2018-19 Catalogs

During the first semester, students are required to declare a research topic and to arrange an Advisory Committee, with guidance from their primary faculty advisor. The Advisory Committee consists of the student's primary faculty advisor and at least two other faculty members, of which at least one must be a member of the Department of Biological Sciences.

The degree provides two thesis options: research and literature review. Most students are expected to produce a research thesis, based on an original research project. However, with approval of the student's Advisory Committee, a student may undertake the literature review thesis option, which requires writing a comprehensive analysis of a specific topic. All master's candidates preparing a research thesis must complete a minimum of 24 credits of coursework and 6 credits of thesis research. Candidates completing the literature review thesis option must complete 32 credits of coursework, which must include at least one laboratory course, and 3 credits of literature review. Coursework is determined individually for each student in consultation with the student's Advisory Committee.

All students must take four required courses (14-18 credits):
     BIO 513 Applied Biostatistics
     BIO 601 Research Methods in Biology
     BIO 621 Graduate Seminar (minimum of 2 required)
     BIO 698 Thesis Research or BIO 697 Literature Review

Students also choose electives. To maintain breadth, electives are required in at least two of three program areas (selecting from Genetics and Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Ecology and Evolution). Upon approval of the Advisory Committee, students also may take graduate-level courses in other departments.

At the end of the program, the thesis or literature review must be written in a form satisfactory to the Advisory Committee and suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and the results must be presented in a seminar open to faculty, students, and the public. After the presentation, the student and Advisory Committee will meet to discuss details of the project, paper, and seminar.

The following courses satisfy the three program areas. Also, courses from other departments, specifically the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, may satisfy some program areas.

Genetics and Molecular Biology
     BIO 507 Environmental Modulation of Developmental Mechanisms
     BIO 508 Experimental Genetics
     BIO 509 Cell and Molecular Biology
     BIO 510 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
     BIO 531 Principles of Immunology

Physiology
     BIO 501 Animal Physiology
     BIO 502 Animal Physiology Laboratory
     BIO 545 Advanced Pathophysiology

Ecology and Evolution
     BIO 505 Animal Behavior
     BIO 506 Animal Behavior Laboratory
     BIO 515 Microbial Ecology
     BIO 516 Microbial Ecology Laboratory
     BIO 517 Issues in Evolution
     BIO 519 Human Evolution

Program Policies

In addition to the general policies described in the Academic Policies chapter, this program also includes the following policies.

Transfer credits

Graduate students may transfer a maximum of nine graduate credits, earned within the past 5 years, with a grade of B- or better. Approval of transfer credits must be requested at the time of admission.

Time limit

All courses for the M.S. degree must be completed within 5 years from the time of first matriculation. Students may apply to the program graduate coordinator for an extension, which must be approved by the Department graduate faculty.

Grade policy

Students must earn a grade of B- or better for courses to count toward the M.S. degree. If the cumulative GPA drops below 3.0, the student will be placed on probation. Terms and conditions of probation will be determined by the student's Advisory Committee in consultation with the Office of Graduate Studies.

Eligibility for Financial Aid During Thesis Completion Stage

To be eligible for federal financial aid (including deferment of student loans), a matriculated student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 graduate credits in the master's degree program. However, a student who has completed coursework and is engaged in finishing the thesis will be considered eligible if he or she meets one of the following conditions:

• Is enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits
• Or is enrolled in less than 6 graduate credits, has obtained certification of satisfactory progress from the chair of his/her thesis committee, indicating that the student is actively progressing in the work leading to completion of the master's degree, and is registered for GRS 602 (see course description under Continuous Enrollment & GRS on the Office of Graduate Studies website: https://usm.maine.edu/grad).

Laboratory Fees

Laboratory fees are assessed in biology laboratory courses to cover the cost of supplies and materials.

Admission to the M.S. program in biology is competitive and has two basic requirements. First, applicants should have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, preferably in some area of biology, with a minimum GPA equivalent to 3.0. Second, admission is also dependent upon a faculty member agreeing to serve as the primary faculty advisor to the student. Therefore, before applying to the program, students must become acquainted with the research interests of individual faculty in or adjunct to the Department of Biological Sciences, contact those faculty members to discuss the possibility of working with them in the M.S. program in biology, and identify the faculty member(s) in their application essay.

Students who do not meet the first criterion, but who demonstrate exceptional promise, may be granted conditional admission, during which time they must compensate for any specific deficiency as determined by the Biology Graduate Admissions Committee. Upon successful completion of the conditions, conditional students can be granted regular admission status.

Please note: Test scores Official scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required. Official scores from the GRE Subject Test in Biology are recommended. 

Application Procedures and Required Materials

Application Deadlines: Applications and supporting materials must be received by February 1 in order to receive priority status for fall admission and consideration of departmental financial support. The application deadline for spring admission is October 15. Students applying for spring admission are less likely to obtain graduate assistantships in their first semester because most financial aid will be distributed during fall admissions.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials: 

• Application: Online Application
• Application fee: $65.00 paid through the online application.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
  • International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, an official evaluation of college-level transcripts from a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) approved transcript analysis agency is required
• Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
• Essay: Applicants must submit a personal statement of purpose describing why they want a degree in Biology, why they are interested in this program and identify the faculty member they would like to work with. Before applying to the program, students must become acquainted with the research interests of individual faculty in or adjunct to the Department of Biological Sciences, contact those faculty members to discuss the possibility of working with them in the M.S. program in biology, and identify the faculty member(s) in their application essay.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendations should be from individuals who are qualified, through direct experience with your academic or professional work, to comment on your ability to undertake graduate study and your chosen profession.  
• Test Scores: GRE -  Official scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination are required. Official scores from the GRE Subject Test in Biology are recommended.
• TOEFL or IELTS: Students whose first language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information below regarding test scores.

International Applicants 

In addition to the standard application materials, international students must also provide the following materials:

• College transcript evaluation: official course-by-course evaluation of college-level transcripts from a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) approved transcript analysis agency
• Declaration of Finances form accompanied by the appropriate financial documentation
• International students whose first language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit official scores as part of the application process. Only applicants with TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test 550 or higher on the paper-based test, or 213 or higher on the computer-based test; or IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher will be considered for admission to a graduate program.

Applicants whose first language is not English

Students whose first language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit official scores as part of the application process. Only applicants with TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 550 or higher on the paper-based test, or 213 or higher on the computer-based test; or IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher will be considered for admission to a graduate program.

Where to send transcripts and application materials 

Official transcripts and other supporting documents can be sent to:

Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

Colleges and universities that participate in electronic submission of transcripts can send official transcripts to edocs@maine.edu. Resumes, essays, and other documents can also be sent to edocs@maine.edu.

For a transcript or recommendation to be considered official, it must be sent by the institution or the person writing the recommendation.