A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in an appropriate area of science. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, documented with official transcripts. Three letters of recommendation A Statement of Purpose and Intent: a one to two page essay that describes your reasons for undertaking graduate work, as well as an explanation of your study and research interests and their relation to your undergraduate study and professional goals. Plan A vs. Plan B: The vast majority of incoming Master’s students are admitted to the Plan A Degree Program. In this option, the student is expected to write a thesis making an original contribution to the research field of a quality acceptable to a major, peer-reviewed scientific journal. A small number of students, primarily those without research funding and/or who have a full-time job commitment, are admitted to the Plan B Degree Program. This program requires the writing of a professional paper of a quality demonstrating a high level of scholarship. Occasionally, Plan B students transfer to Plan A if research funding becomes available. Only under very special circumstances is a Plan A student allowed to transfer to Plan B. TOEFL: 550 (paper) or 79 (internet) IELTS: 6.5 (academic version)