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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Graduate Bulletin Table of Contents

Biological Sciences Graduate Programs (BIOL)Robert Wick Science Building

 

Offered through the Department of Biological Sciences
in the College of Science and Engineering
262 Robert H. Wick Science Building
Phone: 320.308.2039
Fax: 320.308.4166

 

Department Chairperson: Dr. Timothy Schuh
Department Secretary: Ms. Barbara Kjellberg, Ms. Betty Lommel, Ms. Mary McKenzie

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Marco Restani
Graduate Faculty: Arriagada, Cook, Cronn, Gazal, Hauslein, Julius, Kvaal, Lewis, Marcattilio, Meerschaert, Minger, Restani, Schoenfuss, Schrank, Simpson, Tubbiola, Turner, Voelz, Williams

Program Overview
The graduate program in biology offers the following tracks:

  • Master of Arts in Ecology and Natural Resources Biology at 36 credits
  • Master of Science in Ecology and Natural Resources Biology at 30 credits
  • Master of Arts in Cell and Molecular Biology at 32 credits
  • Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology at 32 credits

Programs within the department of Biological Sciences are designed to provide a stepping stone into teaching and research positions, medical product sales, professional careers as medical doctors, and environmental specialists. The objectives of the program are to provide the student with in-depth knowledge in a chosen area of biology, while also gaining a breadth of knowledge in related disciplines. Practical experiences and communication are also emphasized.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Programs

  • Applicants to the ecology and natural resources track should have earned a minimum of 16 undergraduate credits in chemistry before gaining admission to this program.
  • Applicants to the cell and molecular biology track should have earned a minimum of 32 undergraduate credits in biology and eight credits in chemistry before gaining admission to this program.
  • VERY IMPORTANT: All prospective students need to first contact the biology graduate program coordinator before applying. The department admits a small number of graduate students each term, with decisions based on the applicant's academic interest and the availability of faculty mentors. Please discuss your interests with the department before applying. Contact the biology program graduate coordinator by telephone or via E-mail. This is part of the application process for the biology graduate program and will delay the application process if not completed. This step is necessary to ensure that SCSU has faculty with areas of expertise that match those of the students. If the department indicates they may have an advisor to meet your academic needs, we encourage you at that time to submit an application, official transcripts and GRE scores.
  • In some cases it may be necessary for the student to complete additional prerequisite undergraduate work.

Faculty Specializations

Students will develop a graduate program of study with their faculty adviser the first semester enrolled in the program. Faculty advisers include:

Biological Sciences: Ecology and Natural Resources

Dr. Jorge Arriagada—plant systematics
Dr. William Cook —community ecology
Dr. Matthew Julius—aquatic and evolutionary ecology
Dr. Anthony Marcattilio— behavioral ecology
Dr. Marco Restani—wildlife ecology
Dr. Sandra Turner—community, ecosystem and landscape ecology
Dr. Neal Voelz—aquatic ecology
Dr. Steve Williams—fish biology

Biological Sciences: Cell and Molecular Biology

Dr. John Cronn-microbiology
Dr. Oladele Gazal-reproductive endocrinology
Dr. Christopher Kvaal-molecular biology
Dr. JoAnn Meerschaert-cell biology
Dr. Heiko Schoenfuss-evolutionary morphology
Dr. Gordon Schrank-general and medical microbiology
Dr. Tim Schuh-developmental biology
Dr. Maureen Tubbiola-mammalian physiology

Length of Program - Measured by Semesters

  • The program has been designed to accommodate both part-time and full-time students.
  • Full-time student: four semesters taking nine to twelve credits per semester.
  • Part-time student: five to six semesters taking six credits per semester.
  • Completion of the graduate programs in ecology and natural resources or in cell and molecular biology requires attendance in daytime courses; some required courses may be offered in the evening or summer term.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • Seven graduate teaching assistantships are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.

Master of Science — Biological Sciences
Ecology and Natural Resources (ENR)
Plan A: Thesis at 30 credits

The ecology and natural resources program is designed for students with a background and interest in ecology, limnology, and population biology.  Students should contact the Department of Biological Sciences and arrangements will be made to talk with a prospective faculty adviser.  Each application is reviewed and admission to the program is based on: previous course work, experience, GPA, GRE scores, and recommendation forms.

  • Timely design of research should allow a full time student to complete the program in two years.  Part time attendance will necessarily increase enrollment time.  Students should plan to spend the summer between the first and second year conducting research.
  • Three graduate level courses with companion field technique courses are at the heart of this program.  All students will enroll in Current Trends in Ecology (BIOL 632) and Advanced Ecological Techniques (BIOL 633) the first spring semester after acceptance to the program.
  • Students will select one of the other two topics and field experience courses.  Additionally, students will gain experience in developing and writing a research project grant proposal (BIOL 628), presenting current advances in research to faculty and students (BIOL 630) as well as data analysis and manuscript/thesis preparation (BIOL 652).

