The minimum requirement for admission to the master of science degree program is a baccalaureate degree with a major in an area of biological sciences or in a closely related field such as biochemistry or biophysics. The baccalaureate degree should have courses equivalent to those required for the B.S. degree at NIU, including organismal diversity; two semesters of principles of biology, and genetics; chemistry through one year of organic; one year of physics; and mathematics through introductory calculus. An applicant whose native language is not English must present an IELTS score of 6.5 or alternatively, a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the TOELF ibt. Normally, to be considered for admission, a non-U.S. citizen shall have completed a four-year undergraduate degree. A minimum 2.75 overall GPA on a 4.00 system or a 3.20 GPA with 15 or more semester hours of graduate work at an accredited institution.