University General Course Catalog 2023-2024

Dec 26, 2024

University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Biology (General Biology Emphasis), M.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

An M.S. in Biology provides a strong foundation for either a career in the biological sciences at graduation, or to further professional training in fields such as medicine, health sciences, conservation biology, wildlife biology, and biotechnology. Our curriculum is research-focused and rigorous; expect challenges, but also expect a rewarding atmosphere that encourages experimentation.

Faculty in the Biology department include world-renowned scientists who have contributed to and conducted National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health funded research.

Contact Information

Stephen Vanderwall, Professor/Director, Biology Graduate Program
Office: (775)784-6583
sv@unr.edu

Mailing Address:
University of Nevada, Reno
Department of Biology, Mail Stop 0314
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Biology Master’s degree students will:

conduct rigorous research that makes a significant contribution to scientific progress,
produce clear and coherent written presentations of their work,
complete the program in a reasonable period of time,
attend and give presentations at professional meetings,
prepare and submit papers for publication,
prepare and submit grant proposals,
mentor undergraduates.

Admission Requirements

A. STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION

To compete successfully for admission, applicants should have:

Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00, combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 1100 or greater, with a minimum of 400 in each test; an advanced test is recommended, course work in physical sciences (3 credits), mathematics (6 credits), biology (18 credits), and chemistry (6 credits), or equivalent, and for international students, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper exam) or 250 (computer exam).

Before admission into the Plan A (thesis) Master’s Degree Program (see below), a full time faculty member of the Department of Biology, must be identified and agree to serve as Faculty Advisor. Potential advisors can be identified by reviewing faculty research interests or the “Peterson Guide”. If a mutually satisfactory match of student and faculty interests and field of study cannot be obtained, admission into the research thesis program (Plan A) cannot be granted. Alternatively, the student may apply to the Plan B (non-thesis) Master’s Program, or undertake advanced studies as a Graduate Special student. Students accepted into the Plan B Master’s Program will be advised by the Special Programs Committee during the first semester of study until an Advisory Committee is established.

B. ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Prospective students must apply to both the University of Nevada, Reno Graduate School and the Department of Biology. Admission to the Graduate School follows the procedures outlined in the University General Catalog. Since these steps are similar to procedures within the Department of Biology, the student is advised to consult the UNR catalog, as well as the following information.

To be considered for admission to graduate study in the Department of Biology (Graduate Standing) a student must submit all necessary materials for admission prior to:

February 1 for the following Fall semester, or prior to 1
November 1 for the following Spring semester.

Note that some of the required materials are to be sent to both the Graduate School and to the Department of Biology.

Applying to the Graduate School:

See instructions and application information at the Graduate School.

Applying to the Department of Biology:

Send the following to:

Department of Biology, Mail Stop 314
Graduate Admissions
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557

A completed application for admission to the Department of Biology Graduate Program
Photocopies of transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended
Photocopies of GRE test scores for general aptitude (and advanced tests, if taken)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic record
Copies of TOEFL test results (required for international students)

The Biology Special Programs Committee will review all complete files. Applicants will be notified of admittance, denial, or placement on a waiting list within two months of the application deadline. Admitted students will have one month to indicate acceptance. Students on the waiting list will be notified of final disposition as soon as possible after acceptances have been received. Applications completed prior to the application review date will receive first and full consideration.

I. Program Requirements

The Master’s degree program in the Department of Biology includes three emphases:

Cell and Molecular Biology,
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, or
General Biology.

All three emphases include either a thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis (Plan B) options.

Plan A culminates in a research thesis for students interested in pursuing further advanced degrees or employment in biological research.

Plan B leads to a non-thesis Master’s Degree, and is intended as the terminal degree for students seeking careers in government agencies, or industry, education, or other areas.

A. Plan A (30 units)

A minimum of 30 semester graduate credits in biology or related fields must be completed with an average grade of “B” or better, with not less than 21 credits to be earned in residence at UNR.
At least 18 credits must be in 700-level courses, including six thesis credits.
Course selection will be determined in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee.
The student is required to complete an independent research project and a written thesis suitable for publication in a peer reviewed scientific journal.
At the end of the student’s research program and following acceptance of the written thesis by the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee, the student will make a public presentation of the thesis research.
Following the public presentation, the student’s Advisory Committee will administer and judge a final oral examination that serves as defense of the candidate’s thesis, and an examination of the student’s general knowledge.

i. Required Courses (20 units)

BCH 605 - Molecular Biology (3 units) OR
BIOL 615 - Evolution (4 units)
BIOL 694 - Seminar (1 unit)
BIOL 792 - Special Problems (1 to 3 units)
BCH 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)
CMB 710 - Molecular Cell Biology (3 units)
Note: Upon agreement of the Faculty Advisor and individual Advisory and Examining Committee, prepared students may substitute specialized electives for certain required courses. The course work can and should be completed in 2 calendar years.

