Graduation Information
Graduate School Forms
Non-thesis Option:
- Primary area: At least 21 credits of graduate-level biological sciences courses
- Related area: At most 9 credits of graduate-level courses in biology, statistics, computer science,
mathematics, chemistry, or physics (up to 6 credit hours may be at the 400 level)
Thesis Option:
- 15 credits of formal courses, up to 15 credits of thesis research http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/thesis.cfm
{For all grad students who are writing a thesis please check out this link http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/thesis2.cfm for on-line tools available to help you when writing your thesis. The website was recently updated with new on-line help and a new word template.}
Requirements for both Options
- One credit seminar in biology
- Cumulative index of 3.0 or higher. Must receive a B or better in all courses in the primary area. No
more than one C (3 credit hours) in the related area. Degree must be completed in 10 semesters.
Plan of Study (Form 6)
The plan of study shall be appropriate to the needs of the student in the chosen field as determined by the student and the student’s advisory committee. It shall include all courses that the student is expected to complete.
The plan of study consists of a ‘Primary Area’ and a ‘Related Area or Areas.’ The courses in the Primary Area should be closely related. Courses in the Related Area or Areas are less closely related while still contributing to the objectives of the plan of study.
Frequently courses in statistics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, or physics will be included in the plan of study, but courses may be selected from any academic area. A total of 30 hours is required, at least 21 of which must be in biological sciences subjects. In general, all courses will be graduate level (500 or 600 numbers).
It is recommended that graduate students meet with their graduate advisor during the first semester to discuss their plan of study. The form 6 should be completed in the semester prior to graduation.
12-Hour Credit Limit
Maximum 12 hours of pre-admission graduate courses (with grades of ‘B’ or better) may be applied to a Master’s degree.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 9 credits taken from other accredited institutions completed within 10 years prior to completion of this degree program may be accepted for supporting area. Only graduate courses for which grades of B or better were obtained and the credit hours were not used to for another degree will be eligible for transfer. This action must be approved by the graduate advisory committee.
Grade Standards
The grade standards in this graduate biological sciences program are to be in good standing, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 over the courses on the plan of study. A student not in good standing at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation.
A student whose cumulative grade point average remains below 3.0 at the end of the succeeding semester in which courses were completed may not be permitted to continue in the graduate program.
While grades of A, B, and C may be accepted in fulfilling Graduate School requirements on any plan of study, a student’s advisory committee may require better performance than C in specific courses.
Faculty Advisory Committee
Each prospective degree candidate shall have an advisory committee consisting of a minimum of three members. The committee assists the student in preparing a plan of study, advises the student, and, if the student elects the thesis program, advises the student regarding research.
The student, with the assistance of the graduate coordinator, shall select a major professor who will be the chairman of the student’s advisory committee and, where applicable, be in charge of the research. The major professor and the student shall agree upon and choose other professors in the committee to represent the related area or areas.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination is required for all non-thesis MS in biology degree candidates. The graduate advisory committee will administer this examination in the semester prior to graduation. If the student does not pass any part of the examination, that portion may be repeated once.
Graduation Deadlines
Graduation Forms
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- Graduate School Form 6 – Request for Master’s Degree Advisory Committee and Plan of Study Approval
- Graduate School Form 8 – Request for Appointment of Examining Committee
- Graduate School Form 13 – Request for Change to the Plan of Study
“My most striking initial impression of Purdue Calumet was the perfection faculty strive to attain. My transition from the engineering aspect of biotechnology to pure science was seamless and was greatly aided by the faculty, who helped me at every level. It is especially encouraging to students, helped at every level by advisors, to select the best option available on the path towards industry or research. I am overwhelmed that I was accorded an opportunity to study here.
One gets very few opportunities in life to so quickly see whether a decision you make is the best. At Purdue Calumet I got to see it in less than 8 months!”
Nakul Nataraj
Graduate Student
International student from India
