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The Traditional master’s degree program is flexible and serves a variety of career objectives, such as teaching in secondary schools, employment in a variety of research-oriented jobs, interpretive work in parks and nature centers, and preparation for further professional training. A Traditional master’s degree can be earned either through graduate course work alone, or through graduate course work and a master’s thesis (these options are described below). The master’s degree is NOT a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program, nor is it intended as probationary admission to the doctoral program.
General Requirements
Students applying to the Traditional Master's Program are expected to have a solid foundation in the biological sciences. In addition, they are recommended to have completed the following college level courses: Physics, two semesters of lectures or one semester of lecture and one semester of lab; Calculus, one semester; Organic Chemistry, two semesters of lectures and one semester of lab.
Course Deficiencies:
Applicants with good records but who lack one or two of the prerequisite courses are eligible for admission, but the missing courses must be successfully completed no later than the second term of enrollment (summer courses taken before matriculation are recommended). Courses taken at the graduate level may be used to fulfill deficiencies in EEB, but no more than eight credits may be counted toward the 24 graduate credit-hours required for completion of the program. Undergraduate-level courses are usually elected to fulfill other entrance deficiencies, such as physics, but credits earned for these courses are not included in the total Credits Toward Program (CTP).
Advising:
An advising committee for incoming students, comprised of the Graduate Chair and a Faculty Advisor will meet with each student upon his/her arrival to discuss the student’s academic background. The committee will decide whether to require additional background courses such as those recommended in the admission policy or alternative courses the committee deems necessary for individual students. Results of the committee’s meeting with each student, including any additional courses the committee requires, will be placed in the student’s file. Courses the committee requires will be clearly distinguished from those recommended by the committee. The committee will also identify an appropriate faculty advisor for each new student.
 Advisors are assigned based on the expressed interests of students. Students are required to obtain advisor approval for all initial course elections, including courses elected at the Biological Station, and to have their Election Worksheets signed by their advisor or the Committee Chair for each semester thereafter. A student may change advisors by petitioning the Graduate Affairs Committee. For students pursuing the thesis option, it is assumed that the student’s thesis advisor will take on this role once the thesis committee is formed. It is essential that students seek advice from an advisor during all phases of their graduate program.
The Graduate Affairs Committee, composed of three faculty members, is responsible for counseling and for the development and administration of the Master’s program. Petitions and problems that students might encounter should be directed to this Committee. A student representative attends all Committee meetings and contributes to all decisions made by the Committee.
Course Requirements
The degree requires completion of 24 graduate credit-hours in EEB and other science-related courses; at least 16 hours must be selected from courses in the Department of EEB. No more than six hours of research courses may be included in the minimum of 24 hours required. Only graduate-level courses are included in the required Credits Toward Program (CTP). Graduate courses are generally those courses that are numbered 400 and above; courses elected below the 400-level are undergraduate courses and will not count toward degree requirements (see the Rackham Bulletin for a complete list of courses accepted for graduate credit). Election of courses is determined in consultation with an advisor and is based on the professional goals of the individual student. The program must include two seminar courses which require an oral presentation, or a written report, for each seminar course elected. Students must also complete four hours of graduate-level cognate course work. The cognate course must be offered by a department other than EEB, and should be a science-related course or one that is relevant to the program (e.g., Stat 402; Biochem 515; Geol 418). View our list of suggested cognate courses.
Master’s requirements
Not sure you’ve done all the work to receive your master's? Use this form to double check that all departmental requirements have been met. Bring it in the Graduate Office and we’ll continue to process your request for a M.Sc. degrees.
Degree Options
 1. Master’s degree by course work
To obtain a Master’s degree by course work alone, a student must complete 24 graduate credit hours in EEB and other science-related courses; at least 16 hours must be selected from courses in the Department of EEB. No more than six hours of research courses may be included in the minimum of 24 hours required. Only graduate-level courses are included in the required Credits Toward Program (CTP). Graduate courses are generally those courses that are numbered 400 and above; courses elected below the 400-level are undergraduate courses and will not count toward degree requirements (see the Rackham Bulletin) for a complete list of courses accepted for graduate credit). Election of courses is determined in consultation with an advisor and is based on the professional goals of the individual student. The program must include two EEB Dept. seminar courses, each of which requires an oral presentation or a written report. Students must also complete four hours of graduate-level cognate course work. The cognate course must be offered by a department other than EEB and should be a science-related course or one that is relevant to the program (e.g., Stat 402; Biochem 515; Geol 418).
