Biology, M.S. (Paleontology Concentration)

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Paleontology Concentration

Dhirendra Kumar, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator

423 Brown Hall
Box 70703
(423) 439-6928
e-mail: kumard@etsu.edu

Faculty:

Jay Franklin; Yusheng (Chris) Liu; Jim Meade; Blaine Schubert; Steven Wallace; Michael Whitelaw.

The Master of Science degree program in Paleontology is designed to prepare students for conducting research in one of the many realms of Paleontology with particular emphasis on Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany. Students will fully exploit the paleontologic resources provided by the Gray Fossil Site, local caves, and other deposits. This concentration will provide an alternate track to Geology for the purpose of training in Paleontology and will foster interdisciplinary research between both faculty and students from East Tennessee State University and other institutions.

Core Course Requirements

BIOL 5600 - Bibliographic Research (1 credit)
BIOL 5700 - Seminar (1 credit)
BIOL 5X00 - Topics in Biology (3 credits)
(Students take one: BIOL 5100 , BIOL 5200 , BIOL 5300 , or BIOL 5400 .)
BIOL 5960 - Thesis (1-3 credits)
GEOL 5700 - Seminar in Geosciences (1 credit)
GEOL 5350 - Statistical Methods in Paleontology (3 credits)

Concentration Requirements

GEOL 5307 - Field Methods in Paleontology (3 credits)
GEOS 5100 - Paleoherpetology (4 credits)
GEOS 5150 - Paleomammalogy (4 credits)
BIOL 5480 - Paleobotany (3 credits)
Electives (4 credits)
(To be determined by student’s committee and/or committee chair, including BIOL 5910 .)

Total Credits Required: 30 Credit Hours

General Program Information

The Master of Science degree program in Biology is designed to provide a broad-based education while developing research skills. Areas of particular interest to the faculty include Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Cell Biology, Conservation Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Paleontology, Physiology, and Systematics. Students successfully completing the M.S. program are encouraged to seek doctoral degrees. The program has financial support available in the form of Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships. Decisions on offers of support are initiated at the end of March for the following academic year. In order to receive full consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by February 1 although support is sometimes available for students who apply after that date.

Program Admission Requirements

Students applying for admission to graduate study:

Must submit a general GRE score.
Must have a 3.0 overall grade point average (4.0 system) in mathematics and science courses.
Must have an undergraduate major in the life or physical sciences, with supporting courses in general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry (microbiology concentration will accept one semester of organic and one semester of biochemistry), and one year of physics.
A course in calculus and/or a course in probability and statistics is recommended.
Must have 2-3 letters of recommendation submitted on their behalf.

The student will choose a major professor by the end of the first semester. To facilitate this selection, during their first semester students will interview faculty members to determine their research interests and explore the potential for student participation in ongoing research programs. The major professor, in consultation with the student, recommends at least two additional members of the student’s advisory committee. Persons from outside the program may also be added. The advisory committee will meet with the student to set up the plan of study based on the student’s background and interests. The program must be approved by one of the program coordinators. The student’s advisory committee will meet with the student a minimum of once per semester to assess progress, check the plan of study being followed, make suggestions and provide supervision as needed. The advisory committee’s composition is not binding, and it may be changed upon written justification. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain acceptable progress toward the completion of all degree requirements.

All students pursuing an M.S. in Biology are required to complete a thesis. A minimum of 30 semester credits are required for the degree. The thesis (writing) comprises three (3) of the 30 credits. BIOL 5900 and/or BIOL 5910 may be taken for a total of nine (9) credit-hours.

Before admission to candidacy, the student must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and the student’s advisory committee. Before graduation the student must satisfactorily complete a written qualifying examination preferably near the end of the third semester. One re-evaluation is allowed. Failure to complete the evaluation satisfactorily will result in removal from the program. The evaluation will include emphasis on interrelationships, problem solving, and analysis.

Final evaluation involves an oral presentation of the thesis and an oral examination in the area of specialization.