Master's Requirements

Program Name

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Program Level

Master’s Degree (MA,MS)

Program Location

University of North Texas
Departmental of Biological Sciences
1155 Union Circle #305220
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Map

Program admission requirements

• Unconditional admission to the Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies.
• Complete application.
• A letter of intent to the department, including the specific program and degree sought (MA, MS, PSM or PhD); faculty member contacts as prospective professor/advisor; professional goals and objectives; the reason for choosing UNT, the Department of Biological Sciences and the specific area of interest (biology, biochemistry & molecular biology or environmental science).
• Three form letters of recommendation to the department, from former professors if a recent graduate. One letter may be from an employer if employed for more than one year since graduation.
• Undergraduate GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 overall or greater than or equal to 3.2 in the last 60 hours.
• Submission of GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) is required. The program views high GRE scores as positive indicators of potential success; however, low GRE scores need not exclude a candidate who demonstrates positive indicators in other areas.
• Completion of the Graduate Preparation Course (GPC) offered by the Intensive English Language Institute may be substituted for the verbal section only of the GRE. Applicants using the GPC in lieu of the verbal section of the GRE may be required to take the GRE in order to meet requirements for other sections of the examination.
• The appropriate GRE subject test is also required for diagnostic purposes, not admission. In addition, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) may also be considered at the discretion of the department.
• Bachelor’s degree with 24 hours, 12 of which are advanced, in a life science or appropriate related science is required for programs in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology.
• For the environmental science program, the bachelor’s degree must include at least 6 credit hours of a life science (3 of which must be ecology), 8 credit hours of chemistry (must be courses with laboratories) and mathematics through calculus.
• A score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) that meets or exceeds the International Admissions Office requirements for international students whose native language is not English.
• International applicants needing confirmation of teaching assistantship eligibility must provide passing scores on either the Test of Spoken English (TSE) administered by the Educational Testing Service (minimum score of 50) or the Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) Speaking Section (minimum score of 26).
• Agreement by a faculty member to serve as the applicant’s major professor (i.e. advisor) is required for programs in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology and environmental science.

Provisional admission of applicants not meeting all of the criteria, except for the requirement for a major professor, may be considered at the discretion of the department. However, such students are advised to explore the Graduate School’s non-degree (GNDE) program until satisfying departmental criteria. Provisionally accepted students must satisfy all admission provisions, including deficiency courses, within the time designated by the department at the time of admission or they will be dismissed from the program.

Program deadline(s)

Fall Semester February 15th
Spring Semester October 15th

Funding opportunities in program

Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships

Most biological sciences graduate students are supported through teaching assistantships (TAs) or research assistantships (RAs) funded through research grants to faculty.

Assistantships are limited to 20 hours per week, which is considered as half-time employment. Nine-month stipends range from $14,000 for entering master’s students and up to $19,000 for PhD candidates. In addition, out-of-state and international students who are supported at least one-half time are eligible for in-state tuition. Students supported for nine months on TAs or RAs are eligible for 12-month health insurance coverage. Funding commitments may be up to a maximum of 3 years for the master’s degree and 6 years for the PhD.

A limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available each semester, based on undergraduate enrollment in within the Biological Sciences. The Application for a Teaching Assistantship (.pdf) must be completed to be considered. This form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to be viewed. You can download Acrobat Reader from http://get.adobe.com/reader.

If you are interested in a Research Assistantship, you should check with your major professor concerning availability.

All students who request either an RA or a TA are required to attend an orientation at the beginning of their first semester on campus. International students are required to pass the Test of Spoken English “Speak Test” in order to be eligible for a Teaching Assistantship. If you do not take the Test of Spoken English, you will not be eligible for consideration for a TA until the next offering of the test during the next semester. It is very important to arrange your arrival so that you are in Denton early enough to attend the orientation and take the Test of Spoken English. The test is usually during the first part of the week before classes begin.

Scholarships and Fellowships

There are a limited number of scholarships and fellowships offered through the Department of Biological Sciences and the Toulouse Graduate School. A list of available awards is on the TSGS website at tsgs.unt.edu/graduatelife/fellowships-assistantships-and-scholarships.

These awards are usually available for applicants wishing to start in the Fall semesters. If you are interested in these, you should make note that application deadlines are very early, often in early February. It is strongly suggested that you begin your application process 2-3 months before this deadline to make sure that your application is in order in time to apply. Most scholarship and fellowships will require separate applications and separate letters of recommendation. If you are interested, please make sure to indicate this to your major professor once accepted in order to learn about the requirements and forms.

Beth Baird Tuition Scholarship

Beth Baird Tuition Scholarships are intended to attract and retain outstanding graduate students to enhance scholarly activity within the Department of Biological Sciences. Recipients of a Beth Baird Tuition Scholarship are Beth Baird Scholars. Beth Baird Scholars embody the mission of the Department of Biological Sciences, and that of the University of North Texas. Beth Baird Scholars are selected on the basis of: (1) research potential and achievement, (2) academic potential and achievement, and (3) potential and achievement in professional communication and service. Scholarship applications become available in the Spring semester, please contact the Advising Office for more information.

How to Apply for Financial Assistance

All graduate students are required to renew their TA and scholarships by submitting the TA and scholarship RENEWAL form(.docx).

New Graduate students should submit the TA and scholarship application form(.docx).

Contact the Graduate Secretary at 940-565-3627 for further information about financial support for graduate students.

