seminar course. To ensure ethical and professional development, all graduate students must complete the department’s training in professional and scholarly integrity during their first semester. Students choosing the Thesis Option must complete a total of 30 graduate credit hours. This pathway includes BIOL 797, research credits through BIOL 890, and BIOL 891 Thesis during the semester in which the thesis is defended. Students may apply up to 12 credit hours of research toward the degree and must complete at least 15 credit hours in graduate-level courses numbered 500–999. The thesis option emphasizes original scientific investigation and requires students to defend both their thesis prospectus and final research findings through oral presentations and examinations. Students selecting the Nonthesis Option complete 33 graduate credit hours. This track includes BIOL 797 and at least 25 credit hours of graduate coursework numbered 500–999. Students must also complete 4 to 6 credit hours of either BIOL 890 Research or BIOL 781 Cooperative Education, allowing them to gain practical research or professional experience. The nonthesis pathway is often preferred by students seeking careers in industry, government agencies, environmental organizations, biotechnology companies, healthcare, or education, while the thesis option is particularly beneficial for those planning to pursue doctoral studies or research-intensive careers. Both options provide advanced scientific training, research experience, and professional development in areas such as ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, and evolutionary biology, preparing graduates for success in a wide range of scientific professions.