Combined Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Master of Science in Biological Sciences
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Why Choose the Combined B.S./M.S. Program?
The Department of Biological Sciences (BIO) offers a combined degree program leading to Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees within a five-year plan of study. This program will focus on preparing students for careers in fields including, but not limited to, environmental and ecological sciences, drug manufacturing and design, agriculture, forensic science (crime lab science), genetics, academic/clinical/industrial research, human and veterinary medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, dentistry, pharmacy and optometry with a focus on the development of student research skills. The program allows 9 credit hours of “overlap” courses, where credit is given at both the undergraduate (UG) and graduate (GR) levels facilitating both B.S. and M.S. completion in five years.
Program Learning Outcomes
The main goal of our program is to prepare students for careers in fields related to Biological Sciences and/or admission into graduate and further professional degree programs. The BIO B.S. portion of the program uses both traditional as well as innovative science education pedagogies, such as active learning and flipped classrooms, to build skills in teamwork, critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and oral/written communication. Additionally, students will undertake research endeavors with the intention of becoming proficient readers and writers of BIO research literature, understanding various BIO research techniques, and developing experimental design and data analysis skills.
Academics and Curriculum
View the Combined Biological Sciences, B.S. and Biological Sciences, M.S. program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Admission
Qualified applicants must have the following:
- At least 90 credit hours by the end of the semester in which they are applying;
- A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA on all undergraduate coursework, including undergraduate credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Wright State;
- Completion of a minimum of nine credits of 3000-/4000-level BIO courses with a grade of “B” or better and a minimum calculated GPA of 3.2 for these courses;
- Approval of the undergraduate advisor;
- Approval of the BIO Department Chair or BIO Graduate Program Director.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent to the department Chair during the semester that they intend to complete the application criteria outlined above (typically the Spring semester of Junior year). All qualified applicants will be given full consideration by the department's Graduate Admissions Committee.
Financial Support
In the fifth year of the program, it may be possible to be partially supported by a Graduate Tuition Scholarship or Graduate Research Assistantship. There is no guarantee that funds will be available for support through either of these mechanisms.
