The Master of Science in Biology Program is a multi-disciplinary program that allows students advanced study in several traditional and non-traditional areas of biology. Students have the option of a general M.S. degree in biology (Build your own degree) or may obtain an M.S. degree in biology with a formal concentration in aquatic science, cellular and molecular biology, nurse anesthesia, environmental science, or physiology.<br><br>Admission to the program is based, in part, on undergraduate grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, and on individually prescribed undergraduate course work to meet prerequisite requirements for each concentration. Each student will choose a major advisor and an advisory committee before the first semester of residence. This committee will assist the student in drafting the student's plan of study, which will dictate the student's curriculum for the ensuing semesters.<br><br>All students complete a capstone experience. Students in the general M.S. option and in all but one of the concentrations complete a thesis or seminar paper. Students obtaining the M.S. in biology with a nurse anesthesia concentration instead complete extensive clinical training in affiliation with Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare, and most will go on to complete additional advanced degree coursework with Viterbo University.