Master's Plans A or B

Master’s Plan A

The Plan A Master’s degree program includes the writing of a research thesis under supervision of a BICB graduate faculty. The minimum credit requirements for a M.S. Plan A are 20 course credits in the interdisciplinary program and 10 thesis credits (BICB 8777).

Students submitting a Master’s degree program under Plan A must present a public pre-thesis seminar to the faculty and graduate students of the program no later than in the middle of their third semester (full-time students) or middle of their third year (part-time students). The purpose of the seminar is to invite comments and suggestions on your research plan. The members of the advisory committee must be present and the seminar must be scheduled during normal working hours. Your presentation should be about 30 minutes to allow for questions.

Once the degree program has been approved by the Graduate School and the thesis is ready to go to the reviewers, you can request a Graduation Packet from the Graduate School or in person at 316 Johnston Hall). Submit the Application for Degree Form (included in the Graduation Packet) to the Registrar's office by the first working day of the intended month of graduation. You will receive a Thesis Reviewer's Report Form that needs to be signed and submitted prior to the final examination. This form generates the Final Examination Report Form (sent to your committee chair by the Graduate School after the Graduate School received the signed Thesis Reviewer's Report form). Remember to leave your committee enough time to read your thesis (at least two weeks). After your thesis defense and the final oral examination, submit the signed Final Examination Report form and two unbound copies of your thesis to the Graduate School (they must be submitted no later than by the last working day of the intended month of graduation).

Master’s Plan B

The Plan B Master’s degree program includes a capstone experience for which students must complete one to three written reports or projects, totaling together about 120 hours of independent work. Suitable projects to satisfy this requirement must be identified by the student in consultation with the advisor and the examining committee, and approved by the advisor no later than at the end of the third semester. Written reports from appropriate coursework can be used to satisfy this requirement. The minimum credit requirements for a M.S. Plan B are 30 course credits in the interdisciplinary program.

After the examining committee accepts the capstone paper(s) or projects as satisfying the capstone experience, the student can schedule the final oral exam.