Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Ecology, with thesis:

This degree combines formal course work with the graduate student's first experience with original research. The research experience changes the student from a passive learner to an active participant in the advancement of knowledge. The master's thesis involves developing the research question, planning, gathering original data, analysis, and synthesis. During the process, students learn a great deal about their strongest intellectual interests, and they discover things at which they excel and abilities that need improvement. For students intending to continue to the doctoral degree, the master's experience provides an opportunity to explore adn refine interests, develop research skills, and learn from mistakes in a preliminary phase. Many students change their focus of interest as a result of the master's experience. For these reasons, the School ordinarilly requires doctorate-seeking students to complete the master's first, unless the student has already had a research experience equivalent to the master's thesis. Students ordinarily complete the master's degree in two years.

* The Graduate School requires that at least 12 credit hours of the coursework be in courses designated for the major.

* Actual programs of study will differ, in part because so many parameters pertain (such as varying research schedules). For students on 12-month state personnel appointments, you must take exactly 9 credit hours during fall and spring semesters and 6 credit hours during summer semester if on an assistantship, or 12 credit hours during fall and spring semesters and 8 credit hours during summer semester if on a fellowship (you may take more credits but must pay the additional tuition and fees). For students on 9-month state personnel appointments, you may choose to not register for summer semester; you will need to contact the Registrar's Office to be assigned a registration date for the next semester. If you will not be registered for two or more consecutive semesters, you must file an Interuption of Graduate Study form and then submit a Readmission Application form. A student not registered for seven or more years must reapply using the Admissions form.

Last Modified: 29-May-08