MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCE
Purpose
The Master of Science in Natural Sciences program provides students with multi-disciplinary training in the natural sciences beyond that of the baccalaureate degree. Students pursuing a traditional thesis-based M.S. degree will gain experience in the design, execution, and reporting of scientific research by completing an original research project, while non-thesis students take more formal coursework and complete a capstone project. The curriculum consists of formal courses in the natural sciences and incorporates the candidate’s background, goals, and objectives. Adequate classroom instruction is a critical part to broadening students’ understanding of science and enabling them to be successful researchers. In addition, the program also includes multi-disciplinary courses that provide 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. 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.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Expand the breadth of knowledge in basic science content within the chosen field of emphasis.
- Enhance presentation skills in both writing and speech.
- Generate new scientific knowledge within the field of emphasis.
The student will give an oral defense of his/her research thesis. The thesis shall be approved by the advisory committee and by the Dean of the Graduate College before the degree is conferred. A maximum of six hours of thesis credit can be applied toward the minimum hours required for the master’s degree.
- SCI 5530 - Research in the Natural Sciences (6 hours)
- SCI 5502 - Research Rotation (or 2 additional hours of SCI 5530 Research in the Natural Sciences)
- SCI 5900 - Thesis (6 hours)
Capstone Candidates
The student will complete 8 hours of electives and the capstone sequence. Student must complete a comprehensive oral examination covering coursework and the capstone sequence.
M.S. in Natural Science - 36 hours
Electives - 12 hours
Complete 12 hours from the following courses. In consultation with their advisor, students may focus the hours in area(s) of their choice. Students may petition the program chair for permission to count hours not on the following list.
- BIOL 5003 - Advanced Experimental Design
- BIOL 5103 - Developmental Biology
- BIOL 5133 - General Virology
- BIOL 5164 - Medical Microbiology
- BIOL 5200 - Advanced Topics in Biology
- BIOL 5214 - Animal Parasitology
- BIOL 5234 - Mammalogy
- BIOL 5242 - Trends & Issues in Molecular Biology#
- BIOL 5264 - Ornithology
- BIOL 5324 - Principles of Fisheries & Wildlife Management
- BIOL 5343 - Biological Aspects of Environmental Health
- BIOL 5354 - Immunology
- BIOL 5543 - Molecular Biology
- BIOL 5554 - Limnology
- CHEM 5113 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 5123 - Spectroscopic Methods in Chemistry
- CHEM 5213 - Advanced Biochemistry
- CHEM 5223 - Polymer Chemistry
- CHEM 5233 - Bioinorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 5243 - Materials Science
- CHEM 5253 - Separations
- CHEM 5360 - Special Topics in Chemistry
- CHEM 5513 - Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 5523 - Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 5713 - Electrochemistry
- PHYS 5613 - Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 5623 - Electrodynamics
- PHYS 5633 - Quantum Mechanics
- PHYS 5643 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Accelerated B.S. Chemistry to M.S. Natural Science Degree - Thesis Pathway
Note: Please refer to Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program for complete information concerning the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP). Refer to the current Undergraduate Catalog for bachelor’s degree requirements.
IMPORTANT:
- Students admitted to the Accelerated B.S. Chemistry: Biochemistry or Chemistry: Professional to M.S. Natural Science degree program will complete 6-9 hours of graduate level credit to apply toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Students who do not follow the approved degree plan may become ineligible to continue in the accelerated degree program.
- Prior to completing the undergraduate degree, if the undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA and/or overall GPA fall below a 3.00, the student becomes ineligible to continue in the ADP.
- Students may withdraw from an approved accelerated degree pathway. Graduate credit hours completed prior to the student withdrawing or becoming ineligible to continue in the ADP apply toward the undergraduate degree only.
ADP Paired Courses (Biochemistry Option)
| CHEM 4412 - Research in Chemistry I | SCI 5530 (2 hrs) - Research in the Natural Sciences |
| CHEM 4723 - Advanced Biochemistry | CHEM 5213 - Advanced Biochemistry |
| CHEM 4911 - Chemistry Seminar I | SCI 5511 - Research Seminar |
| Approved Undergraduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs) | Approved Graduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs) |
ADP Paired Courses (Professional Option)
| CHEM 4412 - Research in Chemistry I | SCI 5530 (2 hrs) - Research in the Natural Sciences |
| CHEM 4911 - Chemistry Seminar I | SCI 5511 - Research Seminar |
| Approved Undergraduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs) | Approved Graduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs) |
| Free Electives (3 hrs - Optional) | Approved Graduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs - Optional) |
Natural Sciences Certificate
Location(s): Tahlequah, Broken Arrow
OSRHE Program Code: 209
CIP Code: 301801
Certificate Code: 7705
This certificate is embedded in the Natural Sciences, M.S.
The Master of Science in Natural Sciences program provides students with multi-disciplinary training in the natural sciences. The embedded graduate certificate in Natural Sciences will provide students with a graduate level research experience, seminar presentations, and course work.
At least 25 percent of the coursework applied to this embedded certificate must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
Required Courses - 10 hours
Students will take SCI 5511 twice; and SCI 5530 for a minimum of 2 credit hours.
Degree Available At
- Tahlequah
- Broken Arrow
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Career Services
What Can I Do With A Major in Natural Science?
- Biologist
- Chemist
- Physicist
- College Professor
- Technical Writer
- Health-related Professional Schools
Program Chair:
Did You Know?
The abilities you gain with a natural science master's enables you to work in a variety of scientific and other professional roles. You will have learned to think independently, solve problems, and be analytical in your approach - a skills set that many employers require.
Program Requirements
- 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours
- Undergraduate background of at least 20 semester hours in the natural sciences and/or engineering
- 2 References
- Advisor Selection Form
Application Deadline
- Open Year Round
*Fees include: facility fee, student activity fee, infrastructure fee, cultural/scholastic lecturer fee, student ID fee, technology services fee and remedial course fee, if applicable. NSU courses taught at off campus locations or online might have additional fees assessed. These totals are tuition and fee estimations per program based on the current catalog year. Books, supplies and some fees may not be included.
Minority Students
$48,195,863
Total Aid Disbursed in 2020-2021
1,471
Bachelors Degrees Awarded Last Year