Website

http://www.unt.edu/pais/grad/gbiol.htm

Graduate Advisor name and contact information

Daniel Kunz
kunz@unt.edu

Doctoral Requirements

Program Name

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Program Level

Doctorial Degree (PhD)

Program Location

University of North Texas
Departmental of Biological Sciences
1155 Union Circle #305220
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Map

Program admission requirements

• Undergraduate GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 overall and greater than or equal to 3.2 in the last 60 hours.
• GPA greater than or equal to 3.4 overall for any prior graduate work.
• Complete application.
• A letter of intent to the department, including the specific program; faculty member contacts as prospective professor/advisor; professional goals and objectives; the reason for choosing UNT, the Department of Biological Sciences and the specific area of interest (biology, biochemistry & molecular biology, or environmental science).
• Three form letters of recommendation to the department, from former professors if a recent graduate. One letter may be from an employer if employed for more than one year since graduation.
• Submission of GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) is required. The program views high GRE scores as positive indicators of potential success; however, low GRE scores need not exclude a candidate who demonstrates positive indicators in other areas./li>
• Completion of the Graduate Preparation Course (GPC) offered by the Intensive English Language Institute may be substituted for the verbal section only of the GRE. Applicants using the GPC in lieu of the verbal section of the GRE may be required to take the GRE in order to meet requirements for other sections of the examination.
• The appropriate GRE subject test is also required for diagnostic purposes, not admission. In addition, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) may also be considered at the discretion of the department.
• A score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) that meets or exceeds the International Admissions Office requirements for international students whose native language is not English.
• International applicants needing confirmation of teaching assistantship eligibility must provide passing scores on either the Test of Spoken English (TSE) administered by the Educational Testing Service (minimum score of 50) or the Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) Speaking Section (minimum score of 26).
• Bachelor’s degree with 24 hours in a life science or appropriate related science, 12 of which are advanced; a master’s degree in a life science with a research-based thesis is desirable for programs in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology.
• For the environmental science program the bachelor’s degree must be in an appropriate field related to environmental science, with course work in a life science, chemistry and mathematics. Master’s program must include a thesis appropriate to environmental science.
• Agreement by a faculty member to serve as the applicant’s major professor (i.e. advisor) is required for programs in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology and environmental science.

There is no provisional admission to the PhD program.

Complete applications for programs in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology meeting departmental acceptance criteria are made available for review by the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences. Applications to the environmental science program are reviewed by the Environmental Science Graduate Admissions Committee. Only applicants selected by a faculty member who agrees to act as the student’s major professor (i.e. advisor) are eligible for admission to a graduate program in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology and environmental science.

Program deadline(s)

Fall Semester February 15th
Spring Semester October 15th

Funding opportunities in program

Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships

Most biological sciences graduate students are supported through teaching assistantships (TAs) or research assistantships (RAs) funded through research grants to faculty.

Assistantships are limited to 20 hours per week, which is considered as half-time employment. Nine-month stipends range from $14,000 for entering master’s students and up to $19,000 for PhD candidates. In addition, out-of-state and international students who are supported at least one-half time are eligible for in-state tuition. Students supported for nine months on TAs or RAs are eligible for 12-month health insurance coverage. Funding commitments may be up to a maximum of 3 years for the master’s degree and 6 years for the PhD.

A limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available each semester, based on undergraduate enrollment in within the Biological Sciences. The Application for a Teaching Assistantship(.pdf) must be completed to be considered. This form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to be viewed. You can download Acrobat Reader from http://get.adobe.com/reader.

If you are interested in a Research Assistantship, you should check with your major professor concerning availability.

All students who request either an RA or a TA are required to attend an orientation at the beginning of their first semester on campus. International students are required to pass the Test of Spoken English “Speak Test” in order to be eligible for a Teaching Assistantship. If you do not take the Test of Spoken English, you will not be eligible for consideration for a TA until the next offering of the test during the next semester. It is very important to arrange your arrival so that you are in Denton early enough to attend the orientation and take the Test of Spoken English. The test is usually during the first part of the week before classes begin.

Scholarships and Fellowships

There are a limited number of scholarships and fellowships offered through the Department of Biological Sciences and the Toulouse Graduate School.A list of available awards is on the TSGS website at tsgs.unt.edu/graduatelife/fellowships-assistantships-and-scholarships.

These awards are usually available for applicants wishing to start in the Fall semesters. If you are interested in these, you should make note that application deadlines are very early, often in early February. It is strongly suggested that you begin your application process 2-3 months before this deadline to make sure that your application is in order in time to apply. Most scholarship and fellowships will require separate applications and separate letters of recommendation. If you are interested, please make sure to indicate this to your major professor once accepted in order to learn about the requirements and forms.

Beth Baird Tuition Scholarship

Beth Baird Tuition Scholarships are intended to attract and retain outstanding graduate students to enhance scholarly activity within the Department of Biological Sciences. Recipients of a Beth Baird Tuition Scholarship are Beth Baird Scholars. Beth Baird Scholars embody the mission of the Department of Biological Sciences, and that of the University of North Texas. Beth Baird Scholars are selected on the basis of: (1) research potential and achievement, (2) academic potential and achievement, and (3) potential and achievement in professional communication and service. Scholarship applications become available in the Spring semester, please contact the Advising Office for more information.

How to Apply for Financial Assistance

All graduate students are required to renew their TA and scholarships by submitting the TA and scholarship RENEWAL form(docx).

New Graduate students should submit the TA and scholarship application form.

Contact the Graduate Secretary at 940-565-3627 for further information about financial support for graduate students.

Website

http://www.unt.edu/pais/grad/gbiol.htm

Graduate Advisor name and contact information

Daniel Kunz
kunz@unt.edu