Master of Science
      Admission Requirements
      Degree Requirements
Raymond E. Hampton Excellence in Biology Research Award
Daniel E. & Mildred G. Wujek Scholarship
Marian Whitney Summer Graduate Scholarship
Unspecified Content or Variable Credit Courses
BIO Course Descriptions
MAR Course Descriptions

Department of Biology web site

John I. Scheide, Chairperson
217 Brooks Hall, (989) 774-3227

Elizabeth Alm, Ph.D., Microbiology
Robert E. Bailey, Ph.D., Plant Ecology, Paleoecology
Larry D. Caldwell, Ph.D., Ecology, Mammalogy
Gregory Colores, Ph.D., Microbiology
Joanne Dannenhoffer, Ph.D., Botany, Electron Microscopy
Claudia B. Douglass, Ph.D., Science Education
Lynn N. Fauver, M. S., Biology, Museum Science
Tracy Galarowicz, Ph.D., Fisheries Biology
Thomas M. Gehring, Ph.D, Wildlife Biology
James C. Gillingham, Ph.D., Animal Behavior, Herpetology
Michael J. Hamas, Ph.D., Ornithology, Ecology
Philip L. Hertzler, Ph.D., Develop. Biology/Embryology
Donna King, Ph.D., Limnology, Stream Ecology
Mark A. Lung, D.A., Biology Education, Wildlife Biology
Fred M. McCorkle, Jr., Ph.D., Immunology, Physiology
A. Scott McNaught, Ph.D., Limnology, Ecology
Charles E. Novitski, Ph.D., Animal Molecular Biology
John I. Scheide, Ph.D., Ion Transport Physiology
Jennifer Schisa, Ph.D., Genetics
Gilbert D. Starks, Ph.D., Biology Education, Plant Cytogenetics
Bradley J. Swanson, Ph.D., Wildlife Biology
Douglas A. Valek, Ph.D., Forest Ecology, Conservation
Geoff Williams, M.S., Electron Microscopy
Daniel E. Wujek, Ph.D., Phycology, Electron Microscopy

The Department of Biology offers the Master of Science (MS) degree with emphasis in aquatic biology, ecology, behavior and behavioral ecology, physiology, microbial ecology, molecular biology, immunology under either the Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) options.

Opportunities for field-oriented research are enhanced by two off-campus facilities. Neithercut Woodlands, a 252-acre tract of mixed hardwood forest 25 miles north of Mount Pleasant, provides diverse habitat suitable for both aquatic and terrestrial studies. The CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan provides excellent opportunities for research. The island’s tremendous habitat diversity and pristine condition allow numerous opportunities for field-oriented research. There are also facilities for laboratory-oriented studies at the Biological Station.

The CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island is an approved residence center for graduate work in biology. Pending the availability of courses, it is possible to fulfill the biology course requirements at the Biological Station.

A number of graduate teaching assistantships and graduate research assistantships are available on a competitive basis in the Department of Biology. Application forms may be obtained from the Biology Department. The deadline for applications is February 8 each year for full consideration.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) involve six to nine hours of instruction of laboratory sections in beginning and advanced undergraduate courses and assistance in laboratory preparation. During the 2003-2004 academic year, GTAs received a stipend ranging from $8,800-$8,900, all fees paid and a 20 credit tuition scholarship.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) are supported through faculty research grants or contractual agreements. A limited number of GRAs are usually available, and stipends vary.

Graduate Fellowships include a monetary award plus a tuition scholarship for 30 credits. Fellowships are awarded university wide on a competitive basis. Application materials are available from the College of Graduate Studies. The deadline is the first week in February. Applicants are asked to submit their Graduate Record Examination scores, including the advanced test in biology, and three letters of recommendation.
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Master of Science
The Department of Biology offers both the Plan A and the Plan B Master of Science degree. 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 the student’s advisor and advisory committee, and an oral defense of the thesis. Plan A is recommended to those students preparing for research-oriented careers or for doctoral study. Plan B requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate-level course work approved by the student’s advisor and advisory committee and a written and/or oral comprehensive examination over the course work.
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Admission Requirements
To be eligible for Regular Admission to the graduate program in biology, applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in the biological sciences with a 3.0 or better grade point average in their major and a 3.0 GPA overall. Applicants will need to submit GRE scores, statement of interests, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation as specified in the Biology Department Web page. In addition, chemistry (including organic) is required while mathematics and physics are highly recommended. An applicant who does not meet the foregoing requirements may be granted Conditional Admission by the department graduate committee.
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Degree Requirements
Fifteen credit hours (seminar and thesis or research in biology included) must be earned at the 600-level or above.

I. Plan A: BIO 798 (6 hours) Thesis; BIO 730 (1 hour) Seminar; additional courses in biology (13-23 hours); additional courses in cognate areas (0-10 hours); oral defense of thesis.

BIO 500 (3) and BIO 630 (2) are required for this option but may be waived by the student's advisory committee.

Conservation Biology Concentration. A concentration in Conservation Biology designed to prepare students for career opportunities with state and federal agencies and conservation organizations is offered. BIO 650 (3), BIO 680 (3), and a course in community ecology are required.

II. Plan B: Thirty-six hours of graduate-level coursework approved by the advisory committee. Up to 10 hours may be in one or more cognate areas, subject to approval by the advisory committee. Students must submit an approved Plan B paper demonstrating either research, independent study, or internship.  A comprehensive oral and/or written examination over the coursework administered by the advisory committee.
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Raymond E. Hampton Excellence in Biology Research Award
Established in 1994 in recognition and appreciation of Dr. Hampton, who served 24 years as professor of biology at CMU. This merit-based award will recognize second-year biology graduate students identified as worthy of distinction to be used for a research project while at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island.
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Daniel E. & Mildred G. Wujek Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes an outstanding second-year botany or aquatic biology graduate student who has been identified as worthy of distinction. The award may be used for tuition, books, room and board at a biological station, and for research supplies and logistics. This endowment was established by CMU alumni Daniel E. and Mildred G. Wujek. Daniel Wujek is a faculty member in the CMU Department of Biology.

Marian Whitney Summer Graduate Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding graduate student who is completing a thesis in zoology. The award may be used to support the graduate student in the summer.

Unspecified content or variable credit courses. Click here for additional information regarding these types of courses. The following courses offered through the department are of unspecified content or variable credit: BIO 597, 610, 620 and 790.
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