The Department of Biological Sciences offers graduate training for professional careers in both applied and fundamental areas of biology. Programs are available leading to the degrees of Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science, Certificate in Bioinformatics, Proteomics/Geomics, and Doctor of Philosophy. Major areas of concentration include molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, development, genetics, physiology, neurobiology, behavior, ecology, conservation biology and evolution. The Specialist in Applied Biology program offers immunohematology as an area of specialization. Interdisciplinary research programs in the fields of chemistry, geology, and psychology are also available.

    General Links   •   Links for Current Grad Students   •   Application Materials   •   Prerequisites   •   Admission Procedures   •   Financial Aid   •   Degree Requirements   •   For New Graduate Students    

For general information:

• Graduate Catalog
• Request information about our Department
• Funding your graduate education
• For current graduate students in Biology
• Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA)

Application Materials:

Note: Applications received by February 1 will have priority

• Application Checklist
• Intructions for Applying
• Online Application for admission [will open in new window]
• Assistantship Application
• Recommendation Form

Prerequisites to Graduate Work

Prerequisites for the M.S. program include completion of a baccalaureate degree, normally in one of the biological sciences, and completion of course work in organic chemistry and calculus.

Applicants who are deficient must complete these prerequisites before the final examination. Applicants to the Specialist in Applied Biology program must have completed or be co-enrolled in a master's degree program or its equivalent.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program who have a grade point average of at least 3.3, scored above the 60th percentile on the GRE, and present evidence of research ability may enter directly into the Ph.D. program following completion of the baccalaureate degree. A separate application to the Ph.D. program must be made by students completing a master's degree, even if the degree is from Bowling Green State University. Within three semesters of entering the Department of Biological Sciences master's program at the University, a student may apply to enter the Ph.D. program.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the faculty websites, identify one or more faculty members in their area of interest, and contact them in order to make sure they are accepting students BEFORE applying to the program.

Admission Procedure & Guidelines

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs in biological sciences should follow the instructions outlined in the "Graduate Admission" section of this catalog.

Admission and funding for our Graduate Programs is competitive and dependent on the pool of applicants. Applicants are evaluated by the Graduate Committee and the Graduate Faculty based on all of their credentials including: GPA, test scores (e.g., GRE, TOEFL), letters of recommendation, research experience and interests (based on personal research statement), and availability and interest of potential faculty advisors. In general, we recommend a GPA of 3.0 or higher, GRE scores, on average, of 30th percentile or higher for the M.S. program or 60th percentile or higher for the Ph.D. program; for international students who are required to take the TOEFL, we recommend scores of 590 or better.

Applicants to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs should indicate their intended area of specialization to facilitate the application process. If possible, applicants should identify a potential advisor (or advisors); we recommend that you contact potential faculty advisors before applying to see if they are accepting new graduate students.

Financial Aid

Graduate teaching assistantships are available to qualified students; stipends are normally for nine months and include a waiver of instructional and nonresident fees. Fee waivers and stipends are also available during the summer term for continuing gradaute assistants.

All awards are made on a competitive basis and applications received by February 1 will be more competitive.

Renewal of assistantships and fellowships is contigent upon satisfactory completion of assignments and progress towards the degree. These awards provide a stipend and a waiver of instructional, nonresident and general fees. Predoctoral nonservice fellowships are available to Ph.D. students, normally during their last year of study.

In addition, opportunities for financial aid are available to graduate students through various small grants awarded on a competitive basis (Sigma Xi and Shanklin Awards); research grants to individual faculty members; and Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Work-Study, and short-term loans. Click here for more information about potential funding sources for your graduate education. Please visit BGSU's Office of Sponsored Programs and Research for a detailed list of funding opportunities.