MSU's master's program in Biology prepares students to become self-sufficient, independent thinkers who work heavily in scientific research. The program is the optimal environment for learning, the faculty pride themselves on providing a 2:5 student-to-professor ratio, which results in the faculty being approachable and accessed more easily and allows them to give one-on-one attention to students who are conducting thesis research. Due to the small size of the program, graduate and teaching assistantships are not as competitive as they may be at schools with larger enrollment numbers. Often, graduates of the program put their skills to use in a variety of fields.<br><br>In the Biology Graduate Program, students benefit from small classes, modern laboratory facilities, and faculty with a sincere desire to provide you with an excellent education. The objectives of our graduate program are to expose you to diverse topics in biology, to expand on your undergraduate experience, and to guide your growth as an independent thinker, researcher and scientist. The MA in Biology requires 30 semester hours with 12 hours of core and 18 elective credits. Three of the core hours are met by taking BIOL 6113 Scientific Literature and Research, which consists of an individualized scientific literature investigation.