B. Plan B (32 units)

A minimum of 32 semester graduate credits in biology or a related discipline must be completed with an average grade of “B” or better, with not less than 23 credits to be earned in residence at UNR.
At least 15 credits must be in 700-level courses. Course selection will be determined in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee.
A research thesis is not required, but a scholarly paper must be prepared. The paper may be in the form of a scholarly review, analysis, and synthesis of a current topic in biology, or may be presented as a grant proposal in a format appropriate to a specific funding agency.
Following an oral presentation of a written paper to the student’s Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee will administer an oral examination, which covers both general knowledge of the candidate’s field and a more in-depth analysis of the topic of the candidate’s study. Passing the oral examination is determined by the Advisory Committee, and is necessary to complete the degree requirements.

i. Required Courses (15-17 units)

BCH 605 - Molecular Biology (3 units) OR
BIOL 615 - Evolution (4 units)
BIOL 694 - Seminar (1 unit)
BIOL 792 - Special Problems (1 to 3 units) *
CMB 710 - Molecular Cell Biology (3 units)
*Complete 4-6 units in this independent study course resulting in a paper consisting of a scholarly review and synthesis of a current topic in biology or a grant proposal in a format appropriate to a major funding agency.

Note: Upon agreement of the Faculty Advisor and individual Advisory and Examining Committee, prepared students may substitute specialized electives for certain required courses. The course work can and should be completed in 2 calendar years.

C. Program Electives (10-17 units)

Select additional courses for either Plan A (10 units) or Plan B (15-17 units) from the following in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee.

BCH 606 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (3 units)
BCH 610 - Plant Physiology (3 units)
BCH 613 - Molecular Biophysics (3 units)
BCH 617 - Metabolic Regulation (3 units)
BCH 701 - Experimental Biochem I (3 units)
BCH 705 - Molecular Genetics (3 units)
BCH 706 - Functional Genomics (3 units)
BCH 740 - Enzymology (3 units)
BCH 793 - Independent Study (1 to 3 units)
BCH 794 - Colloquium (1 unit)
BIOL 604 - Population Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 610 - Plant Physiology (3 units)
BIOL 620 - Aquatic Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 621 - Conservation Biology (3 units)
BIOL 629 - Biological Diversity (3 units)
BIOL 630 - Field Ornithology (1 unit)
BIOL 631 - Ichthyology (3 units)
BIOL 632 - Herpetology (4 units)
BIOL 633 - Ornithology (3 units)
BIOL 634 - Mammalogy (4 units)
BIOL 637 - Entomology (3 units)
BIOL 646 - Desert and Montane Ecosystem (3 units)
BIOL 650 - Special Topics (1 to 3 units)
BIOL 653 - Immunology (3 units)
BIOL 654 - Genomic Conflict, Epigenetics & Human Disease (3 units)
BIOL 656 - Molecular Basis of Epigenetics (3 units)
BIOL 666 - Developmental Biology (3 units)
BIOL 675 - Neurobiology (3 units)
BIOL 677 - Genes, Brain, and Behavior (3 units)
BIOL 681 - Principles of Animal Behavior (3 units)
BIOL 682 - Cell Biology of Disease (3 units)
BIOL 688 - Behavioral Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 690 - Biogeography (3 units)
BIOL 691 - Independent Study (1 to 3 units)
BIOL 721 - Molecular Ecology I: Theory and Applications (2 units)
BIOL 722 - Molecular Ecology II: Techniques and Analyses (2 units)
BIOL 750 - Research Design in Ecology (4 units)
BIOL 794 - Colloquia (1 unit)
BME 601 - Measurements in Living Systems (3 units)
BME 626 - Biomedical Instrumentation (3 units)
BME 725 - Ethics and Scientific Research (2 units)
BME 730 - Introduction to Imaging and Optics (3 units)
CMB 790 - Graduate Seminar (1 unit)
CMB 794A-F - Colloquia (1 unit)
CMPP 740 - Neuroeffector Pharmacology (3 units)
EECB 751 - Topics in Ecology (2 to 3 units)
EECB 752 - Topics in Evolution (2 to 3 units)
EECB 753 - Topics in Conservation Biology (2 to 3 units)
MICR 670 - Microbial Pathogenesis (3 units)
MICR 700 - Biotechnology Today and Tomorrow (2 units)
MICR 780 - Introductory Cellular Immunology (3 units)
NRES 775 - Landscape Ecology (3 units)
NRES 777 - Microbial Ecology (4 units)
NRES 780 - Analysis and Modeling of Animal Populations (4 units)
PCB 711 - Systems Physiology (5 units)
PHAR 710 - Molecular Pharmacology (3 units)
PHAR 750 - Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Excitability (3 units)