Biological sciences courses
19 credits

  • BIOL 628. Research Design, 2 credits
  • BIOL 630. Seminar, 1 credits
  • BIOL 632. Current Trends in Ecology, 3 credits
  • BIOL 633. Advanced Ecological Techniques, 2 credits
  • BIOL 650. Biological Research, 3 credits
  • BIOL 652. Data Analysis and Manuscript. Thesis Preparation, 2 credits
  • BIOL 699. Thesis, 6 credits

Choose one sequence
5 credits

  • BIOL 634. Current Trends in Population Biology, 3 credits AND
  • BIOL 635. Advanced Techniques in Population Biology, 2 credits
  • OR
  • BIOL 636. Current Trends in Limnology, 3 credits AND
  • BIOL 637. Advanced Techniques in Limnology, 2 credits

Biological sciences elective courses
6 credits

  • Choose 6 credits of additional coursework at the 500- or 600-level as approved by the graduate adviser.

Master of Arts — Biological Sciences
Ecology and Natural Resources (ENR)
Plan B: Non-Thesis at 36 credits

The ecology and natural resources program is designed for students with a background and interest in ecology, limnology, and population biology.  Students should contact the Department of Biological Sciences and arrangements will be made to talk with a prospective faculty adviser.  Each application is reviewed and admission to the program is based on: previous course work, experience, GPA, GRE scores, and recommendation forms.

  • Timely design of research should allow a full time student to complete the program in two years.  Part time attendance will necessarily increase enrollment time.  Students should plan to spend the summer between the first and second year conducting research.
  • Three graduate level courses with companion field technique courses are at the heart of this program.  All students will enroll in Current Trends in Ecology (BIOL 632) and Advanced Ecological Techniques (BIOL 633) the first spring semester after acceptance to the program.
  • Students will select one of the other two topics and field experience courses.  Additionally, students will gain experience in developing and writing a research project grant proposal (BIOL 628), presenting current advances in research to faculty and students (BIOL 630) as well as data analysis and manuscript/thesis preparation (BIOL 652).

Biological sciences courses
24 credits

  • BIOL 628. Research Design, 2 credits
  • BIOL 630. Seminar, 1 credit
  • BIOL 632. Current Trends in Ecology, 3 credits
  • BIOL 633. Advanced Ecological Techniques, 2 credits
  • BIOL 650. Biological Research, 3 credits
  • BIOL 652. Data Analysis and Manuscript. Thesis Preparation, 2 credits
  • BIOL 630. Seminar, 1 credit (Repeated)
  • BIOL 634. Current Trends in Population Biology, 3 credits
  • BIOL 635. Advanced Techniques in Population Biology, 2 credits
  • BIOL 636. Current Trends in Limnology, 3 credits
  • BIOL 637. Advanced Techniques in Limnology, 2 credits

Biological sciences elective courses
12 credits

  • Choose 12 credits of additional coursework at the 500- or 600-level as approved by the graduate adviser.

Master of Science — Biological Sciences
Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)
Plan A: Thesis at 32 credits

  • The CMB option is designed for students interested in careers as a biotechnologist or geneticist.  The degree may be useful for those interested in teaching at the community college level.
  • Students must complete a broad selection of courses and a final department written examination.  This plan is designed for either full-time or part-time students.

Biological sciences courses
12 credits

  • BIOL 628. Research Design, 2 credits
  • BIOL 630. Seminar, 2 credits
  • BIOL 652. Data Analysis and Manuscript/Thesis Preparation, 2 credits
  • BIOL 699. Thesis, 6 credit

Core courses
Choose 6 credits

  • BIOL 668. Advanced Topics in Microbiology, 2 credits
  • BIOL 670. Advanced Topics in Genetics, 2 credits
  • BIOL 672. Advanced Topics in Physiology, 2 credits
  • BIOL 674. Advanced Topics in Cell and Development, 2 credits

Biological sciences electives
14 credits

  • Choose 14 credits of electives in biological sciences or related field as approved by the graduate adviser.

Final oral thesis defense

  • A final oral thesis defense is required of students in the CMB thesis track.

Master of Arts — Biological Sciences
Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)
Plan B: Non- Thesis at 38 credits

Cell and Molecular Biology

  • The CMB option is designed for students interested in careers as a biotechnologist or geneticist.  The degree may be useful for those interested in teaching at the community college level.
  • Students must complete a broad selection of courses and a final department written examination.  This plan is designed for either full-time or part-time students. 

Biological sciences courses
12 credits

  • BIOL 628. Research Design, 2 credits
  • BIOL 630. Seminar, 2 credits
  • BIOL 652. Data Analysis and Manuscript/Thesis Preparation, 2 credits
  • BIOL 666. Cell and Molecular Biology Lab 1, 3 credits
  • BIOL 680. Cell and Molecular Biology Lab 2, 3 credits
  • (BIOL 650 can substitute for BIOL 666 or 680)

Core courses
8 credits

  • BIOL 668. Advanced Topics in Microbiology, 2 credits
  • BIOL 670. Advanced Topics in Genetics, 2 credits
  • BIOL 672. Advanced Topics in Physiology, 2 credits
  • BIOL 674. Advanced Topics in Cell and Development, 2 credits
  • BIOL 678. Graduate Teaching Practicum, 2 credits

Biological sciences electives
18 credits

Choose 18 credits of electives in biological sciences or related field as approved by the graduate adviser.

The student must also have satisfactory complete a written comprehensive examination related to topics presented in advanced courses.