BIOLOGY 6920 1-3 credits Special Problems in Biology

Individual specialized study. P: approval of faculty advisor and department chairperson before registration. Up to two credits can be counted toward a Biology major.

BIOLOGY 7920 1-2 credits Seminar Paper Research

The seminar paper or educational project need not be a report of original and independent research. It must demonstrate, however, the student’s ability to survey a field of knowledge and assemble, organize, evaluate, interpret, and present evidence in a logical and intelligent manner. Although the seminar paper or educational project may originate from work done in connection with one of the student’s graduate courses and be based upon a term paper or course project, it must be more comprehensive and complete in coverage and treatment. In consultation with the program advisor, the student proposes a seminar paper or educational project and a seminar paper or educational project advisor. An approved seminar paper or educational project proposal must be submitted and approved prior to registration. There is a website with useful links to guide the graduate student in grammar, style, evaluating web resources, and formats. The seminar paper or educational project advisor will provide guidance regarding the site. The site may be accessed through the University’s Karrmann Library.

BIOLOGY 7990 3-6 credits Thesis Research

The thesis may be an outgrowth of a research course (e.g. TEACHING 7000 Research Procedures) or may be developed independently within the program area. The thesis will report the results of original and independent student research on a given problem or topic, by systematic and impartial methods, and will demonstrate the student’s ability to use techniques customarily employed in the particular field of investigation. Although a thesis for the master’s degree may not always be expected to make a significant contribution to existing knowledge, it should be a scholarly document that is accurate, verifiable, objective, and impartial. In consultation with the program advisor, the student proposes a committee of three faculty members. The committee normally includes the thesis advisor, one additional major department member, and one faculty member from another department. In some instances, a student may prefer a thesis advisor who is different from the program advisor assigned at the time of admission. An approved thesis proposal must be submitted and approved prior to registration. There is a website with useful links to guide the graduate student in grammar, style, evaluating web resources, and formats. (Thesis students will find the Texas A and M link useful for formatting procedures and other technical assistance.) The thesis advisor will provide guidance regarding the site. The site may be accessed through the University’s Karrmann Library.