School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

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The School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences offers a program of study and research leading to a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Science, a Master of Science in Geography, and a Master of Science in Geology. The School also offers a non-research-based program of study leading to a Master of Science in Biomedical Science, a Master of Science in Environmental Science, and two Master of Science degrees in Medical Laboratory Science.

Admission Requirements

1. The applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution approved by a recognized accrediting agency.
2. The applicant must have a grade point average equivalent to at least 2.75 (calculated on a 4.0 scale) for the last two years of undergraduate study, and a grade point average of at least 3.0 on undergraduate courses in the field of proposed graduate study.
3. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all other institutions they attended to the Graduate School.
4. The applicant must have at least three (3) letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study sent to the Graduate School or uploaded into the application.
5. International applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores, unless baccalaureate degree is from an accredited English-speaking University.
6. Applicant must pay an application fee for each application submitted.

Granting of regular admission to the graduate program in the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences is based on the following criteria:

1. For research-based graduate programs, the suitability of the student to pursue research in the School. Applicants must submit a written letter or essay specifying their research interests and career goals. Acceptance of the applicant is dependent on the availability of a faculty member to direct the student’s research and to mentor the student through the program, and the availability of research facilities to carry out the student’s research. Because of the critical nature of the student-faculty mentor relationship, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential faculty advisers prior to application.
2. student records. Admission to the program is selective and specifications concerning grade point average in the front section of this Bulletin are used as a guideline in the selection process.
3. letters of recommendation. Three letters of recommendation should be submitted as part of the application process. The school will not begin review of the application until all application materials have been submitted.

Because more qualified applicants are received than can be accepted, admission to the school’s programs is very selective.

Conditional admission to school programs is considered only for students who meet Graduate School standards for conditional admission and have exceptional research or professional training. 

The target dates for receipt of applications for admission for the fall and spring semesters are February 15 and October 15, respectively. 

Programs

• Biological Sciences MS
• Biomedical Sciences MS
• Environmental Science MS
• Geography MS
• Geology MS
• Medical Laboratory Science MS

• Biological Sciences PhD

• Coastal Plain Plant Identification Graduate Badge
• Environmental Statistics Graduate Badge
• Remote Sensing Graduate Badge

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