Master of Science

Master of Science

Fisheries & Wildlife Biology

The Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology is offered for those who wish to pursue careers in various areas of fisheries or wildlife biology, and for those who wish to obtain a graduate degree before continuing their education at the doctoral level. The Department of Biological Sciences offers the M.S. degree with the option of selecting a concentration of study in either fisheries or wildlife science.

Degree Admission

Applicants for admission to the M.S. degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Studies:

A completed application form and official transcripts from all colleges attended.
Official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
A letter of intent that addresses the applicant’s interests, goals, and reasons for applying to the degree program.
Two letters of recommendation, using the form provided by the Office of Graduate Studies, from professors familiar with the applicant’s academic ability.

Applications should be received before October 1 for enrollment the following spring semester and March 1 for enrollment the following fall semester to ensure full consideration for teaching and research assistantships. Applications for graduate assistantships are available through the Office of Graduate Studies.

Unconditional Admission

Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the M.S. degree program in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology provided they:

Meet all general requirements for admission to graduate studies.
Hold a bachelor’s degree in a biological science from an accredited university.
Have completed courses in fisheries management or wildlife management, ecology, and statistics with a minimum grade of "C".

Conditional Admission

Qualified students without the courses listed above may be accepted provided the deficiencies are made up without graduate credit. In the case of undergraduate grade point average, conditionally admitted students will be subject to the standards for graduate grade point average as listed under "Degree Requirements for the Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology" on page 54.

Academic Advisors

A major advisor within the Fisheries and Wildlife Program is required. Submission of a letter to the program director by a faculty member, that acknowledges willingness to serve as a student’s major advisor, constitutes formal acceptance into the program. The advisor and student will select two or more qualified personnel (at least one from the Fisheries and Wildlife Program) to serve as members of the student’s advisory committee.

The advisor and student should develop a program of study and have it approved by the student’s advisory committee and program director within the first semester. The advisory committee will be responsible for identifying critical deficiencies in undergraduate preparation, and adding courses to the program of study to compensate for these deficiencies. A proposal of thesis research developed by the student and the advisor, and approved by the advisory committee and program director also is expected by the end of the first semester. The advisory committee will determine acceptability of the thesis and oral defense.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are eligible for admission to candidacy for the degree upon the completion of twelve hours of graduate work with a 3.0 grade point average and completion of all deficiencies with a minimum grade of "B". It is the student’s responsibility to complete the "Application for Admission to Candidacy" form and to submit it to the director of the program.

Special Conditions of Graduate Credit

Graduate Credit Taken Prior to Admission to Arkansas Tech University. Students who are admitted to the M.S. degree program may apply up to six transfer graduate credits toward the satisfaction of degree requirements, subject to the following conditions.

The graduate credits must have been earned at a regionally accredited college or university.
Only courses with grades of "B" or "A" are eligible for transfer.
The transfer must be approved by the student’s advisory committee, the program director, and the graduate dean.
Graduate credit earned six years prior to the completion date of all degree requirements may not be applied toward the degree without the approval of the program director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Credit Taken After Admission to Arkansas Tech University. If, after admission to graduate study, a student wishes to take a course at another institution to count toward degree requirements at Arkansas Tech University, the student must secure, in advance of enrollment, a letter from the Dean of Graduate Studies approving the course for use in the Arkansas Tech University program.

Degree Requirements For the Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours of course-work at the graduate level must be completed, including completion of:

FW 6001. Graduate Seminar in Fisheries and

Wildlife Biology

FW 6002. Research Methods I.

FW 6012. Research Methods II.

FW 6013. Population Dynamics.

An approved statistics class - 3 hours.

FW 6991-6 - 6 hours.

Approved 5000 or 6000 level elective courses - 13 hours.

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved in all graduate work attempted at Arkansas Tech University. A maximum of 6 hours of "C" can be counted toward degree requirements, and a student receiving more that 6 hours of "C" or 3 hours of "D" or "F" is subject to dismissal from the program.
A written thesis and an oral defense of the research thesis must be approved by the advisory committee, the program director, and the graduate dean. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 graduate hours during the term of the thesis defense.
Completion of all requirements of the degree must be accomplished within six years from the time of admission to the program.

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