Division of Biological and Physical Sciences
Master of Science in Natural Sciences Degree

The Division offers the following masters degree programs for students desiring specialized training in the biological or physical sciences beyond the baccalaureate level.

• Master of Science in Natural Sciences, biological sciences emphasis
  for science teachers desiring advanced study primarily in biology.
• Master of Science in Natural Sciences, physical sciences emphasis
  for those desiring advanced study primarily in chemistry. Both teaching oriented and research oriented options are available.

Admission to the program

Full admission. Requirements for full admission are described below for each area of emphasis. Admissions are selective and decision to admit or not admit an applicant is by division committee based on holistic evaluation of all required and other application materials as they relate to potential for successful completion of requirements of the graduate program. An applicant who is denied admission will be informed as to the reasons for denial and under what circumstances reapplication is advisable. It is strongly advised that an applicant consult with the appropriate graduate advisor concerning his/her qualifications for admission prior to initiating the formal application process.

Non-degree Admission. An applicant who is unable to satisfy requirements for full admission may be admitted on a non-degree, watch-care status to improve undergraduate credentials and to meet full admission requirements. No more than 9 graduate level semester hours earned while enrolled under non-degree status may be applied to degree. Only credits earned with a grade of B or better may be applied.

The student must accept full responsibility for knowing and following the policies, regulations, and timelines of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Biological and Physical Sciences relevant to the MSNS degree program.

MSNS: Biological Sciences Emphasis

Full admission

This emphasis provides specialized training for science teachers. Full admission status may be granted to an applicant who:

1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an institution fully accredited by one of the recognized accrediting agencies
2. Has completed, as a minimum, coursework equivalent to general biology, general botany, and general zoology along with a minimum of one course from each of the following sub-discipline areas: taxonomy/ecology; cytology/microbiology/genetics; anatomy/developmental biology/physiology
3. Has earned a minimum acceptable overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 with a 3.00 GPA minimum on all major and other relevant coursework completed during the applicant’s last 64 undergraduate hours
4. Holds or qualifies to hold a Class A teaching certificate, or its equivalent based on a baccalaureate degree in biology. An applicant lacking a teaching certificate must sign a waiver stating that he/she realizes that the MSNS degree does not constitute certification.

A student must verify satisfaction of requirements 1-4 for full admission as described above through submission of appropriate documentation by completion of the first 9 semester hours of graduate level work. A student who fails to do this will be moved to Non-degree status for the next term of enrollment and prevented from enrolling in additional coursework applicable to the degree program. Requirements must be satisfied during that term of enrollment or the student will be dropped from the program. Furthermore, the student must complete the following tasks prior to completion of the first 9 hours of major subject coursework:

1. Establish a graduate advisory committee
2. File a tentative program of study approved by the advisory committee, the Division Chair, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

A student who fails to complete 1 and 2 as specified will be moved to Non-degree status for the next term of enrollment and prohibited from enrolling in additional major coursework applicable to the degree program. Requirements must be satisfied during that term of enrollment or the student will be dropped from the program.

Degree Requirements

A candidate for the MSNS: Biological Sciences Emphasis is required to

1. Fulfill the general requirements for a graduate degree at Delta State University
2. Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit, one-half of which must be 600-level
3. Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all coursework listed on the approved program of study and separately in all major courses in biology listed on the program of study
4. Pass a final oral comprehensive examination formulated by and administered in part by the Division of Biological and Physical Sciences Graduate Program Committee and in part by the student’s graduate advisory committee and covering the broad discipline of biology and the student’s specific area of interest
5. Prepare a teaching portfolio to be presented during the oral comprehensive examination

MSNS: Physical Sciences Emphasis

Full admission

Full admission status may be granted to an applicant with a satisfactory score on a nationally recognized, standardized test of verbal skills and who

1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an institution fully accredited by one of the recognized accrediting agencies
2. Has completed, as a minimum, coursework equivalent to two semesters of general chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry, one semester of quantitative analysis, and one semester of physical chemistry
3. Has earned a minimum acceptable overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 with a 3.00 GPA minimum on all major and other relevant coursework completed during the applicant’s last 64 undergraduate hours
4. Has submitted a score on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which is supportive of the applicant’s potential to successfully complete the graduate program
5. Holds or qualifies to hold a Class A teaching certificate, or its equivalent based on a baccalaureate degree in chemistry (for the option A applicants only). An option A applicant who does not yet qualify for an A certificate may be admitted, but with the stipulation that the requirements of the State of Mississippi for an A certificate in physical science teaching must be met before the degree will be awarded. This requirement is not subject to waiver.

A student must verify satisfaction of all requirements for full admission as described above (except 5) through submission of appropriate documentation to the Graduate Studies Office by completion of the first 9 semester hours of graduate level work. A student who fails to do this will be moved to Non-degree status for the next term of enrollment and prevented from enrolling in additional coursework applicable to the degree program. Requirements must be satisfied during that term of enrollment or the student will be dropped from the program. Furthermore, the student must complete the following tasks prior to completion of the first 9 hours of major subject coursework:

1. Establish a graduate advisory committee
2. File a tentative program of study approved by the advisory committee, the Division Chair, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences.
3. Be accepted by a major advisor for research direction (for the option B - research applicants only). An applicant seeking a research focus should consult with appropriate faculty who have compatible interests prior to application. There can be no guarantee that the research option will be available unless it has been negotiated between the student and a graduate faculty member willing to serve as the research director. The faculty member must provide a written statement of acceptance for research direction to the student and the division Chair. Acceptance of a student for research direction by a given faculty member is made only when the student is considered to have the potential to successfully complete an independent research program and with the knowledge that the faculty member and division have sufficient and appropriate resources available to support the needs of the student.

A student who fails to complete 1 and 2 as specified will be moved to Non-degree status for the next term of enrollment and prohibited from enrolling in additional major coursework applicable to the degree program. Requirements must be satisfied during that term of enrollment or the student will be dropped from the program.

Degree Requirements

A candidate for the MSNS: Physical Sciences Emphasis is required to

1. Fulfill the general requirements for a graduate degree at Delta State University
2. Complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit, one-half of which must be 600-level
3. Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all coursework listed on the approved program of study and separately in all major courses in chemistry listed on the program of study
4. Pass oral and written components of a final comprehensive examination formulated by and administered in part by the Division of Biological and Physical Sciences Graduate Program Committee and in part by the student’s graduate advisory committee and covering the broad discipline of chemistry and the student’s specific area of interest
5. Complete an approved research project in the field of chemistry and defend the research during the oral component of the final comprehensive examination for the option B research oriented student only. An option B student may substitute additional approved coursework in lieu of the research element.

 

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Delta State University > Arts and Sciences > DSU Sciences > MSNS Degree

Division of Biological and Physical Sciences Delta State University, Cleveland, MS 38733

This page is maintained by John Tiftickjian and was last modified August 17, 2010