Master's Degree in
Biology
There are three options available to students interested in obtaining a Master of Science Degree with a Major in Biology from PSU (see degree options below).
Typically, master's degrees are obtained within two years of matriculation. Individual master's programs are developed by the student in consultation with his or her faculty advisor and a graduate committee. Areas of study depend on the research interests of individual faculty.
A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships are available each year in the Department of Biology. These provide a small stipend and valuable teaching experience. Assignments are usually made in the laboratory sections of undergraduate courses. When students are accepted into the graduate program, they receive an application for an assistantship with the admission information packet.
Admission Requirements
Students must have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with at least 25 hours of acceptable undergraduate courses in biology. These should include fundamental courses in botany, ecology, zoology, genetics, microbiology, and physiology. A cumulative total of 13 hours of chemistry, including organic chemistry is required. However, a student may count certain senior-graduate or graduate level chemistry for the degree requirements upon the recommendation of the advisor.
How to Apply
The application has two phases: an initial application and a final application. For the initial application, the applicant must send a letter of intent, PSU Biology Graduate Admission Application Form, and official transcripts (see below for more details).
For the final application, the applicant needs to submit other documents as required by the PSU Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies (see below). The procedures of the application are stated below.
Initial Application Procedure:
- Step 1: Complete the PSU Biology Graduate Admission Application Form. Be sure to indicate which faculty member(s) you would be interested in working with.
- Step 2: Write a formal letter of intent to state your area of research interest, scholarly experience, and academic and career goals. The letter should include at least 250 words and is essential and extremely important for the department to consider and process your application. The application will be processed only after the formal letter of intent is received.
- Step 3: Send the letter of intent, PSU Biology Graduate Admission Application Form, and official transcripts together via e-mail or mail to:
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Biology
Pittsburg State University
1701 S. Broadway
Pittsburg, KS, 66762
biol-graduate@pittstate.edu
Note: Only when all documents including your letter of intent, PSU Biology Graduate Admission Application Form, Reference Forms, and official transcripts are received, will your application be processed. No exceptions.
Final Application Procedure:
This should only be completed after being informed by the Department of Biology that your application is complete and that a faculty member has agreed to serve as your advisor/mentor.
- Step 1: The applicant needs to visit the website of the Pitt State Graduate School and fill out the Graduate Studies Application by clicking the apply button located on the website.
- Step 2: Distribute three PSU Biology Graduate Reference Forms to your references and ask them to submit in a timely manner to the address shown above in the initial application instructions (may submit scanned copies of reference forms via e-mail).
Application Deadlines:
- For the initial application, applicants send letter of intent, PSU Biology Graduate Admission Application Form, and official transcripts to the Biology Graduate Coordinator
- Fall deadline is April 1. Spring deadline is August 15.
- Department of Biology sends e-mails to the applicants regarding the result of initial application.
- Fall deadline is May 1. Spring deadline is September 15.
- For the final application, applicants submit (1) the graduate application through the PSU Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies, and (2) three references using the PSU Biology Graduate Reference Form to the Biology Graduate Coordinator.
- Fall deadline is June 1. Spring deadline is October 15.
- PSU Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies announces the result of final application by e-mail and mails by:
- Fall deadline is June 15. Spring deadline is November 1.