2. Master’s degree by thesis
To obtain a Master’s degree by thesis, a student must meet the same requirements as for obtaining a Traditional master's degree by course work. In addition, the student is expected to prepare a thesis describing original research carried out under the guidance of a thesis committee. Up to six credit hours may be accumulated on the thesis research project and included in the minimum 24 hours required by Rackham.
Students are also required to give a public seminar and defend their thesis with their thesis committee after the seminar. The student must arrange a date for the oral defense acceptable to all members of the thesis committee and must advertise it in public postings. Copies of the thesis and an evaluation form must be presented to the members of the thesis committee at least two weeks before the oral defense.
The thesis is defended in a public seminar open to all faculty and students in the University. Following the public portion of the defense, the candidate defends his/her thesis before the thesis Committee, plus any other member of the EEB Department who wishes to attend (for a time period, at the discretion of the committee Chair). After the oral defense, the thesis committee decides upon the acceptability of the dissertation. The committee may accept or reject the dissertation or recommend further work and re-examination.
A thesis committee consists of the student’s primary advisor plus two additional members, one of whom must be from EEB. The student chooses all members, usually by the winter term of their first year in the program. Following preliminary, informal discussions with M.S. committee members, the student is expected to prepare a thesis proposal outlining the thesis research. The student then meets formally with the full committee to present and discuss the proposal. For most students, this step will be completed by March or April of the student’s first year in order that the student is able to do thesis research over the summer months. It is expected that thesis research will usually be completed within 2 to 3 years.
View more information about creating a thesis committee and defending a thesis.
Financial Support
Students in the Traditional Master’s Program are eligible for Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) appointments in the Department of EEB; but no guarantees of appointment are made for Traditional master's students. Other external sources such as loans and work-study programs are available through the University’s Office of Financial Aid, 2011 Student Activities Building. Students planning to enter a master’s program are eligible to apply for external fellowships, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) or NASA. These fellowships provide substantial stipends plus full tuition and students are urged to apply. Some students may wish to hold a part-time position with a University unit and carry a reduced academic program, or they may be able to obtain fellowship support. Positions are variable in kind and availability, and are best found by applying in person to the Student Employment Office, 2503 Student Activities Building, in the summer prior to the Fall Term registration.
View more information on departmental, university and external funding.
Rackham requirements
The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies specifies the general requirements for admission and degree programs as well as other general standards. Therefore, in addition to the specific requirements of the EEB Program, applicants and students should also be familiar with the following Rackham requirements. View the Handbook for Graduate Students.
 Time Limit: A student in a terminal master's program is expected to complete all work within five years from the date of first enrollment in the program. Students exceeding this time limit must file a petition for modification or waiver of regulation with Rackham OARD. Petitions must describe explicitly the amount of work remaining and a timeline for completion. A student who fails to complete degree requirements within five years may be withdrawn and required to apply for readmission.
Residence Requirement: The Graduate School requirement involves credit hours and should not be confused with State Residency requirements. Traditional masters students are expected to complete at least one-half of their degree on the Ann Arbor campus, or at the Biological Station.
Minimum Average Grade of “B”: An overall grade point average of “B” (5.00) is required for all graduate courses taken for credit and applied toward the Master’s degree.
Transfer of Credit: A maximum of six semester hours (inter-University), or half of the program (intra-University and inter-University combined) may be transferred. Please refer to the Rackham Bulletin for complete guidelines.
Cognate Requirement: Rackham recognizes the value of intellectual breadth in graduate education, and the importance of formal graduate study in areas beyond the student's field of specialization. Cognate courses are those that are in a discipline or area different from a student's field of study, but are related or connected with some aspect of this field. Cognate coursework must be approved by the department or program, and may be satisfied by:
1. completing 4 credit hours of cognate coursework in approved graduate-level courses with a grade of B- or better.
2. using coursework within the same department or program but in a subfield different from the student's own. A course in a student's program that is cross-listed as a course in another program may satisfy the cognate requirement. In this case, the department or program should notify Rackham OARD.
3. using credit officially transferred from another institution in another field of study.
4. completing graduate coursework at another institution that meets the expectation of the cognate requirement without officially transferring the credit to the transcript. The student must provide Rackham OARD with an official transcript, including the courses and credit hours, and the department or program should notify Rackham OARD. These courses do not apply toward the minimum requirement for the degree, and do not appear on the University transcript.
Diploma Application: To be recommended for a Traditional master’s degree, it is necessary to apply online through Wolverine Access, in the Student Business section. Deadlines for each term are published by Rackham OARD. A student who fails to complete all requirements during the term in which the degree application is submitted must reapply to be considered again for the degree. Master's diplomas are not distributed at commencement, but are mailed seven to eight weeks later.
For more information from Rackham for master's students, check out Rackham's Master's students page.
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