TAs. More specialized instruction in biological education can be obtained in the course listed below,
which is a requirement for all Ph.D. students and available to M.S. students:
BIO 594/ BIO694 - Practicum in College Biology Teaching: An introduction to theory, research, and
practice in college biology teaching. Combines supervised internship in biology teaching with formal
classroom instruction. For graduate students who have been awarded teaching assistantships in the
Department of Biology and Marine Biology and others with permission of instructor. Ph.D. students will
be required to engage in limited formal instruction. Two semester hours per week.
Suggestion 11: New efforts are needed to increase minority participation in the faculty and graduate
student programs.
Diversity issues have remained a priority for the Department, and we have had success in attracting
underrepresented and international colleagues to our faculty and graduate student population. The
department has emphasized enhancing diversity in every faculty search, and we work with the Graduate
School to help recruit McNair Scholars, as well as with partner institutions, NC A&T University and
Elizabeth City State University, to encourage minority applications.
3. GENERAL PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS
a. DESCRIPTION OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY AND MARINE BIOLOGY
The Department of Biology and Marine Biology offers programs of study leading to a Master of
Science degree in biology and a Master of Science degree in marine biology. The programs are designed
(1) to prepare students for further graduate work leading to the Ph.D.; (2) to provide professional biologists
with advanced research and education opportunities; (3) to prepare students as managers of coastal and
marine resources, trained to deal with contemporary problems in the environment; or (4) to provide a
broad–based graduate program allowing for specialization in the diverse fields of inquiry represented by
the faculty of the department.
Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs in marine biology and biology are required to
submit all of the following to the Graduate School:
- An application for graduate admission
- Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
- Official scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative,
analytical writing) - Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
- Resume
- Research Areas Form/Statement of Interest Form
Scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing portions of the GRE test in the 50th percentile or
above are desired. A score of at least 550 on the paper version (213 on the computer version) of the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose native language is not English. A
baccalaureate degree in a field of biology from an accredited college or university in this country or its
equivalent in a foreign institution is required for admission, as well as an average of "B" or better in the
undergraduate major. Undergraduate grades, GRE scores, and recommendations are used in concert to
determine acceptability. Acceptable students are admitted to the program upon being selected by a faculty