Build your future with the academic experiences offered through the CMU Department of Biology graduate programs:
You'll have opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills to meaningful research projects, work in world-class facilities and closely interact with distinguished professors.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for regular admission to the graduate program in biology, you should have:
- An undergraduate degree with a major in the biological sciences
- Overall GPA of 3.0
- Biology GPA of 3.0
A successful applicant will have a background in the following areas: botany, microbiology, zoology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, and plant or animal physiology. In addition, a year of inorganic chemistry with lab and a year of organic chemistry with lab are required. Calculus and physics are also highly recommended.
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be granted conditional admission by the department graduate committee.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential advisor prior to applying to the biology graduate program. Click here to browse the list of biology faculty and their research interests.
Applications
To apply for admission to the graduate program in biology, you must complete:
- Application for admission to the College of Graduate Studies.
- Be sure to specify "Conservation Biology" on the application if you wish to pursue this degree option.
- Include transcripts from previously attended universities.
- Enclose a Statement of Interest. Describe your general fields of interest and proposed subjects of research, past experiences (coursework, training, etc.) that relate to your fields of interest, and professional goals. Identify Department of Biology faculty members with whom you may wish to work.
- Send your completed Graduate Studies Application, transcripts, and statement of interest to:
College of Graduate Studies
Central Michigan University
Foust Hall 100
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- GRE (general test only)
- Arrange to have scores sent to Central Michigan University.
- Department of Biology Grade Point Calculation Form
- Department of Biology Graduate Program Recommendation Form
- You should arrange to have three (3) recommendation forms/letters sent to:
Department of Biology
Central Michigan University
Brooks Hall 217
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE
Admission to the biology graduate program does not guarantee financial support. All applicants are encouraged to apply for a Teaching Assistantship, which are awarded on a competitive basis. Please discuss the possibility of a Research Assistantship with your advisor when applying to the biology graduate program.
To Apply for a Teaching Assistantship
Additional Admissions Information
To Apply for a Grant
Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)
Minimum total for graduation: 30-36 hours
The Department of Biology offers both the Plan A and the Plan B Master of Science degrees.
Plan A requires completion of six credit hours in BIO 798 (Thesis), one credit hour in BIO 730 (Seminar), 23 hours of graduate course work approved by your advisor and advisory committee, and an oral defense of the thesis. Plan A is recommended if you wish to prepare for a research-oriented career or for doctoral study.
Plan B requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate-level course work approved by your advisor and advisory committee and a written and/or oral comprehensive examination over the course work.
Master of Science in Biology: Conservation Concentration (M.S.)
Minimum total for graduation: 30 hours
This concentration in Conservation Biology is designed to prepare you for career opportunities with state and federal agencies and conservation organizations. Fifteen credit hours (seminar and thesis or research in biology included) must be earned at the 600-level or above..