All graduate students in the M.S. and M.A. degree programs are required to participate in the Biology Seminar Program on a regular basis during their tenure.

In addition, all graduate students in both degree programs are required to pass a comprehensive examination, upon completion of the requirements, as follows:

• Master of Science
  Oral (or written) examination consisting of questions that reflect the student’s educational experience and thesis and that seek to integrate knowledge across those areas.  The examination will be administered by the thesis committee after successful completion of the thesis.
  
• Master of Arts
  Take-home written examination consisting of questions that reflect the student’s educational experience and that seek to integrate knowledge across that course work.  The examination will be administered by the student’s examination committee.

In some cases, a student and the committee may feel that an alternative examination would be appropriate.  In this case, the Dean of The Graduate School may be petitioned via the Biology Department chair.