Biology, M.S.

Program Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biology and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biological Science. Both curricula are designed to prepare scholars for the pursuit of research careers in academia, government, and industry, and to improve the level of competency of high school, college, and university teachers. The Department offers a graduate minor in Biology as a subject field for graduate students seeking advanced degrees in teaching (M.S., M.Ed., or Ed.D.). A minor consists of twelve semester hours of graduate courses approved by the advisor in the major program.

Program Outcomes

The outcomes of this program is to train scientists in biological research who will be highly competent to teach in higher education and who can work in industry and with other biologists, biochemists, engineers, agricultural scientists, and others to develop solutions to problems that have an impact on our quality of life. The graduate program in Biological Sciences aims to cultivate the next generation of scientists, educators, and leaders by providing rigorous academic training, hands-on research experience, and robust professional development. Our graduates are expected to leave the program not only with advanced biological expertise but also with the skills and confidence to apply their knowledge to address real-world challenges.

Upon completion of the graduate program, students are expected to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of core biological concepts and specialized knowledge in their chosen area of research emphasis.
2. Formulate clear, testable scientific hypotheses.
3. Design and execute experiments or studies using appropriate techniques, technologies, and analytical methods.
4. Effectively communicate scientific ideas, research findings, and interpretations in both written (thesis, dissertation, publications) and oral (seminars, conferences, teaching) formats.
5. Critically analyze scientific literature and data.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical research practices, including data integrity, responsible authorship, and adherence to regulatory standards for research involving human or animal subjects.
7. Exhibit preparedness for employment or further training in academic, research, or professional settings.
8. Demonstrate competencies in grant preparation, and, where applicable, pedagogical techniques for classroom or laboratory instruction.

Admission Requirements

Unconditional admission to the M.S. program requires the applicant to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Also required is that the student will have accumulated a minimum of 24 acceptable semester hours in biology plus a minimum of four semester hours of biochemistry. The Departmental Admissions Committee will base admission upon these materials and additionally, will evaluate the applicant’s science course GPA and may request a personal interview to determine the applicant’s potential for success in the program.

Conditional admission may be granted to applicants prior to the completion of the 24 semester hours of biology and four semester hours of biochemistry, but the student must complete these courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better. The student must remove conditional status by earning at least a B (3.0) average in the first nine hours of graduate courses; failure to achieve this average will result in withdrawal from the program.

Important Dates

There is no priority deadline. Admission is done by a rolling deadline, and all documents must be submitted by July 1st for the FALL semester, and December 1st for the SPRING and SUMMER semesters.

Transfer of Credits

• Students entering with graduate course credit may transfer a maximum of 15 hours towards the M.S. degree as determined by the advisor (Non-Thesis Option) or Advisory Committee (Thesis Option).
• Students entering the Ph.D. program may have a maximum of 30 applicable credit hours transferred as determined by the Advisory Committee.

Degree Requirements

• The Department offers both thesis and non-thesis options in the Master of Science degree program. A minimum of 32 semester hours of approved courses is required for the M.S. degree under the thesis option, and a minimum of 34 semester hours is required under the non-thesis option.
• Students who choose the non-thesis option must pass a comprehensive examination (passing score 70% or above) taken no earlier than the term in which they complete their course work. Students interested in pursuing research careers in academia, government or industry are highly encouraged to take the thesis option.

​Accreditation Information

Career Opportunities

Completing a Minor in Biology, a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biological Sciences opens the door to a wide range of fulfilling career opportunities. Our graduates are well-prepared for advanced research positions in academia, government, and industry, as well as teaching roles at colleges and universities. Many go on to impactful careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, environmental conservation, agriculture, public health, and science policy.

Beyond specific job titles, earning an advanced degree provides critical benefits, including enhanced expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, as well as opportunities for leadership, grant writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduate training also strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills, making our alumni competitive in both research-focused and alternative science careers such as science communication, patent law, regulatory affairs, and consulting.

Overall, a graduate degree from our department not only deepens scientific knowledge but also amplifies professional versatility, positioning our students to make meaningful contributions to science and society.

Faculty Credentials

• GRADUATE FACULTY
  • Dr. Kimberly Cooney , Assistant Professor, B.S., 2011, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Ph.D., 2018, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  • Dr. Dafeng Hui , Professor, B.S., 1989, Yangzhou University; M.S., 1994, Yangzhou University-China; Ph.D., 2002, University of Oklahoma
  • Dr.  Michael Ivy , Professor, B.A., 1978, Southern Illinois University; Ph.D., 1986, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Dr. Ho-Jin Koh , Associate Professor, B.S., 1995, Kyungpook National University; M.S., 1997, Kyungpook National University; Ph.D., 2002, Kyungpook National University
  • Dr. Elaine Martin , Professor, B.S. 1981, University of Montevallo; M.Ed., 1985, University of Montevallo; Ph.D., 1990, University of Alabama
  • Dr. Monique McCallister , Assistant Professor, B.S., 2003, Tennessee State University; M.S., 2005, Tennessee State University; Ph.D., 2012, Meharry Medical College
  • Dr. Joshua O’Hair, Assistant Professor, B.S., 2011, University of Central Florida; M.S., 2014, Tennessee State University; Ph.D., 2018, Tennessee State University
  • Dr. Quincy Quick , Associate Professor, B.S., 1994, Ferrum College; M.S., Virginia State University; Ph.D., 2002, New Mexico State University
  • Dr. John T. Robinson, Jr. , Professor, B.S., 1985, North Carolina Central University; Ph.D., 1993, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
  • Dr. Sarika Saraswati , Assistant Professor, B.S., 1993, University of Allahabad; M.S., 1995, University of Allahabad; Ph.D., 2008, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  • Dr. Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi , Associate Professor, M.B.B.S./M.D., 2002, Osmania Medical College; M.B.A., 2018, Tennessee State University; Ph.D., 2007, The University of Southern Mississippi  
  • Dr.  Xiaofei Wang , Professor, B.S., 1983, Sichuan University; M.S.,1987, Sichuan University; Ph.D., 1999, The University of Hong Kong
  • Dr. Artenzia  Young-Seigler , Professor, B.S., 1990, Paul Quinn College; M.S., 2020, Tennessee State University; PhD., 1998, Meharry Medical College

Program Website​

• https://www.tnstate.edu/biology/biologygraduateprograms.aspx  

Program Coordinator/Contact Information

• Dr. Joshua Ohair, Graduate Program Director, johair@tnstate.edu; (615)963-5748
• Dr. Michael Ivy, Graduate Program Advisor, mivy@tnstate.edu; (615)963-7796

Program of Study and Credit Hours Required

Program of Study

• Degree candidates must file a program of study after completing at least nine semester hours of graduate credit, but before completing fifteen hours of graduate credit. The program lists the courses which will be used to satisfy degree requirements, and details how other requirements will be met. The student may later change the program of study with the written approval of the Department and the Graduate School.
• The student’s primary advisor (M.S. Non-Thesis Option) or advisory committee (M.S. Thesis Option and Ph.D.)  will recommend and approve a program of study which must be filed in the School of Graduate Studies upon admission to candidacy.

Admission to Candidacy: M.S. Program

• When the candidate files the program of study, he or she must also apply for admission to candidacy. The candidate must have a grade point average of 3.0 or above to be eligible for admission to candidacy and must have a grade of B or better in all required courses.
• A minimum of 32 semester hours of approved courses is required for the M.S. degree under the thesis option, and a minimum of 34 semester hours is required under the non-thesis option.