Natural Science, M.S.

(36 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The Master of Science in Natural Sciences program at Northeastern State University will provide students with multi-disciplinary training in the Natural Sciences beyond that of the baccalaureate degree.  Students will gain experience in the design, execution, and reporting of scientific research by completing a research project and Master’s thesis.  The curriculum will consist of formal courses in one or more areas of concentration and incorporate the candidate’s background, goals, and objectives.  A central goal of the program is to prepare students for doctoral programs and/or employment in the natural sciences or advancement in their current profession.

The graduate courses chosen for this program are intended to give students depth in one area of concentration in the Natural Sciences.  Adequate classroom instruction is a critical part to broadening student understanding of science and enabling them to be successful researchers.  However, the program also specifically includes multi-disciplinary courses that will give a student exposure to a wider range of concepts and topics than are typically included in a more traditional, discipline specific graduate program.  Many of the issues our society faces today are multi-disciplinary in nature, and scientists who are comfortable with approaching these issues from a multi-disciplinary angle will be very valuable.  Thus, the coursework for this program is designed to provide students the skills they need to understand and appreciate multi-disciplinary approaches to problem solving in science, without sacrificing the deeper understanding of a specific discipline in science.

All students involved in the program are required to conduct research and disseminate the results of their work through appropriate venues.  Research training is a crucial part of graduate training in the sciences; thus, this aspect of the program directly relates to the overall objective of training future scientists for their intended career.

Admission Requirements

Students admitted in full standing must meet the following requirements:

1. The student must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Northeastern State University or equivalent education from a foreign university.
2. The student must have an overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of course work, and a combined Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 298 with a minimum score of 143 on the quantitative section of the GRE, submit a personal goals statement, and three letters of recommendation.
3. The student must be admitted to Northeastern State University and the Graduate College.  For more information concerning admission, visit www.nsuok.edu.
4. International applicants are also required to submit a score of not less than 550 on the paper-based or a comparable score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, with a minimum of 50th percentile on the Listening Comprehension Section.
5. The student must have an undergraduate background of at least 20 semester hours in the natural sciences and/or engineering.  Additional course work may be required for admission.

Admission to the program will be determined by the Program Admissions committee after reviewing the application documents.

Degree Requirements (minimum of 36 hours)

1. Advisory Committee.  Initially, each student will be advised by the departmental coordinator of graduate studies from the student’s emphasis area.  Within the first semester, the student will select a graduate faculty member from that department to chair a graduate advisory committee consisting of at least three faculty members.  One of the committee members must be outside of the student’s emphasis but within the College of Science and Health Professions.  This committee will supervise the remainder of the student’s program.
2. Program of Study.  This unique interdisciplinary masters program requires more than one area of concentration.  Each individualized program will be structured by the advisory committee in consultation with the student.  The academic background, professional experience, academic objectives, and personal needs will be considered in establishing the individual’s program.  Students may elect areas of emphasis in the following program areas:  Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
3. Course Requirements.  The student is required to take the following courses:

Introduction to Research (2 hours)

Multi-disciplinary Topics in Natural Science (3 hours)

Statistics OR Applied Mathematics for Physics and Chemistry (3 hours)

Primary emphasis (12 hours)

Seminar (4 hours)

Research (6 hours)

Research Thesis (6 hours)

The student must select a primary emphasis area consisting of at least 12 credit hours of courses selected from one program in the Department of Natural Sciences.  Specific courses for the primary emphasis area must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.  In total, the student must complete at least 36 hours of graduate course work.

4. Grade Point Average.  A GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all graduate work at Northeastern State University and course work transferred from other institutions is required.  The student may earn no more than one C in any graduate course.
5. Thesis Requirement.  A student will be required to complete a Research Thesis.  The student will give an oral defense of their thesis.  The thesis shall be approved by the advisory committee and by the Dean of the Graduate College before the degree is granted.  A maximum of six hours of thesis credit can be applied toward the minimum hours required for the master’s degree.
6. Time Limit.  The student must complete all requirements within a six-year period (exclusive of the time spent in the United States Armed Forces).