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**Review** Graduate Catalog 2025-2026

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Biological Sciences M.S. – Non-Thesis Concentration

Program Overview

College of Natural and Health Sciences

General Master's Degree Admission Requirements

View delivery options, start terms and admission requirements.

 

Chair: Scott Franklin, PhD.

Coordinator: Gregory DeKrey, PhD.
Location: Ross Hall 2480
Telephone: 970-351-2921
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/biology/

The non-thesis concentration is designed to be as flexible as possible. It is intended for those who wish to expand their background in biological sciences content, including biology and science teachers. Non-thesis students must pass an examination to be administered by the advisor in the form of a written paper or equivalent project covering some aspect of their program of study.

Degree Requirements — 30 Credits

Research Core — 3 credits

Choose 3 credits from the following courses:

BIO 502Biomedicine and Careers

1
BIO 556Current Topics in Biomedical Research

2
BIO 565Current Topics in Ecology and Evolutionary Research

2
BIO 584Current Topics in Biological Education Research

2
BIO 591Biology Roundtable

1
BIO 594Foundations of Biological Research

2
BIO 596Foundations of Clinical Research

2
BIO 691Seminar in Biological Sciences

1
SRM 600Introduction to Graduate Research

3
SRM 602Statistical Methods I

3
SRM 603Statistical Methods II

3

Content Elective Credits — 27 courses

BIO 502Biomedicine and Careers

1
BIO 508Workshop

1- 3
BIO 511Field Techniques in Biology

2
BIO 512TA Development Seminar

1
BIO 521Advanced Genetics

3
BIO 525Molecular Genetics

3
BIO 528Developmental Biology

3
BIO 530Plant Systematics

4
BIO 533General Parasitology

4
BIO 534Mammalogy

4
BIO 535Survey of Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles

4
BIO 536Epigenetics and Disease

3
BIO 537Morphogenesis of Algae and Fungi

4
BIO 538Ornithology

4
BIO 539Molecular Ecology

3
BIO 539LMolecular Ecology Lab

1
BIO 541Advanced Human Anatomy

3
BIO 542Molecular and Cellular Laboratory

2
BIO 544Comparative Vertebrate Adaptations

4
BIO 545Pathogenic Microbiology

3
BIO 546Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory

1
BIO 547Immunology and Disease

3
BIO 548Virology

3
BIO 549Virology Laboratory

1
BIO 550Cell Physiology

3
BIO 552Advanced Systemic Physiology: Homeostats

3
BIO 553Advanced Systemic Physiology: Control Systems

3
BIO 554General Plant Physiology

4
BIO 555Reproductive Biology

3
BIO 556Current Topics in Biomedical Research

2
BIO 560Behavioral Ecology

3
BIO 561Plant Ecology

3
BIO 562Conservation Biology

3
BIO 563Animal Communication

3
BIO 564Plant Ecology Lab

1
BIO 565Current Topics in Ecology and Evolutionary Research

2
BIO 566Animal Physiological Ecology

3
BIO 568Disturbance Ecology

3
BIO 570Coevolution in Ecological Systems

3
BIO 572Species and Speciation

3
BIO 576Pharmacology

3
BIO 578Pathobiology

3
BIO 579Using Controversial Topics to Teach Nature of Science

3
BIO 580Mammalian Endocrinology

3
BIO 581Neurobiology

3
BIO 582Cancer Biology

3
BIO 584Current Topics in Biological Education Research

2
BIO 591Biology Roundtable

1
BIO 595Special Topics in Biology

1- 6
BIO 605Global Change

3
BIO 622Directed Studies

1- 4
BIO 631Teaching College Biology

3
BIO 632College Biology Course Development

3
BIO 691Seminar in Biological Sciences

1
BIO 697Graduate Research

1- 6
CHEM 581General Biochemistry I

4
CHEM 582General Biochemistry II

4
EDF 685Philosophical Foundations of Education

3
GEOG 507Geographic Information Science

3
GEOG 540Biogeography

3
HESA 650College Student Development: Foundational Theory

3
HESA 668College Students: Culture, Characteristics, Campus Life

3
MET 551Climatology

3
PSY 500Educational Psychology for Teachers

3
PSY 540Theories and Principles of Learning

3
PSY 575Educational Assessment

3
PSY 581Brain and Education

3
PSY 587Social Cognitive Neuroscience

3
PSY 640Cultural Issues in Education Psychology

3
PSY 644Motivation in Education

3
PSY 674Measurement I: Classical Test Theory

3
PSY 675Measurement II: Contemporary Test Theory

3
PSY 681Learning and Instruction

3
PSY 682Cognition and Instruction II

3
SCED 530Laboratory, Field, and Studio Safety

1
SCED 578K-12 Science Inquiry

3
SCED 678Science Education Seminar

1- 2
SCED 695Action Research in Science Education I

1
SCED 696Action Research in Science Education II

1
SCED 697Action Research in Science Education III

1
SRM 602Statistical Methods I

3
SRM 603Statistical Methods II

3

Note: A student can count a maximum of 2 credits from the following list of courses: BIO 556, BIO 565, BIO 584, BIO 591, BIO 691, SCED 678.

Note: A student can count a maximum of 3 credits from the following list of courses: BIO 622, BIO 697, SCED 695, SCED 696, SCED 697.

Note: A student can count a maximum of 10 credits from the following list of double-numbered courses: BIO 530, BIO 533, BIO 534, BIO 535, BIO 537, BIO 538, BIO 554, BIO 562, BIO 566, BIO 576.

Note: A student can count a maximum of 9 graduate credits with a non-BIO heading.

Non-Thesis Concentration

Students also must pass a written comprehensive exam on topics learned in their graduate coursework, administered by their advisor. This final proof of graduate-level proficiency needs to be completed before the deadline assigned by the Graduate School.

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