GRADUATE PROGRAM Programs of Study. The Department of Biological Sciences offers degree programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Traditional areas of strength in the department include basic and applied microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, comparative and environmental physiology, taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Research by the Graduate Faculty focuses on mechanisms of organism function in terms of cell properties and structural components, variation in the structure and function of organisms and other complex biological systems, and the integration of biological scales and processes. Graduate training emphasizes preparation for careers in teaching and research in both academic and nonacademic positions.  The Graduate Handbook contains detailed information about requirements and deadlines in the graduate program.     The Master of Science program typically requires two years of course work, a research thesis, and an oral comprehensive examination and defense of the thesis. Thesis research for the Master's degree emphasizes basic research skills, hypothesis generation, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and manuscript preparation. The Ph.D. program requires two semesters in residence, oral and written comprehensive exams, and a defense of the dissertation. Course requirements vary according to the needs of the student. Research Facilities. Harned Hall, a four-story building located near the center of the campus, houses laboratories, classrooms, and an attached greenhouse. It also houses a scintillation counter, ultracentrifuge, spectrophotometric instrumentation, a darkroom, and a modern animal facility. The department maintains vehicles for teaching and research. An electron microscope center with transmission and scanning electron microscopes is available on campus. Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge and Tombigbee National Forest, located within 20 miles of the campus, offer opportunities for ecological studies. Research opportunities and courses dealing with marine and estuarine environments are offered by the Mississippi State University Research Center at the National Space Technology Laboratories near Bay St. Louis and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory at Ocean Springs.  DNA sequenators are available in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Financial Aid. Teaching assistantships are available to qualified students; M.S. and Ph.D. students receive stipends of $10,000 and $12,000, respectively, per academic year. Additional assistantships for the summer are available.  Research assistantships are available for specific funded projects. Cost of Study.  Tuition and non residence fees are waived for all students receiving a standard departmental graduate assistantship.  There is an activity fee of $400 per semester. Housing.  A small number of new graduate student apartments is available on campus. Most graduate students live in dormitories or private apartments or share rental houses in town. Enrollment.  Mississippi State University has a total student population of about 16,000. The Department of Biological Sciences has approximately 40 graduate students enrolled in its M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Location.  Located near Starkville in northeastern Mississippi, the University enjoys a mild climate and the advantage of a small community environment while being within driving distance of major population centers. Extensive forested lands and nearby lakes offer opportunities for hiking and camping. The University. The University was founded in 1878 as a land-grant college whose major emphasis was to educate the people of Mississippi. The modern University comprises ten colleges and schools, including, among others, a College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, School of Forest Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, and School of Architecture. The Engineering Research Center, located on campus, provides access to modern computer and image analysis equipment. Visit the University homepage at http://www.msstate.edu The Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association has assembled a Graduate Student Survival Guide  with a great deal of helpful information about the Department, University, and Community, as well as tips on succeeding as a Graduate Student at MSU.   APPLY ON LINE AT :  http://www.msstate.edu/dept/grad/application.htm Graduate Admission.  Prospective students wishing to enroll in a graduate program may do so by completing the application forms and mailing them to the Graduate School or to the graduate coordinator (see below).   The forms are available in .PDF portable document format (http://www.msstate.edu/dept/grad/application.htm). To use the forms, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free. Print the above forms on your printer and provide all the information and materials requested. Your application will not be processed until all documentation is received by the Department. A complete graduate school application packet should include two copies of the application, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, official GRE score, official TOEFL score (for international students), and official transcripts. Students seeking admission to a graduate program in Biological Sciences must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 based on a 4.0 system and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all course work in the biological sciences, and they must achieve an acceptable score on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination.  Although there is no official application deadline, those interested in Fall admission should see that official transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of interest reach the Graduate School by the end of February. Applicants should correspond with individual faculty members in their area of interest. Mail the complete application packet to: Office of Graduate Studies Mississippi State University  P.O. Box G Mississippi State, MS  39762-5507, USA.
Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, 130 Harned Hall, Lee Blvd., Mississippi State, MS 39762