Department of Biology

J. Kevin Langford, interim chair
Miller Science Building, Room 101
Phone: (936) 468-3601
Fax: (936) 468-2056
biology@sfasu.edu
sfasu.edu/biology

Matthew A. Kwiatkowski, graduate program advisor
Miller Science Building, Room 241
kwiatkowm@sfasu.edu

Departmental Objectives

To provide advanced education and training in the biological sciences
To develop, with the student, the skill sets necessary to conduct independent research in the biological sciences
To enhance a student’s potential for employment in the biological sciences or entrance to a Ph.D. or other professional program.

Graduate Faculty

Professors

D. Brent Burt, PhD, University of Arizona, Ornithology, Animal Behavior and Evolution
Dennis A. Gravatt, PhD, Louisiana State University, Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology
Matthew A. Kwiatkowski, PhD, Arizona State University, Herpetology, Evolutionary Ecology
Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, PhD, Belorussian University, Biotechnology
Donald B. Pratt, PhD, Iowa State University, Botany, Plant Systematics and Evolution
Josephine Taylor, PhD, University of Georgia, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Ultrastructure
James Van Kley, PhD, Purdue University, Plant Taxonomy and Ecology
Stephen C. Wagner, PhD, Clemson University, Microbial Ecology and Industrial Microbiology
Robert J. Wiggers, PhD, Texas A&M University, Molecular Genetics

Associate Professors

Daniel J. Bennett, PhD, University of Kansas, Entomology
J. Kevin Langford, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Developmental Biology

Assistant Professors

Jason N. Bruck, PhD, University of Chicago, Dolphin Cognition, Communication and Conservation
Carmen G. Montaña-Schalk, PhD, Texas A&M University, Aquatic Ecology
Zeljko M. Radulovic, PhD, University of Belgrade, Arthropod Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis each year in the department. Students with teaching assistantships are usually responsible for teaching introductory biology laboratories. In order to initially qualify for an assistantship, students must have a sufficient amount of coursework in general biology, human biology, zoology and botany. For information, deadlines and applications, contact Matthew Kwiatkowski, graduate coordinator, at kwiatkowm@sfasu.edu.

Graduate Admission Requirements for MS in Biology

The Master of Science in biology is directed at applicants interested in a graduate experience to broaden their understanding of scientific technique and increase their chances of a career or doctoral program in the field. The MS program at SFA offers two areas of emphasis: cellular and molecular biology and ecology and evolutionary biology.

Admission Requirements for Domestic (U.S. National) Students

In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements listed elsewhere in this bulletin, applicants to the master’s program in the Department of Biology must meet the following criteria:

Applicants with an overall GPA ≥ 3.0 and a GPA in biology-related courses ≥ 3.0 are given clear admission. When calculating GPA, all attempts of repeated courses will be used in this GPA calculation if 1) a course was attempted more than twice or 2) more than two different courses were attempted more than once. Otherwise, only the repeated grade will be used.
Applicants with an overall GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 or a GPA in biology-related courses of 2.5 to 2.99 have two options for admission:
- probationary admission OR
- clear admission with GRE scores where the sum of the verbal and quantitative percentiles is ≥ 70 and a minimum percentile of ≥ 30 for each individual area.

When calculating GPA, all attempts of repeated courses will be used in this GPA calculation if 1) a course was attempted more than twice or 2) more than two different courses were attempted more than once. Otherwise, only the repeated grade will be used.

Applicants with an overall GPA < 2.5 or a GPA in biology-related courses < 2.5 will not be admitted.
Completion of a BS in biology or related field. Completion of at least 15 to 18 hours of biology credit above the first-year level with a genetics course (equivalent to BIOL 3453). Courses in heredity, typically designed for the non-science majors, will not fulfill the genetics requirement. Students lacking the required equivalent of BIOL 3453 may be provisionally admitted and required to take this course during their provisional first semester.
A written letter of intent specifying if the applicant is seeking a thesis or nonthesis degree; which area the applicant intends to study (cellular and molecular biology or ecology and evolutionary biology); academic interests; any relevant past academic, field, or research experience; and discussing the applicant’s personal academic and career goals, and how a master’s degree in biology from SFA will help further these goals. The letter is used by the graduate advisor to better advise the applicant. Applications will be considered incomplete without a letter of intent.
Following university policy, all applicants also should consult directly with the graduate program advisor of the department (currently Dr. Matthew Kwiatkowski, kwiatkowm@sfasu.edu). Acceptance into the MS biology programs is contingent upon available faculty advisors. Those faculty with open seats for either thesis or nonthesis graduate students are listed on the biology website and also are available from the program advisor. Please review this list, identify a compatible advisor and contact them as early as possible. Qualified applicants are encouraged to match with an advisor well before their entry semester to ensure a seat in the program.

Admission Requirements for International Students

In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements listed elsewhere in this bulletin, international applicants applying to the graduate program in the Department of Biology must meet the following criteria:

Applicants will be assessed following the criteria provided above under domestic students, including some indication of grade interpretation for universities not following the standard U.S. GPA and grading system.
The curriculum criteria as outlined above for domestic students, including some indication of grade interpretation for universities not following the standard U.S. GPA and grading system.
A letter of intent as outlined under the domestic student section above.
Consult with the department graduate program advisor as outlined under the domestic student section above.
In addition to the requirements listed above, students for whom English is a second language require a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer) or 80 (internet); or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

Postgraduate Work in Biology

A student with a bachelor’s or master’s degree and with the appropriate prerequisites may take additional coursework in biology. The graduate advisor will assist the student in choosing courses that will increase the student’s working ability in biology. Postgraduate work is recommended for individuals interested in teaching at the junior college level, as well as other teachers. Students completing postgraduate courses also may individually undertake directed research experience(s) with a faculty mentor, but any earned credits will not count towards a graduate degree unless the student applies to the program (described above).

Facilities for Graduate Work

The department has a number of facilities in which graduate students study and carry on their research. These facilities include a fully equipped electron microscopy laboratory, an aquatic biology laboratory, a fully equipped cellular and molecular biology lab, a greenhouse, a herbarium and an entomarium. Reference collections of invertebrates, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes are maintained for studies in these respective areas. Other resources on campus include the Steen Library and the Southern Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service. Numerous areas in East Texas also are available for establishment of field sites for ecological studies, including the SFA Experimental Forest; the Davy Crockett, Angelina and Sabine National Forests; and numerous lakes and streams.

Programs

Major

Biology, MS

Minor