Graduate Program
The Department of Biology at Tennessee Tech offers both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs.
Degree Programs
The Master of Science degree in Biology has a thesis requirement. Students seeking admission to this program must meet departmental requirements as described in the Tennessee Tech Graduate Catalog, available here:
Biology M.S. Admissions Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Sciences offers a concentration in Biology. This degree program is an offered through the School of Environmental Studies, and students work directly with a faculty advisor from the Biology Department. Admission requirements to this program are available here:
Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences Admissions Requirements
The College of Graduate Studies offers a Diversity Fellowship that covers four semesters of graduate school. More details are available here:
Mission
Our department provides Ph.D. and M.S. students with the hands-on experience they need to conduct research, along with guidance and mentorship to attain careers in their desired fields. Graduate research in our department includes all aspects of biology, with projects that span molecular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. Many of our successful graduates are now working for state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, in academia, or as consultants. Our department actively supports efforts to increase underrepresented groups in the sciences; as such, we are committed to recruiting and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
Benefits
The graduate program in the Department of Biology at Tennessee Tech University will provide students with the training they need to qualify for specific careers that require advanced degrees. Students work closely with their graduate advisor, who works to ensure they receive high quality training opportunities in their specific field of interest. In addition, the advisor facilitates opportunities for publication, travel to scientific meetings, networking, teaching, and public outreach. To view research areas and faculty research interests, please visit our faculty research area page. To view our current graduate students, please click here.
One benefit of graduate studies in the sciences is the potential for student funding in the form of a stipend and tuition waiver. Depending on the program, students may be eligible for support as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or through a fellowship. In these cases, graduate students are being paid to acquire valuable experiences that will further their careers. These positions depend on availability and are competitive; potential graduate students should consult with individual faculty members about the availability of funding prior to applying.
If you are interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D., we encourage you to begin the application
process! To do so, prospective applicants should first contact a potential faculty
advisor within the Dept. of Biology and obtain their consent before submitting an
application. The faculty member will need to sign an advisor acceptance form, which the student will upload with their application to the College of Graduate
Studies. Application details for each degree are provided below.
